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Selected Verse: Hebrews 2:16 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Heb 2:16	Strong Concordance	For [1063] verily [1222] he took [1949] not [3756] on [1949] him the nature of angels [32]; but [235] he took on [1949] him the seed [4690] of Abraham [11].
	King James	For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
For verily--Greek, "For as we all know"; "For as you will doubtless grant." Paul probably alludes to Isa 41:8; Jer 31:32, Septuagint, from which all Jews would know well that the fact here stated as to Messiah was what the prophets had led them to expect. took not on him, &c.--rather, "It is not angels that He is helping (the present tense implies duration); but it is the seed of Abraham that He is helping." The verb is literally, to help by taking one by the hand, as in Heb 8:9, "When I took them by the hand," &c. Thus it answers to "succor," Heb 2:18, and "deliver," Heb 2:15. "Not angels," who have no flesh and blood, but "the children," who have "flesh and blood," He takes hold of to help by "Himself taking part of the same" (Heb 2:14). Whatever effect Christ's work may have on angels, He is not taking hold to help them by suffering in their nature to deliver them from death, as in our case. the seed of Abraham--He views Christ's redemption (in compliment to the Hebrews whom he is addressing, and as enough for his present purpose) with reference to Abraham's seed, the Jewish nation, primarily; not that he excludes the Gentiles (Heb 2:9, "for every man"), who, when believers, are the seed of Abraham spiritually (compare Heb 2:12; Psa 22:22, Psa 22:25, Psa 22:27), but direct reference to them (such as is in Rom 4:11-12, Rom 4:16; Gal 3:7, Gal 3:14, Gal 3:28-29) would be out of place in his present argument. It is the same argument for Jesus being the Christ which Matthew, writing his Gospel for the Hebrews, uses, tracing the genealogy of Jesus from Abraham, the father of the Jews, and the one to whom the promises were given, on which the Jews especially prided themselves (compare Rom 9:4-5).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

For verily--Greek, "For as we all know"; "For as you will doubtless grant." Paul probably alludes to Isa 41:8; Jer 31:32, Septuagint, from which all Jews would know well that the fact here stated as to Messiah was what the prophets had led them to expect.

took not on him, &c.--rather, "It is not angels that He is helping (the present tense implies duration); but it is the seed of Abraham that He is helping." The verb is literally, to help by taking one by the hand, as in Heb 8:9, "When I took them by the hand," &c. Thus it answers to "succor," Heb 2:18, and "deliver," Heb 2:15. "Not angels," who have no flesh and blood, but "the children," who have "flesh and blood," He takes hold of to help by "Himself taking part of the same" (Heb 2:14). Whatever effect Christ's work may have on angels, He is not taking hold to help them by suffering in their nature to deliver them from death, as in our case.

the seed of Abraham--He views Christ's redemption (in compliment to the Hebrews whom he is addressing, and as enough for his present purpose) with reference to Abraham's seed, the Jewish nation, primarily; not that he excludes the Gentiles (Heb 2:9, "for every man"), who, when believers, are the seed of Abraham spiritually (compare Heb 2:12; Psa 22:22, Psa 22:25, Psa 22:27), but direct reference to them (such as is in Rom 4:11-12, Rom 4:16; Gal 3:7, Gal 3:14, Gal 3:28-29) would be out of place in his present argument. It is the same argument for Jesus being the Christ which Matthew, writing his Gospel for the Hebrews, uses, tracing the genealogy of Jesus from Abraham, the father of the Jews, and the one to whom the promises were given, on which the Jews especially prided themselves (compare Rom 9:4-5).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
For verily - Truly. He took not on him the nature of angels - Margin, "He taketh not hold of angels, but of the seed of Abraham he taketh hold." The word used here - ἐπιλαμβάνεται epilambanetai - means, to take hold upon; to seize; to surprise; to take hold with a view to detain for oneself. Robinson. Then it means to take hold of one as by the hand - with a view to aid, conduct, or succour; Mar 8:23; Act 23:19. It is rendered "took," Mar 8:23; Luk 9:47; Luk 14:4; Act 9:27; Act 17:19; Act 18:17; Act 21:30, Act 21:33; Act 23:19; Heb 8:9; "caught," Mat 14:31; Act 16:19; "take hold," Luk 20:20, Luk 20:26; "lay hold," and "laid hold," Luk 23:26; Ti1 6:12. The general idea is that of seizing upon, or laying hold of anyone - no matter what the object is - whether to aid, or to drag to punishment, or simply to conduct. Here it means to lay hold with reference to "aid," or "help;" and the meaning is, that he did not seize the nature of angels, or take it to himself with reference to rendering "them" aid, but he assumed the nature of man - in order to aid "him." He undertook the work of human redemption, and consequently it was necessary for him to be man. But he took on him the seed of Abraham - He came to help the descendants of Abraham, and consequently, since they were men, he became a man. Writing to Jews, it was not unnatural for the apostle to refer particularly to them as the descendants of Abraham, though this does not exclude the idea that he died for the whole human race. It was true that he came to render aid to the descendants of Abraham, but it was also true that he died for all. The fact that I love one of my children, and that I make provision for his education, and tell him so, does not exclude the idea that I love the others also - and that I may make to them a similar appeal when it shall be proper.

