Let all God’s angels worship him
Hebrews commands angelic worship of the Son using wording attested in the Greek form of Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 97:7 is a related proposed source.
Historical context
The Greek Song of Moses includes angelic worship of God in a line absent from the standard Hebrew verse. This excerpt is quoted from the WEB’s Septuagint footnote. God’s bringing the firstborn into the world is followed by a scriptural command for all his angels to worship the Son.
Reception
Cumulative case
Tradition note
The shared Nicene confession identifies the Son as true God while distinguishing him from the Father and confessing his real incarnation. Read the scriptural pattern as a whole, including worship, creation, and the Son’s human life; this study does not make every proposed allusion equally certain.
Avoid overclaiming
The exact scriptural source is discussed: Deuteronomy 32:43 in Greek closely matches the wording; Psalm 97:7 has parallel worship language. Do not present the Greek line as if it appeared in every Hebrew-based English Bible.
Strongest alternative reading
A competing reading treats this as God authorizing homage to his firstborn heir; firstborn and brought into the world express appointment. Royal figures can receive prostration without being God.
Key points
- Hebrews commands angelic worship of the Son using wording attested in the Greek form of Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 97:7 is a related proposed source.
- The chapter’s sustained contrast between angels and Son, especially the creator quotation in verses 10–12, gives this worship more weight than an isolated instance of bowing.
Common questions
- What does the text explicitly say before a theological conclusion is drawn?
- What is the strongest competing reading, and which details weigh against it?
Doctrinal connections
- The Son receives the worship of the very angels from whom the chapter distinguishes him. A divine worship command addressed to God in the source is now applied to the Son.
Scripture
- Deuteronomy 32:43 — The Greek Song of Moses includes angelic worship of God in a line absent from the standard Hebrew verse. This excerpt is quoted from the WEB’s Septuagint footnote.
- Hebrews 1:6 — God’s bringing the firstborn into the world is followed by a scriptural command for all his angels to worship the Son.
- Psalm 97:7 — All gods are told to worship Yahweh; Greek reception uses angels.
- Hebrews 1:5–14 — The Son is repeatedly differentiated from ministering angels.
- Deuteronomy 32:43 — Inspect the Septuagint note rather than only the Hebrew-based main verse.
Primary sources
This is the Septuagint variant documented in the WEB footnote, rather than the body of its Hebrew-based translation. Compare this original setting with the New Testament wording below; a comparison does not itself establish an identity conclusion.
Original setting: The Greek Song of Moses includes angelic worship of God in a line absent from the standard Hebrew verse. This excerpt is quoted from the WEB’s Septuagint footnote.
let all the angels of God worship him
Passage context and translation
The Greek Song of Moses includes angelic worship of God in a line absent from the standard Hebrew verse. This excerpt is quoted from the WEB’s Septuagint footnote.
Before the excerpt
Deuteronomy 32:42 — I will make my arrows drunk with blood. My sword shall devour flesh with the blood of the slain and the captives, from the …
After the excerpt
Deuteronomy 32:44 — Moses came and spoke all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he and Joshua the son of Nun.
The exact scriptural source is discussed: Deuteronomy 32:43 in Greek closely matches the wording; Psalm 97:7 has parallel worship language. Do not present the Greek line as if it appeared in every Hebrew-based English Bible.
Hebrews introduces a command for the angels of God to worship the Son; the corresponding Greek Deuteronomy wording is documented separately.
Let all the angels of God worship him.”
Passage context and translation
God’s bringing the firstborn into the world is followed by a scriptural command for all his angels to worship the Son.
Before the excerpt
Hebrews 1:5 — For to which of the angels did he say at any time, “You are my Son. Today I have become your father?” and again, …
After the excerpt
Hebrews 1:7 — Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his servants a flame of fire.”
Sources and further reading
- Deuteronomy 32:43 (Septuagint) · World English Bible
Primary passage checked in context; excerpt uses the public-domain WEB. The argument and competing reading are original study notes. - Hebrews 1:6 · World English Bible
Primary passage checked in context; excerpt uses the public-domain WEB. The argument and competing reading are original study notes. - Psalm 97:7 · World English Bible and Septuagint note
Verified parallel worship command and the Greek angels reading, documenting the alternative source discussion.