Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 2:12
saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
12. I will declare thy name unto my brethren ] Psa 22:22. This is a typico-prophetic Psalm, accepted in a Messianic sense, which was supposed to be mystically indicated by its superscription, “ On the hind of the dawn.” The sense of its prophetic and typical character had doubtless been deepened among Christians by our Lord’s quotation from it on the Cross (Mat 27:46). It is one of our special Psalms for Good Friday. See the references to it in Mat 27:35; Joh 19:24.
in the midst of the church ] Rather, “of the congregation.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Saying – This passage is found in Psa 22:22. The whole of that Psalm has been commonly referred to the Messiah; and in regard to such a reference there is less difficulty than attends most of the other portions of the Old Testament that are usually supposed to relate to him. The following verses of the Psalm are applied to him, or to transactions connected with him, in the New Testament, Heb 2:1, Heb 2:8,Heb 2:18; and the whole Psalm is so strikingly descriptive of his condition and sufferings, that there can be no reasonable doubt that it had an original reference to him. There is much in the Psalm that cannot be well applied to David; there is nothing which cannot be applied to the Messiah; and the proof seems to be clear that Paul quoted this passage in accordance with the original sense of the Psalm. The point of the quotation here is not that he would declare the name of God – but that he gave the name brethren to those whom he addressed.
I will declare thy name – I will make thee known. The word name is used, as it often is, to denote God himself. The meaning is, that it would be a part of the Messiahs work to make known to his disciples the character and perfections of God – or to make them acquainted with God. He performed this. In his parting prayer Joh 17:6, he says, I have manifested thy name unto the men whom thou gavest me out of the world. And again, Heb 2:26, And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it.
Unto my brethren – The point of the quotation is in this. He spoke of them as brethren. Paul is showing that he was not ashamed to call them such. As he was reasoning with those who had been Jews, and as it was necessary as a part of his argument to show that what he maintained respecting the Messiah was found in the Old Testament, he makes his appeal to that, and shows that the Redeemer is represented as addressing his people as brethren. It would have been easy to appeal to facts, and to have shown that the Redeemer used that term familiarly in addressing his disciples, (compare Mat 12:48-49; Mat 25:40; Mat 28:10; Luk 8:21; Joh 20:17), but that would not have been pertinent to his object. It is full proof to us, however, that the prediction in the Psalm was literally fulfilled.
In the midst of the church – That is, in the assembly of my brethren. The point of the proof urged by the apostle lies in the first part of the quotation. This latter part seems to have been adduced because it might assist their memory to have the whole verse quoted; or because it contained an interesting truth respecting the Redeemer – though not precisely a proof of what he was urging; or because it implied substantially the same truth as the former member. It shows that he was united with his church; that he was one of them; and that he mingled with them as among brethren.
Will I sing praise – That the Redeemer united with his disciples in singing praise, we may suppose to have been in the highest degree probable – though, I believe, but a single case is mentioned – that at the close of the Supper which he instituted to commemorate his death; Mat 26:30. This, therefore, proves what the apostle intended – that the Messiah was among them as his brethren – that he spoke to them as such – and mingled in their devotions as one of their number.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 12. I will declare thy name] See Ps 22:22. The apostle certainly quotes this psalm as referring to Jesus Christ, and these words as spoken by Christ unto the Father, in reference to his incarnation; as if he had said: “When I shall be incarnated, I will declare thy perfections to mankind; and among my disciples I will give glory to thee for thy mercy to the children of men.” See the fulfilment of this, Joh 1:18: No man hath seen God at any time; the ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON, which is in the bosom of the Father, HE HATH DECLARED HIM. Nor were the perfections of God ever properly known or declared, till the manifestation of Christ. Hear another scripture, Luk 10:21; Luk 10:22: In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes, &c. Thus he gave praise to God.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Saying; this brings in the proof, that the great gospel Minister, Christ, God-man, did call his sanctified ones
brethren; and was by the same nature so related to them. The proof is in Psa 22:22, where the apostle asserts, Christ spoke what was said by the prophet there; and that this Psalm concerneth him, is evident by the application of other passages in it to him, both by himself and the Spirit; and who reads it, may see him crucified afresh there.
