Hebrews 2:16

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 then the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17Therefore in all things it behoved him to be made like his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to help them that are tempted.

Hebrews 2:16 word by word

οὐ γὰρ δήπου ἀγγέλων ἐπιλαμβάνεται, ἀλλὰ σπέρματος Ἀβραὰμ ἐπιλαμβάνεται.Read the interlinear

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• verilyδήπουdēpou · surelyG1222
• tookἐπιλαμβάνωepilambanomai · to catchG1949
• notοὐou · noG3756
• angelsἄγγελοςaggelos · angelG32
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• seedσπέρμαsperma · seed: offspringG4690
• AbrahamἈβραάμAbraam · AbrahamG11

Cross-references for Hebrews 2:16

• Hebrews 6:16For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of every dispute.
• Hebrews 12:10For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
• Romans 2:25For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keepest the law: but if thou art a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
• 1 Peter 1:20Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for you,
• Genesis 22:18And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
• Matthew 1:1The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
• Romans 4:16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
• Galatians 3:16Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which 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

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Angel (a Spirit)
• Jesus Continued
• Salvation

In the dictionaries

• Abraham
• Abraham, Abram
• Bondage
• Heed
• Neglect
• Recompense
• Reconciliation
• Taste
• Congregation
• Ebionism; Ebionites

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