Hebrews 2:16 kjv
For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
Hebrews 2:16 nkjv
For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.
Hebrews 2:16 niv
For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants.
Hebrews 2:16 esv
For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.
Hebrews 2:16 nlt
We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham.
Hebrews 2 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Incarnation & Humanity | ||
| Jn 1:14 | The Word became flesh and dwelt among us... | Christ's full humanity. |
| Phil 2:6-8 | He emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men... | Christ's self-abasement for humanity. |
| Rom 8:3 | God sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh... | Incarnation to condemn sin. |
| Gal 4:4 | When the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman... | Christ born into humanity. |
| 1 Tim 2:5 | For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the Christ Jesus, Himself man... | Christ's essential humanity as Mediator. |
| Purpose & Identification | ||
| Heb 2:14 | Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same... | Reason for shared humanity. |
| Heb 2:17 | Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things... | Christ's identification with believers. |
| Lk 19:10 | For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. | Purpose of His earthly mission. |
| Matt 1:21 | He will save His people from their sins. | Direct purpose of Jesus's coming. |
| Isa 53:12 | He poured out Himself to death... bare the sin of many... | Prophecy of Christ's saving sacrifice. |
| Superiority Over Angels | ||
| Heb 1:4 | Having become so much better than the angels... | Christ's supreme divine status. |
| Heb 2:5-9 | For He did not subject to angels the world to come... But we do see Jesus... | Christ's future reign and present exaltation. |
| Col 2:18 | Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in asceticism and the worship of angels... | Warning against angel worship/veneration. |
| Seed of Abraham & Covenant | ||
| Gen 12:3 | In you all the families of the earth will be blessed. | Promise to Abraham extending to all. |
| Gen 22:18 | In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed... | Reinforcement of the covenant promise. |
| Gal 3:16 | Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. | Christ as the singular fulfillment of the seed. |
| Gal 3:29 | If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to promise. | Believers becoming Abraham's seed through Christ. |
| Rom 4:13 | The promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world did not come through the Law... | Righteousness by faith, not law. |
| Isa 41:8-10 | But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend... | God's specific election of Abraham's lineage. |
| Christ as Helper/High Priest | ||
| Heb 4:15 | For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses... | Christ's empathetic high priesthood. |
| Heb 5:2 | He can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since He Himself also is beset with weakness... | Christ's shared experience enabling help. |
Hebrews 2 verses
Hebrews 2 16 Meaning
Hebrews 2:16 explains the divine necessity and purpose of Jesus Christ's incarnation. It states that Jesus did not assume the nature of angels to rescue or help them, but rather He "took hold of" or "laid hold of" humanity, specifically those represented by "the seed of Abraham," for the purpose of salvation and liberation from sin and death. This choice underscores His identification with humanity to become a sympathetic High Priest and mediator.
Hebrews 2 16 Context
Hebrews 2:16 is a pivotal verse in the overarching argument of the Book of Hebrews, which asserts the absolute supremacy and superiority of Jesus Christ over all creation, including angels, Moses, and the Old Covenant priesthood. Chapter 1 establishes Christ's divine identity and His superiority to angels. Chapter 2 transitions to Christ's humanity, explaining why He, despite His divine status, temporarily humbled Himself to become human. Verses 14-15 reveal that Christ shared in "flesh and blood" to defeat death and deliver humanity from its fear. Verse 16 builds upon this, explaining whom Christ came to help. The original audience, likely Jewish Christians facing temptation to revert to aspects of Judaism or give undue reverence to angels, needed to understand Christ's unique mission. The emphasis on "seed of Abraham" connects Christ's work directly to the Old Testament promises and their ultimate fulfillment in Him, reminding them that their redemption through Christ was aligned with their ancestral covenant, not against it.
Hebrews 2 16 Word analysis
For verily: The Greek "οὐ γὰρ δήπου" (ou gar dēpou) introduces an emphatic affirmation based on common knowledge or strong reasoning, functioning almost as "It is surely not the case that... for it is surely..."
he took not on him the nature of angels: The phrase "the nature of" is an interpretive addition in some English translations (like KJV). The Greek verb is "ἐπιλαμβάνεται" (epilambanetai), which means "to take hold of," "to lay hold of," "to seize," or "to help." When applied here, it signifies not a change in intrinsic nature, but rather an active act of "taking hold of for help." The author clarifies that Christ did not grasp hold of, or come to the aid of, angels. This directly implies that the angelic beings who fell (Jude 1:6) are not candidates for redemption in the same manner as humanity.
but he took on him: Again, "took on him" translates "ἐπιλαμβάνεται" (epilambanetai), the same verb. The contrasting clause here specifies Christ's active choice to intervene for humanity. This active grasping signifies providing help, deliverance, and support. It highlights the divine initiative in salvation.
the seed of Abraham: Greek "σπέρματος Ἀβραὰμ" (spermatos Abraam). "Seed" is singular, referring collectively to Abraham's descendants. In the Old Testament, it primarily refers to physical descendants. In the New Testament, especially in Galatians 3, "the Seed" ultimately points to Christ Himself as the true spiritual heir and the one through whom the promises are fulfilled. By extension, all who are in Christ, whether Jew or Gentile, become the spiritual "seed of Abraham" (Gal 3:29). This choice emphasizes Christ's identification with the chosen people through whom God's redemptive plan would unfold.
He took not on him... but He took on him...: This contrast is crucial. The same verb "epilambanetai" (to take hold of for help/rescue) is used in both clauses, underscoring Christ's selective redemptive act. He actively chose whom to extend His helping hand to. This negates any idea of angels receiving similar redemption.
Angels vs. the Seed of Abraham: This sets up a profound theological distinction. Angels, though powerful, are ultimately God's servants. Fallen angels receive no redemption. Humanity, represented by Abraham's seed (both ethnic Israel and all spiritual heirs by faith), despite their fallen state, were chosen for Christ's saving intervention, aligning with God's covenant promises.
Hebrews 2 16 Bonus section
The concept of "epilambanetai" is found in other Greek texts of the period (e.g., in a papyrus referring to someone seizing a boat for refuge) which supports the interpretation of it as "to seize for help or refuge." It's not merely a passive assumption of identity but an active, merciful intervention. This verb powerfully conveys the initiative Christ took in grasping onto fallen humanity to deliver it from bondage, rather than simply stating that He became human. This theological nuance reinforces the depth of God's love and Christ's sacrifice, as He intentionally chose the vulnerable and enslaved "seed of Abraham" over the glorious but irredeemable angels. This further highlights His absolute suitability to serve as our sympathetic and faithful High Priest, as He fully participated in the human condition, including its suffering, as a prerequisite for His priestly ministry.
Hebrews 2 16 Commentary
Hebrews 2:16 is a powerful explanation of the Incarnation's scope and purpose. It affirms that Jesus Christ, being fully God (as established in Chapter 1), deliberately chose to assume full humanity and not angelic nature to execute His saving work. The use of "epilambanetai" (to take hold of, to help) highlights that Christ did not merely become human by nature; rather, He actively engaged with humanity for the purpose of their deliverance. This specific "grasping" for the "seed of Abraham" signifies Christ's embrace of those under the covenant promise, ultimately encompassing all who believe. His human experience allows Him to be a truly compassionate and understanding High Priest (Heb 2:17-18), able to fully empathize and aid those whom He chose to rescue from sin, death, and the power of the devil.