God’s Word Translation
Hebrews 2:16
16So Jesus helps Abraham’s descendants rather than helping angels.
Hebrews 2:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
- New International Version (NIV)For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.
Context of Hebrews 2:16
14Since all of these sons and daughters have flesh and blood, Jesus took on flesh and blood to be like them. He did this so that by dying he would destroy the one who had power over death (that is, the devil). 15In this way he would free those who were slaves all their lives because they were afraid of dying. So Jesus helps Abraham’s descendants rather than helping angels. 17Therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters so that he could be merciful. He became like them so that he could serve as a faithful chief priest in God’s presence and make peace with God for their sins. 18Because Jesus experienced temptation when he suffered, he is able to help others when they are tempted.
Read all of Hebrews 2Hebrews 2:16 word by word
οὐ γὰρ δήπου ἀγγέλων ἐπιλαμβάνεται, ἀλλὰ σπέρματος Ἀβραὰμ ἐπιλαμβάνεται.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Hebrews 2:16
- Hebrews 6:16When people take oaths, they base their oaths on someone greater than themselves. Their oaths guarantee what they say and end all arguments.
- Hebrews 12:10For a short time our fathers disciplined us as they thought best. Yet, God disciplines us for our own good so that we can become holy like him.
- Romans 2:25For example, circumcision is valuable if you follow the laws in Moses’ Teachings. If you don’t follow those laws, your circumcision amounts to uncircumcision.
- 1 Peter 1:20He is the lamb who was known long ago before the world existed, but for your good he became publicly known in the last period of time.
- Genesis 22:18Through your descendant all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
- Matthew 1:1This is the list of ancestors of Jesus Christ, descendant of David and Abraham.
- Romans 4:16Therefore, the promise is based on faith so that it can be a gift. Consequently, the promise is guaranteed for every descendant, not only for those who are descendants by obeying Moses’ Teachings but also for those who are descendants by believing as Abraham did. He is the father of all of us,
- Galatians 3:16The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. Scripture doesn’t say, “descendants,” referring to many, but “your descendant,” referring to one. That descendant is Christ.
Commentaries on Hebrews 2:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16For verily he took not on him the nature of angels - , · Moreover, he doth not at all take hold of angels; but of the seed of Abraham he taketh hold. This is the marginal reading, and is greatly to be preferred to that in the text Jesus Christ, intending not to redeem angels, but to redeem man, did not assume the angelic nature, but was made man, coming directly by the seed or posterity of Abraham, with whom the original covenant was made, that in his…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16For verily - Truly. He took not on him the nature of angels - Margin, “He taketh not hold of angels, but of the seed of Abraham he taketh hold.” The word used here - ̓́ epilambanetai- means, to take hold upon; to seize; to surprise; to take hold with a view to detain for oneself. Robinson. Then it means to take hold of one as by the hand - with a view to aid, conduct, or succour; Mark 8:23; Acts 23:19. It is rendered “took,” Mark 8:23; Luke 9:47; Luke…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-18Verses 14-18 The angels fell, and remained without hope or help. Christ never designed to be the Saviour of the fallen angels, therefore he did not take their nature; and the nature of angels could not be an atoning sacrifice for the sin of man. Here is a price paid, enough for all, and suitable to all, for it was in our nature. Here the wonderful love of God appeared, that, when Christ knew what he must suffer in our nature, and how he must die in it…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16descendants of Abraham: Jesus died on the cross for those who inherit God's promises to Abraham, not for the angels.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. For verily--Greek, "For as we all know"; "For as you will doubtless grant." Paul probably alludes to Is 41:8; Jr 31:32, Septuagint, from which all Jews would know well that the fact here stated as to Messiah was what the prophets had led them to expect. took not on him, &c.--rather, "It is not angels that He is helping (the present tense implies duration); but it is the seed of Abraham that He is helping." The verb is literally, to help by taking one…Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 2:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Hebrews 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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