The Hebrew text here actually says "a little lower than God," not "angels," highlighting that humanity's original creation placed us remarkably close to the Divine. This detail magnifies the awe of God's intention for us, even before considering Jesus' ultimate exaltation.
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 quoting Psalm 8:4-6 to demonstrate the superiority of Jesus Christ over the angels. He has just established that God has not subjected the coming world to angels, and now he points out that even in Scripture, humanity, and by extension Christ, is placed in a position both lower than angels and yet crowned with glory and dominion. This sets the stage to show how Jesus, though made briefly lower than angels, has ultimately been exalted far above them.
Did you know the Bible describes humanity as being made 'a little lower than the angels'?
This verse, quoting Psalm 8, initially speaks about the incredible honor God gave to humanity at creation. Man, made in God's image, was given dominion over the earth, placing him just below the angels. However, the author of Hebrews uses this to point to something even greater: Jesus Christ.
While Adam was crowned with glory and honor as the first man, Jesus, the 'Second Adam,' is crowned with far superior glory and honor. His exaltation isn't just about ruling over earthly creation; it's about a dominion that extends over everything, a reality the first man never fully realized and ultimately lost through disobedience.
The point isn't just that humanity was almost as great as angels, but that Jesus, in his humanity, was made even greater than angels through his cosmic rule.
What does the Bible mean when it says someone was made 'a little lower'?
The phrase 'a little lower' (or 'a little while') is crucial here. When this Psalm was originally written, it likely referred to man's position in creation – high, but not as high as angels. It also could hint at man's temporary fallen state.
However, the author of Hebrews applies it specifically to Jesus Christ. He was indeed made 'a little while' lower than the angels. This refers to His incarnation, His earthly life, His suffering, and His death. For a brief period, the eternal Son of God experienced genuine human weakness and mortality, even facing the indignity of the cross.
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This wasn't a lesser state of being for Jesus, but a purposeful, temporary stoop. It was this very act of humbling Himself for a 'little while' that paved the way for His ultimate coronation with glory and honor, proving His victory over sin and death.
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 draws from Psalm 8, originally a reflection on humanity's high status in creation, to powerfully argue for Jesus' supreme position, even above the angels. The historical context of the Septuagint translation is key, as the author relies on its wording to make his case.
c. 1000 BC
Psalms of David Composed
King David, a revered figure in Israelite history, is traditionally credited with composing many of the Psalms. Psalm 8, the source of the quote in Hebrews 2:7, reflects on God's creation and humanity's place within it.
c. 250-150 BC
Septuagint Translation of Old Testament
The Hebrew Bible is translated into Koine Greek, known as the Septuagint (LXX). This translation becomes widely influential, especially among Greek-speaking Jews and early Christians, and is the version of the Old Testament quoted by New Testament authors like the author of Hebrews.
c. AD 60-65— this verse
Author Writes Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews is written to a community of Jewish Christians, likely facing persecution or wavering in their faith. The author seeks to encourage them by demonstrating the superiority of Jesus Christ over all previous revelations and figures in salvation history.
This is the original Old Testament passage quoted by the author of Hebrews, establishing the foundation for understanding humanity's (and specifically Christ's) position relative to the divine and the created order.
Philippians 2:6-8This passage directly parallels the idea of Christ's humbling himself, being 'made lower than the angels,' for the sake of humanity, underscoring the voluntary nature of his descent.
1 Corinthians 15:27This verse speaks to the ultimate subjection of all things under Christ's authority, directly reflecting the 'crowned him with glory and honor' and 'set him over the works of your hands' aspects of Hebrews 2:7.
John 1:14This verse highlights the astonishing truth of the divine Word becoming flesh, showing how the eternal Son of God was 'made lower' in his incarnation, fulfilling the description in Hebrews 2:7.
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…
The Hebrew text here actually says "a little lower than God," not "angels," highlighting that humanity's original creation placed us remarkably close to the Divine. This detail magnifies the awe of God's intention for us, even before considering Jesus' ultimate exaltation.
The author is quoting Psalm 8:4-6 to demonstrate the superiority of Jesus Christ over the angels. He has just established that God has not subjected the coming world to angels, and now he points out that even in Scripture, humanity, and by extension Christ, is placed in a position both lower than angels and yet crowned with glory and dominion. This sets the stage to show how Jesus, though made briefly lower than angels, has ultimately been exalted far above them.
The author is quoting Psalm 8:4-6 to demonstrate the superiority of Jesus Christ over the angels. He has just established that God has not subjected the coming world to angels, and now he points out that even in Scripture, humanity, and by extension Christ, is placed in a position both lower than angels and yet crowned with glory and dominion. This sets the stage to show how Jesus, though made briefly lower than angels, has ultimately been exalted far above them.
"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 out…" — The Hebrew text here actually says "a little lower than God," not "angels," highlighting that humanity's original creation placed us remarkably close to the Divine. This detail magnifies the awe of G…
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Last reviewed October 2026