I will declare thy name unto my brethren; I, as the gospel Prophet, who have seen thee, and am of thee. Joh 1:18, and who only understand
thy name, will teach, and make it to be known and admired, as that whereby thou art described, distinguished, and set above all other beings and relations to them; a name suitable to their state and relation unto thee and me. Thee in all thy glorious attributes, related to them as to Moses, Exo 34:5-7, especially thy name of Father, whereby thou standest related to me and them as brethren, fulfilled, Joh 20:17;
My Father, and your Father; my God, and your God; when he sent this message by Mary Magdalene to his apostles and disciples, to whom he was related as a brother in his humanity, sonship and heirship, family and household and amongst whom he is the First-begotten and elder Brother. Brethren are one, and as one; and so is he and his sanctified ones, Heb 2:14; Luk 1:31,35; Joh 17:22,23; Ro 8:14; so Rom 8:17,29; Ga 4:5-7; Eph 3:14,15.
In the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee; in the respective parts and congregations of his mystical body, implicitly his brethren. Christ and they are from one Father divine, he by nature, they by grace; and from one human parent, Luk 3:23,38, and both of one flesh: he solemnly sung and praised his Father with them at his supper, in that representative church, Mat 26:30; Mar 14:26.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12. (Ps22:22.) Messiah declares the name of the Father, not known fullyas Christ’s Father, and therefore their Father, till after Hiscrucifixion (Joh 20:17), amongHis brethren (“the Church,” that is, the congregation),that they in turn may praise Him (Ps22:23). At Ps 22:22, whichbegins with Christ’s cry, “My God, my God, why hast thouforsaken me?” and details minutely His sorrows, passes fromChrist’s sufferings to His triumph, prefigured by the same in theexperience of David.
will I singas leaderof the choir (Ps 8:2).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren,…. These words, with the following clause, are cited from Ps 22:22 as a proof of what the apostle had before asserted; and that this psalm is to be understood, not of the Jewish nation, or people of Israel, nor of Esther, nor of David, but of the Messiah, appears from the title of it, “Aijeleth, Shahar”, which signifies “the morning hind”; from the particular account of Christ’s sufferings in it; from his several offices herein pointed to; from the conversion of the Gentiles it prophesies of; and from several passages cited from hence, and applied to Christ; see Mt 27:35. And these are the words of Christ addressed to his Father; whose name he promises to declare to his brethren; meaning not the Jews, in general, his brethren according to the flesh; but his disciples and followers, particularly the twelve apostles, and the five hundred brethren to whom he appeared after his resurrection; and indeed all the saints and people of God may be included: and by his name he would declare to them, is not meant any particular name of his, as Elohim, El-shaddai, Jehovah, or the like; but rather he himself, and the perfections of his nature, which he, the only begotten Son, lying in his bosom, has declared; though the Gospel seems chiefly to be designed; see Joh 17:6 and this Christ declared with great exactness and accuracy, with clearness and perspicuity, and with all integrity and fidelity: he spoke it out plainly, and concealed no part of it; as he received it from his Father, he faithfully made it known to his people; this is expressive of Christ’s prophetic office, of his preaching of the Gospel, both in his own person, and by his ministers:
in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee; or “a hymn”; this is to be understood not of the church above, but of the church below; and not of the synagogue of the Jews, but of the disciples of Christ, and of his singing an hymn to God, with and among them, as he did at the institution of the supper, Mt 26:30 for though the number of the apostles was but small, yet they made a congregation or church, and which was a pure and glorious one. With the Jews h, ten men made a congregation.
h Misn. Sanhedrin, c. 1. sect. 6.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Unto my brethren ( ). To prove his point the writer quotes Ps 22:22 when the Messiah is presented as speaking “unto my brethren.”
