Hebrews 2:8 kjv
Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
Hebrews 2:8 nkjv
You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.
Hebrews 2:8 niv
and put everything under their feet." In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.
Hebrews 2:8 esv
putting everything in subjection under his feet." Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.
Hebrews 2:8 nlt
You gave them authority over all things."
Now when it says "all things," it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority.
Hebrews 2 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 8:4-6 | What is mankind... You have crowned him with glory and honor; you have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet. | The direct OT source of Heb 2:8. |
| Eph 1:22 | And God put all things under his feet and gave him as head over everything to the church. | Direct NT application of Ps 8:6 to Christ's dominion. |
| 1 Cor 15:27 | For he has put everything under his feet. Now when it says that everything has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. | Another direct application of Ps 8:6 to Christ; clarifies God's supreme authority. |
| Phil 2:9-11 | Therefore God highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord... | Christ's supreme universal exaltation and dominion. |
| Col 1:16 | For by him all things were created... all things were created through him and for him. | Christ's preeminence and creative power over all things. |
| Heb 1:2 | ...through whom also he created the world. | Christ as agent of creation, implying cosmic authority. |
| Heb 1:3 | He is the radiance of the glory of God... upholding the universe by his word of power. | Christ's active maintenance and governing of creation. |
| Gen 1:28 | God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful... and have dominion over... every living thing that moves on the earth.” | Original divine mandate for human dominion, foreshadowing. |
| Ps 110:1 | The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” | Christ's anticipated final victory and dominion over enemies. |
| Matt 28:18 | And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” | Christ's declared universal authority after resurrection. |
| John 3:35 | The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. | God the Father's grant of universal authority to the Son. |
| John 13:3 | Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands... | Jesus' awareness of His divinely bestowed universal authority. |
| Acts 2:36 | Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” | Divine appointment of Jesus as Lord with ultimate authority. |
| Rom 8:38-39 | For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers... nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. | Illustrates nothing in creation has ultimate power over Christ's reign or His people. |
| Heb 2:9 | But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death... | Immediately clarifies the how and whom of the "subjection." |
| Heb 2:10 | For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering. | God's purpose for Christ's humanity and its scope. |
| 1 Pet 3:22 | ...who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. | Direct confirmation of Christ's exaltation and authority over spiritual beings. |
| Rev 1:5 | ...and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings on earth. | Christ's present and future royal authority. |
| Rev 11:15 | The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever. | Ultimate, everlasting dominion of Christ. |
| Ps 82:1 | God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment. | God's supreme authority, even over spiritual "gods"/rulers. |
| Heb 1:4 | ...having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. | Sets the context of Christ's superiority over angels. |
Hebrews 2 verses
Hebrews 2 8 Meaning
Hebrews 2:8 declares God's ultimate decree to place all creation in subjection under humanity, directly quoting Psalm 8:6. However, the writer of Hebrews immediately applies this profound statement not to humanity in its fallen state, but specifically to Jesus Christ, the perfect Man and Son of God. It signifies the complete and total dominion entrusted to Him over everything. While Psalm 8 originally speaks of the dignity and authority granted to human beings, Hebrews reinterprets this passage as finding its perfect and singular fulfillment in Christ alone, who perfectly embodies the intended human reign and goes beyond it as God incarnate.
Hebrews 2 8 Context
Hebrews chapter 2 follows chapter 1's majestic declaration of Jesus Christ's absolute superiority to angels, proclaiming Him as the Son and the very radiance of God's glory. Chapter 2 transitions to address the significance of Christ's humanity. Verse 8 is part of an extended argument from Psalm 8, where the author demonstrates how this prophecy, though spoken of humanity generally, is supremely and exclusively fulfilled in Jesus. The immediate verses (Heb 2:5-7) quote Ps 8:4-6 to underscore God's original intent for humanity to have dominion, then Heb 2:8 quotes the climactic part. However, the verse's immediate context (Heb 2:8b and 2:9a) highlights a crucial tension: "Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. But at present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor..." This tension establishes the necessity of Christ's incarnation and suffering as the means for realizing this cosmic dominion, setting up the central theme of Christ as the perfected Pioneer of salvation. The historical context for the original Jewish Christian audience likely involved challenges to their faith, possibly a temptation to revert to elements of Old Covenant practices or an overemphasis on angels. By presenting Jesus as the One through whom all things are subjected, the author powerfully argues for Christ's ultimate authority and the profound dignity of His redemptive work.
