The Meaning of Hebrews 1:13 Explained

Hebrews 1:13

KJV: But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

YLT: And unto which of the messengers said He ever, 'Sit at My right hand, till I may make thine enemies thy footstool?'

Darby: But as to which of the angels said he ever, Sit at my right hand until I put thine enemies as footstool of thy feet?

ASV: 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?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  to  which  of the angels  said he  at any time,  Sit  on  my  right hand,  until  I make  thine  enemies  thy  footstool? 

What does Hebrews 1:13 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The seventh and last quotation in this series is from Hebrews 1:8-9. Angels stand and serve, but the Son sits and rules (cf. Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 12:2; Matthew 22:43-44; Matthew 26:64; Mark 16:19; Acts 2:33-34; Romans 8:34; Colossians 3:1; 1 Peter 3:22). The vindication predicted here will take place when Jesus Christ returns at His second advent and at the various judgments of God"s enemies that will follow that return (cf. Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-15; et al.). Jesus Christ"s present rule on His Father"s throne over the church is not the same as His rule on David"s throne over David"s earthly kingdom (cf. Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 12:2). [1] Eventually every knee shall bow to Him ( Philippians 2:10-11).
One writer identified a chiasm in the quotations in Hebrews 1:3-13.
"AThe Son"s status as royal King ( Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14)( Hebrews 1:5)BThe Son"s status as Divine Wisdom ( Deuteronomy 32:43 : Psalm 104:4)( Hebrews 1:6-7)CThe Son"s status as royal King and Divine Wisdom ( Psalm 45:6-7) ( Psalm 110:1)B"The Son"s status as Divine Wisdom ( Psalm 102:26-28)( Hebrews 1:10-12)A"The Son"s status as royal King ( Psalm 110:1)( Hebrews 1:13)" [2]

Context Summary

Hebrews 1:1-14 - God's Final And Supreme Messenger
Christianity is greater than the Mosaic dispensation because it has been given through the Son, whereas the Law came through angels. See Acts 7:53. The message of the Gospel is connected speech; that of the Law was broken syllables.
The Son's intrinsic glory, Hebrews 1:1-4. Jesus is the channel of creation, providence and redemption. He is the far-traveled ray of Deity; but not one among many equals, for of Him alone could it be said that His nature was co-extensive with God's, as a seal with the die. He is on the throne, not merely because of His original nature, but as the reward of His obedience unto death, Philippians 2:9.
His superiority to angels, Hebrews 1:5-14. These quotations should be carefully studied as showing the deep inner meaning of the Psalms. Their fulfillment must be sought in Christ, and in them we overhear the voice of God. "We must ever thank God for the ministry of angels. Note that their service to us is a liturgy of adoration to God-such is the force of the Greek words. [source]

Chapter Summary: Hebrews 1

1  Christ in these last times coming to us from the Father,
4  is preferred above the angels, both in person and office

Greek Commentary for Hebrews 1:13

Hath he said [ειρηκεν]
Perfect active common use of the perfect for permanent record. This seventh quotation is proof of the Son‘s superiority as the Son of God (his deity) to angels and is from Psalm 110:1, a Messianic Psalm frequently quoted in Hebrews. Sit thou Second person singular imperative middle of κατημαι — kathēmai to sit, for the longer form κατησο — kathēso as in Matthew 22:44; James 2:3. On my right hand “From my right.” See Hebrews 1:3 for εν δεχιαι — en dexiāi “at the right hand.” Till I make Indefinite temporal clause about the future with εως — heōs and the second aorist active subjunctive of τιτημι — tithēmi with αν — an (often not used), a regular and common idiom. Quoted also in Luke 20:43. For the pleonasm in υποδιον — hupodion and των ποδων — tōn podōn (objective genitive) see Matthew 5:35. [source]
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d Seventh quotation, Hebrews href="/desk/?q=heb+1:3&sr=1">Hebrews 1:3, which marked the act of assuming the place. [source]
On my right hand [ἐκ δεξιῶν μοῦ]
Lit. “from my right hand.” The usual formula is ἐν δεξίᾳ . The genitive indicates moving from the right hand and taking the seat. The meaning is, “be associated with me in my royal dignity.” Comp. Daniel 7:13, Daniel 7:14, and the combination of the Psalm and Daniel in Christ's words, Mark 14:62. Comp. also Matthew 24:30; Acts 2:34; 1 Corinthians 15:25; 1 Peter 3:22. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Hebrews 1:13

