Hebrews 2:6
It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him?
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse isn't just asking why God cares for us; it's expressing sheer amazement that the immense Creator would even notice us, given our smallness against the vastness of the cosmos. The wording highlights how our seemingly insignificant existence is met with profound divine attention and care.
The author is arguing that the new covenant through Jesus is superior to the angelic realm, countering the potential Jewish doubt that might arise from the Old Testament's emphasis on angels. He quotes Psalm 8, highlighting how God has subjected all things to humanity, a dominion that was originally given but not fully realized. This ancient declaration, the author suggests, points forward to a greater fulfillment in Jesus, the "Son of Man," who is now being exalted above all creation.
When we look at the vastness of the universe, it's easy to feel insignificant. This ancient psalm echoes that feeling, asking 'What is man?' Yet, the answer reveals a breathtaking purpose.
The author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 8:4-6, starting with a question that highlights human smallness in the face of God's creation: 'What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him?'
Why the Question?
This initial question sets the stage for a profound revelation: God’s attention and care are not based on man's greatness, but on His own sovereign purpose and grace.
The Bible speaks of humanity being given dominion over creation. But what happened to that authority, and who ultimately holds it?
The author of Hebrews uses this psalm not just to marvel at God's attention to humanity, but to make a crucial argument about dominion.
The Original Design
Understand the original words
enosh · Hebrew Noun
A general term for humanity, often emphasizing its fragility, mortality, and dependence on God in contrast to His transcendence.
ben-adam · Hebrew Noun phrase
A designation for a human being, emphasizing their earthly nature, yet often used prophetically in the Old Testament and uniquely by Jesus to refer to His messianic role, humility, and identification with humanity.
This verse, a quotation from Psalm 8, highlights humanity's seemingly insignificant place in creation contrasted with the immense honor God bestows upon it. The author of Hebrews uses it to argue that this dominion, originally given to Adam but lost through sin, is fully realized in Jesus Christ, who is superior to the angels.
c. 1000 BC
David Composes Psalm 8
King David likely composed Psalm 8, a hymn of wonder at God's creation and humanity's place within it, possibly during a starlit night reflecting on the vastness of the cosmos. The psalm exalts man's dominion over creation, though commentators debate its primary or secondary reference.
c. 500 BC - 200 BC
Septuagint Translation
The Hebrew Scriptures are translated into Greek by the Jewish scholar community in Alexandria. This Greek translation, the Septuagint, becomes widely used, including by the author of Hebrews. The translation of Psalm 8:4 into Greek subtly alters the wording, a version the author of Hebrews quotes.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Interprets Psalm 8
During His ministry, Jesus quotes Psalm 8:2 in Matthew 21:16 to silence the chief priests and elders who were indignant that the crowds were hailing Him as Messiah. This shows Jesus Himself saw a Messianic significance in the Psalm.
c. AD 40-50
Paul Cites Psalm 8
This passage echoes the sentiment of astonishment at God's attention to humanity, questioning humanity's significance in light of God's greatness, much like the verse from Hebrews.
Genesis 1:26-28This foundational creation account describes humanity's dominion over the earth, a concept that the author of Hebrews is exploring in relation to God's care and ultimate purpose for humankind.
1 Corinthians 15:24-27Here, Paul directly applies the concept of 'all things being put under' to Christ, drawing a parallel to the dominion mentioned in Psalm 8 and Hebrews, highlighting Christ's ultimate authority.
Matthew 21:16Jesus himself quotes from Psalm 8, applying it to himself, which supports the New Testament understanding that this passage, while speaking of humanity in general, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
wesleyHebrews 2:6: "But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?"
2:6 What is man - To the vast expanse of heaven, to the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained! This psalm seems to have been composed by David, in a clear, moonshiny, and starlight night, while he was contemplating the wonderful fabric of heaven; because in his magnificent description of its luminaries, he takes no notice of the sun, the most g…
barnesHebrews 2:6: "But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?"
But one in a certain place testified - The apostle was writing to those who were supposed to be familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures, and where it would be necessary only to make a reference in general without mentioning the name. The place which is quoted here is Psalm 8:4-6 . The "argument" of the apostle is this, that there stood in the sacred Scri…
The verse isn't just asking why God cares for us; it's expressing sheer amazement that the immense Creator would even notice us, given our smallness against the vastness of the cosmos. The wording highlights how our seemingly insignificant existence is met with profound divine attention and care.
The author is arguing that the new covenant through Jesus is superior to the angelic realm, countering the potential Jewish doubt that might arise from the Old Testament's emphasis on angels. He quotes Psalm 8, highlighting how God has subjected all things to humanity, a dominion that was originally given but not fully realized. This ancient declaration, the author suggests, points forward to a greater fulfillment in Jesus, the "Son of Man," who is now being exalted above all creation.
The author is arguing that the new covenant through Jesus is superior to the angelic realm, countering the potential Jewish doubt that might arise from the Old Testament's emphasis on angels. He quotes Psalm 8, highlighting how God has subjected all things to humanity, a dominion that was originally given but not fully realized. This ancient declaration, the author suggests, points forward to a greater fulfillment in Jesus, the "Son of Man," who is now being exalted above all creation.
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The Fall and Fulfillment
The Apostle Paul quotes from Psalm 8 in 1 Corinthians 15:27, using it as part of his argument for Christ's ultimate triumph over all things, further establishing a Messianic interpretation of the Psalm within early Christian thought.
c. AD 67-69— this verse
Author of Hebrews Quotes Psalm 8
The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews quotes Psalm 8:4-6 (using the Septuagint version) to emphasize that the 'world to come' is NOT subjected to angels, but to mankind, pointing ultimately to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of this dominion.
"It has been testified somewhere,
“What is man, that you are mindful of him,
or the son of man, that you care for him?" — The verse isn't just asking why God cares for us; it's expressing sheer amazement that the immense Creator would even *notice* us, given our smallness against the vastness of the cosmos. The wording…