Hebrews 2:14

Authorized King James Version

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Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Original Language Analysis

ἐπεὶ Forasmuch G1893
ἐπεὶ Forasmuch
Strong's: G1893
Word #: 1 of 29
thereupon, i.e., since (of time or cause)
οὖν then G3767
οὖν then
Strong's: G3767
Word #: 2 of 29
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
τὰ G3588
τὰ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 3 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παιδία as the children G3813
παιδία as the children
Strong's: G3813
Word #: 4 of 29
a childling (of either sex), i.e., (properly), an infant, or (by extension) a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature christian
κεκοινώνηκεν are partakers G2841
κεκοινώνηκεν are partakers
Strong's: G2841
Word #: 5 of 29
to share with others (objectively or subjectively)
σαρκός of flesh G4561
σαρκός of flesh
Strong's: G4561
Word #: 6 of 29
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 7 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αἵματος blood G129
αἵματος blood
Strong's: G129
Word #: 8 of 29
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 9 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῶν himself G846
αὐτῶν himself
Strong's: G846
Word #: 10 of 29
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
παραπλησίως likewise G3898
παραπλησίως likewise
Strong's: G3898
Word #: 11 of 29
in a manner near by, i.e., (figuratively) similarly
μετέσχεν he G3348
μετέσχεν he
Strong's: G3348
Word #: 12 of 29
to share or participate; by implication, belong to, eat (or drink)
τῶν G3588
τῶν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῶν himself G846
αὐτῶν himself
Strong's: G846
Word #: 14 of 29
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
ἵνα that G2443
ἵνα that
Strong's: G2443
Word #: 15 of 29
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
διὰ through G1223
διὰ through
Strong's: G1223
Word #: 16 of 29
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 17 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θανάτου death G2288
θανάτου death
Strong's: G2288
Word #: 18 of 29
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
καταργήσῃ he might destroy G2673
καταργήσῃ he might destroy
Strong's: G2673
Word #: 19 of 29
to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 20 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 21 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κράτος the power G2904
κράτος the power
Strong's: G2904
Word #: 22 of 29
vigor ("great") (literally or figuratively)
ἔχοντα him that had G2192
ἔχοντα him that had
Strong's: G2192
Word #: 23 of 29
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 24 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θανάτου death G2288
θανάτου death
Strong's: G2288
Word #: 25 of 29
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
τοῦτ' G5124
τοῦτ'
Strong's: G5124
Word #: 26 of 29
that thing
ἔστιν G2076
ἔστιν
Strong's: G2076
Word #: 27 of 29
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 28 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διάβολον the devil G1228
διάβολον the devil
Strong's: G1228
Word #: 29 of 29
a traducer; specially, satan (compare h7854)

Cross References

2 Timothy 1:10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:Romans 8:3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:Colossians 2:15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.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.Isaiah 25:8He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.Hosea 13:14I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.Hebrews 9:15And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.1 Corinthians 15:50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.Revelation 1:18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.Isaiah 53:12Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Analysis & Commentary

The incarnation's purpose is stated: to destroy (Greek 'katargēsē' - render powerless) death's master, the devil. Christ 'partook of' (Greek 'meteschē') flesh and blood, emphasizing full humanity. The Reformed doctrine of Christ's active obedience requires genuine humanity - He had to be truly human to obey as our representative. His death defeated Satan not by force but by accomplishing redemption, removing Satan's legal grounds to accuse (Colossians 2:14-15).

Historical Context

Jewish thought in the Second Temple period associated Satan with death based on Wisdom 2:24. The author draws on this tradition while presenting Christ's death as the means of Satan's defeat, paradoxically using death to destroy death.

Questions for Reflection