Text critical decisions can be influenced by exegetical arguments as much as by assessments of witnesses and transcriptional probabilities. Hebrews 2:9 is a case in point. The quotation and interpretation of Ps 8:5-7 LXX in Heb 2:6-9 forms a crucial part of the carefully crafted argument in Heb 1-2. Since the times of Origen, exegetes and textual critics alike have been intrigued by two readings in Heb 2:9, chariti theou and choris theou. Whereas nearly all critical editions opt for chariti theou, some scholars, such as Harnack and Zuntz and, more recently, Ehrman and Parker, prefer choris theou, which was also chosen for the new SBL Greek NT, edited by Holmes. Ultimately, the decision here must depend on internal criteria. In this paper, I will offer both my exegesis of Heb 2:9 in its context and my assessment of the text critical problem.