And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes that God commands the angels to worship His Son, not just that they happen to worship Him. This divine decree highlights Jesus' superiority, as even heavenly beings are called to submit to Him.
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author has just established Jesus' superiority to angels by showing God declared him his Son. Now, to further emphasize this, the text presents a second scriptural declaration where God commands all angels to worship Jesus, underscoring that even heavenly beings are subordinate to the Son. This worship is commanded when God brings his "Firstborn" into the world, a phrase pointing to Christ's unique status and authority.
We often think of angels as powerful beings serving God. But what happens when God commands them to worship someone else? That's exactly what happens here, revealing a profound truth about Jesus.
Hebrews 1:6 presents a pivotal moment where God Himself commands all angels to worship His Son, the "Firstborn." This isn't just a suggestion; it's a divine decree.
The Divine Command
This act of commanded worship underscores the Son's supreme status. He is not merely an angel or a created being; He is the one to whom even the celestial hosts are commanded to bow.
When exactly does this command for angels to worship Jesus take effect? The timing is significant and reveals more about the Son's ongoing exaltation.
The phrase "when he brings the firstborn into the world" is crucial. While it might sound like it refers solely to Jesus' birth, the context suggests a broader meaning.
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Multiple Levels of Introduction
Regardless of the specific timing emphasized (birth, resurrection, or future return), the core truth remains: at a pivotal moment of His presentation to creation, God decreed that His Son be the object of angelic worship, highlighting His unique and superior position.
Understand the original words
prōtotokos · Greek Noun/Adjective
In the context of Christ, this title denotes preeminence, priority in rank, and inheritance. It points to his unique status as the heir of all things and the Son who existed before all creation.
angelos · Greek Noun
A supernatural created being who serves as a messenger, attendant, or agent of God. They are heavenly beings tasked with praising God and carrying out His will.
proskyneō · Greek Verb
The act of bowing down, prostration, or showing profound reverence and submission to a superior being. In a biblical context, it is the highest expression of honor due only to God.
The verse powerfully places Jesus, as God's 'Firstborn,' within a grand sweep of salvation history, from ancient Israel's struggles and exiles to His ultimate exaltation, for which even the angelic realm is commanded to give worship.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria, Northern Kingdom of Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its inhabitants. This event marked a significant decline in the political and religious landscape of ancient Israel.
605 BC
First Deportation of Judah to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon begins deporting skilled Judeans, including members of the royal family and nobility, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
587/586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem, destroys Solomon's Temple, and exiles the majority of the remaining Judeans to Babylon. This event was a catastrophic turning point for Jewish history and identity.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian king Cyrus the Great overthrows the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This event led to the Edict of Cyrus, allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homeland.
c. 167 BC - 160 BC
Maccabean Revolt
The Jewish people revolt against the Seleucid Empire under the leadership of the Maccabees. This struggle for religious and political freedom profoundly shaped Jewish identity and expectation.
c. 20 BC - AD 6
Herod the Great's Reign in Judea
Herod the Great, a Roman client king, rules Judea. His reign, marked by significant building projects and political maneuvering, sets the stage for the events of the New Testament.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry, Crucifixion, and Resurrection
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the central event of Christian faith. This is the primary event interpreted as the 'bringing in of the Firstborn into the world.'
This verse is directly quoted in Hebrews 1:6, showing the command for all angelic beings to worship God. The author of Hebrews uses this to demonstrate Christ's superiority, as He is the One being worshipped.
Deuteronomy 32:43Some scholars believe Hebrews 1:6 is a quotation from this passage in the Septuagint (Greek translation) of the Old Testament. It also calls for heavens and angels to rejoice and worship, tying into the theme of divine authority.
Colossians 1:15-18This passage describes Christ as the 'firstborn of all creation' and the 'firstborn from the dead,' highlighting His supreme position above all things, including angels, which echoes the theme in Hebrews 1:6.
Philippians 2:9-11This passage speaks of God exalting Jesus and commanding that 'every knee should bow' in heaven and on earth, a concept directly parallel to angels worshipping Christ as described in Hebrews 1:6.
Psalm 8:5This Psalm questions who is like God, then states 'what is man that you are mindful of him,' but connects the glory to 'you have made him little less than God' and crowned him with glory and honor. The use of 'God' here in the Septuagint is often translated as 'angels,' suggesting a hierarchy where even angelic beings are subordinate to the one made in God's image, which is Christ.
ellicottHebrews 1:6: "And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him."
(6) And again .—There seems little doubt that the true translation is, And when He again leadeth (literally, shall have led ) the Firstborn into the world He saith. The position of “again” (in the Greek) shows that it does not indicate a new step in the argument, but must be joined with “leadeth.” The speaker (“He saith”) is God, speaking in the word of Scripture;…
pooleHebrews 1:6: "And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him."
This is a further proof of the great gospel Minister being more excellent than angels, by God’s command to them to worship him. And again, when he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world: palin some refer to God the Father’s speech, as: Again he saith: others think it too gross a transposition, and unusual in the Scripture, and so read it as it stands in the…
The verse emphasizes that God commands the angels to worship His Son, not just that they happen to worship Him. This divine decree highlights Jesus' superiority, as even heavenly beings are called to submit to Him.
The author has just established Jesus' superiority to angels by showing God declared him his Son. Now, to further emphasize this, the text presents a second scriptural declaration where God commands all angels to worship Jesus, underscoring that even heavenly beings are subordinate to the Son. This worship is commanded when God brings his "Firstborn" into the world, a phrase pointing to Christ's unique status and authority.
The author has just established Jesus' superiority to angels by showing God declared him his Son. Now, to further emphasize this, the text presents a second scriptural declaration where God commands all angels to worship Jesus, underscoring that even heavenly beings are subordinate to the Son. This worship is commanded when God brings his "Firstborn" into the world, a phrase pointing to Christ's unique status and authority.
"And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”" — The verse emphasizes that God *commands* the angels to worship His Son, not just that they *happen* to worship Him. This divine decree highlights Jesus' superiority, as even heavenly beings are calle…
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Last reviewed October 2026