Hebrews 1:6 kjv

And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

Hebrews 1:6 nkjv

But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him."

Hebrews 1:6 niv

And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."

Hebrews 1:6 esv

And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."

Hebrews 1:6 nlt

And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, "Let all of God's angels worship him."

Hebrews 1 verses

Hebrews 1 6 Meaning

Hebrews 1:6 declares a divine command from God the Father concerning His Son, Jesus Christ. It states that when God introduces or brings the "firstborn" (a term denoting preeminence and supreme authority) into the world, He commands all angels to worship Him. This verse highlights Christ's unparalleled divine status, emphatically positioning Him above all angelic beings who, despite their glory, are mere worshipers and servants, not objects of worship. It underscores the unique glory and position of Christ as the Son of God, to whom even the mightiest created beings must pay homage.

Hebrews 1 6 Context

Hebrews chapter 1 opens with a foundational declaration of Christ's supremacy as God's ultimate revelation, superior to all previous prophets. Verses 2-4 establish His divine nature, role in creation, sustenance of all things, redemptive work, and current exalted position at God's right hand. The central argument of chapter 1 is the unparalleled superiority of Jesus Christ over angels, a topic of critical importance to the original Jewish audience, who might have held angels in high esteem as mediators of the Law or divine agents. Verse 5 begins the series of Old Testament citations that prove Christ's superiority. Verse 6 directly continues this argument, further distinguishing Christ from angels by demonstrating that angels are commanded to worship Christ, whereas Christ is never commanded to worship angels or anything lesser than God Himself. This command of worship marks Christ as uniquely divine and worthy of adoration, settling any debate about His place above angels. The phrase "when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world" likely refers to Christ's triumphant re-entry and enthronement in glory following His redemptive work (which includes His incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension), confirming His reign.

Hebrews 1 6 Word analysis

• And again (καὶ πάλιν, kai palin): The term "again" signifies the continuation of the argument from the previous verses, particularly picking up from the series of Old Testament quotations. It emphasizes an additional point or further evidence for Christ's superiority over angels. It implies this is not the only time God spoke, but another profound declaration.
• when he bringeth in (ὅταν εἰσαγάγῃ, hotan eisagagē): The subject is God the Father, actively "bringing in" or introducing the Son. The aorist subjunctive tense here, following "when" (ὅταν), indicates an event or action that occurs at a specific point or when a certain condition is met. This "bringing in" denotes an act of divine appointment and public display, emphasizing God's authoritative establishment of Christ's preeminence. Scholars interpret this as Christ's re-entry or introduction into glory, culminating in His enthronement, which includes the incarnation, resurrection, ascension, and glorification. It signifies the divine orchestration of Christ's supreme reign.
• the firstbegotten (τὸν πρωτότοκον, ton prōtotokon): This Greek term prototokos carries the primary meaning of "firstborn" in a context of preeminence, heirship, and supreme authority, rather than necessarily "first-created." In Jewish tradition, the firstborn son held special rights, inheritance, and authority, even if not the first-born in time (e.g., Ephraim over Manasseh, Ps 89:27 calling David the firstborn though he was the youngest son of Jesse). When applied to Christ, it highlights His supreme position as the rightful heir of all things and His preeminence over creation and humanity, making Him Lord of all. It reflects His unique status as the eternal Son who has ultimate authority. It differentiates Him sharply from creatures.
• into the world (εἰς τὴν οἰκουμένην, eis tēn oikoumenēn): Refers to the "inhabited earth" or the cosmos in its fully structured, inhabited form. This phrase, combined with "bringeth in," points to Christ's public manifestation and dominion within creation. It encapsulates His coming (incarnation), His redemptive work and subsequent enthronement in glory, where His reign is actively demonstrated over all realms, spiritual and physical. It signals a major, world-altering event that establishes His Lordship.
• he saith (λέγει, legei): The present tense here signifies an ongoing or timeless declaration, or it indicates God's speaking in the Scriptures which continues to resound. The speaker is God the Father, emphasizing the divine origin and authoritative nature of the command that follows.
• And let all the angels of God worship him (καὶ προσκυνησάτωσαν αὐτῷ πάντες ἄγγελοι Θεοῦ, kai proskynēsatōsan autō pantes angeloi Theou):
  • let... worship (προσκυνησάτωσαν, proskynēsatōsan): This is an imperative verb, a direct command. Proskyneō means "to prostrate oneself in adoration, to do homage, to worship." In a monotheistic context, worship (προσκύνησις, proskynesis) is reserved exclusively for God. This command unmistakably elevates Christ to divine status, placing Him as the sole object of angels' worship, setting Him infinitely above them. It refutes any notion that angels are divine or deserve worship.
  • all the angels of God (πάντες ἄγγελοι Θεοῦ, pantes angeloi Theou): This universal command leaves no room for exception. Every single angel, regardless of rank or power, is subordinate to Christ and must acknowledge His divine majesty by worshiping Him. This starkly contrasts the angels' created status with Christ's divine nature. The possessive "of God" highlights their identity as divine creations and servants. This command is a powerful statement against angel worship or any view diminishing Christ's ultimate authority.

Hebrews 1 6 Bonus section

The command for angels to worship Christ points to the inherent difference between creator and creature. While angels are majestic beings, they are created; Christ, as the "firstbegotten," shares the divine nature and therefore receives worship, distinguishing Him unequivocally from all of creation, including angels. The writer of Hebrews uses this quotation to preempt any misconstrued reverence for angels within the Jewish Christian community. This wasn't merely a theoretical debate; historical records indicate tendencies toward angel veneration (e.g., Colossians 2:18 speaks against it). Hebrews firmly asserts Christ's exclusive position. The idea of God "bringing in" His Son has eschatological undertones, hinting at the culmination of God's plan of redemption and the full establishment of Christ's kingdom and rule over all creation. This moment is presented as a significant, divinely orchestrated event of ultimate significance, highlighting Christ's enthronement as sovereign King.

Hebrews 1 6 Commentary

Hebrews 1:6 serves as a foundational declaration of Christ's absolute deity and supremacy, particularly in contrast to angelic beings. The author employs an Old Testament citation (likely drawing from Septuagintal Deut 32:43 and/or Ps 97:7) to underscore a pivotal moment when God the Father mandates worship for His Son. The term "firstbegotten" does not denote a beginning in time but speaks to Christ's inherent preeminence, His rights as the ultimate Heir, and His supreme authority over all creation. This reflects Christ's divine-given status and unique relationship with the Father as the prōtotokos, indicating a privileged position that excels all others.

The "bringing in" refers to Christ's triumphant entry into His full redemptive and royal glory. This likely encompasses His incarnation, by which God entered the human sphere, and supremely His resurrection and ascension, which culminated in His enthronement at the right hand of God. At this pivotal juncture, the Father explicitly commands that all angelic beings, despite their inherent glory and power, must bow down and offer worship to the Son. This is a profound statement against any veneration of angels and firmly establishes Christ as the exclusive recipient of worship alongside the Father. It clarifies that angels are not intermediaries or divine figures on par with Christ; rather, they are fellow created beings, albeit powerful, who are themselves subject to Christ's authority and mandated to worship Him. This verse reinforces the truth that worship is due only to God, thus affirming Christ's divinity.