Hebrews 1:6
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The Father commands all angels to worship His Son when He is brought into the world, not just as a unique divine Son, but as the "firstborn." This title highlights His supreme authority and right to rule over all creation, including angelic beings.
The author is continuing his argument that Jesus is far superior to angels. He has already established this by showing Jesus' divine Sonship and His role as creator. Now, he quotes Scripture to demonstrate that even the angels themselves are commanded by God to worship Jesus. This highlights Jesus' supreme authority and exalted position above the entire angelic host.
Did you know that Scripture commands angels themselves to worship Jesus? This isn't just a nice poetic image; it's a profound statement about Jesus' identity and authority.
This verse is a powerful declaration of Jesus' supremacy over the angelic realm. God Himself speaks, commanding all His angels to worship His Son.
A Divine Decree
The 'Firstborn' and His Due
Where does this command for angels to worship Jesus come from? It's not just plucked from thin air, but is rooted in God's unfolding plan revealed through His Word.
The author of Hebrews masterfully weaves together Old Testament passages to build a case for Jesus' divine identity and superiority. This specific verse shows how God uses Scripture to reveal His Son.
The 'Again' of Argument
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.
This verse highlights a pivotal moment of divine proclamation: at Christ's exaltation, God commanded even His angels to worship Him. This wasn't a new decree but a declaration from ancient Scripture, showing Christ's eternal authority over the angelic realm.
c. 1446 BC
Song of Moses
The Song of Moses, recorded in Deuteronomy 32, celebrates God's faithfulness and anticipates future redemption and judgment. Some textual traditions of this song include the phrase used in Hebrews 1:6, though it is absent from the standard Hebrew text.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
King David establishes a unified kingdom for Israel, ushering in a golden age. Prophecies concerning his descendant, the Messiah, are made during this period, often using royal language.
c. 970 BC
Psalm 97 Written
Psalm 97 declares God's kingship and calls for the nations and angelic beings to worship Him. The Septuagint (Greek translation) renders 'gods' as 'angels,' a version the author of Hebrews likely used.
c. 6th Century BC
Exile and Return
The Jewish people experience exile in Babylon and later return to Jerusalem. During this time, prophecies about the Messiah are re-examined and understood in light of their suffering and hope for restoration.
This Psalm is a direct source for the quotation, describing a divine enthronement where all heavenly powers are commanded to worship. It highlights the Son's supreme authority over angelic beings, aligning with the argument in Hebrews.
Philippians 2:9-11This passage echoes the command for Christ's universal worship, stating that God exalted Him and gave Him a name above all names, so that every knee should bow and every tongue confess Him as Lord. This emphasizes the Son's supreme position recognized even by the angelic realm.
Deuteronomy 32:43The author of Hebrews likely quotes from the Septuagint version of this passage, which contains a similar command for heavenly hosts to worship. It ties the command to God's judgment and vindication, showing the Son's role in these divine acts.
Colossians 1:15-18This passage describes Christ as the 'firstborn of all creation' and the 'firstborn from the dead,' emphasizing His preeminence over all things, including angels, and His role as the head of the church. This reinforces the 'firstborn' title used in Hebrews and its implications for His supremacy.
Revelation 5:11-14This vision in Revelation shows countless angels surrounding the throne and the Lamb, joining in a chorus of worship and praise. It provides a powerful parallel to the command in Hebrews, illustrating the immediate and universal worship of Christ by the angelic hosts.
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 Father commands all angels to worship His Son when He is brought into the world, not just as a unique divine Son, but as the "firstborn." This title highlights His supreme authority and right to rule over all creation, including angelic beings.
The author is continuing his argument that Jesus is far superior to angels. He has already established this by showing Jesus' divine Sonship and His role as creator. Now, he quotes Scripture to demonstrate that even the angels themselves are commanded by God to worship Jesus. This highlights Jesus' supreme authority and exalted position above the entire angelic host.
The author is continuing his argument that Jesus is far superior to angels. He has already established this by showing Jesus' divine Sonship and His role as creator. Now, he quotes Scripture to demonstrate that even the angels themselves are commanded by God to worship Jesus. This highlights Jesus' supreme authority and exalted position above the entire angelic host.
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A Quote from Divine Conversation
c. 1st Century AD— this verse
Christ's Resurrection and Ascension
Jesus is resurrected from the dead and ascends to heaven. This event is seen as the pivotal moment when God formally 'brings in' His Firstborn Son, establishing His supreme authority and receiving worship.
c. AD 60-90
Writing of Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews is written, likely to a community of Jewish Christians. The author uses Old Testament texts, including Psalm 97:7 (via the Septuagint), to demonstrate Christ's superiority over angels.
"And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”" — The Father commands all angels to worship His Son when He is brought into the world, not just as a unique divine Son, but as the "firstborn." This title highlights His supreme authority and right to…