Hebrews

Composition

The book of Hebrews is contained in the New Testament of the Bible. The book was written in the latter half of the first century, with some researchers placing it about 65 to 70 CE. The identity and location of the people to whom the text speaks are unknown. From the second century at least it was titled “To the Hebrews” and frequently was included with the collection of letters by Paul in Greek manuscripts. Scholars view the majority of the work as a written homily. The conclusion takes the form of a letter and announces the release of Timothy. This mention has long been cited for crediting Paul or one of his close associates with authorship. It is also used to date the text to a period in the lifetime of Timothy.

A great deal of research has been devoted to discerning the authorship of the book of Hebrews. Initially most scholars attributed the work to the apostle Paul, and many continue to do so. Among the evidence for Paul as author is a letter from Peter to the Hebrews in which he mentions that he previously wrote to them. The letter closes with “Grace be with you all,” which is identical to the closing of all of Paul’s known letters. However, Peter used similar closings in his letters. Furthermore, Paul used personal salutations in all his known letters, but the book of Hebrews lacks this convention. Analysis of the style points to a skilled writer with a keen understanding of scripture, but Paul has stated that he chose to not write in a sophisticated manner. Paul was a Pharisee and student of scripture in Hebrew. In his letters, he quotes or paraphrases the original Hebrew, but the quotes in the Hebrew epistle are from the Greek Old Testament. Paul was an apostle. He told followers he received revelations from Jesus himself, while the author of this text states he was taught by an apostle.

In modern times some scholars credit others, including the apostle Luke, who may have heard Paul give a sermon and transcribed it later. Other names mentioned include Apollos, Barnabas, Clement of Rome, and Priscilla. In the twenty-first century, virtually all scholars agree the writer was a Jewish Christian, or early Jewish follower of Jesus, and many believe the writer’s identity will remain unknown. The writing style noticeably shifts in the tenth chapter. This has led to much speculation about the author and suggestions that another hand may have been involved in writing the text.

Summary

The book of Hebrews is also known as the “Epistle to the Hebrews” and the “Letter to the Hebrews.” It is the nineteenth book of the New Testament. Hebrews addresses three groups at various times. The first group includes those who believe in Christ. The second group is those who know about him. Finally are those who know about Christ but rejected him and his teachings.

The text is a conundrum in that it has long been defined as a letter, or epistle, but in style more resembles a sermon. By calling it a “word of exhortation” (13:22 King James Version KJV), the author links this text with a sermon by Paul in a synagogue in Antioch (Acts 13:13–41). It is presented as a letter addressed to a community of Christians that is under pressure by the Jewish community and is in danger of apostasy, or abandoning Christianity. Many early Jewish believers in Christ experienced persecution and pressure from their communities and were slipping into old practices. The author explains that the Jewish high priest occupies the office for a limited time and these temporary leaders are replaced generation after generation. Christ, on the other hand, is the high priest who offered one sacrifice for all of humankind for all eternity. The author warns against turning away from the faith lest they face harsh judgment.

The Book of Hebrews establishes the Christian trinity: Father, Son, and Spirit. In this way Jesus, the Son of God, continues to instruct humankind after his death. Hebrews 1:2 notes God spoke through his prophets in the past but has most recently spoken to his people through his Son. Each of the three is a speaker in the text. The Father and Son primarily speak to one another, while the Spirit addresses humankind. Hebrews establishes that the Son is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of a savior.

Hebrews comprises thirteen chapters. It is divided into six major sections: Introduction; The Son Higher than the Angels; Jesus, Faithful and Compassionate High Priest; Jesus’s Eternal Priesthood and Eternal Sacrifice; Examples, Discipline, Disobedience; and Final Exhortation, Blessing, Greetings. The book begins with the words of the Father in the first chapter, the Son in chapter two, and the Spirit in the third and fourth chapters. Next is a passage that comments on the power of God. The second section repeats this cycle of speech in chapters five through ten, followed by a passage containing encouragement. Hebrews 13:20-25 (KJV) consists of a benediction and final greetings. The author promises to visit the addressees with Timothy if the latter arrives soon and notes, “They of Italy salute you.”

