Hebrews 2:16

KJV

For verily he took not on [him the nature of] angels; but he took on [him] the seed of Abraham.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} verily {G1222} he took {G1949} not {G3756} on {G1949} him the nature of angels {G32}; but {G235} he took on {G1949} him the seed {G4690} of Abraham {G11}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Indeed, it is obvious that he does not take hold of angels to help them; on the contrary,

“He takes hold of the seed of Avraham.”

Berean Standard Bible

For surely it is not the angels He helps, but the descendants of Abraham.

American Standard Version

For verily not to angels doth he give help, but he giveth help to the seed of Abraham.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 2:16 is a foundational declaration concerning the specific nature and purpose of Christ's incarnation, asserting that His redemptive mission was directed not towards angelic beings, but exclusively towards humanity, particularly those who are the spiritual descendants of Abraham. This verse underscores the profound empathy and solidarity of the Son of God with the human condition, establishing the necessary prerequisite for His role as a merciful and faithful High Priest who could truly represent and atone for humanity's sins.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a climactic statement within Hebrews 2, which itself builds upon the argument of Christ's superiority over angels presented in [Hebrews 1](/hebrews/1 "Hebrews 1 - Christ's Superiority Over Angels"). Having established Jesus' divine Sonship and preeminence, the author pivots in [Hebrews 2](/hebrews/2 "Hebrews 2 - Jesus Made Lower Than Angels for a Time") to explain why this exalted Son became "for a little while lower than the angels" ([Hebrews 2:9](/hebrews/2-9 "Hebrews 2:9 - Jesus Lower Than Angels")). The preceding verses emphasize Jesus' shared humanity, noting that He partook of "flesh and blood" to "destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil" ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death")). Hebrews 2:16 directly follows this, providing the specific beneficiaries of this incarnational act, setting the stage for the subsequent explanation of Christ's role as a sympathetic and faithful High Priest in [Hebrews 2:17-18](/hebrews/2-17-18 "Hebrews 2:17-18 - Jesus as a Merciful High Priest").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The epistle to the Hebrews was likely addressed to a community of Jewish Christians who were facing persecution or wavering in their faith, possibly tempted to revert to aspects of Judaism or to elevate angelic beings. In the Hellenistic world, and even within some Jewish traditions (e.g., Qumran), angels held significant importance, often seen as mediators between God and humanity, or as objects of reverence. The author of Hebrews systematically counters any such elevation of angels by repeatedly asserting Christ's absolute supremacy. The emphasis on "the seed of Abraham" would resonate deeply with a Jewish audience, connecting Jesus' mission to the covenant promises made to their patriarch, thereby affirming the continuity and fulfillment of God's redemptive plan within their own heritage. This context highlights the author's pastoral concern to anchor the believers' faith firmly in the unique and sufficient person and work of Jesus Christ.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Hebrews. Firstly, it underscores the **specificity of Christ's redemptive work**, clarifying that salvation is uniquely for humanity, not angels, thus defining the scope of the new covenant. Secondly, it highlights the **necessity of Christ's full humanity** for His atoning work; by taking on "the seed of Abraham," Jesus became truly one with those He came to save, enabling Him to be a "merciful and faithful high priest" ([Hebrews 2:17](/hebrews/2-17 "Hebrews 2:17 - Jesus as a Merciful High Priest")). Thirdly, it reinforces the theme of **Christ's solidarity with humanity**, demonstrating His profound empathy and identification with our weaknesses and temptations, a concept further developed in [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus Understands Our Weaknesses")). Finally, it subtly points to the **fulfillment of Old Testament promises**, particularly those made to Abraham, through the person of Christ, who is the ultimate "seed" through whom all nations would be blessed ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed of Abraham is Christ")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **took (Greek, _epilambánomai'_):** This verb (G1949) means "to seize (for help, injury, attainment, or any other purpose; literally or figuratively):--catch, lay hold (up-)on, take (by, hold of, on)." In this context, it carries the sense of "to lay hold of," "to take to oneself," or "to help." The active voice implies a deliberate choice on Christ's part. When applied to "angels," it signifies that He did not come to their aid or assume their nature for salvation. When applied to "the seed of Abraham," it means He did indeed take hold of, or come to the aid of, humanity by fully identifying with their nature.
* **angels (Greek, _ángelos'_):** This noun (G32) literally means "a messenger," and specifically refers to celestial beings. The contrast here is crucial: Christ's incarnation was not for the purpose of redeeming fallen angels, nor did He assume an angelic nature. This distinguishes His redemptive work from any potential misconception that angels might also be candidates for salvation.
* **seed (Greek, _spérma'_):** This term (G4690) primarily means "something sown, i.e. seed (including the male 'sperm'); by implication, offspring." In the context of "seed of Abraham" (G11), it refers to Abraham's descendants. While it literally points to physical lineage, in the New Testament, particularly in Pauline theology and here in Hebrews, "seed of Abraham" can also refer to those who are spiritually Abraham's offspring through faith in Christ ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")). This signifies Christ's complete identification with the human race, particularly those who would become part of God's covenant family.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For verily he took not on [him the nature of] angels":** This clause emphatically states the negative aspect of Christ's incarnation. The KJV's bracketed "the nature of" clarifies the implied meaning of "took not on him" (from _epilambánomai_). It means Jesus did not assume an angelic form or essence, nor did He come to the aid of angels, particularly fallen ones, for their redemption. This highlights the distinct and specific focus of His salvific work.
* **"but he took on [him] the seed of Abraham":** This clause presents the positive and crucial truth. Using the same verb "took on" (or "took hold of," "helped"), it declares that Christ *did* assume the nature of humanity, specifically identifying with the descendants of Abraham. This implies His full and true humanity, born into a human lineage, which was essential for Him to be able to suffer, die, and rise again as a representative for humanity, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham regarding a blessed offspring.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews employs several powerful literary devices in this concise verse. The most prominent is **Contrast**, setting "angels" against "the seed of Abraham" to sharply delineate the scope of Christ's redemptive work. This antithetical parallelism emphasizes whom Christ did *not* come to save versus whom Christ *did* come to save. Furthermore, the phrase "seed of Abraham" functions as **Metonymy**, where "seed" (offspring/descendants) stands in for humanity itself, particularly those who are part of God's covenant people through faith. This choice of phrase also evokes **Allusion** to the Old Testament covenant promises, grounding Christ's mission in the historical lineage and divine promises to Abraham. The entire verse serves as a profound **Theological Statement**, succinctly summarizing a core doctrine of the incarnation and atonement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 2:16 is a theological linchpin, articulating the precise object of Christ's redemptive work. It underscores that the Son of God's condescension to human flesh was not a general act of cosmic aid but a targeted intervention for humanity's salvation. This specificity is crucial because it highlights God's particular love and plan for humankind, distinguishing our fallen state from that of fallen angels, for whom no redemption is offered. By taking on "the seed of Abraham," Christ fully identified with the human condition, making Him a compassionate and effective High Priest who could truly sympathize with our weaknesses and offer a perfect sacrifice for our sins. This profound solidarity is the very basis for our hope and access to God's grace.

