The big picture
Hebrews 2 opens in verse 1 with “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 9 with “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of…”, and closes in verse 18 with “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are…” Repeated or prominent terms include angels, death, brethren, glory, subjection. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Hebrews · King James Version · 18Hebrews 2:1-6
1–6: Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we…
Hebrews 2:1–6 opens with “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any…” and reaches “But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus sharing human suffering and death to bring many children to glory and free those held by fear, with particular weight carried by angels, bearing, began.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Hebrews 2:1-6
King James Version1Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
2For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
4God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
5For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
6But 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?
Hebrews 2:7-12
7–12: Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with…
Hebrews 2:7–12 opens with “Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and…” and reaches “Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus sharing human suffering and death to bring many children to glory and free those held by fear, with particular weight carried by glory, angels, brethren.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Hebrews 2:7-12
King James Version7Thou 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:
8Thou 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.
9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
Hebrews 2:13-18
13–18: Again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children…
Hebrews 2:13–18 opens with “And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given…” and reaches “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus sharing human suffering and death to bring many children to glory and free those held by fear, with particular weight carried by death, took, children.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
Hebrews 2:13-18
King James Version13And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
14Forasmuch 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;
15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Hebrews 2:1 begins with “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”
Where the chapter turns
Hebrews 2:9 forms a natural hinge: “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should…”
The final note
Hebrews 2:18 leaves the reader with “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words angels, death, brethren, glory, subjection, took help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Which gifts come before the prohibition?
Life, the garden, food and meaningful work. The command occurs inside generosity.
How does chapter 2 deepen chapter 1?
It concentrates on dependence, partnership and responsibility within the shared human calling.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.