You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor,
English Standard Version (ESV)
What’s easy to miss here is that the writer is quoting Psalm 8, but subtly shifting the meaning from the original intent. While Psalm 8 celebrates man's God-given dominion, the author of Hebrews applies it to Christ, highlighting his temporary humiliation before his ultimate exaltation.
You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author of Hebrews is arguing that Jesus is superior to angels. To do this, he quotes Psalm 8, which speaks about humanity's exalted position in creation, placed just below God and crowned with glory. The author then applies these words, surprisingly, to Jesus, highlighting his temporary humbling as a human being before his ultimate exaltation.
When we think of humanity, we might focus on our flaws and failures. But the Bible paints a much grander picture, starting from creation itself.
Did you know God designed humanity to be incredibly close to Him and His celestial beings?
God's Intent for Humanity
This verse, quoting Psalm 8, speaks volumes about God's original design for humanity. While the Hebrew phrasing can be translated as 'a little less than God,' the Septuagint (an ancient Greek translation) and the New Testament writer of Hebrews lean towards 'a little lower than the angels.'
The author of Hebrews isn't just talking about Adam in his prime. He's pointing to someone even greater, whose story fulfills this psalm in ways Adam never could.
Who is this 'Exalted Man' that surpasses even original creation?
The God-Man's Ascent
While the psalm initially refers to humanity in general, the apostle Paul, and the writer of Hebrews here, apply it supremely to Jesus Christ. The 'little lower' and the 'little while' point to His incarnation and earthly life.
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Understand the original words
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 intentionally adapts the wording of Psalm 8 from its original Hebrew context, which spoke of man's near-divine status, to the Greek translation's 'lower than the angels.' This rhetorical move powerfully highlights Jesus' unique exaltation above the angelic realm after His earthly humiliation.
c. 1000 BC
David Composes Psalm 8
King David reflects on humanity's place in creation, marveling at God's majestic handiwork and the high honor bestowed upon humankind, positioning them just below the divine.
c. 250-150 BC
Septuagint Translation of Psalm 8
The Hebrew Scriptures are translated into Greek. In this translation of Psalm 8:5, 'a little lower than God' becomes 'a little lower than the angels,' a phrasing the author of Hebrews will employ.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Jesus' Earthly Ministry and Ascension
The Son of God lives a human life, experiences suffering and death, and is then exalted to a position of supreme authority and glory by God the Father.
c. 60-65 AD
Author Writes Hebrews
The author of Hebrews writes to Jewish believers, using Psalm 8 as a foundational text to argue for the absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ over all angelic beings.
This is the original passage from the Old Testament that the author of Hebrews is quoting. It beautifully describes humanity's original high status, made just a bit lower than God and crowned with glory, setting the stage for understanding Christ's even greater exaltation.
Philippians 2:6-8This passage speaks directly to Jesus' voluntary humility, mirroring the 'a little lower' aspect of Hebrews 2:7. It highlights His emptying Himself and taking on human form, setting the foundation for His subsequent glory.
1 Corinthians 15:27This verse confirms the ultimate subjection of all things under Christ's authority, directly echoing the 'set him over the works of your hands' sentiment found in Hebrews 2:7 and Psalm 8. It emphasizes the completeness of His reign.
Hebrews 1:3This verse immediately precedes the quote from Psalm 8, establishing Jesus' supremacy and role as the perfect radiance of God's glory. It provides the context for why Jesus is being presented as far superior to the angels mentioned in Hebrews 2:7.
Hebrews 2:9This verse directly follows the quote, explaining that Jesus' temporary 'little lower' status was for the purpose of tasting death for everyone. It clarifies the meaning of the phrase and shows its crucial role in His redemptive mission.
jfbHebrews 2:7: "Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:"
- a little—not as Bengel, "a little time."than the angels—Hebrew, "than God," "Elohim," that is, the abstract qualities of God, such as angels possess in an inferior form; namely, heavenly, spiritual, incorporeal natures. Man, in his original creation, was set next beneath them. So the man Jesus, though Lord of angels, when He emptied Himself o…
pulpitHebrews 2:7: "Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:"
Verse 7. - Thou madest him a little lower than the angels. Here the LXX. takes Elohim (being a plural form) to mean "angels;" as also in Psalm 97:7 and Psalms 138:1. The more correct rendering of the Hebrew may be, "thou reddest him a little short of God," with reference to his having been made "in God's image," "after God's likeness," and havin…
What’s easy to miss here is that the writer is quoting Psalm 8, but subtly shifting the meaning from the original intent. While Psalm 8 celebrates man's God-given dominion, the author of Hebrews applies it to Christ, highlighting his temporary humiliation before his ultimate exaltation.
The author of Hebrews is arguing that Jesus is superior to angels. To do this, he quotes Psalm 8, which speaks about humanity's exalted position in creation, placed just below God and crowned with glory. The author then applies these words, surprisingly, to Jesus, highlighting his temporary humbling as a human being before his ultimate exaltation.
The author of Hebrews is arguing that Jesus is superior to angels. To do this, he quotes Psalm 8, which speaks about humanity's exalted position in creation, placed just below God and crowned with glory. The author then applies these words, surprisingly, to Jesus, highlighting his temporary humbling as a human being before his ultimate exaltation.
"You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor," — What’s easy to miss here is that the writer is quoting Psalm 8, but subtly shifting the meaning from the original intent. While Psalm 8 celebrates man's God-given dominion, the author of Hebrews appl…
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Last reviewed October 2026