Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY
Watchtower
ONLINE LIBRARY
English
  • BIBLE
  • PUBLICATIONS
  • MEETINGS
  • Hebrews 2:16
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
    • 16 For it is not really angels he is assisting, but he is assisting Abraham’s offspring.*+

  • Hebrews 2:16
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures
    • 16 οὐ Not γὰρ for δή actually που somewhere ἀγγέλων of angels ἐπιλαμβάνεται, he is taking hold upon, ἀλλὰ but σπέρματος of seed ᾿Αβραὰμ of Abraham ἐπιλαμβάνεται. he is taking hold upon.

  • Hebrews 2:16
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—With References
    • 16 For he is really not assisting angels at all, but he is assisting Abraham’s seed.+

  • Hebrews 2:16
    The Bible in Living English
    • 16 For he does not take up angels, methinks, but takes up the descendants of Abraham.

  • Hebrews 2:16
    American Standard Version
    • 16 For verily not to angels doth he give help, but he giveth help to the seed of Abraham.

  • Hebrews 2:16
    The Emphasized Bible
    • 16 For not surely of messengers is he laying hold, But of Abraham’s seed he is laying hold.

  • Hebrews 2:16
    King James Version
    • 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

  • Hebrews
    Watch Tower Publications Index 1930-1985
    • 2:16 w73 605; w65 102; w34 126

  • Hebrews Study Notes—Chapter 2
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)
    • 2:16

      he is assisting Abraham’s offspring: Here “Abraham’s offspring” refers to Christ’s brothers, anointed Christians. (See study notes on Ga 3:16, 29.) The basic meaning of the Greek verb translated “is assisting” is “to take hold of.” It may refer to taking a firm hold of someone in order to guide him through a perilous situation. For example, Jehovah “took hold of” the hand of the Israelites and led them out of Egypt. (Heb 8:9) The verb tense in this verse suggests that Christ comes to the aid of anointed Christians in an ongoing, lasting way. He figuratively takes hold of them and helps them to keep their integrity in the face of tests. As Mediator and High Priest, he thus helps them to maintain a clean standing before God. (Heb 2:18; 7:25) There is no need for him to help the angels in that way. This is the first time in the letter to the Hebrews that Abraham is mentioned; he figures prominently in the rest of this inspired letter.​—Heb 2:16; 6:13, 15; 7:1, 2, 4-6, 9; 11:8, 17.

      offspring: Lit., “seed.”​—See study note on Ga 3:29; App. A2.

English Publications (1950-2026)
Log Out
Log In
  • English
  • Share
  • Preferences
  • Copyright © 2026 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Settings
  • JW.ORG
  • Log In
Share