Hebrews 1:2
but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse emphasizes that Jesus is the means of God's final revelation, not just another prophet. It highlights his unique role as both Creator ("by whom also he made the worlds") and Heir ("whom he appointed the heir of all things"), showing that his authority to speak is rooted in his divine identity and cosmic work.
The author of Hebrews is introducing Jesus as vastly superior to the prophets and angels who were intermediaries in the old covenant. After establishing God's communication through various means in the past, the text pivots to highlight that God's most profound and final revelation has come through His Son in these "last days," signifying the end of the old era and the dawn of a new one. This Son is presented as the divinely appointed heir of all things and the very agent through whom creation itself came into being.
God's message to humanity wasn't a one-off event. For centuries, He spoke through various means, but something changed. Imagine tuning into a radio station that goes from crackling static to a crystal-clear broadcast – that's the shift described here.
Hebrews 1:2 contrasts God's past communication with His final, definitive message delivered through Jesus.
'In these last days'
This phrase doesn't necessarily mean the very end of time is imminent. Instead, it points to a significant shift in God's redemptive history. Think of it as the 'final chapter' of God's direct communication unfolding with the arrival of the Messiah. The previous revelations through prophets were like important preludes, but Jesus is the grand finale, the culmination of all that came before.
'He has spoken to us by his Son'
This is the core of the message. Unlike the prophets who were messengers, Jesus is the message itself. He doesn't just relay God's words; He is God's Word made flesh. This elevates Him above all previous messengers. This 'Son-revelation' is complete and authoritative, bringing an end to the need for further direct divine communication.
The verse doesn't just say Jesus is the messenger; it calls Him the 'heir of all things' and the one 'through whom also he created the world.' This isn't just a title; it reveals His foundational role in God's eternal plan.
Hebrews 1:2 presents Jesus in two magnificent, interconnected roles: heir and creator.
Appointed Heir of All Things
This title speaks to Jesus' supreme authority and possession. It's not that He receives ownership later, but that His divine nature inherently possesses all things. This heirship is tied to His unique sonship, signifying His rightful place as Lord over creation. It underscores that everything belongs to Him, and He has the ultimate authority and purpose for it all.
Through Whom He Created the World
Understand the original words
eschatos hēmera · Greek Noun Phrase
The final epoch of human history initiated by the coming of Christ, marking the inauguration of the kingdom of God and the anticipation of the age to come.
huios · Greek Noun
A title emphasizing Jesus' unique ontological relationship with God the Father, denoting his divine nature, authority, and intimacy within the Trinity.
klēronomos · Greek Noun
The legal recipient of an inheritance; in a theological context, this refers to Christ's rightful authority and sovereignty over all creation, as ordained by the Father.
The phrase 'in these last days' points to a pivotal moment in salvation history, contrasting the old covenant's gradual revelations with the final, complete revelation found in God's own Son.
c. 1500 BC - 500 BC
Era of Old Testament Prophets
This long period saw God speaking through various prophets like Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, gradually revealing His will and promises for humanity.
c. 500 BC - 1 BC
Second Temple Period Begins
Following the Babylonian exile, the Jewish people rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem. This era was marked by various religious and political developments and anticipation of a Messiah.
c. 1 BC - AD 30— this verse
Ministry of Jesus Christ
Jesus, the Son of God, lived, taught, performed miracles, died, and was resurrected, fulfilling prophecies and inaugurating a new era of God's communication with humanity.
c. AD 30 - AD 60
Early Church and Apostolic Ministry
The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, spread the message of Jesus, with figures like Peter and Paul writing foundational letters to guide the growing church.
This passage directly echoes Hebrews 1:2, identifying Jesus (the Word) as being with God in the beginning and the agent through whom all creation came into being, emphasizing His pre-existence and role in creation.
Colossians 1:15-17Similar to Hebrews, this passage highlights the Son's role as the image of the invisible God and the creator of all things, stating that 'all things were created through him and for him,' reinforcing His supreme authority and creative power.
Psalm 8:4-6This Old Testament psalm, which the author of Hebrews later quotes (Hebrews 2:6-8), speaks of humanity's dominion over creation and God's honoring of 'the son of man.' This connects to Jesus being appointed heir of all things, as He is the ultimate 'son of man' who fulfills this dominion.
1 Peter 1:20Peter also speaks of Christ being foreordained before the foundation of the world, but now revealed 'in these last times' for our sake. This parallels Hebrews 1:2's idea of God speaking in the 'last days' through His Son, who was active before His earthly appearance.
Genesis 1:1The opening verse of the Bible states God created the heavens and the earth. Hebrews 1:2 builds upon this foundational truth by identifying the Son as the specific agent through whom this creation occurred, adding a layer of understanding to God's initial act of creation.
vincentHebrews 1:2: "Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;"
In these last times (ἐπ' ἐσχάτου τῶν ἡμερῶν τούτων)Lit. at the last of these days. The exact phrase only here; but comp 1 Peter 1:20 and Jde 1:18. lxx, ἐπ' ἐσχάτου τῶν ἡμερῶν at the last of the days, Numbers 24:14; Deuteronomy 4:30; Jeremiah 23:20; Jeremiah 25:18; Daniel 10:14. The writer conceives the history of the world in its relation to…
meyerHebrews 1:2: "Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;"
Hebrews 1:2 . As far as τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ , Hebrews 1:3 . The dignity of the Son as the premundane Logos. Τιθέναι with double accusative, in the sense of ποιεῖν τινά τι , is no Hebraism ( שׂוּם , שִׁית ), but is very frequent with the classics. Comp. e.g. Herodian, Hist. v. 7. 10 : Ἐφʼ οἷς Ἀντωνῖνος πάνυ ἤσχαλλε καὶ μετεγίγνωσκε , θέμενος αὐτὸν υἱὸν καὶ…
The verse emphasizes that Jesus is the means of God's final revelation, not just another prophet. It highlights his unique role as both Creator ("by whom also he made the worlds") and Heir ("whom he appointed the heir of all things"), showing that his authority to speak is rooted in his divine identity and cosmic work.
The author of Hebrews is introducing Jesus as vastly superior to the prophets and angels who were intermediaries in the old covenant. After establishing God's communication through various means in the past, the text pivots to highlight that God's most profound and final revelation has come through His Son in these "last days," signifying the end of the old era and the dawn of a new one. This Son is presented as the divinely appointed heir of all things and the very agent through whom creation itself came into being.
The author of Hebrews is introducing Jesus as vastly superior to the prophets and angels who were intermediaries in the old covenant. After establishing God's communication through various means in the past, the text pivots to highlight that God's most profound and final revelation has come through His Son in these "last days," signifying the end of the old era and the dawn of a new one. This Son is presented as the divinely appointed heir of all things and the very agent through whom creation itself came into being.
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This clause reveals Jesus' co-eternal, co-active role in creation. He wasn't just a tool; He was the agent through whom the universe came into being. This highlights His immense power and His pre-existence before time itself. The fact that He is the Creator of all things is precisely why He is the rightful heir of all things. His creative work establishes His sovereign dominion.
c. AD 60-70
Writing of Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews is written, likely in Rome, to a community of Jewish Christians facing persecution and spiritual weariness. The author seeks to strengthen their faith by emphasizing Christ's superiority.
"but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world." — The verse emphasizes that Jesus is the means of God's final revelation, not just another prophet. It highlights his unique role as both Creator ("by whom also he made the worlds") and Heir ("whom h…
