What does it mean in Heb 1:8-9 when God says. 'your throne, Oh God' and 'therefore God, your God?'
Why is God speaking to God here?
Hebrews 1:8 - 9
ESV - 8 But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.
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Asked May 18 2017
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Ken Tomes Sr
Supporter
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JD Abshire
Supporter
Paul (who I believe) to be the writer of Hebrews is here quoting from Psalms 45:6-7. "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." This is God the Father speaking to God the Son. Although two individuals, each are co-equal within the Godhead. The father addresses him as such, calling him God.
Tim Maas
Supporter
In these verses, the author of Hebrews is quoting a passage from the Old Testament (Psalm 45:6-7). Although this psalm might be taken in one sense to be spoken to, and in praise of, an earthly king, it is also revealed in these verses from Hebrews to be a prophetic writing addressed to the Messiah whom God had promised to send to Israel. It therefore grammatically refers to the Messiah in the second person (that is, as "you"), and to God (whom Christians regard as God the Father), who would send the Messiah, in the third person. Also, because the Messiah in His incarnate state is subordinate to God the Father with respect to His humanity (although He is fully equal to the Father with respect to His divinity, as the psalmist acknowledges in referring to Him in verse six as God), God the Father is also referred to as "your (that is, the Messiah's) God" (just as Jesus referred to the Father as "my God" prior to His ascension (John 20:17)).
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
Ken, good question. I love how this verse is put in the Message Bible: Hebrews 1:8 8 "But he says to the Son, 'You're God, and on the throne for good; your rule makes everything right.'" Our Lord is very God of very God. Wiersbe says, "Our Lord has not yet entered into His earthly kingdom, but He has been enthroned in glory (Eph. 1:20). BibleMesh recalls Jesus saying, deducing this: "In seeing the Son, we come to also know the Father (John 14:8-9)."
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