For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that God never addressed any angel with the singular, intimate title of "Son," nor promised to be a father to one in the unique way He did with Christ. This distinction isn't just about a name, but about an unparalleled relationship that sets Christ infinitely above the angelic realm.
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author of Hebrews is arguing that Jesus is far superior to angels. He has just established that Jesus is the radiance of God's glory and has a name far above the angels. Now, he uses Old Testament scripture to prove this point, showing that God never referred to any angel with the unique titles and divine declarations reserved for His Son.
The Bible uses the title 'son' for many people and even angels. But when God calls someone 'My Son,' especially in the Old Testament, it signifies something profoundly different.
A Name Above All Names
The author of Hebrews is making a crucial argument: Jesus is far superior to the angels. How does he prove it? By showing that God never called any angel 'My Son' in the unique way He called Jesus.
The phrase 'this day have I begotten you' sounds specific, but what does it really mean? Does it refer to an exact moment, or something even more profound?
Beyond a Single Moment
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The declaration, 'This day I have begotten you,' is a pivotal phrase in establishing Jesus' unique position. While on the surface it might seem to point to a singular event, its deeper meaning unfolds through Scripture:
Understand the original words
gennaō · Greek Verb
To bring into existence through procreation or, in a divine sense, to reveal or declare the unique relationship of the Son to the Father from eternity.
The author of Hebrews masterfully uses Old Testament passages originally applied to Israelite kings like David and Solomon, but understood by Jewish tradition to point to the Messiah. He argues that God never spoke to angels in such terms, highlighting Jesus' unique divine Sonship, particularly as confirmed by His resurrection.
c. 1010 BC
Davidic Dynasty Established
After unifying Israel and establishing Jerusalem as his capital, King David is promised by God through the prophet Nathan that his royal line will endure forever. This promise is recorded in 2 Samuel 7 and includes the declaration, "I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son."
c. 970 BC
Solomon's Reign and Temple
David's son, Solomon, inherits the throne and builds the First Temple in Jerusalem. The promise made to David, including "I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son," finds a partial fulfillment in Solomon, though its ultimate fulfillment is seen to point to the Messiah.
c. 1000-900 BC
Psalm 2 Written
Likely composed by David, Psalm 2 describes a king who is God's Anointed, declared His Son, and given dominion over the nations. The phrase 'this day have I begotten thee' is used, referencing the king's inauguration or enthronement.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The First Temple is destroyed, and the Davidic kingdom collapses. This event casts a shadow over the Davidic covenant, leading the people to look forward to a future King and Messiah who would fulfill God's promises.
c. 1st century BC
Messianic Expectations Heightened
During the Second Temple period and under foreign occupation, Jewish people intensely anticipate the coming of a Messiah who would restore Israel and fulfill the promises made to David, understanding passages like Psalm 2 and 2 Samuel 7 as Messianic prophecies.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Resurrection of Jesus
Following Jesus' crucifixion, his resurrection from the dead is proclaimed by his followers as the definitive moment when God vindicated Him as His Son, powerfully demonstrating His unique status. This event is seen as the primary fulfillment of the 'this day' in Psalm 2:7.
c. AD 60-70
Authorship of Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews is written, likely in Rome. The author uses Old Testament texts, including Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14, to argue for the absolute superiority of Jesus Christ over the angels, demonstrating His divine Sonship and unique position.
This passage is directly quoted in Hebrews 1:5 and is foundational to the argument that Jesus, as the Son, holds a unique and superior position to angels.
2 Samuel 7:14This Old Testament promise, spoken to David about his descendant, is also quoted in Hebrews 1:5, highlighting God's fatherly relationship with His chosen king, a relationship presented as distinctly different from any God has with angels.
Psalm 89:26-27This psalm echoes the promise from 2 Samuel 7, declaring God will call His anointed 'my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth,' reinforcing the idea of a unique, supreme sonship that sets Him above earthly rulers and by extension, angels.
Acts 13:33This New Testament passage explicitly links Psalm 2:7 to the resurrection of Jesus, stating God 'fulfilled this promise to us their children by raising up Jesus, just as it is written in the second Psalm, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you,”' thus providing a key interpretive link for Hebrews 1:5.
Romans 1:4Paul describes Jesus as being 'declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead,' which aligns with the idea that the title 'Son' and its associated authority, as argued in Hebrews 1:5, were powerfully demonstrated and conferred through His resurrection.
pooleHebrews 1:5: "For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?"
The apostle here proves that Christ hath a more excellent name, and pre-eminency over angels, by Scripture texts owned by these Hebrews. He had the name of Son of God, and so had not angels; for God the Father, who hath absolute power to give and state all excellency, never said to any angel, so as to constitute him h…
barnesHebrews 1:5: "For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?"
For unto which of the angels ... - The object of this is, to prove that the Son of God, who has spoken to people in these last days, is superior to the angels. As the apostle was writing to those who had been trained in the Jewish religion, and who admitted the authority of the Old Testament, of course he made his app…
The verse highlights that God never addressed any angel with the singular, intimate title of "Son," nor promised to be a father to one in the unique way He did with Christ. This distinction isn't just about a name, but about an unparalleled relationship that sets Christ infinitely above the angelic realm.
The author of Hebrews is arguing that Jesus is far superior to angels. He has just established that Jesus is the radiance of God's glory and has a name far above the angels. Now, he uses Old Testament scripture to prove this point, showing that God never referred to any angel with the unique titles and divine declarations reserved for His Son.
The author of Hebrews is arguing that Jesus is far superior to angels. He has just established that Jesus is the radiance of God's glory and has a name far above the angels. Now, he uses Old Testament scripture to prove this point, showing that God never referred to any angel with the unique titles and divine declarations reserved for His Son.
"For to which of the angels did God ever say,
“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”?
Or again,
“I will be to him a father,
and he shall be to me a son”?" — The verse highlights that God *never* addressed any angel with the singular, intimate title of "Son," nor promised to be a father to one in the unique way He did with Christ. This distinction isn't j…
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Last reviewed October 2026