Hebrews 2:12

KJV

Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Saying {G3004}, I will declare {G518} thy {G4675} name {G3686} unto my {G3450} brethren {G80}, in {G1722} the midst {G3319} of the church {G1577} will I sing praise {G5214} unto thee {G4571}.

Complete Jewish Bible

when he says,

“I will proclaim your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

Berean Standard Bible

He says: “I will proclaim Your name to My brothers; I will sing Your praises in the assembly.”

American Standard Version

saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, In the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 2:12, a direct quotation from Psalm 22:22, profoundly articulates Jesus's intimate solidarity with humanity and His pivotal role as the leader of corporate worship. This verse encapsulates the Messiah's identification with His people, declaring God's character and leading the assembly in praise, thereby demonstrating His full participation in the human experience and His commitment to revealing the Father's name to His "brethren."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hebrews 2:12 is embedded within a crucial theological argument in the Epistle to the Hebrews, specifically concerning the necessity of Christ's humanity. The preceding verses establish Jesus's superiority to angels (Hebrews 1) and then pivot to explain why the Son of God had to become human. [Hebrews 2:9](/hebrews/2-9 "Hebrews 2:9 - Jesus Tasted Death for Everyone") speaks of Jesus being "made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death," crowned with glory and honor. [Hebrews 2:10](/hebrews/2-10 "Hebrews 2:10 - The Captain of Salvation") further explains that it was fitting for God to perfect the "captain of their salvation through sufferings." Immediately prior to our verse, [Hebrews 2:11](/hebrews/2-11 "Hebrews 2:11 - Jesus Not Ashamed to Call Us Brethren") declares that "both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren." Verse 12 then serves as scriptural proof of this profound identification, quoting Psalm 22:22 to underscore Jesus's willingness and purpose to engage with humanity as one of them, leading them in worship. This quotation reinforces the author's argument that Jesus's shared humanity was not a weakness but a necessary component of His redemptive work as High Priest, enabling Him to truly sympathize with and represent His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Epistle to the Hebrews was likely written to Jewish Christians facing persecution or wavering in their faith, tempted to revert to Judaism. The author's primary aim is to demonstrate the absolute supremacy of Christ over all aspects of the Old Covenant—angels, Moses, the Aaronic priesthood, and the sacrificial system. By quoting Psalm 22:22, a Messianic psalm deeply familiar to Jewish readers, the author connects Jesus's identity and mission directly to their sacred texts, proving His fulfillment of prophecy. The concept of "church" (Greek: *ekklesia*) would have resonated with the Jewish understanding of the *qahal* or "assembly" of Israel, particularly in the context of corporate worship and covenant gatherings. The idea of a leader declaring God's "name" (representing His character, attributes, and covenant faithfulness) and leading praise was central to Israelite worship, now recontextualized and fulfilled in Christ. This verse thus speaks to a community wrestling with their heritage and new faith, assuring them that Christ is the culmination, not the abandonment, of God's redemptive plan.
* **Key Themes:** Hebrews 2:12 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the epistle. It powerfully illustrates **Jesus's solidarity with humanity**, emphasizing His shared nature with believers, as stated in [Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Jesus Shared Our Humanity"). This shared humanity is foundational to His role as a merciful and faithful High Priest, capable of interceding for His people because He himself suffered and was tempted ([Hebrews 2:17-18](/hebrews/2-17-18 "Hebrews 2:17-18 - Jesus as High Priest")). The verse also highlights the theme of **corporate worship and praise**, portraying Jesus not merely as an object of worship but as the very leader of the gathered assembly, actively participating in and directing the praise of God. This reinforces the communal nature of faith and the importance of the church as the body of Christ. Furthermore, by quoting Psalm 22:22, the verse underscores the **fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy** in Christ, a recurring theme throughout Hebrews that validates Jesus's Messiahship and the New Covenant's superiority.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **declare (Greek, _apangéllō'_):** From *apó* (from) and *ággelos* (messenger), meaning "to announce," "report," "show," or "tell." In this context, it signifies Jesus's authoritative and public revelation of God's character and redemptive plan. It's not merely a casual mention but a profound disclosure of the Father's nature and will to His people.
* **name (Greek, _ónoma'_):** More than a mere label, "name" in biblical thought encompasses the entire character, reputation, authority, and essence of a person. When Jesus declares God's "name," He is revealing the fullness of God's being—His holiness, love, justice, faithfulness, and redemptive purposes—to His "brethren." This revelation is the very essence of His mission.
* **church (Greek, _ekklēsía'_):** Derived from *ek* (out of) and a derivative of *kaléō* (to call), meaning "a calling out" or "an assembly." It refers to a popular meeting or, more specifically in a religious context, a congregation or community of God's people. Here, it denotes the gathered body of believers, emphasizing the communal setting in which Jesus leads worship and reveals God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren":** This clause reveals Jesus's active and intentional role in making God known. The "name" of God signifies His very being, character, and redemptive purposes. By declaring it "unto my brethren," Jesus identifies with humanity, specifically with those who are sanctified and called by God. This is a public, relational act of revelation, demonstrating His solidarity with His people and His mission to unveil the Father.
* **"in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee":** This second clause emphasizes Jesus's leadership in corporate worship. The "church" (Greek: *ekklesia*) refers to the gathered assembly of believers. Jesus is not merely an observer or the recipient of praise, but the active leader and participant in the worship of God. He stands "in the midst," signifying His presence, leadership, and unity with His people as they offer praise to the Father. This portrays a profound picture of Christ as both our High Priest and our fellow worshiper.

