Hebrews 1:5
What does Hebrews 1:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 1:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 1:5 means
The author asks which angel ever received God’s words, “Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee,” and “I will be to him a Father, And he shall be to me a Son?” These declarations mark a relationship that is exclusive and royal. God acknowledges the Son as uniquely His, not merely by creation but by filial identity and appointment to kingship. The language evokes public enthronement and intimate fellowship. Angels, as creatures, are servants; none is addressed as the Son in this way. The verse underscores that Christ’s status is not an earned title among peers but a divine affirmation that sets Him apart categorically.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For 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?
KJV
King James Version · 1611For 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?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For 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?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949To which of the angels did God say at any time, You are my Son, this day I have given you being? or, I will be his Father, and he will be my Son?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862For to which of the messengers said He ever, `My Son thou art--I to-day have begotten thee?' and again, `I will be to him for a father, and he shall be to Me for a son?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For to which of the angels hath he said at any time: Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee? And again: I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For to which of the angels said he ever, Thou art my Son: this day have I begotten thee? and again, I will be to him for father, and he shall be to me for son?
Context
Verse 5 begins the scriptural demonstration of the Son’s superiority by citing God’s own words about the Messiah. After announcing the conclusion in verse 4, the author now shows that the Son’s name and relationship to the Father are unique. This sets the tone for the following citations. Next (v. 6), the focus turns to how angels themselves respond to the Son—with worship—further distinguishing Him from them. These proofs accumulate to make a cumulative, unanswerable case.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 5:5
So Christ also glorified not himself to be made a high priest, but he that spake unto him, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee:
- 1 Chronicles 17:13
I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my lovingkindness away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee;
- Psalms 89:26
He shall cry unto me, Thou art my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.
- 1 Chronicles 22:10
He shall build a house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.
- Acts 13:33
that God hath fulfilled the same unto our children, in that he raised up Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
- 1 Chronicles 28:6
And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts; for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.
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