Congregation (). The word came to mean the local church and also the general church or kingdom (Matt 16:18; Heb 12:23). Here we have the picture of public worship and the Messiah sharing it with others as we know Jesus often did.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
This acknowledgment as brethren the writer represents as prophetically announced by Messiah in Psa 22:22. The Psalm is the utterance of a sufferer crying to God for help in the midst of enemies. The Psalmist declares that God has answered his prayer, and that he will give public thanks therefore.
Unto my brethren [ ] . His brethren in the worshipping assembly. This is applied by our writer to the human brotherhood at large, and Christ is represented as identifying himself with them in thanksgiving.
Will I sing praise unto thee [ ] . Rare in N. T. Mt 26:30; Mr 14:26; Act 16:25. Lit. hymn thee. Often in the Greek liturgies.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Saying, I will declare thy name,” (lego apaggelo to onoma sou) “Saying, I will announce the name of each of you, my brethren, Psa 22:22; Psa 22:25.
2) “Unto my brethren,” (tois adelphois mou) “To, toward, or unto my brethren,” those in my presence, alluding to our Lord’s recognizing his brethren in the church, even after his resurrection, Joh 20:17; Mat 28:10.
3) “In the midst of the church,” (en meso ekklesias) “In (the) midst of (the) church, assembly, or congregation;” .
4) “Will I sing praise unto thee,” (humneso se) “I will sing (a hymn or psalm) to or in thy presence; This was fulfilled the night of our Lord’s betrayal, immediately after he had instituted His memorial Supper, often referred to as The Lord’s Supper, because it is to be done “in remembrance” of him, till he comes again, Mat 26:30; Mar 14:22-26; Luk 22:19-20; 1Co 11:23-26.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
12. In the midst of the Church. (43) It hence appears plainly, that the proclamation of God’s praises is always promoted by the teaching of the gospel; for as soon as God becomes known to us, his boundless praises sound in our hearts and in our ears; and at the same time Christ encourages us by his own example publicly to celebrate them, so that they may be heard by as many as possible. For it would not be sufficient for each one of us to thank God himself for benefits received, except we testify openly our gratitude, and thus mutually stimulate one another. And it is a truth, which may serve as a most powerful stimulant, and may lead us most fervently to praise God, when we hear that Christ leads our songs, and is the chief composer of our hymns.
(43) This quotation is made from Psa 22:22, and from the Sept., except that the Apostle changes διηγήσομαι into ἀπαγγελῶ. The words are often used synonymously, only the latter includes the idea of a message, as it literally means to declare something from another. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(12) I will declare thy name . . . .The quotation is taken (with very slight variation) from the 22nd verse of Psalms 22 (Psa. 22:22)a Psalm remarkable for its close connection with the narratives of the Passion of our Lord. Whether the inscription which speaks of David as author is correct, or whether (from the difficulty of discovering any period in Davids history to which the expressions used can apply) we consider the Psalm to have been written after the Captivity, there can be no doubt of its Messianic character. Some would class this Psalm with Psalms 110 (see Note on Heb. 1:13), as simply and directly prophetic, having no historic foreground; but the language of some of the verses is so definite and peculiar that we must certainly regard it as descriptive of actual experience, and must rather regard the Psalm (comp. Heb. 1:8-9) as typically prophetic of Christ. Each division of this verse is in point as a quotation. (1) Those to whom the Messiah will declare Gods name He speaks of as brethren; (2) not alone, but in the church (or rather, in a congregation of Gods people; see Psa. 22:22) will He sing the praise of God. The latter thoughtcommunity with men, as attested by a like relation to Godis brought out with still greater prominence in Heb. 2:13.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
12. Saying Psa 22:22, where see note. The I refers to the Messiah, this being held by the Jewish Church as a Messianic psalm.
