The verse doesn't just marvel at God's attention to humanity; it highlights the profound unlikeliness of it. When the Psalmist asks, "What is man... or the son of man," the underlying sentiment isn't just wonder, but a rhetorical question bordering on astonishment: Why would the vast, glorious Creator care about such small, fleeting creatures as us? This isn't a generic praise of humanity, but a baffled recognition of God's immense condescension toward something seemingly so insignificant.
It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is building an argument that the message of salvation is not for angels, but for humanity. He quotes Psalm 8, which marvels at God's care for humanity, to emphasize the high position God intended for mankind. This sets the stage to show how Jesus, as the ultimate "Son of Man," fulfills this divine intention.
When you gaze at the stars, do you ever feel incredibly small? The Bible talks about that feeling, but then flips it into a question of awe for us.
The passage in Hebrews quotes Psalm 8, beginning with a profound question: 'What is man, that you are mindful of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him?' This isn't just a casual remark; it's a deep gasp of wonder.
A Cosmic Perspective
Imagine David, the psalmist, under a vast, starry sky. He's overwhelmed by God's incredible creation – the sun, moon, and stars. Then, his gaze turns inward, and he's struck by a mind-boggling thought: Out of all this immensity, God’s attention is focused on humanity.
More Than Just 'Remembering'
The Hebrew words here are powerful. 'Mindful' suggests God remembers us not just passively, but with purpose and care. 'Visitest' implies an active engagement, like checking in on someone, showing concern, and actively helping. It's a question born from seeing humanity as seemingly insignificant against the backdrop of the cosmos, yet being the recipient of such focused divine attention.
The Bible talks about a dominion given to humanity, but we clearly don't see it fully realized today. Where did that go, and who is bringing it back?
The writer of Hebrews uses this psalm not just to express wonder, but to build an argument. The psalm speaks of humanity being given dominion over God's creation. But a quick look around shows that humanity, in its current state, doesn't fully exercise that dominion. In fact, we often seem to be victims of it!
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The Lost Dominion
Adam and Eve were created with a mandate to rule over the earth (Genesis 1:28). However, sin fractured this perfect relationship and dominion. The psalm, quoted here, points to a reality that was intended but lost.
Christ, The Second Man
So, who does have this dominion? The argument in Hebrews points to Jesus. He is the 'Son of Man' who perfectly fulfills the original intention. While the psalm speaks of 'man' generally, the ultimate realization of that dominion—the perfect ruler over all creation—is found in Christ. He is the 'second Adam' or the 'last Adam' who brings humanity back into right relationship with God and secures the promised dominion.
This shows that the glory described in the psalm isn't just a historical note; it's a prophetic glimpse fulfilled in Jesus, who is now crowned with glory and honor, ruling over all things.
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.
angelos · Greek Noun
Spiritual beings created by God who serve as His messengers, attendants, and agents, functioning in a realm higher than humanity in their natural, pre-resurrection state.
doxa · Greek Noun
A state of dignity, splendor, or majesty that reflects the character and presence of God, particularly associated with the status of redeemed humanity or the exalted Christ.
timē · Greek Noun
High status, esteem, or reverence granted to an individual, often as a result of divine appointment or virtuous character.
The author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 8, a passage reflecting on humanity's God-given dominion. This psalm, originally likely a meditation on creation, was later interpreted by Jesus and Paul to point to Christ's supreme authority, especially in contrast to the angels.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
David Composes Psalm 8
King David, under divine inspiration, likely composed Psalm 8. The psalm reflects on God's magnificent creation and questions why humanity, despite its seemingly small stature in the vast cosmos, is so highly honored with dominion over the earth.
c. 500-400 BC
Septuagint Translation of Psalms
The Book of Psalms is translated into Koine Greek (the Septuagint). This translation renders Psalm 8:4-6, influencing how the text would be understood and quoted by later Greek-speaking Jews and Christians.
c. 20 BC - AD 50
Philo of Alexandria
The Jewish philosopher Philo of Alexandria frequently uses the indefinite quotation style ('somewhere it is testified') when referencing Scripture, a practice later mirrored in the New Testament.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Quotes Psalm 8
During a confrontation in the temple, Jesus quotes Psalm 8:2 (referring to 'children' and 'infants' from the Septuagint version) to silence the chief priests and scribes, affirming the praise God receives through them.
c. AD 40-60
Paul Quotes Psalm 8
The Apostle Paul quotes Psalm 8 in 1 Corinthians 15:27, using it to argue for Christ's ultimate authority over all things, demonstrating an early Christian application of the psalm to Jesus.
This passage echoes the sentiment of awe at God's attention to humanity, asking 'What is man, that you regard him, the son of man, that you think of him?' This directly parallels the quoted verse, highlighting the profound contrast between human insignificance and divine care.
Genesis 1:26-28The passage in Genesis describes God's creation of humanity in His image and granting them dominion over the earth. This is the original context of the 'dominion' mentioned in relation to man, which the author of Hebrews is using to point to Christ's ultimate authority.
1 Corinthians 15:27This passage by Paul also quotes Psalm 8, applying the subjection of 'all things' to Christ. It reinforces the New Testament understanding that while man was given dominion, it is through Christ that this dominion is fully realized and restored.
Matthew 21:16In this passage, Jesus himself quotes Psalm 8, specifically 'out of the mouth of infants and nursing infants you have ordained praise.' This shows Jesus’ own affirmation of the Psalm’s significance and his connection to its themes of God’s glory revealed through humanity.
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 doesn't just marvel at God's attention to humanity; it highlights the profound unlikeliness of it. When the Psalmist asks, "What is man... or the son of man," the underlying sentiment isn't just wonder, but a rhetorical question bordering on astonishment: Why would the vast, glorious Creator care about such small, fleeting creatures as us? This isn't a generic praise of humanity, but a baffled recognition of God's immense condescension toward something seemingly so insignificant.
The author is building an argument that the message of salvation is not for angels, but for humanity. He quotes Psalm 8, which marvels at God's care for humanity, to emphasize the high position God intended for mankind. This sets the stage to show how Jesus, as the ultimate "Son of Man," fulfills this divine intention.
The author is building an argument that the message of salvation is not for angels, but for humanity. He quotes Psalm 8, which marvels at God's care for humanity, to emphasize the high position God intended for mankind. This sets the stage to show how Jesus, as the ultimate "Son of Man," fulfills this divine intention.
"It has been testified somewhere,
“What is man, that you are mindful of him,
or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
you have crowned him with glory and honor, pu…" — The verse doesn't just marvel at God's attention to humanity; it highlights the profound *unlikeliness* of it. When the Psalmist asks, "What is man... or the son of man," the underlying sentiment isn…
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Last reviewed October 2026