Hebrews 1:3
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Original Language Analysis
ὃς
Who
G3739
ὃς
Who
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 33
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δόξης
of his glory
G1391
δόξης
of his glory
Strong's:
G1391
Word #:
5 of 33
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
χαρακτὴρ
the express image
G5481
χαρακτὴρ
the express image
Strong's:
G5481
Word #:
7 of 33
a graver (the tool or the person), i.e., (by implication) engraving (("character"), the figure stamped, i.e., an exact copy or (figuratively) represen
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑποστάσεως
person
G5287
ὑποστάσεως
person
Strong's:
G5287
Word #:
9 of 33
a setting under (support), i.e., (figuratively) concretely, essence, or abstractly, assurance (objectively or subjectively)
αὐτοῦ
of his
G846
αὐτοῦ
of his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 33
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
φέρων
upholding
G5342
φέρων
upholding
Strong's:
G5342
Word #:
11 of 33
to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ῥήματι
by the word
G4487
ῥήματι
by the word
Strong's:
G4487
Word #:
16 of 33
an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δυνάμεως
power
G1411
δυνάμεως
power
Strong's:
G1411
Word #:
18 of 33
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
αὐτοῦ
of his
G846
αὐτοῦ
of his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 33
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
δι'
by
G1223
δι'
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
20 of 33
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
εαυτοῦ
himself
G1438
εαυτοῦ
himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
21 of 33
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
καθαρισμὸν
G2512
καθαρισμὸν
Strong's:
G2512
Word #:
22 of 33
a washing off, i.e., (ceremonially) ablution, (morally) expiation
ποιησάμενος
purged
G4160
ποιησάμενος
purged
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
23 of 33
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκάθισεν
sat down
G2523
ἐκάθισεν
sat down
Strong's:
G2523
Word #:
27 of 33
to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)
δεξιᾷ
the right hand
G1188
δεξιᾷ
the right hand
Strong's:
G1188
Word #:
29 of 33
the right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
30 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Revelation 4:11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.John 1:14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.2 Corinthians 4:4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.Hebrews 12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.Hebrews 10:12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;John 1:4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.Hebrews 9:26For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.Jude 1:25To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.Hebrews 4:14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.1 John 1:7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Historical Context
The session at God's right hand fulfills Psalm 110:1, the most quoted OT passage in the NT. This enthronement imagery would resonate with Jewish readers familiar with messianic expectations and divine kingship.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's sustaining power uphold your life moment by moment?
- What comfort do you find in knowing that the One who purged your sins now sits in the place of ultimate authority?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'Apaugasma' (brightness/radiance) and 'charakter' (exact representation) are technical terms indicating Christ's essential deity. He is not merely a reflection but the radiance itself, sharing the Father's divine essence. The three-fold work described—sustaining all things, purging sins, and enthronement—demonstrates Christ's cosmic authority, redemptive work, and exaltation, completing the argument for His supremacy.