Hebrews 2:8
What does Hebrews 2:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 2:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 2:8 means
“Thou didst put all things in subjection under his feet.” The author adds a crucial comment: if all is subjected, nothing is exempt—yet we do not currently see everything under humanity’s control. The Scripture declares a universal dominion, but present experience contradicts it; death, disorder, and hostile powers remain. This honest acknowledgment prevents naïve triumphalism. Hebrews faces the tension between God’s promise and our present situation. By pointing out the “not yet,” the writer prepares to show where the promise is already true: in Jesus. He alone presently embodies Psalm 8’s destiny, and in him that future will be extended to the many he brings to glory.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thou 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thou 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You put all things under his feet. For in making man the ruler over all things, God did not put anything outside his authority; though we do not see everything under him now.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862all things Thou didst put in subjection under his feet,' for in the subjecting to him the all things, nothing did He leave to him unsubjected, and now not yet do we see the all things subjected to him,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thou hast subjected all things under his feet. For in that he hath subjected all things to him he left nothing not subject to him. But now we see not as yet all things subject to him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890thou hast subjected all things under his feet. For in subjecting all things to him, he has left nothing unsubject to him. But now we see not yet all things subjected to him,
Context
This verse concludes the Psalm 8 citation and immediately transitions to the author’s interpretive comment. The logic moves from Scripture’s sweeping claim of human dominion to the empirical reality that it is not yet manifest. This sets up the contrast and resolution in verse 9: we do not see universal human rule now, but we do see Jesus crowned. The flow is vital—only by recognizing the gap can we appreciate how Christ’s humiliation and exaltation fulfill God’s design and guarantee its future realization for his people (vv.9–10).
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:
v.8This passage
v.9But we behold him who hath been made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for every man.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 1:13
But of which of the angels hath he said at any time, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet?
- Psalms 2:6
Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.
- Job 30:1
But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, Whose fathers I disdained to set with the dogs of my flock.
- Hebrews 2:5
For not unto angels did he subject the world to come, whereof we speak.
- Psalms 8:6
Thou makest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet:
- Daniel 7:14
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
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.