This episode is a continuation of our two-part study on chapter 1 of the Book of Hebrews. In the first episode we examined Hebrews 1:1-7. In this episode we examine Hebrews 1:8-14. For full summary notes to this podcast, click here.

https://landandbible.blogspot.com/2020/04/hebrews-18-14-is-son-called-god-did.html

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We note that the word “saying”, or “he says” which appears in English translations in Hebrews 1:8 is not in the Greek original text. The speaker of the words quoted from Psalm 45 is not God, but the Psalmist. Adding “he says” or “saying” to Hebrews 1:8 makes it sound, incorrectly, that God is calling the Son, “God”. But the speaker at this point is not God.

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Hebrews 1:8-9 is a quote from Psalm 45, a marriage hymn of a king descended from David (perhaps Solomon?) to a what appears to be a foreign princess. The Davidic king has a God who has blessed him (45:2) and anointed him (45:7). The Davidic king is lauded for his strength and just rule (45:2-6). Part of the reason for lauding the king is to convince the princess that it will be worthwhile and a blessing to marry him.

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Most English translations translate the word “God” in the first part of the quote from Psalm 45 in Hebrews 1:8, as:

But the “O” of “O God” is only interpretation. Grammatically it is possible, I think preferable, to translate Hebrews 1:8a as:

“Your throne is God forever and ever”,

or,

“God is your throne for ever and ever.”

That is, the word “God/Elohim” in the verse does not have to be understood as a vocative.

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https://landandbible.blogspot.com/2020/04/hebrews-18-14-is-son-called-god-did.html