Devine Scripture

Hebrews 2:6

What does Hebrews 2:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 2:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 2:6 means

Quoting Scripture, the writer asks, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?” The question marvels that the Creator cares for frail humanity. In its original context, it reflects awe that God would notice and attend to humans. Hebrews invokes this to underline God’s intention toward mankind—mindfulness and visitation, not abandonment. Humanity, though small in the vast cosmos, occupies a place of divine concern. The citation prepares for the assertion of human dignity and vocation in the next lines and becomes the bridge by which the author will later show how Jesus, as true man, fulfills this God-given destiny.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But one hath somewhere testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But one hath somewhere testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But a certain writer has given his witness, saying, What is man, that you keep him in mind? what is the son of man, that you take him into account?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and one in a certain place did testify fully, saying, `What is man, that Thou art mindful of him, or a son of man, that Thou dost look after him?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But one in a certain place hath testified, saying: What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but one has testified somewhere, saying, What is man, that thou rememberest him, or son of man that thou visitest him?

Context

This is the first line of the Psalm 8 citation (continued in vv.7–8). It sets the tone of astonished praise at God’s care for humanity. The chapter is arguing that the future world is not ruled by angels (v.5) but is tied to God’s purpose for human beings. After highlighting God’s mindfulness, the quotation will speak of human exaltation and authority (v.7) and universal subjection of creation (v.8). Then Hebrews will comment that this ideal is not yet visible in humanity generally, but is already realized in Jesus (v.9), establishing him as the path to the intended dominion.

v.5For not unto angels did he subject the world to come, whereof we speak.

v.6This passage

v.7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honor, And didst set him over the works of thy hands:

Cross references

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

  • Job 7:17

    What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him, And that thou shouldest set thy mind upon him,

  • Job 15:14

    What is man, that he should be clean? And he that is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

  • Luke 7:16

    And fear took hold on all: and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet is arisen among us: and, God hath visited his people.

  • Genesis 50:24

    And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die; but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

  • Hebrews 4:4

    For he hath said somewhere of the seventh day on this wise, And God rested on the seventh day from all his works;

  • Job 25:6

    How much less man, that is a worm! And the son of man, that is a worm!

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