Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Hebrews 2:16

οὐ γὰρ δήπου κ.τ.λ., “for assuredly it is not angels whom He takes by the hand.” The word δήπου, “certainly,” “I suppose” (opinor), occurs here only in the N. T. or LXX., though common in Philo. In classical Greek it often has a semi-ironic tinge, “you will doubtless admit that,” like opinor in Latin. All are now agreed that the verb does not mean “to take the nature of,” but “to take by the hand,” and so “to help” or “rescue.” Beza indeed called it “execrable rashness” (exsecranda audacia) to translate it so, when this rendering was first adopted by Castellio in 1551; but the usage of the word proves that this is the only possible rendering, although all the Fathers and Reformers take it in the other way. It is rightly corrected in the R. V. (comp. Isaiah 49:9-10; Jeremiah 31:32; Hebrews 8:9; Matthew 14:31; Sir 4:11, “Wisdom … takes by the hand those that seek her”). To refer “he taketh not hold” to Death or the Devil is most improbable.

σπέρματος Ἀβραάμ, i.e. Jesus was born a Hebrew. He does not at all mean to imply that our Lord came to the Jews more than to the Gentiles, though he is only thinking of the former. Still, as Reuss says, St Paul could hardly have omitted all allusion to the Gentiles here.

ἐπιλαμβάνεται. The present implies Christ’s continued advocacy and aid.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Hebrews 2:16

Old Testament

New Testament