Hebrews 1:4 kjv

Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Hebrews 1:4 nkjv

having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Hebrews 1:4 niv

So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

Hebrews 1:4 esv

having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Hebrews 1:4 nlt

This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.

Hebrews 1 verses

Hebrews 1 4 Meaning

Hebrews 1:4 states that Jesus Christ has been exalted to a position infinitely superior to that of any angel. His excellence is underscored by His unique and inherent status as the Son of God, signifying His divine nature, authority, and ultimate reign. The "more excellent name" he has "inherited" refers to His eternal Sonship, which conveys all divine attributes and prerogatives, positioning Him as the supreme revealer and High Priest of God's new covenant.

Hebrews 1 4 Context

Hebrews 1:4 serves as the concluding summary of the foundational argument presented in the first three verses of the chapter. The opening of Hebrews establishes Jesus Christ as the ultimate revelation of God, far superior to prophets (v.1). Verses 2-3 delineate His divine nature and roles: Creator, Sustainer, Heir of all things, the radiance of God’s glory, the exact imprint of His nature, and the One who cleansed sins. Building upon these weighty declarations of His divinity and salvific work, verse 4 then directly introduces the superiority of Christ over angels, a critical theme the author expands upon throughout the rest of Chapter 1 and beyond. The historical context involves Jewish Christians potentially wavering in their faith, accustomed to venerating angels as messengers and mediators of the Law. The author uses this comparison to prevent backsliding and affirm the supremacy of Christ as the singular, all-sufficient mediator of a "better" covenant.

Hebrews 1 4 Word analysis

• having become (γενόμενος - genomenos): Participle of ginomai. In this context, it speaks not of Christ's fundamental nature changing (as if He was not always superior), but rather of His manifestation and appointment to this state of preeminent glory following His work and ascension. It refers to His perfected human nature elevated to the right hand of God, securing the position that was eternally His by divine right as Son. It emphasizes His enthronement and inaugurated reign.

• so much better (τοσούτῳ κρείττων - tosoutō kreittōn): "So much" (τοσούτῳ - tosoutō) indicates a vast, inestimable degree of superiority, emphasizing a qualitative difference, not merely quantitative. "Better" (κρείττων - kreittōn) is a key term throughout Hebrews, consistently denoting a superior reality (e.g., better hope, covenant, sacrifice, promises, country). Here, it asserts Christ’s absolute preeminence in every aspect—being, nature, function, and authority—over angels. This directly refutes any contemporary view that might elevate angels as intermediaries or objects of worship.

• than the angels (ἀγγέλους - angelous): Refers to celestial beings who serve God and carry out His commands. In Jewish thought, angels played a significant role (e.g., mediators of the Law at Sinai). The comparison explicitly elevates Christ above all created spiritual beings, positioning Him as sovereign Lord over them, rather than merely one of them or a higher angel.

• as He has inherited (κληρονομήκεν - klēronomēken): "Has inherited" (from κληρονομέω - klēronomeō) signifies gaining possession by right of succession or lineage. For Christ, this inheritance is not acquiring something new He lacked as God, but rather the divine recognition and vindication of His eternal Sonship and messianic claims. His glory and authority are inherent, though fully realized and demonstrated through His work of salvation, resurrection, and ascension. It underscores His divine right and predestined status as Heir.

• a more excellent name (ὄνομα διαφορώτερον - onoma diaphorōteron): "Name" (ὄνομα - onoma) in biblical terms embodies character, authority, nature, and power. It's not just a label but signifies His entire being. "More excellent" (διαφορώτερον - diaphorōteron) is a comparative adjective again, reinforcing the unparalleled distinction. This "name" is explicitly clarified in the subsequent verses (Heb 1:5ff) as "Son," distinguishing Him from any created being and associating Him with the very essence of God. The "name" encapsulates His unique divine Sonship and His anointing as the Messiah, establishing His right to supreme worship and authority over all creation, including angels.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • having become so much better than the angels: This phrase highlights the outcome of Christ's perfect work (referenced in v.3: purging sins, sitting down). His ascension and enthronement (the "becoming") declare His superior status, which was always true in His nature but now visibly affirmed in His resurrected and glorified humanity. The comparison to angels is central to the author's argument for Christ's supremacy over the Old Covenant economy.
  • as He has inherited a more excellent name than they: This provides the reason for His superiority. His divine identity, inherent as the Son, is superior to any name or designation given to angels. This inheritance is a declaration of His divine status and kingly prerogative, distinct from any creaturely endowment. It signifies that His position is one of intrinsic right and authority, not bestowed or earned in the same way an angel's position might be.

Hebrews 1 4 Bonus section

• The argument in Hebrews 1 concerning Christ's superiority to angels addresses a crucial theological issue prevalent in early Christianity: some Jewish groups held angels in extremely high esteem, possibly leading to a form of angel veneration or seeing them as indispensable mediators between God and humanity. The author directly counters this by repeatedly quoting Old Testament Scriptures to demonstrate God's direct declarations of Christ's Sonship and ultimate sovereignty, which angels themselves lack and must bow before.
• The "inheritance" here for Christ is a divine appointment that confirms His eternal status rather than implying a new acquisition. It speaks to the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy (e.g., Ps 2) where the Father confers reign and authority upon His Son, recognizing His unique place as heir of all things. This understanding is key to grasping Christ's ultimate victory and absolute reign over spiritual realms.
• The structure of Hebrews 1:4 forms a literary pivot, moving from Christ's divine nature and redemptive work (v.1-3) to a comparative demonstration of His supremacy (v.4-14). This strategic placement strengthens the argument that Jesus is the final and full revelation of God, far surpassing all previous revelations or intermediaries.

Hebrews 1 4 Commentary

Hebrews 1:4 acts as the crucial summation of Christ's preeminence over all creation, specifically drawing a stark contrast with angels. The preceding verses have established His eternal divinity, His role in creation, His sustenance of all things, His embodying God's glory and nature, and His accomplishment of atonement for sins. Therefore, His "becoming better" refers not to a change in His eternal nature, but rather the visible vindication and inauguration of His rightful rule upon His ascension and seating at God's right hand.

The choice of "angels" for comparison is highly significant. To the Jewish mind, angels were exalted, powerful, and central to the Old Covenant's administration (e.g., mediating the Law). By proving Christ's absolute superiority over them—demonstrated by Scriptural proofs of His unique Sonship and worship from angels themselves (Heb 1:5-14)—the author establishes His supreme authority as the mediator of a new and better covenant.

The "more excellent name" Christ has inherited is primarily "Son." This "name" encapsulates His unique, uncreated divine nature and His relationship with the Father. Unlike angels, who are servants, Christ is the Son and Heir. This inherently means He possesses shared divine authority, dominion, and receives worship. His inherent right to this name distinguishes Him fundamentally from all creation. The verse thus sets the theological foundation for understanding why believers should adhere to Christ alone, resisting any temptation to look to lesser intermediaries or former shadows. It assures them that Christ, the exalted Son, is sufficient and utterly supreme.