#### Literary Devices
Hebrews 2:12 is rich in literary devices that enhance its theological impact. The most prominent is **Quotation**, as the verse is a direct citation of [Psalm 22:22](/psalms/22-22 "Psalm 22:22 - The Messiah Declares God's Name"). This strategic use of an Old Testament passage serves as **Proof-Texting**, demonstrating the continuity between God's ancient promises and their fulfillment in Christ, thereby validating Jesus's Messiahship to a Jewish audience. The phrase "my brethren" exemplifies **Identification** and **Solidarity**, highlighting Jesus's profound connection and shared humanity with believers. The imagery of Jesus "in the midst of the church" leading praise employs **Symbolism** to convey His active presence and leadership within the gathered community of God's people, portraying Him not only as the object of worship but also as its instigator and participant. This also implies **Corporate Representation**, where Jesus acts as the representative head of His new covenant community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 2:12 offers a profound theological insight into the person and work of Jesus Christ, particularly His unique mediatorial role. It underscores the essential truth that for Jesus to be a faithful and merciful High Priest, He had to fully identify with humanity, becoming "one" with His people (as stated in [Hebrews 2:11](/hebrews/2-11 "Hebrews 2:11 - Jesus Not Ashamed to Call Us Brethren")). This shared humanity enables Him to represent us perfectly before God and to lead us in worship. His declaration of God's "name" signifies His ultimate revelation of the Father, a task He alone could accomplish, while His leading of praise in the "midst of the church" establishes Him as the head of the new covenant community, uniting believers in a common act of worship. This verse thus bridges the gap between divine transcendence and human immanence, revealing a Savior who is both God and man, intimately involved in the life and worship of His people.

* [Psalm 22:22](/psalms/22-22 "The Source of the Quote")
* [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "Jesus Reveals the Father")
* [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "The Great Commission")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 2:12 offers immense comfort and profound implications for believers today. The truth that Jesus is not ashamed to call us "brethren" provides an unparalleled sense of belonging and intimacy with the divine. It means that our High Priest understands our struggles, our temptations, and our humanity, having fully experienced them Himself. This solidarity should inspire confidence in His intercession and compassion. Furthermore, the image of Jesus leading worship "in the midst of the church" calls us to embrace and prioritize corporate worship. Our gathering as the body of Christ is not merely a social event or a duty, but a participation in the very praise that Christ Himself leads. It reminds us that our individual worship is part of a larger, Christ-led chorus, uniting us with Him and with one another in declaring God's name and singing His praises. This verse challenges us to live lives that reflect the name of God, just as Jesus declared it, and to actively engage in the communal expression of our faith, knowing that Christ Himself is present and leading.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does knowing that Jesus calls you "brethren" impact your sense of belonging and intimacy with God?**
* **In what ways can you more intentionally participate in and contribute to the corporate worship of your local "church" (assembly)?**
* **How does Jesus's example of declaring God's "name" challenge you to reveal God's character to the world through your words and actions?**

### FAQ

**Why does the author of Hebrews quote Psalm 22:22 and attribute it to Jesus?**

Answer: The author of Hebrews quotes [Psalm 22:22](/psalms/22-22 "Psalm 22:22 - A Messianic Psalm") to demonstrate that Jesus's identification with humanity and His role in leading worship were prophesied in the Old Testament. Psalm 22 is a profoundly Messianic psalm, often seen as foretelling Christ's suffering and vindication. By applying this verse to Jesus, the author underscores His divine identity and mission, showing that His life and ministry, including His shared humanity and His leadership of the church, are part of God's predetermined plan. This serves to strengthen the faith of the Jewish Christian audience by proving Christ's continuity with and fulfillment of their sacred scriptures.

**What does "the church" mean in this context, and how does Jesus "sing praise" in its midst?**

Answer: In Hebrews 2:12, "the church" (Greek: *ekklesia*) refers not to a physical building but to the gathered assembly or community of God's people—the body of believers. This aligns with the Old Testament concept of the *qahal*, the assembly of Israel. Jesus "singing praise" in their midst signifies His active leadership and participation in corporate worship. It portrays Him as the head of the new covenant community, uniting His people in a common act of adoration towards God. This doesn't necessarily mean He literally sings in a human voice in a contemporary church service, but rather that He is the ultimate leader and enabler of all true worship offered by His redeemed people, both in their earthly gatherings and ultimately in the heavenly assembly. He is the one who presents their praise to the Father, and through His Spirit, He empowers their worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 2:12 stands as a powerful testament to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. It reveals Jesus not merely as a distant deity, but as the incarnate Son who fully entered into human experience, becoming "flesh and blood" ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Jesus Shared Our Humanity")) to identify with His "brethren." This profound solidarity is foundational to His work as our High Priest, enabling Him to sympathize with our weaknesses and offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Understands")). Furthermore, Jesus's declaration of God's "name" finds its ultimate fulfillment in His entire life and ministry, for He is the one who "has made [the Father] known" ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - Jesus Reveals the Father")). He is the perfect image of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God")). His role in leading praise "in the midst of the church" foreshadows the New Testament reality that believers are united in Christ as His body ([Ephesians 1:22-23](/ephesians/1-22-23 "Ephesians 1:22-23 - The Church as Christ's Body")), and through Him, we offer a "sacrifice of praise" ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - A Sacrifice of Praise")). Thus, Hebrews 2:12 paints a vivid picture of Christ as both our compassionate Brother and our divine Lord, who not only saves us but also gathers us into a worshiping community, leading us in eternal praise to the Father.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 22:22

¶ I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

Psalms 40:10

I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

Psalms 111:1

¶ Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with [my] whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and [in] the congregation.

John 18:20

Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

Psalms 22:25

My praise [shall be] of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.