Hebrews: Let the Angels Worship Him
Hebrews 1:6-7; Revelation 5:11-12 - We find that Christ is above the angels (of course) and is worshipped by them. We also learn about angels!
“And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says,
“And let all the angels of God worship Him.”
And of the angels He says,
“Who makes His angels winds,
And His ministers a flame of fire.””
Hebrews 1:6-7 NASB1995
So I decided to have Steve create an image for this devotional using AI, rather than try to find one in Unsplash (the Unsplash link in Substack has not worked correctly for a long time when scrolling through choices).
Right off the bat, the first part of verse 6 in Hebrews 1 can be interpreted two different ways, depending on the Bible translation that you might favor. First, let’s do a word study on a key phrase and then we’ll look at what Precept Austin says about the translations:
He again comes from the Greek adverb πάλιν or pálin (Strong’s G3825) with the following Biblical usages
anew, again
renewal or repetition of the action
again, anew
again, i.e. further, moreover
in turn, on the other hand
According to Precept Austin, here are the ways different translations approach the phrase “He again” leaning towards the First Coming or the Second Coming (the Precept Austin studies are based on the NASB1995)
[The] Following versions translate again in such a way as to not favor this as a reference to the Second Coming but the First Coming
And again, when he brings the firstborn (NRSV)
And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world (KJV)
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world (NIV)
And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world (DNT)
And again, when he brings his firstborn into the world (ISV)
And again, when he leads the first-born into the world, (NAB)
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world (ESV)
But when God was about to send his first-born Son into the world (TEV)
Further, when he brings his first-born into this world of men, (Phillips)
And again, when God brings his Firstborn into the world (JNT)
and further when introducing the firstborn into the world (Moffatt)
Now again when He brings the Firstborn [fig., the Pre-existent One] into the inhabited earth (ALT)
And again, when he is sending his only Son into the world (BBE)
[The] Following versions translate again in such a way as to favor this as a reference to the Second Coming...
But speaking of the time when He once more brings His Firstborn (WNT)
And when he again bringeth in the firstborn into the world (ASV)
And whenever He shall have brought again the first-begotten into the inhabited earth (Wuest)
Moreover, when He brings the firstborn Son again into the habitable world (Amp)
When He again brings His firstborn into the world, (Adds a note: Or And again, when He brings His firstborn into the world...” ) (Holman Christian Std Bible)
But when he again brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all the angels of God worship him!” (NET Bible is similar to Holman above adding an explanatory note but stating that they favor the rendering that “looks forward to Christ’s Second Coming to earth”)
and when he re-introduces the first-begotten into the world (Mace NT)
But speaking of the time when He once more brings His Firstborn into the world (WNT)
But when He again brings the firstborn (NKJV)
and when again He may bring in the first-born to the world (YLT)
I favor the NASB95 version, which I think might be favoring the first coming (not sure).
Where else in Scripture have we heard about angels worshipping the Son?
“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.””
Revelation 5:11-12 NASB1995
Scholars are also in disagreement about the Old Testament source of the statement “And let all the angels of God worship Him”. Hebrews uses the Septuagint, or Greek translation of the Old Testament. Here is what Precept Austin has noted about the sources:
…some scholars favor the [source] from Dt 32:43+ which in the Greek (LXX) reads “Rejoice, ye heavens, with him, and let all the angels of God worship him“. The Greek (Septuagint) of Dt 32:43 is “proskunesatosan auto pantes huioi theou,” while the Greek (Septuagint) of Ps 97:7 is “proskunesate auto pantes hoi aggeloi autou“ while the Greek of Heb 1:6 is “proskunesatosan auto pantes aggeloi theou.“ There are clearly similarities in the Hebrews 1:6 Greek text with either quote so that either would serve to substantiate the writer’s main premise that the angels are to worship Jesus. The NET Note agrees writing that Heb 1:6b is “A quotation combining themes from Deut 32:43 and Ps 97:7. “
Christ is worshipped,
Angels are worshippers
Ok, that got a little too scholarly, but I’m already convinced that this way of studying the Epistle of Hebrews (writing about it) will present some challenges! Christ is worshipped, above the angels!
