Hebrews 2:7
What does Hebrews 2:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 2:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 2:7 means
The quotation continues: God made man “a little lower than the angels,” yet crowned him “with glory and honor,” setting him over the works of his hands. This captures humanity’s paradox: lower than angels in present status and weakness, yet appointed to rule as God’s image-bearers. The “crown” language speaks of conferred dignity and dominion—humans are stewards over creation under God. Hebrews uses this to recall humanity’s original vocation. Though the fall marred our rule, the design stands. The text tallies with the chapter’s point: God’s plan for governance belongs to mankind, not angels, and will be realized as the next verse elaborates.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thou 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thou 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You made him a little lower than the angels; you gave him a crown of glory and honour, and made him ruler over all the works of your hands:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Thou didst make him some little less than messengers, with glory and honour Thou didst crown him, and didst set him over the works of Thy hands,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels: thou hast crowned him with glory and honour and hast set him over the works of thy hands.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thou hast made him some little inferior to the angels; thou hast crowned him with glory and honour, [and hast set him over the works of thy hands;]
Context
Verse 7 continues Psalm 8’s portrayal of human dignity and authority. In the chapter’s flow, it strengthens the claim of verse 5 by showing from Scripture that God intended humans, not angels, to exercise dominion. The next verse completes the citation by stating that all things were put under man’s feet, and then Hebrews will add a crucial comment: this is not yet what we see in the present. That observation creates space to introduce Jesus (v.9) as the one who, by suffering and exaltation, embodies and secures the human destiny Psalm 8 envisioned.
v.6But one hath somewhere testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
v.7This passage
v.8Thou didst put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he subjected all things unto him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we see not yet all things subjected to him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 8:5
For thou hast made him but little lower than God, And crownest him with glory and honor.
- Philippians 2:6
who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped,
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Hebrews 2
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Hebrews 2.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About the Humanity of Christ
The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus Christ was fully human, experiencing life as we do in a sinless state
Topic
Bible Verses About the Incarnation
The incarnation is the Christian doctrine that Jesus Christ is God and became flesh, dwelling among humanity.
Topic
Bible Verses About Propitiation
Propitiation refers to the appeasement of God's wrath through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, making reconciliation possible.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Spiritually Numb
When God feels distant and you feel nothing — verses for the dry season.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Alone
When no one seems to see you — verses for the One who does.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You're Worried About Money
When the bills outpace the paycheck — verses for a steadier kind of provision.