Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

Hebrews 1:2

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
- 2 Now at the end of these days he has spoken to us by means of a Son,+ whom he appointed heir of all things,+ and through whom he made the systems of things.*+

Hebrews 1:2

The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures
- 2 ἐπ’ upon ἐσχάτου last [part] τῶν of the ἡμερῶν days τούτων these ἐλάλησεν he spoke ἡμῖν to us ἐν in υἱῷ, Son, ὃν whom ἔθηκεν he put κληρονόμον heir πάντων, of all (things), δι’ through οὗ whom καὶ also ἐποίησεν he made τοὺς the αἰῶνας· ages;

Hebrews 1:2

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—With References
- 2 has at the end of these days+ spoken to us by means of a Son,+ whom he appointed heir of all things,+ and through whom he made+ the systems of things.*

Hebrews 1:2

The Bible in Living English
- 2 but has in these latter days spoken to us in a Son whom he has appointed heir to everything, through whom also he made the universe; who,

Hebrews 1:2

American Standard Version
- 2 hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;

Hebrews 1:2

The Emphasized Bible
- 2 At the end of these days He hath spoken unto us in his Son,—Whom he hath appointed heir of all things, Through whom also he hath made the ages;

Hebrews 1:2

King James Version
- 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Hebrews

Watch Tower Publications Index 1930-1985
- 1:2 w80 10/1 20; w79 2/15 8; ad 1031, 1567; w67 70; w64 47, 299; g64 11/22 28; w62 747; nh 311; w52 470; w51 765; w50 405; g48 12/8 25; mk 9; w42 51; w30 102

Hebrews Study Notes—Chapter 1

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)
- 1:2
  
  Now at the end of these days: Paul apparently refers to the end of the Jewish system of things. (1Co 10:11 and study note) That system came into being when the nation of Israel was born in 1513 B.C.E. At that time, God spoke to his people by means of Moses. However, Jehovah promised that he would raise up a prophet like Moses. “You must listen to him,” Moses said. (De 18:15, 18, 19) Jesus Christ was that foretold prophet. (Joh 5:46) Of him, Paul says here that God has spoken to us by means of a Son. As the Son of God, Jesus was far greater than all the imperfect human prophets who preceded him. Paul thus begins a line of reasoning that occupies much of this inspired letter: The Christian way of worship is superior to the worship in the Jewish system of things.
  
  whom he appointed heir of all things: An heir is someone who has the right to receive, or inherit, a person’s money, property, or authority. However, most occurrences in the Christian Greek Scriptures use the words “heir” and “inherit” in connection with people who receive a reward from God. (Mt 5:5 and study note; 19:29; 25:34 and study note; 1Co 6:9) In this case, God appoints his firstborn Son as heir “of all things,” meaning that God gives him authority over everything in heaven and on earth. (Ps 2:8; Mt 28:18; Heb 1:6; 2:8; 1Pe 3:22; Re 11:15) Jesus is subject only to his Father, Jehovah.—1Co 15:27, 28; Php 2:9-11.
  
  through whom he made the systems of things: As used here, the phrase “systems of things” could be understood in at least two ways. First, it could refer to the distinguishing, or characteristic, features of certain time periods, or “ages,” as the Greek word could also be rendered. In this letter, Paul refers to faithful ones during pre-Flood times, in the days of the patriarchs, and in the years of Israel’s covenant relationship with God. During all those distinct periods, God made it possible for humans to worship him acceptably. However, he always pointed forward to the time when humans would be fully reconciled to him through his Son. In the Christian era, he established the new covenant, based on Jesus’ sacrifice. This Christian system of things was made through Christ because Jesus, as “the mediator of a new covenant,” has a major role in the outworking of God’s purpose. (Heb 1:3; 2:9; 12:24; see also Glossary, “System(s) of things.”) Second, the expression “systems of things” could be understood here in the sense of the world or universe, that is, all of God’s physical creation, such as the sun, the moon, the stars, and the earth. Jesus had a role as “a master worker” in all such creative works.—Pr 8:30; Joh 1:3; compare Heb 11:3.