Hebrews 13:5 For he hath said [αὐτὸς γὰρ εἴρηκεν]
Rend. for “he himself.” God himself. For εἴρηκεν hathsaid, see Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 4:3, Hebrews 4:4; Hebrews 10:9. [source]
Hebrews 12:2 Is set down, etc. []
See Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12. Notice the tenses: endured, aorist, completed: hath sat down, perfect, he remains seated and reigning. [source]
Hebrews 13:5 Be ye free from the love of money [απιλαργυρος ο τροπος]
No copula, but supply εστο — esto “Let your manner of life Alpha privative and πιλος — philos and αργυρος — arguros The N.T. is full of the peril of money on the character as modern life is also. Content with such things as ye have Present passive participle of αρκεω — arkeō to suffice, to be content as in Luke 3:14. Cf. αυταρκης — autarkēs in Philemon 4:11. Here in the nominative plural with no substantive or pronoun (anacoluthon, as in 2 Corinthians 1:7) or the participle used as a principal verb as in Romans 12:16. “Contented with the present things” For himself hath said God himself as in Acts 20:33 of Christ. Perfect active indicative as in Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 4:3.; Hebrews 10:9. The quotation is a free paraphrase of Genesis 28:15; Deuteronomy 31:8; Joshua 1:5; 1 Chronicles 28:20. Philo (de Confus. Ling. 32) has it in this form, “a popular paraphrase” (Moffatt). Note the five negatives strengthening each other A noble promise in times of depression. [source]
Hebrews 4:3 Do enter [εισερχομετα]
Emphatic futuristic present middle indicative of εισερχομαι — eiserchomai We are sure to enter in, we who believe. He hath said Perfect active indicative for the permanent value of God‘s word as in Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 4:4; Hebrews 10:9, Hebrews 10:13; Hebrews 13:5; Acts 13:34. God has spoken. That is enough for us. So he quotes again what he has in Hebrews 4:11 from Psalm 95:1-11. Although the works were finished Genitive absolute with concessive use of the participle. Old particle, in N.T. only here and Acts 14:17 (with verb). From the foundation of the world Καταβολη — Katabolē late word from καταβαλλω — kataballō usually laying the foundation of a house in the literal sense. In the N.T. usually with απο — apo (Matthew 25:44) or προ — pro (John 17:24) about the foundation of the world. [source]

What do the individual words in Hebrews 1:13 mean?

To which now of the angels did He say ever Sit at [the] right hand of Me until - I may place the enemies of You [as] a footstool for the feet
Πρὸς τίνα δὲ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἴρηκέν ποτε Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν

δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
τῶν  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀγγέλων  angels 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ἄγγελος  
Sense: a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God.
εἴρηκέν  did  He  say 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to utter, speak, say.
ποτε  ever 
Parse: Particle
Root: ποτέ  
Sense: once i.
Κάθου  Sit 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Singular
Root: κάθημαι  
Sense: to sit down, seat one’s self.
ἐκ  at 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐκ 
Sense: out of, from, by, away from.
δεξιῶν  [the]  right  hand 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: δεξιός  
Sense: the right, the right hand.
μου  of  Me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ἕως  until 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἕως  
Sense: till, until.
ἂν  - 
Parse: Particle
Root: ἄν  
Sense: has no exact English equivalent, see definitions under AV.
θῶ  I  may  place 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: τίθημι  
Sense: to set, put, place.
ἐχθρούς  enemies 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἐχθρός  
Sense: hated, odious, hateful.
σου  of  You 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ὑποπόδιον  [as]  a  footstool 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὑποπόδιον  
Sense: a footstool.
τῶν  for  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ποδῶν  feet 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: πούς  
Sense: a foot, both of men or beast.