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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Hebrews 2:16 For surely it is not the angels He helps, but the descendants of Abraham.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hebrews/2-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/58_Heb_02_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hebrews 2:16 - Jesus Like His Brothers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For surely it is not the angels He helps, but the descendants of Abraham." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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he came to help the descendants of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/hebrews/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/hebrews/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For surely it is not the angels He helps, but the descendants of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/hebrews/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For surely He helps not <i>the</i> angels, but He helps <i>the</i> seed of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/hebrews/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For verily he took not on <i>him the nature of</i> angels; but he took on <i>him</i> the seed of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/hebrews/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/hebrews/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For clearly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendants of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/hebrews/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/hebrews/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/hebrews/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the seed of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/hebrews/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For, as we all know, He (Christ) does not take hold of [the fallen] angels [to give them a helping hand], but He does take hold of [the fallen] descendants of Abraham [extending to them His hand of deliverance].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/hebrews/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/hebrews/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For it is clear that He does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham&#8217s offspring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/hebrews/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For verily not to angels doth he give help, but he giveth help to the seed of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/hebrews/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jesus clearly did not come to help angels, but he did come to help Abraham's descendants. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/hebrews/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For verily not of angels doth he take hold, but he taketh hold of the seed of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/hebrews/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So Jesus helps Abraham's descendants rather than helping angels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/hebrews/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />For it is clear that it is not the angels that he helps. Instead, he helps the descendants of Abraham. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/hebrews/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For it is clear that he did not come to help angels. No, he came to help Abraham's descendants, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/hebrews/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For surely it is not the angels He helps, but the descendants of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/hebrews/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For surely his concern is not for angels, but he is concerned for Abraham's descendants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/hebrews/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For, truly, he did not come to help the angels, but to help the offspring of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/hebrews/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/hebrews/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For assuredly it is not to angels that He is continually reaching a helping hand, but it is to the descendants of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/hebrews/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/hebrews/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />for doubtless, He does not lay hold of messengers, but He lays hold of [the] seed of Abraham,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/hebrews/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For surely He helps not <i>the</i> angels, but He helps <i>the</i> seed of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/hebrews/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for, doubtless, of messengers it doth not lay hold, but of seed of Abraham it layeth hold,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/hebrews/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For certainly he lays not hold of angels; but of the seed of Abraham he lays hold.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/hebrews/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For no where doth he take hold of the angels: but of the seed of Abraham he taketh hold. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/hebrews/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For at no time did he take hold of the Angels, but instead he took hold of the offspring of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/hebrews/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/hebrews/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/hebrews/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For he did not take on him the pattern of angels; but he did take on him the seed of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/hebrews/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />For death was not authorized over the Angels, but death was authorized over the seed of Abraham.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/hebrews/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />For, verily, he does not take hold of angels, but he takes hold of the posterity of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/hebrews/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />For not yet does he take upon himself the nature of angels, but he takes upon himself the seed of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/hebrews/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />For he verily took not on him the angelic nature, but assumed that of the seed of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/hebrews/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />for he is not the deliverer of angels; but the deliverer of Abraham's posterity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/hebrews/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For assuredly it is not to angels that He is continually reaching a helping hand, but it is to the descendants of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/hebrews/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />For surely He doth not succor angels, but He succoreth Abraham's seed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/hebrews/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />For indeed He taketh not hold of angels <i>to save them,</i> but of the seed of Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/hebrews/2-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x-IAXXp5zcA?start=294" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/hebrews/2.htm">Jesus Like His Brothers</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/1211.htm" title="1211: dē (Prtcl) -- Probably akin to de; a particle of emphasis or explicitness; now, then, etc.">surely</a> <a href="/greek/4226.htm" title="4226: pou (Adv) -- Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos otherwise obsolete; as adverb of place; at what locality."