Hebrews 2:16

Verily. Gr. depou, “of course.”

Took ... on. Gr. epilambanomai, “to take hold of,” “to grasp,” “to be concerned with,” “to take an interest in,” “to help.” The question is, Which of these varied meanings applies in the text under consideration? The KJV supplies the word “nature,” but the tense of the Greek verb is against this. The Greek reads, “is taking hold of,” if the meaning “to take hold of’ is adopted. The incarnation would hardly be described as an event now going on, as the present tense would imply. Furthermore, the “wherefore” of v. 17 does not naturally follow a reference to the incarnation in v. 16.

The meaning “to help,” is well suited to the context and the Greek construction. It suggests the reading, “It is not angels that Christ is helping but members of the human family.” The meaning “to be concerned with” also makes good sense. Adopting it, the verse would read, “For surely he is not concerned with angels, but he is concerned with the seed of Abraham.” Man is in need of redemption and capable of restoration, and it is he about whom Christ is anxious as far as the plan of redemption is concerned. The meaning “to take an interest in” is also suitable.

The seed of Abraham. Here probably synonymous with “man.” There is no attempt to exclude the Gentiles. Perhaps the spiritual seed is designated (Gal. 3:29).