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General Letters · WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE

Hebrews 2

Jesus' superior priesthood and covenant ground endurance, worship, and confident approach to God.

New Testament

Hebrews 2

1Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away.

2For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty,

3how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation—which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard,

4God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?

5For he didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels.

6But one has somewhere testified, saying, “What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him?

7You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor.

8You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don’t yet see all things subjected to him.

9But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone.

10For it became him, for whom are all things and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

11For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

12saying, “I will declare your name to my brothers. Among the congregation I will sing your praise.”

13Again, “I will put my trust in him.” Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.”

14Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

15and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

16For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham.

17Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.

18For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

READ IN CONTEXT

Before applying this chapter

Jesus' superior priesthood and covenant ground endurance, worship, and confident approach to God. Read Hebrews 2 within the complete Hebrews overview, and use the contextual Bible reading guide before forming a personal application. Chapter divisions aid navigation, but the literary unit may begin earlier or continue into the next chapter.

Observe first

Mark repeated words, changes of speaker, commands, promises, contrasts, questions, and the relationship between paragraphs.

Apply responsibly

Distinguish description from command and immediate audience from later readers before forming a personal application.

TEXT-DERIVED READING NOTES

What to notice in Hebrews 2

Hebrews 2 contains 18 verses and about 440 words in this translation. These observations come from the chapter itself; they are prompts for close reading, not claims about its only possible meaning.

The opening movement

Verse 1 begins: “Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away.” Ask what situation, voice, image, or argument this opening establishes for everything that follows.

The closing movement

Verse 18 closes: “For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.” Compare the ending with the opening and note what changed, resolved, intensified, or remained open.

Vocabulary worth tracing

Recurring or prominent content words include things, angels, will, death, subject, glory. Follow where each word appears and whether its meaning shifts with the speaker or setting.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About Hebrews 2

Which Bible translation is shown here?+

This page reproduces the World English Bible Protestant edition (WEBP), a modern-English translation dedicated to the public domain.

How should I cite a specific verse?+

Use the book, chapter, and verse—for example, Hebrews 2:1—and name the World English Bible if the wording matters. Each verse number above is a direct anchor link.

Does the chapter number define the complete literary unit?+

Not always. Chapter and verse numbers were added for navigation. Check the paragraphs, scenes, poetic stanzas, or argument before and after this chapter.

A SMALL NEXT STEP

You do not have to have everything figured out.

Begin with one honest question, one passage read carefully, and one faithful next step.

Start with prayer