></a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: Ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">it is not</a> <a href="/greek/32.htm" title="32: angelōn (N-GMP) -- From aggello; a messenger; especially an angel; by implication, a pastor.">the angels</a> <a href="/greek/1949.htm" title="1949: epilambanetai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- To lay hold of, take hold of, seize (sometimes with beneficent, sometimes with hostile, intent). ">He helps,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/1949.htm" title="1949: epilambanetai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- To lay hold of, take hold of, seize (sometimes with beneficent, sometimes with hostile, intent). "></a> <a href="/greek/4690.htm" title="4690: spermatos (N-GNS) -- From speiro; something sown, i.e. Seed; by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant.">the descendants</a> <a href="/greek/11.htm" title="11: Abraam (N-GMS) -- Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.">of Abraham.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">17</span>For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-7.htm">Philippians 2:7</a></span><br />but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-16.htm">Galatians 3:16</a></span><br />The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-3.htm">Romans 1:3</a></span><br />regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-1.htm">Matthew 1:1</a></span><br />This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-3.htm">Romans 8:3</a></span><br />For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a></span><br />The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-5.htm">Romans 9:5</a></span><br />Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/22-18.htm">Genesis 22:18</a></span><br />And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-3.htm">Genesis 12:3</a></span><br />I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-14.htm">Genesis 28:14</a></span><br />Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-8.htm">Isaiah 41:8</a></span><br />“But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-54.htm">Luke 1:54-55</a></span><br />He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful, / as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-72.htm">Luke 1:72-73</a></span><br />to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, / the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/3-25.htm">Acts 3:25</a></span><br />And you are sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers when He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-4.htm">Galatians 4:4</a></span><br />But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For truly he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.</p><p class="hdg">verily.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/6-16.htm">Hebrews 6:16</a></b></br> For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation <i>is</i> to them an end of all strife.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/12-10.htm">Hebrews 12:10</a></b></br> For they verily for a few days chastened <i>us</i> after their own pleasure; but he for <i>our</i> profit, that <i>we</i> might be partakers of his holiness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Romans 2:25</a></b></br> For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.</p><p class="hdg">took not, etc.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/22-18.htm">Genesis 22:18</a></b></br> And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/1-1.htm">Matthew 1:1</a></b></br> The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Romans 4:16</a></b></br> Therefore <i>it is</i> of faith, that <i>it might be</i> by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Abraham's</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-9.htm">Angels</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-10.htm">Assuredly</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-6.htm">Concerned</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-18.htm">Continually</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-8.htm">Descendant</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-4.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/philippians/3-8.htm">Doubtless</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-8.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/hebrews/1-13.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/titus/3-14.htm">Help</a> <a href="/hebrews/1-14.htm">Helping</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-12.htm">Helps</a> <a href="/titus/3-15.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/hebrews/1-7.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/philemon/1-19.htm">Life</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-7.htm">Messengers</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-14.htm">Nature</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-24.htm">Reaching</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-8.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-9.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/3-4.htm">Verily</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hebrews/6-13.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/17-23.htm">Abraham's</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-22.htm">Angels</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-14.htm">Assuredly</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-24.htm">Concerned</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-1.htm">Continually</a> <a href="/revelation/22-16.htm">Descendant</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-14.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/numbers/14-30.htm">Doubtless</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-28.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-18.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-18.htm">Help</a> <a href="/james/2-22.htm">Helping</a> <a href="/genesis/49-25.htm">Helps</a> <a href="/hebrews/3-6.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/hebrews/3-5.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Life</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-22.htm">Messengers</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-17.htm">Nature</a> <a href="/revelation/1-13.htm">Reaching</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-11.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-14.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/hebrews/3-5.htm">Verily</a><div class="vheading2">Hebrews 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hebrews/2-1.htm">We ought to be obedient to Christ Jesus;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hebrews/2-5.htm">and that because he condescended to take our nature upon himself;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hebrews/2-14.htm">as it was necessary.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/hebrews/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For surely</b><br>This phrase emphasizes certainty and assurance. The author of Hebrews often uses strong affirmations to convey theological truths, underscoring the reliability of the message being delivered. This certainty is foundational to the argument being made about the nature of Christ's mission and His focus on humanity.<p><b>it is not the angels He helps</b><br>Angels are spiritual beings created by God, often seen as messengers or servants. In the context of Hebrews, angels are contrasted with Jesus to highlight His superiority and unique role. The statement clarifies that Jesus' redemptive work is not directed towards angels, who do not require salvation in the same way humans do. This distinction underscores the special relationship between Christ and humanity, as angels are not the recipients of His saving grace.<p><b>but the descendants of Abraham</b><br>This phrase identifies the specific group that benefits from Christ's help. The descendants of Abraham refer to the Jewish people, but in a broader theological sense, it includes all who share in the faith of Abraham, as seen in <a href="/galatians/3-7.htm">Galatians 3:7-9</a>. Abraham is a central figure in biblical history, known for his faith and covenant with God. This connection to Abraham highlights the fulfillment of God's promises and the continuity of His plan of salvation. It also reflects the inclusivity of the gospel, extending beyond ethnic Israel to all who believe, aligning with the New Testament teaching that faith, not ethnicity, defines the true descendants of Abraham.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure of the New Testament, whose incarnation and redemptive work are the focus of <a href="/bsb/hebrews/2.htm">Hebrews 2</a>. He is the one who provides help, not to angels, but to humanity.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/angels.htm">Angels</a></b><br>Spiritual beings created by God, often serving as messengers. In Hebrews, they are contrasted with Jesus to highlight His superiority and unique role in salvation.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/descendants_of_abraham.htm">Descendants of Abraham</a></b><br>Refers to the Jewish people and, by extension through faith, all believers in Christ. Abraham is a patriarch in the Bible, representing those who are heirs to the promise of God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>A key figure in the Old Testament, known for his faith and obedience to God. He is the father of the Jewish nation and a model of faith for Christians.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_incarnation.htm">The Incarnation</a></b><br>The event of God becoming flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. This is central to the understanding of why Jesus helps humanity rather than angels.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_unique_role_of_jesus.htm">The Unique Role of Jesus</a></b><br>Jesus' mission was to help humanity, not angels. This underscores His unique role in salvation history and His deep identification with human beings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faith.htm">The Importance of Faith</a></b><br>Being a descendant of Abraham is not just about physical lineage but about sharing in the faith of Abraham. This calls believers to live by faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_incarnation's_significance.htm">The Incarnation's Significance</a></b><br>Jesus becoming human is central to His ability to help us. This should inspire gratitude and a deeper understanding of His love and sacrifice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/our_identity_in_christ.htm">Our Identity in Christ</a></b><br>As descendants of Abraham through faith, believers have a new identity and inheritance. This should influence how we live and view our relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_to_his_promises.htm">God's Faithfulness to His Promises</a></b><br>The help extended to the descendants of Abraham is a testament to God's faithfulness. Believers can trust in God's promises and His commitment to His people.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hebrews_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_ultra-universalism.htm">Can God forgive Satan?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_considered_the_first_jew.htm">Who is considered the first Jew?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_satan_loved_by_god.htm">Is Satan loved by God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_do_angels_desire_to_understand.htm">What do angels desire to understand?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hebrews/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">He took not on him the</span> <span class= "bld">nature of angels.</span>--The rendering of the margin approaches very nearly the true meaning of the verse; whereas the text (in which the Authorised version differs from all our earlier translations) introduces confusion into the argument. Having spoken in <a href="/hebrews/2-14.htm" title="For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;">Hebrews 2:14</a> of our Lord's assumption of human nature, the writer in these words assigns the reason: "For surely it is not of angels that He taketh hold, but He taketh hold of the seed of Abraham." Though the words "take hold," which occur twice in the verse, probably cannot directly signify "help" (as is often maintained), they distinctly suggest laying hold for the sake of giving help; and a beautiful illustration may be found in some of the Gospel narratives of our Lord's works of healing (<a href="/mark/8-23.htm" title="And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands on him, he asked him if he saw ought.">Mark 8:23</a>; <a href="/luke/14-4.htm" title="And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;">Luke 14:4</a>). It is probable that the language used here is derived from the Old Testament. In <a href="/hebrews/8-9.htm" title="Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, said the Lord.">Hebrews 8:9</a>, a quotation from Jeremiah 31, we read, "In the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt." <a href="/context/isaiah/41-8.htm" title="But you, Israel, are my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.">Isaiah 41:8-9</a>, however, is perhaps a still closer parallel (for the word used in the Greek version is very similar, and no doubt expresses the same meaning): "Thou Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend; thou of whom I have taken hold from the ends of the earth." If the writer had these verses in his thought, it is hardly necessary to inquire why he chooses the expression "seed of Abraham," instead of one of (apparently) wider meaning, such as <a href="/context/hebrews/2-7.htm" title="You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, and did set him over the works of your hands:">Hebrews 2:7-8</a>, might seem to require. But even apart from this passage of Isaiah, and the natural fitness of such a phrase in words addressed to Jews, we may doubt if any other language would have been equally expressive. For as to the <span class= "ital">means, </span>it was by becoming a child of Abraham that the Saviour "took hold of" our race to raise it up; and as to the <span class= "ital">purpose, </span>St. Paul teaches us that "the seed of Abraham" includes all who inherit Abraham's faith. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hebrews/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 16, 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For verily</span>, etc. The A.V. (following the ancient interpreters) takes this verse as referring to the Incarnation. But <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> <span class="greek">ἐπιλαμβάνεσθαι σπέρματος</span> and, still more, <span class="greek">ἐπιλαμβάνεσθαι ἀγγέλων</span>, seems an awkward way of expressing "to assume the nature of." The usual sense of the verb, followed by a genitive, is "to take hold of," as <span class="greek">ἐπιλαμβάνεσθαι χειρός</span> (<a href="/acts/23-19.htm">Acts 23:19</a>; <a href="/mark/8-23.htm">Mark 8:23</a>); and especially in the sense of "succouring" (cf. <a href="/matthew/14-31.htm">Matthew 14:31</a>; <a href="/hebrews/8-9.htm">Hebrews 8:9</a>; <a href="/isaiah/31.htm">Isaiah 31</a>:32, <span class="greek">Ἐν ἡμέρα</span> <span class="greek">ἐπιλᾶμβομένου μου τῆς χειρὸς αὐτῶν</span>; and Ecclus. 4:11, <span class="greek">Ἡ σοφία ἐπιλαμβάνεται τῶν</span> <span class="greek">ζητούντων αὐτήν</span>. <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> The present tense of the verb is inappropriate to the past act of the Incarnation, which has, moreover, been sufficiently declared in ver. 14. <p><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> The sequence of though+, in the following verse is not easily intelligible if the Incarnation be the subject of this:" <span class="accented">Whence</span> it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren;" - this does not follow from his having become incarnate; we should rather say that his incarnation was the means of his being made like them. Translate, therefore, observing the position of the substantives before the verbs, <span class="cmt_word">For not, I ween, angels cloth he lay hold of</span> (<span class="accented">to succor them</span>)<span class="accented">, <span class="cmt_word"></span>but the seed of Abraham he doth lay hold of.</span> The allusion is to its being the human "children of promise," and not angels, that are denoted in prophecy as being, and acknowledged to be, the object of the Messianic redemption. The expression, "the seed of Abraham," is, of course, not intended to exclude the Gentiles: it is appropriately used in reference to the Messianic promises of the Old Testament (cf. <a href="/genesis/23-18.htm">Genesis 23:18</a>; <a href="/isaiah/41-8.htm">Isaiah 41:8</a>): and the extension of its meaning to "all them that believe" would be as familiar to the first readers of the Epistle as to us (cf. <a href="/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9</a>; <a href="/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39</a>; <a href="/romans/4-11.htm">Romans 4:11, 16</a>). The conclusion of ver. 17 (which repeats virtually what has been alleged before, after reason given) now naturally follows: <span class="cmt_word">Whence it behooved him in all things to be assimilated to his brethren</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> to the race which was the object of his redemptive succor. But, further, why the need of this entire assimilation, to the extent of participation in suffering unto death? <span class="cmt_word">That he might become a merciful</span> (or, <span class="accented">compassionate</span>) <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>high priest, in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people</span>. It was that he might be fully constituted as the High Priest of humanity. Here, according to the manner of the Epistle, the view of priesthood, to be afterwards set forth at length, is briefly hinted. It is taken up in <a href="/hebrews/5.htm">Hebrews 5</a>, after the conclusion that Christ is man's High Priest has been reached by another line of argument (see preceding summary). In <a href="/hebrews/5.htm">Hebrews 5</a>. one of the essentials of a true high priest (whose office is to mediate for man in things pertaining to God) is set forth as being that he should be of the same race and nature with those for whom he mediates, and able in all respects to sympathize with them: and this view is here foreshadowed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/hebrews/2-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="grk">γὰρ</span> <span class="translit">(gar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> </span><span class="str2">For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">surely</span><br /><span class="grk">δή‿</span> <span class="translit">(dē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1211.htm">Strong's 1211: </a> </span><span class="str2">Probably akin to de; a particle of emphasis or explicitness; now, then, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[it is] not</span><br /><span class="grk">Οὐ</span> <span class="translit">(Ou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> </span><span class="str2">No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the] angels</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀγγέλων</span> <span class="translit">(angelōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_32.htm">Strong's 32: </a> </span><span class="str2">From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He helps,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπιλαμβάνεται</span> <span class="translit">(epilambanetai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1949.htm">Strong's 1949: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lay hold of, take hold of, seize (sometimes with beneficent, sometimes with hostile, intent). </span><br /><br /><span class="word">but</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀλλὰ</span> <span class="translit">(alla)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> </span><span class="str2">But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the] descendants</span><br /><span class="grk">σπέρματος</span> <span class="translit">(spermatos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4690.htm">Strong's 4690: </a> </span><span class="str2">From speiro; something sown, i.e. Seed; by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Abraham.</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἀβραὰμ</span> <span class="translit">(Abraam)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_11.htm">Strong's 11: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hebrews/2-16.htm">Hebrews 2:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/hebrews/2-16.htm">Hebrews 2:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/hebrews/2-16.htm">Hebrews 2:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/hebrews/2-16.htm">Hebrews 2:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/hebrews/2-16.htm">Hebrews 2:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/hebrews/2-16.htm">Hebrews 2:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hebrews/2-16.htm">Hebrews 2:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/hebrews/2-16.htm">Hebrews 2:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/hebrews/2-16.htm">Hebrews 2:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/hebrews/2-16.htm">Hebrews 2:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/hebrews/2-16.htm">NT Letters: Hebrews 2:16 For most certainly he doesn't give help (Heb. He. Hb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hebrews/2-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hebrews 2:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hebrews 2:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hebrews/2-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hebrews 2:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hebrews 2:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>