Enduring Word uses the NKJV translation, so this is their commentary for verse 6:
When He brings the firstborn: This word was used both as an idea and to designate the one born first. Since the firstborn son was “first in line” and received the position of favor and honor, the title “firstborn” could indicate that someone was of the highest position and honor.
Many of those not born first in the Bible are given the title “firstborn.” David is an example of this (Psalm 89:27) and so is Ephraim (Jeremiah 31:9).
According to Rabbi Bechai (quoted in Lightfoot) the ancient Rabbis called Yahweh Himself “Firstborn of the World.” It was a title, not a description of origin.
Rabbis used firstborn as a specifically Messianic title. One ancient Rabbi wrote, “God said, ‘As I made Jacob a first-born (Exodus 4:22), so also will I make king Messiah a first-born (Psalm 89:28).’” (R. Nathan in Shemoth Rabba, cited in Lightfoot)
Let all the angels of God worship Him: Deuteronomy 32:43 (as quoted from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament used by New Testament Christians) shows that Jesus is superior because He is the object of angelic worship, not an angelic worshipper. The angels worship Him; He does not worship among them. Revelation 5 gives a glimpse of the angelic worship of Jesus.
I think the bottom line is that this verse clearly shows, regardless of “first coming” or “second coming” connotations of that Greek adverb, the point again is that Jesus is worshipped by angels, not a worshipper with angels.
So angels can become winds (the Greek word used here is pneuma, which has many usages, including spirit) and His ministers are flames of fire. I like this list from the late evangelist R.A. Torrey, found in Precept Austin about angels and what they are and what they do, tying them to scriptural references (the links go to Biblia):
Created by God and Christ Nehemiah 9:6; Colossians 1:16
Worship God and Christ Neh 9:6; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:6
Are ministering Spirits 1 Kings 19:5; Ps 68:17; 104:4; Luke 16:22; Acts 12:7-11; 27:23; Hebs 1:7,14
Communicate the will of God Da 8:16,17; 9:21-23; 10:11; 12:6,7; Mt 2:13,20; Lk 1:19,28; Ac 5:20; 8:26; 10:5; 27:23; Rev 1:1
Obey the will of God Psalm 103:20; Matthew 6:10
Execute the purposes of God Numbers 22:22; Ps 103:21; Mt 13:39-42; 28:2; John 5:4; Rev 5:2
Execute the judgments of God 2 Samuel 24:16; 2Ki 19:35; Ps 35:5,6; Acts 12:23; Rev 16:1
Celebrate the praises of God Job 38:7; Ps 148:2; Isa 6:3; Luke 2:13,14; Rev 5:11,12; 7:11,12
The law given by the ministration of Psalm 68:17; Acts 7:53; Hebrews 2:2
Announced the conception of Christ Matthew 1:20,21; Luke 1:31
Announced the birth of Christ Luke 2:10-12
Announced the resurrection of Christ Matthew 28:5-7; Luke 24:23
Announced the ascension and second coming of Christ Acts 1:11
Announced the conception of John the Baptist Luke 1:13,36
Minister to Christ Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43; John 1:51
Are subject to Christ Ephesians 1:21; Colossians 1:16; 2:10; 1 Peter 3:22
Shall execute the purposes of Christ Matthew 13:41; 24:31
Shall attend Christ at his second coming Matthew 16:27; 25:31; Mark 8:38; 2 Thessalonians 1:7
Know and delight in the gospel of Christ Ephesians 3:9,10; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 1:12
Ministration of, obtained by prayer Matthew 26:53; Acts 12:5,7
Rejoice over every repentant sinner Luke 15:7,10
Have charge over the children of God Psalm 34:7; 91:11,12; Daniel 6:22; Matthew 18:10
Are of different orders Isaiah 6:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Peter 3:22; Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7
Not to be worshipped Colossians 2:18; Revelation 19:10; 22:9
Are examples of meekness 2 Peter 2:11; Jude 1:9
Are wise 2 Samuel 14:20
Are mighty Psalm 103:20
Are holy Matthew 25:31
Are elect 1 Timothy 5:21
Are innumerable Job 25:3; Hebrews 12:22
