6 And when He [a]again [b]brings the firstborn [c]into the world, He says,
“AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM.”
Deut 32:43
Did you pick up on the little clue I gave you in the last Gem? This time it was in the second quote at the end. “When you don’t have the original languages at your disposal, use the versions; don’t just stick to your favourite version.”
So did you do it? If not, let me do it for you to make it easier. I have changed the footnotes from those of the NASB to my own in red, yellow and green in the text and in the alternatives below. These are the elements to note and there are three interpretive decisions to be made.
“Again” Modifies the Verb
- (ASV) And when he again bringeth in the firstborn into the world he saith,
- (LSV) And when again he may bring the firstborn into the world, He says,
- (NENT) And when again he bringeth in the firstborn into the inhabited earth he saith,
- (NET) But when he again brings his firstborn into the world, he says,
- (RV) And when he again bringeth in the firstborn into the world he saith,
“Again” Marks the Next Point in the Argument
- (BBE) And again, when he is sending his only Son into the world, he says,
- (CJB) And again, when God brings his Firstborn into the world, he says,
- (ESV) And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
- (KJV) And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith,
- (LITV) And again, when He brought the First-born into the world, He said,
“Again” is Omitted to Skip the Issue
- (CEV) When God brings his first-born Son into the world, he commands
- (ERV) And then, when God presents his firstborn Son to the world, he says,
- (GNB) But when God was about to send his first-born Son into the world, he said,
- (MSG) When he presents his honored Son to the world, he says,
- (NLT) And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said,
[palin] – “again”
Does [palin] carry the sense of continuing the argument with another example? I.e. used as a conjunction in the argument. Note the positioning of the “again”, placed before the comma, making it part of the conjunction introducing the next point or argument. In the sense of “furthermore”, “thereupon”, “and also . . .” or . “and then when. . .”
Or is [palin] which means “back” or “again”, used in an adverbial sense to be thought of as being in close association with the verb and its meaning? Indicating a repetitive action in the verb. “Bring again”, “sending again”, “presenting again”?
There are some commentators who think the first action refers to the First Advent and the second action (contained in the use of the word [palin] refers to the Second Coming, some see it as Christ’s re-entry back into heaven after His Ascension.
I have divided the above translations into three groups above in order to make it clear to you.
[eisagō] – bring, send, introduce, present, usher in – the firstborn
So how exactly did God bring the firstborn AGAIN or present the firstborn AGAIN, or send the firstborn AGAIN?
What is the meaning of Firstborn? The commentators are divided in terms of the significance of ‘firstborn:
- The firstborn is a recognised term for Messiah
- Firstborn does not refer to time but to dignity
- He is firstborn because He existed before creation
- Firstborn indicates His position in the universe
[εἰς] “to” or “into” the [oikoumenē]
- Is it “to‘ the [oikoumenē] (ERV, MSG) or “into” the [oikoumenē] (all the others)?
- Is the meaning of [oikoumenē] focused on the world, the universe, the inhabited world or mankind?
- Does the idea include the angelic realm or purely the world of human kind?
- Is there a subtle difference in whether [εἰς] is translated as “to” or “into” – “into” which is more in line with the incarnation and living among the [oikoumenē] or “to” more akin to presenting This Son to the world?
In essence the main debate is whether [palin] refers to the next point in the argument or indicates a subtlety in the action in terms of sending again or bringing again. If the sense is the latter then it brings the First and Second Coming into contra-distinction and then which one is meant by this reference. Therein lies the cause of the debate among the commentators. The majority of the Greek text commentators, Vincent, Thayer, Dods, Murray, Carson et al, believe the Second Coming is in focus in this verse as in Heb 9:28. I am having trouble with that approach. Especially when the tense of Hebrews 1:6 appears to refer to an event in the past rather than a future event yet to happen.
“And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship him.” [NLT]
Heb 1:6
Before I leave you with a seemingly impossible task, remember the reason the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews has used this quote is to make the simple point that Jesus Christ is far above the angels. One way in which he demonstrates that fact is examining what God Himself said in Deuteronomy 32:43, to remind us that the angels worship the Son, Jesus Christ. Both the quote and the author’s purpose in using the quote are clear. What is not clear is the statement the writer of Hebrews makes before the quote.
6 And when He [a]again [b]brings the firstborn [c]into the world, He says,
“AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM.”
Deut 32:43
As I have done with other tricky passages in earlier books I have gemmed, I will leave this matter until we reach Hebrews 2:7 and 9:28 to draw my conclusions. There are a couple of comments by the experts that I need to ponder on before I reach my conclusion. However I have presented the complications in this verse to you in a way that allows you to draw your own conclusions now that you know what issues lie behind the different readings for this verse and the implications. Time for you to work out what you think about it. Feel free to ask questions for clarity, share with me your opinions and discuss the matter. I won’t quote you without your permission. Use the comments section on the website (but realise readers can see what you have written or email me directly at [email protected] .
After which we have these verses coming up:
There are questions that arise in the next chapter where Jesus deemed to be a little lower than the angels.
For in one place the Scriptures say, “What are mere mortals that you should think about them, or a son of man that you should care for him? Yet for a little while you made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honour.
Heb 2:6-7
so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.
Heb 9:28
How do these verses fit in with the difficulties I have summarised for you above?
You can learn from ANYONE if you ask wise questions. “Good advice lies deep within a person’s heart & the wise draw it out”.
Proverbs 20:5
The quality of your life is set by the questions you ask yourself. The more honest & brave the questions, the further you’ll go.
Rick Warren
More important than the answers I give you are the questions I stir you to ask.
Ian
It is not that I’m so smart. But I stay with the questions much longer.
Albert Einstein
In Exodus 4:22 God calls Israel his son and also his first born. Is he referring to the nation of Israel, and if so, why use the term son?
This is a favourite way God refers to His people and to His chosen ones. From all the people on the earth coming from Adam and the Noah after the Flood, he chosen one man – Abraham. From him God said He would make a nation for Himself – His chosen people. God’s close relationship with His people is always expressed in filial terms. Hence we have certain chosen sons and His chosen people – the sons [or people] of God (including ladies as well).
thank you Ian.