Strong’s Greek 1642 highlights the act of being made less, reduced, or set lower within God’s redemptive plan. The verb appears three times in the New Testament, gathering its theological weight from the incarnation and humility of Jesus Christ and from the humble self-assessment modeled by John the Baptist.

Usage in Scripture

1. Hebrews 2:7 quotes Psalm 8 to describe the incarnate Son: “You made Him a little lower than the angels; You crowned Him with glory and honor.”
2. Hebrews 2:9 reiterates the thought: “But we do see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death….”
3. John 3:30 sets forth the minister’s posture toward Christ: “He must increase; I must decrease.”

Christological Significance

Hebrews interprets Psalm 8 christologically, asserting that the eternal Son took on genuine humanity, willingly accepting a position “lower than the angels.” His voluntary lowering is not a diminution of deity but a temporary self-emptying (Philippians 2:6-8) that magnifies divine love and leads to exaltation (“crowned with glory and honor”). The verb therefore marks the threshold between pre-incarnate glory and post-incarnate exaltation, framing the entire sweep of salvation history around the humility of God the Son.

Model for Christian Humility

John the Baptist embodies the same principle in ministry. Recognizing that all true increase belongs to Christ, he embraces personal diminution: “I must decrease.” The pattern is clear—spiritual greatness is found in joyful subordination to Jesus’ supremacy (Matthew 11:11). Every believer is summoned to mirror this posture, prioritizing the advance of the gospel over personal prominence.

Relation to Old Testament Themes

Psalm 8 celebrates humanity’s God-given dominion, yet Hebrews shows that the ideal is fully realized only in Jesus. The “lowering” therefore connects creation to redemption: the Son steps into Adam’s role, bears its limitations, then raises redeemed humanity with Him (Ephesians 2:6). The verb thus bridges the tension between mankind’s original calling and its consummation in Christ.

Historical and Exegetical Notes

• Early Christian writers frequently linked Hebrews 2 with Philippians 2, presenting a unified doctrine of Christ’s humiliation and exaltation.
• Patristic homilies saw John 3:30 as the definitive tempering of clerical pride. Gregory the Great advised pastors to memorize the verse lest honor eclipse devotion.
• Reformation commentators highlighted the verb’s passive nuance in Hebrews: the Father “made” the Son lower, underscoring divine initiative in the plan of salvation.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Worship: Songs and liturgies that dwell on Christ’s descent and ascent help congregations grasp the cost of redemption.
• Leadership: Pastors and elders, echoing John, lead by diminishing self-interest so Christ’s prominence grows (1 Peter 5:3-4).
• Discipleship: Believers find identity not in status but in participation with Jesus’ self-emptying life (Galatians 2:20).
• Missions: Cross-cultural service often entails social or economic “lowering”; Hebrews 2 affirms that such sacrifice aligns with the Master’s own path.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 1642 weaves together the abasement of the Son of God and the humble stance of His servants. In every instance the lowering is purposeful, leading to greater glory for Christ and ultimate blessing for those who follow His example.