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
he took Not of angels doth he take hold, but he taketh hold of. Compare Septuagint (Isa 41:9).

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Verily (δήπου) N.T.o. Doubtless, as is well known. Took not on him (οὑ ἐπιλαμβάνεται) Rend. he doth not take hold. Comp. Mat 14:31; Mar 8:23; Act 18:17. Absolutely, in the sense of help, Sir. 4:11. The Greek and Latin fathers explained the verb in the sense of appropriating. He did not appropriate the nature of angels. Angels did not need to be delivered from the fear of death. The nature of angels (ἀγγέλων) The nature is not in the Greek, and does not need to be supplied if ἐπιλαμβάνεται is properly translated. Rend. not of angels doth he take hold. It is not angels who receive his help. The seed of Abraham The one family of God, consisting of believers of both dispensations, but called by its O.T. name. See Psa 105:6; Isa 41:8, and comp. Gal 3:29. The O.T. name is selected because the writer is addressing Jews. The entire statement in Heb 2:16, Heb 2:17 is not a mere repetition of Heb 2:14, Heb 2:15. It carries out the line of thought and adds to it, while at the same time it presents a parallel argument to that in Heb 2:14, Heb 2:15. Thus: Heb 2:14, Heb 2:15, Christ took part of flesh and blood that he might deliver the children of God from the fear of death and the accusations of Satan: Heb 2:16, Heb 2:17, Christ takes hold of the seed of Abraham, the church of God, and is made like unto his brethren, tempted as they are, in order that he may be a faithful high priest, making reconciliation for sin, thus doing away with the fear of death, and enabling his people to draw near to God with boldness. Comp. Heb 4:15, Heb 4:16. Christ gives that peculiar help the necessity of which was exhibited in the O.T. economy under which the original seed of Abraham lived. The fear of death, arising from the consciousness of sin, could be relieved only by the intervention of the priest who stood between God and the sinner, and made reconciliation for sin. Jesus steps into the place of the high priest, and perfectly fulfills the priestly office. By his actual participation in the sorrows and temptations of humanity he is fitted to be a true sympathizer with human infirmity and temptation (Heb 5:2), a merciful and faithful high priest, making reconciliation for sin, and thus abolishing the fear of death.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
For verily he taketh not hold of angels - He does not take their nature upon him. But he taketh hold of the seed of Abraham - He takes human nature upon him. St. Paul says the seed of Abraham, rather than the seed of Adam, because to Abraham was the promise made.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
For verily he took not on him the nature of angels - Ου γαρ δηπου αγγελων επιλαμβανεται, αλλα σπερματος Αβρααμ επιλαμβανεται· Moreover, he doth not at all take hold of angels; but of the seed of Abraham he taketh hold. This is the marginal reading, and is greatly to be preferred to that in the text Jesus Christ, intending not to redeem angels, but to redeem man, did not assume the angelic nature, but was made man, coming directly by the seed or posterity of Abraham, with whom the original covenant was made, that in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed; and it is on this account that the apostle mentioned the seed of Abraham, and not the seed of Adam; and it is strange that to many commentators should have missed so obvious a sense. The word itself signifies not only to take hold of, but to help, succor, save from sinking, etc. The rebel angels, who sinned and fell from God, were permitted to fall down, alle downe, as one of our old writers expresses it, till they fell into perdition: man sinned and fell, and was falling downe, alle downe, but Jesus laid hold on him and prevented him from falling into endless perdition. Thus he seized on the falling human creature, and prevented him from falling into the bottomless pit; but he did not seize on the falling angels, and they fell down into outer darkness. By assuming the nature of man, he prevented this final and irrecoverable fall of man; and by making an atonement in human nature, he made a provision for its restoration to its forfeited blessedness. This is a fine thought of the apostle, and is beautifully expressed. Man was falling from heaven, and Jesus caught hold of the falling creature, and prevented its endless ruin. In this respect he prefers men to angels, and probably for this simple reason, that the human nature was more excellent than the angelic; and it is suitable to the wisdom of the Divine Being to regard all the works of his hands in proportion to the dignity or excellence with which he has endowed them.

