King James Version

What Does Hebrews 1:3 Mean?

Hebrews 1:3 in the King James Version says “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his ... — study this verse from Hebrews chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Hebrews 1:3 · KJV


Context

1

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

2

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

3

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

4

Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

5

For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'Apaugasma' (brightness/radiance) and 'charakter' (exact representation) are technical terms indicating Christ's essential deity. He is not merely a reflection but the radiance itself, sharing the Father's divine essence. The three-fold work described—sustaining all things, purging sins, and enthronement—demonstrates Christ's cosmic authority, redemptive work, and exaltation, completing the argument for His supremacy.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The session at God's right hand fulfills Psalm 110:1, the most quoted OT passage in the NT. This enthronement imagery would resonate with Jewish readers familiar with messianic expectations and divine kingship.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's sustaining power uphold your life moment by moment?
  2. What comfort do you find in knowing that the One who purged your sins now sits in the place of ultimate authority?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 33 words
ὃς1 of 33

Who

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ὢν2 of 33

being

G5607

being

ἀπαύγασμα3 of 33

the brightness

G541

an off-flash, i.e., effulgence

τῆς4 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δόξης5 of 33

of his glory

G1391

glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)

καὶ6 of 33

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

χαρακτὴρ7 of 33

the express image

G5481

a graver (the tool or the person), i.e., (by implication) engraving (("character"), the figure stamped, i.e., an exact copy or (figuratively) represen

τῆς8 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὑποστάσεως9 of 33

person

G5287

a setting under (support), i.e., (figuratively) concretely, essence, or abstractly, assurance (objectively or subjectively)

αὐτοῦ10 of 33

of his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

φέρων11 of 33

upholding

G5342

to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)

τε12 of 33

and

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

τὰ13 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πάντα14 of 33

all things

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τῷ15 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ῥήματι16 of 33

by the word

G4487

an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat

τῆς17 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δυνάμεως18 of 33

power

G1411

force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)

αὐτοῦ19 of 33

of his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

δι'20 of 33

by

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

εαυτοῦ21 of 33

himself

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

καθαρισμὸν22 of 33
G2512

a washing off, i.e., (ceremonially) ablution, (morally) expiation

ποιησάμενος23 of 33

purged

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

τῶν24 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἁμαρτιῶν25 of 33

sins

G266

a sin (properly abstract)

ημῶν,26 of 33

our

G2257

of (or from) us

ἐκάθισεν27 of 33

sat down

G2523

to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)

ἐν28 of 33

on

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

δεξιᾷ29 of 33

the right hand

G1188

the right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes)

τῆς30 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μεγαλωσύνης31 of 33

of the Majesty

G3172

greatness, i.e., (figuratively) divinity (often god himself)

ἐν32 of 33

on

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ὑψηλοῖς33 of 33

high

G5308

lofty (in place or character)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Hebrews. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Hebrews 1:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Hebrews 1:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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