What does Hebrews 1:10 mean?

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

Explanation

Hebrews 1:10 is a verse that is part of a larger section where the author is emphasizing the supremacy and divinity of Jesus Christ compared to angels. This verse, in particular, is a direct quote from Psalm 102:25, which was understood by the writer of Hebrews to be referring to Christ. The literal understanding is an attribution of creation to Christ, affirming that He was the agent through whom God laid the foundations of the earth and made the heavens.

The deeper meaning implies the eternality of Christ and contrasts with the temporal nature of creation. Where creation will wear out and change, Christ remains the same, underlining His divine nature and unchangeable character.

Historical Context

Hebrews is a book in the New Testament that was written to a group of Jewish Christians facing persecution and possibly considering a return to Judaism. The exact date of writing is not certain, but it is generally placed before the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in 70 A.D. The author uses numerous references and quotes from the Old Testament to demonstrate the fulfillment of Jewish scripture in the person of Jesus Christ. The historical setting is thus one of religious transition and reassurance of the new faith’s validity.

Theological Insights

Different theological interpretations of Hebrews 1:10 can be considered:

• Christological Interpretation: This is the view that Jesus Christ is the preexistent, eternal Son of God through whom the world was created. The verse emphasizes the deity and creative work of Christ in the Trinitarian framework.

• Continuity with Old Testament: Some scholars focus on how New Testament writers, like the author of Hebrews, use Old Testament passages to reveal the consistent plan and purpose of God, fulfilled in Christ.

• The Transient Nature of Creation: Theologically, this verse also speaks to the idea that the material universe is not eternal and will eventually pass away, serving as a juxtaposition to the eternal nature of the Son.

Practical Applications

From Hebrews 1:10, believers can derive practical lessons, such as:

• Recognizing the eternal nature of Christ, believers can find assurance in the unchanging character of God amidst life’s uncertainties.
• It calls believers to worship and honor Jesus as the creator and sustainer of all things.
• Reflecting on the temporary nature of the material world can encourage believers to invest in spiritual and eternal matters.

Cross-References

Strongly related verses from the King James Version include:

• Psalm 102:25-27: “Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.”
• John 1:3: “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
• Colossians 1:16-17: “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

Language Study

In the original Greek, key words in Hebrews 1:10 include:

• Kataboles: Translated as “foundation,” this term can mean a “casting down” or “laying down” and often refers to the founding of the world.
• Ergon: Translated as “works,” it refers to that which is made or accomplished, in this case, the creation of the heavens.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This verse can be compared with other ancient creation narratives, such as:

• Enuma Elish: The Babylonian creation myth where the god Marduk creates the heavens and the earth.
• Egyptian mythology: Atum, a self-created deity, gives birth to the gods, who then create the world.
• These myths contrast with the monotheistic portrayal of creation in Hebrews as the work of one divine being, Jesus Christ.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific understandings offer a view of the universe’s origins via the Big Bang theory and cosmic evolution. While such scientific explanations describe the physical mechanisms of how the universe might have developed over billions of years, Hebrews 1:10 emphasizes a theological perspective focusing on the agency of a divine creator outside the confines of space and time.

Commentaries

Scholars and theologians offer varied interpretations of this verse:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary: Regards this passage as confirmation of Christ’s divine nature and His role in creation, highlighting the temporal creation versus the eternal creator contrast.
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: Notes that the passage is employed to describe the dignity and power of the Messiah, interpreted within the Christian tradition, notwithstanding its original context in the Psalms.
• The Pulpit Commentary: Explores the application of the Psalm to Christ, observing how Old Testament passages gain new, Christological meanings in the light of the New Testament revelation.