he took
not of angels doth he take hold, but he taketh hold of. Cf. Septuagint. Isaiah 41:9 .
Verse Meaning
Here "the seed of Abraham" probably refers primarily to believers, the spiritual descendants of Abraham ( Galatians 3:29), rather than to Jews, the physical descendants of Abraham (cf. Isaiah 41:8-10). The original readers, saved Jews, were both the physical and spiritual descendants of Abraham. The contrast is between angelic and human believers in the context. Jesus Christ does not give help to angels in the same way He gives help to Christians. He helps us uniquely as an elder brother and parent ( Hebrews 2:11-15), a fellow human being. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Hebrews 2:10-18 - "made Like Unto His Brethren"
Captain reminds us of Acts 3:15. It means file-leader. The Church follows its Leader, Jesus Christ, in single file through this world, the cross and the grave, to the glory. But notice that God Himself is engaged in bringing us through; and He cannot lose one. See John 10:29. But He is not only our Captain, He is our Brother. We also are born of God. He is sanctifying us and we are being sanctified for a marvelous future, John 17:19. How great is His love, that He is not ashamed of us!
Our Elder Brother has encountered our foes, and won deliverance for all who believe. Death remains, but its teeth are drawn and its power is annulled. We need not fear what men call death; to us it is only as falling asleep. He has taken hold of us with a grasp that will never let us go again, Hebrews 2:16. He has been tempted that He might be able to succor us in our temptations. He has suffered that He might tread our darkened paths at our side. He has made reconciliation for our sins, and as our merciful and faithful High Priest, pleads the cause of our souls. [source]
Chapter Summary: Hebrews 2
1We ought to be obedient to Christ Jesus; 5and that because he condescended to take our nature upon himself; 14as it was necessary
Greek Commentary for Hebrews 2:16
Verily [δε που] “Now in some way,” only here in N.T. Doth he take hold Present middle indicative and means to lay hold of, to help, like βοητησαι boēthēsai in Hebrews 2:18. The seed of Abraham The spiritual Israel (Galatians 3:29), children of faith (Romans 9:7). [source]
Hebrews 11:11To conceive seed [εἰς καταβολὴν σπέρματος] In every other instance in N.T. καταβολή means foundation, and appears in the phrase καταβολὴ κόσμου foundationof the world. Originally it means throwing down; hence, the depositing of the male seed in the womb. The sentence may be explained either, “received strength as regarded the deposition of seed,” to fructify it; or, “received strength for the foundation of a posterity,” σπέρμα being rendered in accordance with Hebrews 2:16; Hebrews 11:18, and καταβολή in the sense of foundation, as everywhere else in N.T. [source]
1 Peter 1:12To look into [παρακύψαι] A very graphic word, meaning to stoop sideways ( παρά )Used by Aristophanes to picture the attitude of a bad harp-player. Here it portrays one stooping and stretching the neck to gaze on some wonderful sight. It occurs in James 1:25, describing him who looks into the perfect law of liberty as into a mirror; and in Luke 24:12; John 20:5,John 20:11, of Peter and John and Mary stooping and looking into the empty tomb. Possibly the memory of this incident unconsciously suggested the word to Peter. The phrase illustrates Peter's habitual emphasis upon the testimony of sight (see Introduction). Bengel acutely notes the hint in παρά , beside, that the angels contemplate the work of salvation from without, as spectators and not as participants. Compare Hebrews 2:16; Ephesians 3:10. [source]
What do the individual words in Hebrews 2:16 mean?
Notforsurelyin that place[the] angelsHe helpsbut[the] seedof Abraham
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐπιλαμβάνομαι
Sense: to take in addition, to lay hold of, take possession of, overtake, attain, attain to.
Greek Commentary for Hebrews 2:16
“Now in some way,” only here in N.T. Doth he take hold Present middle indicative and means to lay hold of, to help, like βοητησαι boēthēsai in Hebrews 2:18. The seed of Abraham The spiritual Israel (Galatians 3:29), children of faith (Romans 9:7). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Hebrews 2:16
Compare Matthew 3:9; John 8:33; Romans 9:7; Romans 11:1; Galatians 3:16; Hebrews 2:16. The three names are arranged climactically, Hebrews pointing to the nationality; Israelites to the special relation to God's covenant; seed of Abraham to the messianic privilege. Compare with the whole, Philemon 3:4, Philemon 3:5. [source]
In every other instance in N.T. καταβολή means foundation, and appears in the phrase καταβολὴ κόσμου foundationof the world. Originally it means throwing down; hence, the depositing of the male seed in the womb. The sentence may be explained either, “received strength as regarded the deposition of seed,” to fructify it; or, “received strength for the foundation of a posterity,” σπέρμα being rendered in accordance with Hebrews 2:16; Hebrews 11:18, and καταβολή in the sense of foundation, as everywhere else in N.T. [source]
A very graphic word, meaning to stoop sideways ( παρά )Used by Aristophanes to picture the attitude of a bad harp-player. Here it portrays one stooping and stretching the neck to gaze on some wonderful sight. It occurs in James 1:25, describing him who looks into the perfect law of liberty as into a mirror; and in Luke 24:12; John 20:5, John 20:11, of Peter and John and Mary stooping and looking into the empty tomb. Possibly the memory of this incident unconsciously suggested the word to Peter. The phrase illustrates Peter's habitual emphasis upon the testimony of sight (see Introduction). Bengel acutely notes the hint in παρά , beside, that the angels contemplate the work of salvation from without, as spectators and not as participants. Compare Hebrews 2:16; Ephesians 3:10. [source]