Bible Strands
Hebrews 1:4
So He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The author addresses Jewish Christians tempted to abandon the faith and return to the Old Covenant system. He places this declaration immediately after describing the Son’s exaltation and session at God’s right hand in Hebrews 1:3.
The words — The Greek phrase τοσοῦτῳ κρεῖσσον (tosoutō kreissōn) translates to "by so much superior," while διαφορῳτερον (diaphorōteron) means "more excellent." These terms establish a measured comparison between the Son’s inherited status and the angelic order.
The thread — This theme of supreme exaltation runs through Ephesians 1:21, Philippians 2:9, and 1 Peter 3:22. Each passage tracks the same trajectory of divine elevation above all spiritual authorities.
Why it lands — The text demands a reader acknowledge the Son’s absolute precedence over angels before evaluating any other spiritual authority. It requires the reader to anchor worship and obedience solely in the inherited name rather than in created intermediaries.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Cross-references
- Ephesians 1:21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
- Philippians 2:9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names,
- 1 Peter 3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.
- Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.
- Revelation 5:11 Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, and the living creatures and the elders. And their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.
- Psalms 2:7 I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7 and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels
- Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.
- Colossians 2:10 And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
- Hebrews 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.”