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⁴ Who [3748] are [1526] Israelites [2475]; to whom [3739] pertaineth the adoption [5206], and [2532] the glory [1391], and [2532] the covenants [1242], and [2532] the giving of the law [3548], and [2532] the service [2999] of God, and [2532] the promises [1860];
⁵ Whose [3739] are the fathers [3962], and [2532] of [1537] whom [3739] as concerning [2596] the flesh [4561] Christ [5547] came, who [5607] is over [1909] all [3956], God [2316] blessed [2128] for [1519] ever [165]. Amen [281].

²⁸ There is [1762] neither [3756] Jew [2453] nor [3761] Greek [1672], there is [1762] neither [3756] bond [1401] nor [3761] free [1658], there is [1762] neither [3756] male [730] nor [2532] female [2338]: for [1063] ye [5210] are [2075] all [3956] one [1520] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424].
²⁹ And [1161] if [1487] ye [5210] be Christ's [5547], then [686] are ye [2075] Abraham's [11] seed [4690], and [2532] heirs [2818] according [2596] to the promise [1860].

¹⁴ That [2443] the blessing [2129] of Abraham [11] might come [1096] on [1519] the Gentiles [1484] through [1722] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]; that [2443] we might receive [2983] the promise [1860] of the Spirit [4151] through [1223] faith [4102].

⁷ Know ye [1097] therefore [686] that [3754] they which are of [1537] faith [4102], the same [3778] are [1526] the children [5207] of Abraham [11].

¹⁶ Therefore [1223] [5124] it is of [1537] faith [4102], that [2443] it might be by [2596] grace [5485]; to the end [1519] the promise [1860] might be [1511] sure [949] to all [3956] the seed [4690]; not [3756] to that only [3440] which is of [1537] the law [3551], but [235] to that also [2532] which is of [1537] the faith [4102] of Abraham [11]; who [3739] is [2076] the father [3962] of us [2257] all [3956],

¹¹ And [2532] he received [2983] the sign [4592] of circumcision [4061], a seal [4973] of the righteousness [1343] of the faith [4102] which [3588] he had yet being [1722] uncircumcised [203]: that [1519] he [846] might be [1511] the father [3962] of all [3956] them that believe [4100], though [1223] they be not circumcised [203]; that [1519] righteousness [1343] might be imputed [3049] unto them [846] also [2532]:
¹² And [2532] the father [3962] of circumcision [4061] to them who are not [3756] of [1537] the circumcision [4061] only [3440], but [235] who also [2532] walk [4748] in the steps [2487] of that faith [4102] of our [2257] father [3962] Abraham [11], which he had being [1722] yet uncircumcised [203].

²⁷ All the ends [0657] of the world [0776] shall remember [02142] and turn [07725] unto the LORD [03068]: and all the kindreds [04940] of the nations [01471] shall worship [07812] before [06440] thee.

²⁵ My praise [08416] shall be of thee in the great [07227] congregation [06951]: I will pay [07999] my vows [05088] before them that fear [03373] him.

²² I will declare [05608] thy name [08034] unto my brethren [0251]: in the midst [08432] of the congregation [06951] will I praise [01984] thee.

¹² Saying [3004], I will declare [518] thy [4675] name [3686] unto my [3450] brethren [80], in [1722] the midst [3319] of the church [1577] will I sing praise [5214] unto thee [4571].

