1:4

In Greek 1:4 is part of the long sentence that began at 1:1. It concludes paragraph 1:1–4 with a statement about the Son’s greatness. This statement is also the theme of 1:5–14, so the Good News Translation and God’s Word begin a new section at 1:4. However, in most English versions 1:4 is the final statement of paragraph 1:1–4. The author of Hebrews often uses statements like this that conclude one section but also introduce the next one.

In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of clauses in this verse. See the General Comment on 1:4a–b at the end of 1:4b for suggestions.

So: In Greek 1:4 continues the sentence that began in 1:1. Some English versions supply a conjunction like So to indicate that 1:4 is a result of 1:2b–3. Some other ways to show this connection are:

Thus (NET Bible)
-or-
This shows that (New Living Translation (2004))

He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs: This statement is a comparison. It indicates that God’s Son is much greater than the angels. The name that God gave to his Son after his Son made purification for sins (1:3d) is also much greater than the angels’ name. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is far greater than their names. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
He received a seat/position that is higher than the seat/position of all the angels, for the name he received from God was more honored than the name given to angels.
-or-
It is true that the angels are great and their names are honorable. But God’s Son surpasses them in greatness, and the name that God has given him also surpasses their name.

Translate the comparison in a natural way in your language.

1:4a

He became…superior to the angels: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as He became…superior means “became greater than.” The Son had greater honor and authority than the angels before he came to earth. Then he became “a little lower than the angels” to die for our sins (2:9). When he finished providing that purification (1:3d), he sat down at God’s right hand (1:3e). At that time, he again became superior to the angels and received even more honor and authority than he had before.

Another way to translate He became…superior to the angels is:

has been given praiseworthiness/glory which is better than the glory of the angels

angels: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as angels means “messengers.” It refers here to spirit beings who serve God. Sometimes God sends an angel to tell a message to human beings. He also sends angels to serve him in other ways. Some ways to translate this term are:

• Use a descriptive word or phrase. For example:

messengers ⌊from God/heaven⌋
-or-

⌊ good/holy⌋spirit-beings

• Use a local term that fits the biblical meaning.

• In some areas the churches may already be using a borrowed term or a transliterated word for “angel.” Be sure that this term fits the biblical meaning. If some people do not understand the right meaning from this term, you may need to indicate the meaning in some way. For example:

angelos messengers ⌊from God⌋
-or-
sacred angelos spirits

Be sure that your term for “angel” is different from your terms for “prophet” and “apostle.” See angel Meaning 1 in Key Biblical Terms for more information. If you translated this word in other books, check to see how you translated it there.

1:4b

as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs: This clause is the second part of the comparison in 1:4a. Just as the Son himself is greater than the angels, he also inherited a name (title) that is greater than their name (title). In this context the verb inherited implies that he received the name from God. In some languages it is necessary to make that explicit. For example:

and God gave him a name that is much greater than theirs (New Century Version)

the name He has inherited: The word inherited is a verb form of the noun that the Berean Standard Bible translated as “heir” in 1:2b. The verb is used in a similar way here to mean “gained” or “received.” God’s Son gained this name because God gave it to him. The verb does not imply here that the Son received the name when someone died. Some ways to translate He has inherited in this context are:

he has been given a name (God’s Word)
-or-
the name God gave him (Good News Translation)
-or-
the name that he received from God

Translate the meaning in a similar way as you translated “heir” in 1:2. In some languages it may be necessary to specify the name that the Son received. If that is true in your language, you may supply “Son” as the quotations in 1:5 indicate. For example:

he has been given the name Son of God

the name: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as name refers to the authority and role that the Son has. It does not refer here to a name that people called him, such as “Jesus” or “Emmanuel.” It may refer either to his role as God’s Son or to his role in general. Some other ways to translate name in this context are:

authority
-or-
position/status
-or-
title

excellent beyond: In this context the phrase excellent beyond has almost the same meaning as “superior to” earlier in this verse. It continues the comparison between God’s Son and the angels. As he is much greater than they are, his name is also much greater. You should use an appropriate way in your language to describe an excellent role or rank.

In some languages it may be helpful to use the same word for the comparison in both places. For example:

The Son was made greater than the angels, just as the name that God gave him is greater than theirs. (Good News Translation)

theirs: The pronoun theirs is a short way to refer to “their name,” which the author compares to the Son’s “name.” The word “name” is implied. It refers to the angels’ rank and authority. In some languages it is necessary to translate “name” explicitly here. For example:

their name
-or-
their authority/title

General Comment on 1:4a–b

In the Greek text, 1:4 is a long sentence that compares the Son and his name to the angels and their name. In some languages it is more natural to make a comparison by making two separate statements that contrast with each other. For example:

The angels are not great; the Son is great. Likewise, the name that God gave the angels is not great; the name he gave his Son is great.

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