Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

HEBREWS 2:8KJV
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Hebrews 2:8 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 2:8 mean?

Hebrews 2:8 says that God has placed everything under human rule, yet that rule is not fully visible in the world as people now experience it. The verse draws a contrast between the sweeping words of Scripture and what people can presently see.

The words “under his feet” picture someone placed in a position of authority over others. The writer quotes Psalm 8, where the psalm speaks to God about the place given to human beings.

The Greek behind Hebrews 2:8

  • “put … in subjection” — ὑποτάσσω (hypotassō): This word carries the sense of placing something under someone’s authority. The same word appears repeatedly in the verse, tying the promise to the writer’s explanation and to the present difficulty.
  • “not yet” — οὔπω (oupō): This word means “not up to the present time.” The verse’s contrast depends on that time marker: the writer speaks about what can be seen now.

Why Hebrews 2:8 matters

  • The writer treats “all things” as a complete statement. The phrase “he left nothing” stresses that nothing is outside the scope of the words just quoted.
  • The wider passage connects the words about human beings with Jesus. After saying “we see not yet all things” under human rule, the writer continues, “But we see Jesus” in verse 9.

Where else these words appear

“under” Greek G506 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Timothy 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
  • Titus 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
  • Titus 1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

“under” Greek G5270 · used in 9 verses

  • Mark 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
  • Luke 8:16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
  • Revelation 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

“yet” Greek G3768 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
  • John 7:6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
  • John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

“put” Greek G5293 · used in 32 verses

  • Luke 2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
  • Titus 2:9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;