Hebrews 2:16 BSB — MannaFest

Hebrews 2:16

For surely it is not the angels He helps, but the descendants of Abraham.

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

For verily not to angels doth he give help, but he giveth help to the seed of Abraham.

KJV

For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

⋯

Commentary

3 voices

Cyril of Alexandria

ON THE INCARNATION 684 (444)

The Only Begotten operated not through his own nature, for that would in no way have improved our state, or through the nature of angels; but he operated through "the seed of Abraham," as Scripture has it. For in this way and no other could the race, fallen into corruption, be restored to salvation.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

For verily he taketh not hold of angels - He does not take their nature upon him. But he taketh hold of the seed of Abraham - He takes human nature upon him. St. Paul says the seed of Abraham, rather than the seed of Adam, because to Abraham was the promise made.

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

Now there is hope and help for the chief of sinners in and through Christ. Here is a price paid sufficient for all, and suitable to all, for it was in our nature. Let us all then know the day of our gracious visitation, and improve that distinguishing mercy which has been shown to fallen men, not to the fallen angels.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible (1832)

For verily he took not on him the nature of angels - Ου γαρ δηπου αγγελων επιλαμβανεται, αλλα σπερματος Αβρααμ επιλαμβανεται· Moreover, he doth not at all take hold of angels; but of the seed of Abraham he taketh hold.

Voices on this verse

loading…

Original language & word study

9 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
οὐ	ou	Not	G3756 →
γὰρ	gar	for	G1063 →
δήπου	dēpou	surely somewhere	G1211 →G4225 →
ἀγγέλων	angelōn	[the] angels	G32 →
ἐπιλαμβάνεται,	epilambanetai	He helps,	G1949 →
ἀλλὰ	alla	but	G235 →
σπέρματος	spermatos	[the] seed	G4690 →
Ἀβραὰμ	Abraam	of Abraham	G11 →
ἐπιλαμβάνεται.	epilambanetai	He helps.	G1949 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
Galatians 3:29
And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.
leads to
- Ephesians 3:6
  This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.
- Romans 9:7–8
  Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.”
- Galatians 3:7
  Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham.
- Romans 8:17
  And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Through
Galatians 3:16
The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.
leads to
- Genesis 17:7–8
  I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
Through
Genesis 22:18
And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
leads to
- Acts 3:25
  And you are sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers when He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.’
- Genesis 12:3
  I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”
- Galatians 3:16
  The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.