* [Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")
* [Romans 8:3](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3 - God Sending His Own Son in the Likeness of Sinful Flesh")
* [1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator Between God and Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The truth of Hebrews 2:16 offers profound comfort and assurance to believers. It reminds us that God's love is not a distant, abstract concept, but one that led His Son to fully embrace our humanity, experiencing our limitations, temptations, and sufferings (though without sin). This means that in Jesus, we have a High Priest who truly understands our struggles, not from a detached divine perspective, but from the inside out. His shared humanity bridges the infinite gap between a holy God and sinful humanity, making Him perfectly qualified to represent us before the Father and to intercede on our behalf. This verse calls us to marvel at the specific, intentional, and deeply personal nature of God's redemptive plan for us, His beloved human creation. It should inspire us to live in gratitude for such a Savior, trusting in His perfect sacrifice and compassionate advocacy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the specificity of Christ's incarnation (not angels, but humanity) deepen your appreciation for God's love for you personally?**
* **In what ways does knowing that Jesus fully identified with "the seed of Abraham" (i.e., humanity) strengthen your faith in His ability to sympathize with your struggles and temptations?**
* **How does this verse inform your understanding of the unique value and dignity God places on human life, in contrast to other created beings?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus not take on the nature of angels, and what does that imply about their salvation?**

Answer: Hebrews 2:16 explicitly states that Jesus "took not on [him the nature of] angels," meaning He did not assume an angelic form or come to their aid for salvation. This implies that fallen angels (demons) are not offered redemption. Their rebellion against God was a direct, uncoerced act by beings of pure spirit and intellect, without the mitigating factor of a fallen nature inherited from a progenitor, as is the case with humanity after Adam's fall. God's plan of salvation, therefore, was specifically designed for humanity, demonstrating His unique grace and mercy towards those made in His image who fell into sin. This distinction underscores the unique and unrepeatable nature of Christ's redemptive work, which is exclusively for "the seed of Abraham," or humanity ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Delivers from Death")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 2:16 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the very act of the incarnation, where the eternal Son of God, who is superior to all angels ([Hebrews 1:4](/hebrews/1-4 "Hebrews 1:4 - Christ Superior to Angels")), willingly emptied Himself, not of His deity, but of His divine prerogatives, to take on the full reality of human flesh ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ Emptied Himself")). This deliberate choice to identify with "the seed of Abraham" was the essential prerequisite for Him to become the perfect sacrifice for sin. As a true human being, Jesus could genuinely suffer, taste death for everyone ([Hebrews 2:9](/hebrews/2-9 "Hebrews 2:9 - Jesus Tasted Death for Everyone")), and thereby destroy the power of the devil ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death")). His shared humanity also qualified Him to serve as our merciful and faithful High Priest, one who can truly sympathize with our weaknesses because He was tempted in every way, just as we are, yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus Sympathizes with Our Weaknesses")). Thus, Hebrews 2:16 is not merely a statement about Christ's nature, but a powerful declaration of the specific, intentional, and compassionate means by which God, in Christ, secured our eternal salvation and brought "many sons to glory" ([Hebrews 2:10](/hebrews/2-10 "Hebrews 2:10 - Jesus Brings Many Sons to Glory")).

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

Galatians 3:29

And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3:16

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Romans 4:16

Therefore [it is] of faith, that [it might be] by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Romans 4:25

Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Genesis 22:18

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Romans 2:25

For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

Hebrews 12:10

For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be partakers of his holiness.