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Hebrews 2:16
ESV For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.
NIV For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants.
NASB For clearly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendants of Abraham.
CSB For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham's offspring.
NLT We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham.
KJV For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

What does Hebrews 2:16 mean?

This verse summarizes a primary argument of Hebrews chapters 1 and 2. The author has used many Old Testament quotations to prove that the Promised One is divine, not an angel, and that angels are not the ones destined to rule in the kingdom of God. Instead, this Messiah will be God in human form. This humanity is important, since it allows Jesus Christ to be a perfect example and a valid sacrifice for all mankind.

Here, the same reason why no angel could serve as the Messiah is also the proof that God's salvation is meant for mankind, not the angels. Angels cannot and do not experience the same struggles and temptations as humanity. God's mercy and love have been shown to humanity, for example in His covenants with Noah (Genesis 9:8–17), Abraham (Genesis 12:1–7), the people of Israel as described to Moses (Exodus 19), and now through the incarnation of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 1:1–2).

While this letter is written to a Jewish Christian audience, they are not the only ones who have a claim to being "offspring of Abraham." According to passages such as Matthew 3:9 and Galatians 3:29, all those who have faith in Christ are part of the chosen family.
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