Hebrews 1:13
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Yet to which of the angels did God ever say: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”?
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Quotation from Psa 110:1. The image is taken from the custom of conquerors putting the feet on the necks of the conquered (Jos 10:24-25).
Open source ↗In this chapter we have a twofold comparison stated: I. Between the evangelical and legal dispensation; and the excellency of the gospel above that of the law is asserted and proved (Heb 1:1-3). II. Between the glory of Christ and that of the highest creatures, the angels; where the pre-eminence is justly given to the Lord Jesus Christ, and clearly demonstrated to belong to him (Heb 1:4 to the end).
Open source ↗1:13 In climactic fashion, the author ends his string of Old Testament quotations (see study note on 1:5-14) by quoting from Ps 110:1 in celebration of Christ’s exaltation (see also study notes on Luke 20:42-43; 22:69; 1 Cor 15:25; Eph 1:19-22). • The image of the Son’s enemies as a footstool under his feet represents their absolute subjugation (see Heb 2:8). In the ancient world, a victorious king would place his foot on the neck or back of an enemy as a symbolic act of domination.
Open source ↗Cross-references
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The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
Speaking by the Holy Spirit, David himself declared: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’
‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown upon him will gleam.”
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
For David himself says in the book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand
When they had brought the kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks.
And these enemies of mine who were unwilling for me to rule over them, bring them here and slay them in front of me.’”
And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.