Hebrews 1:4
What does Hebrews 1:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 1:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 1:4 means
Because of who He is and what He has accomplished, the Son has “become by so much better than the angels,” possessing “a more excellent name.” The “name” points to status and identity—He is uniquely the Son, a title no angel shares as His equal. “Having become” does not mean He was once inferior in nature, but that, through His completed work and exaltation, His superiority is publicly declared and recognized. Angels are glorious servants, but the Son is sovereign Lord. His exaltation to the right hand displays the finality and authority of His redeeming mission, and it introduces the biblical case that follows to show this is God’s own verdict.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000having become by so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901having become by so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Having become by so much better than the angels, as the name which is his heritage is more noble than theirs.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862having become so much better than the messengers, as he did inherit a more excellent name than they.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Being made so much better than the angels as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890taking a place by so much better than the angels, as he inherits a name more excellent than they.
Context
Verse 4 serves as the hinge between the majestic description of the Son (vv. 2–3) and the string of Old Testament citations (vv. 5–14). It declares the conclusion first—Christ is superior to angels—then proceeds to substantiate it from Scripture. The flow shifts from theological assertion to biblical proof. The emphasis on His “name” anticipates the quotations that highlight His unique Sonship, royal enthronement, and divine honors, all of which no angel receives. This frames the comparisons that follow.
v.3who being the effulgence of his glory, and the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
v.4This passage
v.5For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee? and again, I will be to him a Father, And he shall be to me a Son?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 5:11
And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7
and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire,
- Psalms 2:7
I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee.
- Colossians 2:10
and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power:
- Philippians 2:9
Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name;
- Hebrews 1:9
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee With the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
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