Hebrews 1

His Son, Heir of All Things

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hebrews 1:1–2

God spoke through prophets in many ways, but His fullest message came through His Son. The Son is the heir who will receive everything the Father has.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Psalm 2:8 — I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance
• alludes to Romans 8:17 — heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ

By Whom He Made the Worlds

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 1:2

The Father created the worlds through the Son. Jesus is the Creator under the Father's direction.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to John 1:3 — All things were made by him
• alludes to Moses 1:33 — by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten
• alludes to D&C 76:24 — by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created

Brightness of His Glory, Express Image of His Person

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Hebrews 1:3

The Son shines with the Father's glory and is the exact likeness of the Father's person. To see Jesus is to see what the Father is like.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to John 14:9 — he that hath seen me hath seen the Father
• the same title in Colossians 1:15 — the image of the invisible God

By Himself Purged Our Sins

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Hebrews 1:3

Jesus Himself, alone, cleansed us from sin through His Atonement.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Isaiah 63:3 — I have trodden the winepress alone
• alludes to D&C 76:107 — I have trodden the wine-press alone

Seated at the Right Hand of the Majesty on High

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Hebrews 1:3

After His work was done, the risen Christ sat down at the Father's right hand, the place of honor and power.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Psalm 110:1 — Sit thou at my right hand
• the same event in Mark 16:19 — sat on the right hand of God
• alludes to Acts 7:56 — Stephen sees the Son of man standing on the right hand of God

Thou Art My Son

Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. Hebrews 1:4–5

The Son has a greater name than any angel. The writer shows that the Father's words in Psalm 2 and to David in 2 Samuel 7 were ultimately about Jesus.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interprets Psalm 2:7 — Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee
• interprets 2 Samuel 7:14 — I will be his father, and he shall be my son
• alludes to Philippians 2:9 — a name which is above every name
• alludes to Acts 13:33 — Paul applies Psalm 2:7 to the resurrected Jesus

The Firstbegotten

Firstbegotten — the firstborn, heir of the birthright

And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. Hebrews 1:6

Jesus is the Father's Firstborn spirit child, and when He came into the world the Father commanded angels to worship Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interprets Psalm 97:7 — worship him, all ye gods
• the same title in D&C 93:21 — I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn
• alludes to Luke 2:13-14 — a multitude of the heavenly host praising God at His birth

The Son Addressed as God, Eternal King

But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Hebrews 1:8

The Father calls the Son "God" and declares His throne eternal. Psalm 45 is read here as the Father speaking to Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interprets Psalm 45:6 — Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever

Anointed with the Oil of Gladness

Messiah — the Anointed One

Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Hebrews 1:9

Messiah and Christ both mean "anointed". The Father anointed His Son above everyone else because He loved righteousness perfectly.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interprets Psalm 45:7 — God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows
• alludes to Acts 10:38 — God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power

Jehovah the Unchanging Creator

Jehovah — the Unchangeable One, I AM

And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: Hebrews 1:10–12

Psalm 102 is a prayer to the LORD, Jehovah, the Creator. Hebrews applies it directly to the Son, a clear witness that Jehovah of the Old Testament is Jesus Christ, who made the earth and never changes.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interprets Psalm 102:25-27 — the psalm to the LORD about creating the earth and remaining the same
• alludes to Hebrews 13:8 — Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever
• alludes to 3 Nephi 15:5 — Jesus declares He is the one who gave the law, the God of Israel

Sit on My Right Hand

But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Hebrews 1:13

The Father invites the Son to sit at His right hand until every enemy is defeated. No angel was ever given this honor; Psalm 110 is about Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interprets Psalm 110:1 — Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool
• alludes to Matthew 22:44 — Jesus Himself cites Psalm 110:1 about the Christ
• alludes to 1 Corinthians 15:25 — he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet