King James Version

What Does Hebrews 1:5 Mean?

Hebrews 1:5 in the King James Version says “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 t...” — study this verse from Hebrews chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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?”

Hebrews 1:5 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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?

6

And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. again: or, when he bringeth again

7

And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. And of: Gr. And unto

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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? The author now provides scriptural proof of Christ's superior name and status, citing two Old Testament passages. The rhetorical question "unto which of the angels said he at any time" expects the answer "none"—God never addressed any angel as "Son" in the unique, eternal sense applied to Christ.

The first quotation is from Psalm 2:7, a royal Messianic psalm celebrating the enthronement of David's greater Son. "Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee" (Huios mou ei sy, egō sēmeron gegennēka se, Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε) refers not to Christ's eternal generation within the Trinity (though that truth underlies it) but to the public declaration of His Sonship through resurrection and exaltation (Romans 1:4, Acts 13:33). The "today" marks the decisive moment when Christ's victory over death vindicated His identity as God's Son.

The second quotation comes from 2 Samuel 7:14, part of the Davidic covenant where God promises David an eternal dynasty through his seed. Originally applied to Solomon, it finds ultimate fulfillment in Christ, David's greater descendant. "I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son" establishes the covenant relationship that transcends any angelic service. Angels are created servants; Christ is the eternal Son who relates to the Father in unique, intimate, coequal relationship.

The dual testimony of these texts establishes that Christ's Sonship is not a New Testament innovation but rooted in Old Testament prophecy and promise. The Messianic King prophesied in Israel's Scriptures is none other than God's own Son, whose relationship to the Father infinitely surpasses any angelic connection to God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Psalm 2 functioned in Israel as a royal enthronement psalm, likely used at coronations of Davidic kings. The kings were called God's "sons" in a representative sense as God's anointed rulers (2 Samuel 7:14, Psalm 89:26-27). However, no earthly Davidic king fully embodied the psalm's grand vision of universal dominion and unshakeable kingdom. Jewish interpreters increasingly recognized Psalm 2 as pointing forward to the ultimate Davidic King, the Messiah who would truly reign over all nations.

The Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7) stood at the heart of Jewish Messianic hope. God's unconditional promise to establish David's throne forever required a descendant who would never die and whose kingdom would never end. This necessitated someone more than merely human—someone who was both David's son and David's Lord (Matthew 22:41-45). The New Testament reveals Jesus as this promised heir who fulfills every aspect of the Davidic covenant.

First-century Jewish Christians needed to understand that Jesus' Messianic identity wasn't a departure from their Scriptures but their fulfillment. By quoting these foundational Old Testament texts, the author demonstrates that Christ's supremacy over angels is biblically grounded, not a novel claim. The very Scriptures that described angels also prophesied a Son who would surpass them infinitely.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding Christ as the eternal Son of God (not merely a good teacher or prophet) change your confidence in salvation?
  2. What does it mean practically that you share in Christ's Sonship through adoption, and how should this affect your daily life?
  3. How can you grow in reading the Old Testament Christologically, seeing how it points to and finds fulfillment in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
Τίνι1 of 27

“unto which”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

γὰρ2 of 27

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

εἶπέν3 of 27

“said he”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

ποτε4 of 27

“at any time”

G4218

indefinite adverb, at some time, ever

τῶν5 of 27
G3588

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

ἀγγέλων6 of 27

“of the angels”

G32

compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor

υἱόν7 of 27

“Son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

μου8 of 27

“my”

G3450

of me

εἶ9 of 27

“art”

G1488

thou art

σύ10 of 27

“Thou”

G4771

thou

Ἐγὼ11 of 27

“I”

G1473

i, me

σήμερον12 of 27

“this day”

G4594

on the (i.e., this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e., at present, hitherto)

γεγέννηκά13 of 27

“begotten”

G1080

to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate

σε14 of 27

“thee”

G4571

thee

καὶ15 of 27

“And”

G2532

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

πάλιν16 of 27

“again”

G3825

(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand

Ἐγὼ17 of 27

“I”

G1473

i, me

ἔσται18 of 27

“he shall be”

G2071

will be

αὐτὸς19 of 27

“him”

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

εἰς20 of 27

“to”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

πατέρα21 of 27

“a Father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

καὶ22 of 27

“And”

G2532

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

αὐτὸς23 of 27

“him”

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

ἔσται24 of 27

“he shall be”

G2071

will be

μοι25 of 27

“me”

G3427

to me

εἰς26 of 27

“to”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

υἱόν27 of 27

“Son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

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 1:5 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 1:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 2:7Acts 13:33Hebrews 5:52 Samuel 7:141 Chronicles 17:13Psalms 89:26-27

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