My brethren Those whose nature he had assumed, and renewed by redemption.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Saying, “I will declare your name to my brethren, In the midst of the congregation will I sing your praise.”
And this can clearly be demonstrated from Scripture, says the writer. See Psa 22:22. For is the Psalm not said to be referring to the scion of the house of David? And does it not speak of the Messiah gathering with His brothers and sisters as co-worshippers, to whom He reveals the fullness of God (His Name) and testifies about God and His worthiness, and sings His praise, seeing those gathered as His brothers and sisters? So are they acknowledged as the brothers and sisters of the coming triumphant Davidic King, gathered in triumph.
The Psalm is very apposite as the original person in mind was probably seen as a scion of the Davidic house who underwent, or envisaged undergoing, suffering of the kind described, possibly as he defended the nation against is enemies. Some of the vivid language was probably what he envisioned the enemy would do to him on his being defeated, described in morbid anticipation. Resulting victory then resulted in rejoicing and the declaration of the certainty of God’s future worldwide rule.
Thus did Jesus see it as portraying His own battle against the Enemy as he fought to bring in the everlasting kingdom and the inflictions envisaged were remarkably prophetic and fulfilled in His death. Compare Mar 15:34 where words from the Psalm are made personal by Jesus in His hour of need. The reference to the establishing of God’s world rule gives the Psalm Messianic status, as does Midrash Pesikta Rabbata Piska Psa 36:1-2, which also identifies the individual spoken of in this Psalm as the Messiah.
A similar idea of such a relationship, for those who have been chosen by God, to Jesus Christ, is found in Rom 8:29 where we are told that He has ‘foreordained’ us ‘to be conformed to the image of His Son that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters’.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Heb 2:12 . First proof , taken from Psa 22:23 (22). In its historic sense the citation has reference to the composer of the psalm himself, who in the deepest distress supplicates God for deliverance, and promises to praise Him for the deliverance granted. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, on the other hand, interprets the psalm Messianically, and regards Christ as the subject speaking therein.
] LXX.: .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
Heb 2:12-13 . Documentary proofs from Scripture for the , Heb 2:11 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
Ver. 12. I will declare, &c. ] Psa 22:22 . A psalm of Christ’s sufferings, entitled upon Ajaleth Shachar, that is, “the morning stag,” such a one as the huntsmen singleth out to hunt for that day. Christ thus hunted, and praying for deliverance, promiseth to praise God’s name amidst his brethren, that is, “his faithful servants.”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Heb 2:12 . In proof that He is not ashamed to take his place among men as a brother three passages are adduced from the O.T. in which this relationship is implied. These passages are so confidently assumed to be Messianic that they are quoted as spoken by Christ Himself, . The fact that words of Jesus spoken while He lived on earth are not quoted can scarcely be accepted as proof that the Gospels were not in existence when this Epistle was written, for even after the middle of the second century, the O.T. was still the “Scripture” of the Christian Church. The first quotation is from the twenty-second Psalm applied to Himself by our Lord on the cross. The LXX is altered to . The significant words in the first clause are ; and the significance of the second clause consists in the representation of the Messiah as taking part in the worship of God in the congregation. This is one particular form in which His brotherhood manifests itself. For the passages cited not merely affirm the brotherhood, but also exhibit its reality in the participation by the Messiah of human conditions.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
declare. Greek. apangello. See Act 4:23.
church. Greek. ekklesia. App-186.
sing praise unto. Greek. humneo. See Act 16:25. Cited from Psa 22:22.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Heb 2:12. , saying) Here three things are quoted from the Old Testament, by which the preceding discourse of the apostle is admirably confirmed, by Chiasmus, in retrograde order. For
the apostle mentions Christ says, in the words of the Old Testament,
Heb 2:12, Sons. Heb 2:13, at the end, I and the children.
Ibid., The perfecting, or consummation by sufferings. Heb 2:13, at the beginning, I will put My trust.
Heb 2:11, The relationship of Him who sanctifies, and of those who are sanctified. Heb 2:12, Unto My brethren.