Of course, these references are to holy angels who are part of the heavenly realm. There are also fallen angels and they are defined as follows, from Gotquestions.org:
In stark contrast to the company of holy angels, the fallen angels are also innumerable, though considerably less than the holy angels, and are described as fallen from their first estate. Led by Satan, who was originally a cherub, the fallen angels defected, rebelled against God, and became sinful in their nature and work. Fallen angels have been divided into two classes: those who are free and those who are bound. Of the fallen angels, Satan alone is given particular mention in the Bible. When Satan fell (John 8:44; Luke 10:18), he drew after him one third of the angels. Of those, some are reserved in chains awaiting judgment (1 Corinthians 6:3; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6), and the remainder are free and are the demons, or devils, to whom reference is made throughout the New Testament (Mark 5:9, 15; Luke 8:30; 1 Timothy 4:1). They are Satan’s servants in all his undertakings and share his doom (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).
We could go down the LONG bunny trail of Satan versus Lucifer, but we’ll save that for when I finally tackle the book of Isaiah.
Finally, verse 7 ends by saying that His ministers are a flame of fire. Gotquestions.org has this to say about this verse, which is again describing angels:
To the early Hebrew believers, Jesus makes His ministers a flame of fire was a straightforward declaration of the angels’ subservient, lesser position as agents of Jesus Christ. Angels were created by Jesus and for Jesus (Colossians 1:16; John 1:3). They are spirits without bodies (Hebrews 1:14), but they can take on human form (Daniel 8:16; 9:21). In the original language, the word translated as “winds” conveys the basic meaning of “spirits,” indicating their swift and subtle nature. “Flame of fire” communicates fiery devotion and all-consuming fervor. Yet, in the natural realm, the wind is invisible and ephemeral. Even the hottest flames eventually burn out. Like angels, these transitory, fleeting elements of nature cannot compare to the Son of God, who is substantial, majestic, and eternal (Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 2:9; John 1:14; 14:9).
While Jesus ministered on the earth, angels were always on call, ready to serve Him (Matthew 26:53; Psalm 91:11–12). After the Lord was tempted in the wilderness, “angels came and attended him” (Matthew 4:11). Just before His arrest, as Jesus prayed on the Mount of Olives, “an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him” (Luke 22:43).
Ok, this has been very interesting! Now what happens next? In my next devotional, God talks more about the Son in Hebrews 1:8-9.
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord - I confess that I had “glazed eyes” when just reading these verses in Hebrews over the years of “Bible in One Year”. You have opened my eyes to wonders and to an amazing set of references and statements that tie the beginning to the end of all things through the Old Testament into the New Testament! Amen!
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
The Blue Letter Bible was accessed on 10/06/2025 to review the lexicon for He again.
Precept Austin was accessed on 10/06/2025 to review commentary for Hebrews 1:6-7.
Enduring Word commentary by David Guzik is used with written permission. Minor formatting changes have been made to improve readability.
Gotquestions.org was accessed on 10/06/2025 to answer the questions:
What are the types of angels?
What does it mean that Jesus makes His ministers a flame of fire (Hebrews 1:7)?
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Hello friend, I’m new on here and I’m trying to connect with interesting people.
We seem to have similar interests so I thought I’d introduce myself with an article.
This is my most recent piece, and it’s about Giants:
https://open.substack.com/pub/jordannuttall/p/giants-in-history?r=4f55i2&utm_medium=ios