Hebrews 2 8 Word analysis
- All things (τὰ πάντα - ta panta): This phrase is emphatic due to the definite article ("the") before "all" (πᾶς - pas). It signifies the absolute totality, without exception, of creation—visible and invisible, material and spiritual, earthly and heavenly. This term underscores a comprehensive and universal reign.
- in subjection (ὑπέταξας - hypetaxas): From the verb ὑποτάσσω (hypotasso), meaning "to arrange under, to subordinate, to subject." The aorist tense in the Greek indicates a decisive and completed action by God (the implied "You" or the Father). It implies not merely influence, but an established position of command and obedience.
- under his feet (ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ - hypo tous podas autou): This is an ancient, idiomatic expression for absolute subjugation, victory, and dominion. Placing something under one's feet signified complete conquest and authority over it, often visualized by stepping on a conquered enemy's neck (e.g., Josh 10:24). Its use here emphasizes Christ's ultimate triumph and supreme rule.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "You put all things in subjection": This phrase highlights divine sovereignty. It is God the Father who actively brings about this cosmic subordination, showing His deliberate plan and execution of dominion through Christ. This act of subjecting "all things" reveals God's authoritative role in establishing the universe's ultimate hierarchy. The statement affirms that this order is not coincidental but divinely ordained.
- "all things in subjection under his feet": This full expression emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the dominion. "All things" leaves no element of creation outside of this authority. The inclusion of "under his feet" visually and culturally conveys complete and indisputable conquest. It denotes an absolute and permanent state of mastery, not partial or temporary control. In the context of the letter, this mastery extends over principalities, powers, and even angels, surpassing any other created being.
Hebrews 2 8 Bonus section
The quote from Psalm 8 in Hebrews 2 is primarily from the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. The specific wording "you have put all things in subjection under his feet" is a faithful rendering of the LXX text. This passage stands as a foundational theological statement regarding Christ's cosmic dominion and also functions as a powerful polemic against any elevated view of angels that would diminish Christ's supreme position. The author intentionally moves from praising Christ's superior nature in chapter 1 to demonstrating how His temporary lower status (being "made lower than the angels" in His incarnation for the purpose of suffering) was the very means by which He fully secured and displayed this universal dominion. It presents a divine paradox where ultimate authority is achieved through humility and suffering.
Hebrews 2 8 Commentary
Hebrews 2:8 quotes Psalm 8:6, a psalm reflecting on humanity's exalted place in creation under God's appointment. The writer of Hebrews takes this Old Testament prophecy and reveals its true and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Psalm 8 spoke generally of "man," no human being perfectly embodied this complete dominion due to sin and death. Humanity, as a collective, still struggles and does not "yet see everything in subjection to him." However, Christ, as the God-man, perfectly embodies the ideal human. He is the New Adam who, through His obedience and particularly His suffering and death, perfectly accomplishes what God intended for humanity. Thus, "all things" (the entirety of creation, spiritual and physical) have been definitively placed "under His feet" (signifying absolute control and ultimate victory). This statement establishes Christ's supreme and universal authority as the King, the rightful heir and ruler over creation, achieving the dominion that humanity was originally purposed for, yet fell short of. This divine subjection underscores Jesus' unique role as the bridge between God's design for creation and its ultimate realization, setting the stage for His atoning work as the High Priest and perfect Pioneer.