Devine Scripture

Hebrews 2:15

What does Hebrews 2:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 2:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 2:15 means

Christ’s death not only breaks the devil’s power; it delivers those who were enslaved by the fear of death all their lives. Fear of death can dominate human existence—shaping choices, breeding anxiety, and holding souls in quiet bondage. By bearing sin and rising, Jesus removes death’s sting and turns it from a terror into a conquered enemy. Liberation here is not denial of mortality but release from its tyranny. Believers face death differently—no longer as ultimate loss but as passage under a Savior who has gone before. Thus the salvation he brings is deeply pastoral, addressing the core dread that haunts humanity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And let those who all their lives were in chains because of their fear of death, go free.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and might deliver those, whoever, with fear of death, throughout all their life, were subjects of bondage,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And might deliver them, who through the fear of death were all their lifetime subject to servitude.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and might set free all those who through fear of death through the whole of their life were subject to bondage.

Context

This verse completes the purpose statement begun in verse 14: the Son took flesh to die, defeat the devil, and free people from death’s fear. The author then clarifies the scope and focus in verse 16—Christ’s help is aimed at the “seed of Abraham,” not angels—drawing the angel contrast back into view. With that focus set, verse 17 will explain the necessity of his full likeness to his brothers to serve as a merciful and faithful high priest making propitiation, and verse 18 will apply his sympathetic help to the tempted.

v.14Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

v.15This passage

v.16For verily not to angels doth he give help, but he giveth help to the seed of Abraham.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 73:19

    How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.

  • Psalms 55:4

    My heart is sore pained within me: And the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:10

    who delivered us out of so great a death, and will deliver: on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us;

  • Psalms 33:19

    To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:50

    Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

  • 2 Timothy 1:7

    For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline.

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