⁹ But [1161] we see [991] Jesus [2424], who [3588] was made [1642] a little [1024] [5100] lower [1642] than [3844] the angels [32] for [1223] the suffering [3804] of death [2288], crowned [4737] with glory [1391] and [2532] honour [5092]; that [3704] he [1089] by the grace [5485] of God [2316] should taste [1089] death [2288] for [5228] every man [3956].

¹⁴ Forasmuch [1893] then [3767] as the children [3813] are partakers [2841] of flesh [4561] and [2532] blood [129], he [3348] also [2532] himself [846] likewise [3898] took part [3348] of the same [846]; that [2443] through [1223] death [2288] he might destroy [2673] him that had [2192] the power [2904] of death [2288], that is [5123], the devil [1228];

¹⁵ And [2532] deliver [525] them [5128] who [3745] through [1223] fear [5401] of death [2288] were [2258] all [3956] their lifetime [2198] subject [1777] to bondage [1397].

¹⁸ For [1063] in [1722] that [3739] he [3958] himself [846] hath suffered [3958] being tempted [3985], he is able [1410] to succour [997] them that are tempted [3985].

⁹ Not [3756] according to [2596] the covenant [1242] that [3739] I made with [4160] their [846] fathers [3962] in [1722] the day [2250] when I took [1949] them [846] by the hand [3450] [5495] to lead [1806] them [846] out of [1537] the land [1093] of Egypt [125]; because [3754] they [846] continued [1696] not [3756] in [1722] my [3450] covenant [1242], and I [2504] regarded [272] them [846] not [272], saith [3004] the Lord [2962].

³² Not according to the covenant [01285] that I made [03772] with their fathers [01] in the day [03117] that I took [02388] them by the hand [03027] to bring them out [03318] of the land [0776] of Egypt [04714]; which my covenant [01285] they brake [06565], although I was an husband [01166] unto them, saith [05002] the LORD [03068]:

⁸ But thou, Israel [03478], art my servant [05650], Jacob [03290] whom I have chosen [0977], the seed [02233] of Abraham [085] my friend [0157].

¹² Fight [75] the good [2570] fight [73] of faith [4102], lay hold on [1949] eternal [166] life [2222], whereunto [1519] [3739] thou art [2564] also [2532] called [2564], and [2532] hast professed [3670] a good [2570] profession [3671] before [1799] many [4183] witnesses [3144].

²⁶ And [2532] as [5613] they led [520] him [846] away [520], they laid hold upon [1949] one [5100] Simon [4613], a Cyrenian [2956], coming [2064] out of [575] the country [68], and on [2007] him [846] they laid [2007] the cross [4716], that he might bear [5342] it after [3693] Jesus [2424].

²⁶ And [2532] they could [2480] not [3756] take hold [1949] of his [846] words [4487] before [1726] the people [2992]: and [2532] they marvelled [2296] at [1909] his [846] answer [612], and held their peace [4601].

²⁰ And [2532] they watched [3906] him, and sent forth [649] spies [1455], which should feign [5271] [1511] themselves [1438] just men [1342], that [2443] they might take hold [1949] of his [846] words [3056], that so [1519] they might deliver [3860] him [846] unto the power [746] and [2532] authority [1849] of the governor [2232].

¹⁹ And [1161] when her [846] masters [2962] saw [1492] that [3754] the hope [1680] of their [846] gains [2039] was gone [1831], they caught [1949] Paul [3972] and [2532] Silas [4609], and drew [1670] them into [1519] the marketplace [58] unto [1909] the rulers [758],

³¹ And [1161] immediately [2112] Jesus [2424] stretched forth [1614] his hand [5495], and caught [1949] him [846], and [2532] said [3004] unto him [846], O thou of little faith [3640], wherefore [1519] [5101] didst thou doubt [1365]?

¹⁹ Then [1161] the chief captain [5506] took [1949] him [846] by the hand [5495], and [2532] went with him aside [402] privately [2596] [2398], and asked [4441] him, What [5101] is [2076] that [3739] thou hast [2192] to tell [518] me [3427]?

³³ Then [5119] the chief captain [5506] came near [1448], and took [1949] him [846], and [2532] commanded [2753] him to be bound with [1210] two [1417] chains [254]; and [2532] demanded [4441] who [5101] he was [302] [1498], and [2532] what [5101] he had [2076] done [4160].