Themes

Some main ideas of Hebrews are that God’s message is relevant in the lives of all believers; Christ’s life and work are fulfillments of God’s promises; and Jesus’s followers must persevere, holding to their faith despite obstacles and weariness. The text is notable for including the most references to the Old Testament of any book in the New Testament. These are primarily from the Pentateuch (the five books that comprise the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) and psalms. The main focus of these references is the Levitical priesthood, which Jesus has replaced in the New Covenant, and the fulfillment of Old Testament stories in Christ.

The primary theme of the book of Hebrews is the sacrifice of Jesus. His arrival is fulfillment of God’s promises and final revelation. The author notes this revelation is significant far beyond any in the Old Testament. The text notes that Hebrew priests sanctify and purify with the blood of calves and goats, and must repeat these rituals every year. Notably, they must make sacrifices on the great day of atonement every year. Jesus, the high priest of the heavenly kingdom, has sanctified the faithful through his own blood in a single act of sacrifice. This sacrifice covers not only those alive and to come, but also those who came before. The author establishes the superiority of Jesus Christ over all other beings. These include prophets such as Abraham and Moses and supernatural creatures such as angels. If all messages conveyed by angels were binding, the author states, the message of Christ is more so.

The author advises the addressees that they cannot return to old practices and beliefs in light of the message and revelation of Jesus. This text was written several decades after the death of Jesus. Initially believers understood Jesus would return soon. Many were weary of waiting and possibly losing heart, so the author makes the case that Christianity is superior to Old Testament beliefs and teachings. The old ways were the Old Covenant, while the priesthood of Jesus is part of the New Covenant.

The author draws several important parallels between the new and old ways. The writer contrasts the heavenly sanctuary of Jesus with the tabernacle made by Moses as he led the Israelites in the wilderness. According to the author, the tabernacle of the Old Testament is a small form of the true sanctuary of heaven. The Levitical high priest’s most important ritual took place on the annual day of atonement, when he entered the tabernacle and sprinkled blood on the mercy seat of the ark to obtain forgiveness for the people’s sins of the last year. The author sees these services as a precursor to Jesus’s sacrifice, in which his blood atones for humanity’s sins. The author also notes Jesus’s priesthood has replaced the old priesthood with its emphasis on laws and rules about laws.

The author again turns to the Old Testament as he addresses the immediate concern of potential apostacy. Moses labored to save the Israelites, but they were inconstant, and God refused to allow them to enter the land promised to them. Instead, they wandered in the wilderness for forty years. The addressees are in danger of destroying God’s plan for them if they are not faithful. If they do not follow Jesus’s teachings, they may be banned from God’s kingdom.

The writer offers comfort to followers who are suffering, especially when that suffering is because of their faith in Jesus. The author tells them they are not alone and reminds them of Jesus’s suffering. He was rejected by his people and denied by his friends. The Son lived a mortal life that he sacrificed for them, and shares in their suffering. The author also notes that humans suffer because of the fall of Adam and Eve, but suffering will one day be destroyed.

Bibliography

Aitken, Ellen B. “Hebrews.” Oxford Bibliographies, 31 July 2014, www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195393361/obo-9780195393361-0050.xml. Accessed 25 Apr. 2022.

Guthrie, George H. “Inventing Hebrews: Design and Purpose in Ancient Rhetoric.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, vol. 62, no. 3, 2019, pp. 662–665. Accessed 25 Apr. 2022.

“Hebrews.” US Conference of Catholic Bishops, bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/0. Accessed 25 Apr. 2022.

Joseph, Simon J. “‘In the Days of His Flesh, He Offered Up Prayers’: Reimagining the Sacrifice(s) of Jesus in the Letter to the Hebrews.” Journal of Biblical Literature, vol. 140, no. 1, 2021, pp. 207 – 227. DOI: 10.15699/jbl.1401.2021.10. Accessed 25 Apr. 2022.

Pierce, Madison N. Divine Discourse in the Epistle to the Hebrews: The Recontextualization of Spoken Quotations of Scripture. Cambridge UP, 2020. Print.

Yauri, Benjamin Rojas. Hebrews’ Cosmogonic Presuppositions: Its First-Century Philosophical Context. Wipf & Stock, 2022. Print.