ISB ~ Hebrews 2 v6 - 8

The Greek version of Ps 8:4-6. It differs from most modern translations of the psalm at two points. First, the Hebrew expression normally rendered “little less” is taken in a temporal sense to mean little while. Second, the Hebrew term most often translated “God” or “gods” is read as a reference to angels. Both are legitimate as interpretive translations of the original text.

• The Psalmist marvels that man, so small and frail, was created to share in God’s dominion over the world (Gen 1:28). The Greek version envisions two distinct stages in this human vocation:man is first made in subordination to the angels, yet he is destined to be crowned and elevated over the angels. This vocation is fully realized only in Jesus, who experienced in his human nature both humiliation and subsequent exaltation (Heb 2:8-9). Many scholars detect a contrast between Jesus and Adam, because of whom man never reached the goal for which he was made (cf. Rom 5:12-21).