³⁰ And [5037] all [3650] the city [4172] was moved [2795], and [2532] the people [2992] ran together [1096] [4890]: and [2532] they took [1949] Paul [3972], and drew [1670] him [846] out of [1854] the temple [2411]: and [2532] forthwith [2112] the doors [2374] were shut [2808].

¹⁷ Then [1161] all [3956] the Greeks [1672] took [1949] Sosthenes [4988], the chief ruler of the synagogue [752], and beat [5180] him before [1715] the judgment seat [968]. And [2532] Gallio [1058] cared [3199] for none [3762] of those things [5130].

¹⁹ And [5037] they took [1949] him [846], and brought him [71] unto [1909] Areopagus [697], saying [3004], May [1410] we know [1097] what [5101] this [3778] new [2537] doctrine [1322], whereof [5259] thou [4675] speakest [2980], is?

²⁷ But [1161] Barnabas [921] took [1949] him [846], and brought [71] him to [4314] the apostles [652], and [2532] declared [1334] unto them [846] how [4459] he had seen [1492] the Lord [2962] in [1722] the way [3598], and [2532] that [3754] he had spoken [2980] to him [846], and [2532] how [4459] he had preached boldly [3955] at [1722] Damascus [1154] in [1722] the name [3686] of Jesus [2424].

⁴ And [1161] they held their peace [2270]. And [2532] he took [1949] him, and healed [2390] him [846], and [2532] let him go [630];

⁴⁷ And [1161] Jesus [2424], perceiving [1492] the thought [1261] of their [846] heart [2588], took [1949] a child [3813], and set [2476] him [846] by [3844] him [1438],

²³ And [2532] he took [1949] the blind man [5185] by the hand [5495], and led [1806] him [846] out of [1854] the town [2968]; and [2532] when he had spit [4429] on [1519] his [846] eyes [3659], and put [2007] his hands [5495] upon him [846], he asked [1905] him [846] if [1536] he saw [991] ought [1536].

⁹ Thou whom I have taken [02388] from the ends [07098] of the earth [0776], and called [07121] thee from the chief men [0678] thereof, and said [0559] unto thee, Thou art my servant [05650]; I have chosen [0977] thee, and not cast thee away [03988].

² Who can [1410] have compassion [3356] on the ignorant [50], and [2532] on them that are out of the way [4105]; for [1893] that he [4029] himself [846] also [2532] is compassed [4029] with infirmity [769].

¹⁶ Let us [4334] therefore [3767] come [4334] boldly [3326] [3954] unto the throne [2362] of grace [5485], that [2443] we may obtain [2983] mercy [1656], and [2532] find [2147] grace [5485] to help [996] in [1519] time of need [2121].

¹⁵ For [1063] we have [2192] not [3756] an high priest [749] which cannot [3361] [1410] be touched with the feeling [4834] of our [2257] infirmities [769]; but [1161] was [3985] in [2596] all points [3956] tempted [3985] [3987] like [2596] as [3665] we are, yet without [5565] sin [266].

¹⁷ Wherefore [3606] in [2596] all things [3956] it behoved him [3784] to be made like [3666] unto his brethren [80], that [2443] he might be [1096] a merciful [1655] and [2532] faithful [4103] high priest [749] in things pertaining to [4314] God [2316], to [1519] make reconciliation for [2433] the sins [266] of the people [2992].

¹⁶ For [1063] verily [1222] he took [1949] not [3756] on [1949] him the nature of angels [32]; but [235] he took on [1949] him the seed [4690] of Abraham [11].

¹⁵ And [2532] deliver [525] them [5128] who [3745] through [1223] fear [5401] of death [2288] were [2258] all [3956] their lifetime [2198] subject [1777] to bondage [1397].

¹⁶ For [1063] verily [1222] he took [1949] not [3756] on [1949] him the nature of angels [32]; but [235] he took on [1949] him the seed [4690] of Abraham [11].

²⁹ And [1161] if [1487] ye [5210] be Christ's [5547], then [686] are ye [2075] Abraham's [11] seed [4690], and [2532] heirs [2818] according [2596] to the promise [1860].

⁸ But thou, Israel [03478], art my servant [05650], Jacob [03290] whom I have chosen [0977], the seed [02233] of Abraham [085] my friend [0157].

⁶ O ye seed [02233] of Abraham [085] his servant [05650], ye children [01121] of Jacob [03290] his chosen [0972].