And again, Heb 2:14-17, in inverted order, the children, and the successful work of Christ, and brethren, are mentioned. The two chains of quotations, ch. 1 on the Glory of Christ, ch. 2 on Redemption, most sweetly correspond to one another.– ) Psa 22:23, LXX., : as to the rest, the words are the same. Messiah declares the name of the good Lord, which was unknown to His brethren, that the brethren may also praise Him. Ps. already quoted, ver. 24.-, I will sing) as the leader of the choir: comp. Psa 8:3.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
I will: Psa 22:22, Psa 22:25
in: Psa 40:10, Psa 111:1, Joh 18:20
Reciprocal: 1Ch 28:2 – my brethren Psa 26:12 – in the Psa 35:18 – give Psa 40:9 – preached Psa 109:30 – I will praise Psa 149:1 – in the congregation Son 5:1 – my sister Son 8:1 – that thou Mar 3:34 – Behold Joh 17:6 – have manifested Joh 17:26 – I have 1Jo 1:3 – declare
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Heb 2:12. Paul verifies his statement of the preceding verse by a quotation from the Psa 22:22, which is a part of a chapter composed of predictions about Christ. In the midst of the church. In Mat 18:20 Jesus promises to be present in every scriptural assembly, and in such a meeting He will be joining in the praises.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Heb 2:12. The church. The Old Testament name is the congregation. But in modern usage the congregation is one thing, and the church is another; and it is the church that best represents the sense, the exact meaning of the original and the force of the argument.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
12. David says, In the midst of the church I will sing praises unto Thee. Ecclesia is the word for church throughout the Bible. It is from ek, out, and kaleo, to call. Hence, it means all the people who have heard the call of the Holy Ghost, come out of the world and separated themselves unto God. These, and these alone, constitute the Church of God. Sanctification, which means taking the world out of you, is a subsequent work performed in the hearts of the church members. Therefore, all true Christians desire to be sanctified wholly. Dr. Clarke says, The man who is opposed to Christian perfection is no Christian. Dr. Albert Barnes, the Presbyterian commentator, says, When you ask your own heart, Would you like to be wholly sanctified to God now? and receive a negative answer, you may set it down that you are no Christian. The Apostolic Church consisted of nothing but the simple Ecclesiai. Satan has subsequently laid under contribution all the wisdom of earth and hell to build on it and round it so many magnitudinous ecclesiasticisms as utterly to hide it from human vision: meanwhile he has millions of carnal creatures pointing the blind multitudes of all ages and nations to these mammoth human institutions and crying, Behold the church! Two hundred millions of martyrs have bled for their disloyalty to human ecclesiasticism and their loyalty to God and His Church.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 12
Hebrews 2:12; Psalms 22:22.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
2:12 {13} Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
(13) That which he taught before about the incarnation of Christ, he applies to the prophetic office.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
These quotations illustrate that Jesus will not blush to identify with the people of God. The emphasis in the first quotation is on the character that Jesus Christ and believers share. His death has made us holy (set us apart; cf. Heb 10:10; Heb 10:14). Consequently we can have intimate fellowship with Jesus who dwells among us (by His Spirit; cf. Exo 25:8; Exo 29:46).
The point of the second quotation is that Jesus, as well as His followers, trusted God. This is the basis for intimate fellowship. Daily trust in God marked Jesus, and marks Christians who continue to follow God faithfully. Such daily trust results in intimate fellowship with God. The point of the third quotation is that believers are Jesus Christ’s spiritual children. As such He will provide for us and prepare us for the future as a loving parent who has had greater experience travelling the same path (cf. Joh 14:1-3).
"The description of Christians as the ’children’ or ’sons’ of Christ is peculiar to this epistle among the New testament writings . . ." [Note: Bruce, p. 48. Cf. Isaiah 8:18; 53:10.]
It stresses intimacy and tenderness as well as solidarity.