Foundation Text
Hebrews 2:6-9
Greek Key Terms
- G444 ἄνθρωπος (anthropos) - man, human
- G5207 υἱός (huios) - son
- G1642 ἐλαττόω (elattoo) - to make lower, diminish
- G32 ἄγγελος (angelos) - angel, messenger
- G4737 στεφανόω (stephanoo) - to crown
- G1089 γεύομαι (geuomai) - to taste, experience
Context: Hebrews 2 argues for Christ's superiority over angels (continuing from chapter 1) by paradoxically showing His temporary humiliation. After warning against neglecting salvation (vv. 1-4), the author quotes Psalm 8:4-6 (vv. 6-8), then interprets it christologically (v. 9). Though 'at present we do not see everything subject to him' (humanity's failed dominion), 'we see Jesus... now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death' (v. 9).
OT-to-OT Development
- Quotes Psalm 8:4-6 (LXX) verbatim: 'What is man... son of man?'; 'You crowned him with glory'; 'subjected all things under his feet'
- Psalm 8 reflects on Genesis 1:26-28 dominion mandate
- Hebrews interprets Psalm 8 through Daniel 7:13 (Son of Man) and Isaiah 53 (suffering unto exaltation)
Connections
- TO:
- Genesis 1:26-28 - original dominion
- Psalm 8:4-6 - son of man crowned
- Daniel 7:13 - Son of Man receives kingdom
- Isaiah 52:13 - servant exalted after suffering
- FROM OT:
- Isaiah 53:11 - sees offspring after soul's travail, implying resurrection
- FROM NT:
- 1 Corinthians 15:27 - all things subjected under Christ's feet
- Ephesians 1:22 - God put all things under Christ's feet
- Philippians 2:8-9 - humiliation then exaltation
- 1 Peter 3:22 - Christ at God's right hand, angels subjected
Christological Connection: Hebrews 2:6-9 provides the definitive christological interpretation of Psalm 8. The 'son of man' crowned with glory is Jesus Christ. The author structures the argument brilliantly: (1) Psalm 8 promises universal dominion to 'son of man'; (2) we don't see this fulfilled in humanity generally; (3) but we see it fulfilled in Jesus. The key is the pathway: Jesus was 'made a little lower than the angels' (v. 9)—this is the incarnation and humiliation (Philippians 2:7-8). He experienced death 'by the grace of God... for everyone' (v. 9)—substitutionary atonement. Because of (dia) suffering death, He is 'crowned with glory and honor' (v. 9)—resurrection and exaltation. The crowning comes through suffering, not bypassing it. Verses 10-18 expand this: it was 'fitting' (prepei) that God should make the 'author of their salvation perfect through suffering' (v. 10). Jesus identifies with His brothers (v. 11), sanctifies them through His death (v. 11), destroys the devil (v. 14), and helps those tempted (v. 18). The dominion Psalm 8 promises comes through the cross: the Son of Man receives 'everything under his feet' (v. 8) because He tasted death for all. This is the same synthesis Mark presents: the Danielic Son of Man (glory, dominion) achieves His mission through the Isaianic Suffering Servant (rejection, death, resurrection).
Connection Method(s): Typology (Providential, Backward-Looking — Psalm 8 is the donor, and Hebrews 2 is the retrospective warrant); Redemptive-Historical Progression — Hebrews authoritatively interprets Psalm 8's "son of man" as fulfilled in Jesus, who was made lower than angels through incarnation, tasted death for all, and is now crowned with glory — the pathway to dominion is through suffering.
Trajectory Table: 150 - Son of Man (Danielic Figure and Divine Judge)