Heb 1:6 Firstborn, the Excellency of God
In the preceding studies of Heb 1:1-5 we’ve covered many of the ways Jesus has fulfilled prophecies regarding the promised Messiah. They’ve been laid them out, line upon line, according to the to path the author of Hebrews has directed. The author of Hebrews has written to a fellow Hebrew audience (Jews) as familiar with his Key phrases. The majority of Christian converts from Gentile backgrounds would know none of these reference off the top of their heads unless they’d obtained classical Jewish instruction.
Let’s move on with the study.
Heb 1:6 And again, when He bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him.
the first begotten Speaks of Jesus being the firstborn of God. The Gk. word used for “first begotten” is “prototokos” which is translated both “firstbegotten” and “firstborn” in the NT.
Under the Law of Moses the firstborn according to the flesh was given certain privileges (it was forbidden to disinherit the firstborn and they also received a double-portion (Deu 21:15-17) of the inheritance). Howbeit, the meaning of the firstbegotton here is NOT referring to the fleshly institution of inheritance, but to the Spiritual.
Many times in scripture, the firstborn according to the flesh is actually passed over in by God for certain blessings.
Whether it be Esau being passed over in favor of Jacob (Gen 27:1-41), Issac over Ishmael (Gen 25:5,6; Heb 11:17-18; Gal 4:28-29), or Joseph over Reuben (Gen 48:21-49:4), etc., whenever God doesn’t choose to bless the firstborn according to the flesh, He just doesn’t.
However, He does bless the firstborn of the Spirit, which is Jesus Christ (Rom 8:29).
This division between that which is “firstborn” in the flesh versus that which is “firstborn” in the spirit is covered in Gal 4:22-30. There we see in vs. 4:28-29 the children of promise are synonymous with those who are born born after the Spirit.
Gal 4:22-23 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
Gal 4:28-29 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
into the world Jesus is the first begotten of God brought into the world. In the world because Jesus had existed from the very beginning, before the world ever began (Jn 1:1-3). Since God created everything by Jesus (Eph 3:9; Col 1:15-19) and He was the firstborn of every creature (Col 1:15), then Jesus existed in the Spirit long before He came into this world.
Col 1:15,16 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him.
Jesus Christ the firstborn of many brethren (believers become children of promise; of Spirit).
Gal 4:28-29 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Rom 8:29 For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
And, Jesus is first begotten from the dead, meaning, the first one resurrected from the dead.
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.
Now, let’s turn back to Heb 1:6 to finish up.
Heb 1:6 And again, when He bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him.
let all the angels of God worship Him This, again, is a “key phrase” referring to two possible scriptures of the Old Testament: Psa 97:7 and the LXX version of Deu 32:43.
First, let’s touch on Psa 97:7.
Psa 97:6-9 The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the people see His glory. 7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship Him, all ye gods. 8 Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD. 9 For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
Psa 97:7 has traditionally been considered a possible reference here. Notice how it says,”worship Him, all ye gods” (vs. 7) and “thou art exalted far above all gods” (vs. 9). The key element here is the word “gods” which is referring to angels being called sons of God. Please see Demons, Fallen angels & Little gods for more about the angels being referred to in the Old Testament as the sons of God. Thus in Psa 97:7, the angels are being told to worship.
The LXX Greek Septuagint version of Deu 32:43 reads:
Deu 32:43 LXX Greek Septuagint, which says, “Rejoice, ye heaven, together with Him; and let all the angels of God worship Him.”
The LXX Greek Septuagint is thought to be the version of the Old Testament scriptures most likely read by the Jews of Jesus day. It was written in Greek and so the translation varies in interpretation somewhat from the Hebraic version most commonly know of. This is why the translation is a bit different.
Let all the angels of God worship Him is a command given to all angels to worship Jesus Christ. This verse further establishing the supremacy of Christ over angels.
That about covers it. Peace out y’all!
Loris A. James