Unger's Bible Dictionary: Hebrews

HEBREWS, EPISTLE TO THE

HEBREWS, EPISTLE TO. This magnificent epistle, from the standpoint of doctrinal contribution and literary excellence, is in many ways without peer among NT books. This book is of unparalleled importance in expounding the transition from the old Levitical economy to Christianity. It eloquently sets forth the foundation Judaism furnished Christianity in messianic type, symbolized in prophecy.

Attestation and Authorship. External evidence unmistakably attests the early existence of the epistle. Clement of Rome, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Dionysius of Alexandria, and Theophilus of Antioch quote from it. However, Marcion and the Muratorian Fragment do not recognize it. Eusebius, Origen, Athanasius, and others held that it was written by Paul, but the authorship has remained uncertain. The writer of the epistle does not mention his name, which is contrary to the custom of the apostle. Moreover, the writer to the Hebrews uses the LXX throughout except possibly at Heb 10:30, whereas Paul employs both the Heb. text and the LXX. The style and vocabulary are not particularly Pauline.

Occasion and Date. It seems clear that the Temple was still in existence and the ritual still continued. The present tense is repeatedly used in this connection (Heb 8:4,13; 9:4-9; 10:1-10; 13:10-11). The readers had evidently been Christians for a long time and had suffered severely. A date A.D. 67 AD - 69 AD would seem to fit the internal evidence.

Purpose. The writer aims to establish the supremacy of Christ and Christianity (Heb 1:1-10:18) and to warn those who accepted Christ of the dangers of apostasy (6:4-8; 10:26-31; 13:14-17). In view of the outmoded nature of Judaism the writer also exhorts his readers to make a complete break with it (12:18-13:17). To accomplish this purpose the writer in closely knit argument establishes the superiority of Christ over angels, over Moses and Joshua, and over OT priesthood and ritual.

M.F.U.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: B. F. Westcott, The Epistle to the Hebrews (n.d.); J. Moffatt, The Epistle to the Hebrews, International Critical Commentary (1924); W. R. Newell, Hebrews, Verse by Verse (1947); W. H. G. Thomas, Hebrews: A Devotional Commentary (1962); F. F. Bruce, The Epistle to the Hebrews, New International Commentary on the New Testament (1964); A. Murray, The Holiest of All (1965); P. E. Hughes, A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews (1977); R. Anderson, Types in Hebrews (1978); F. J. Delitzsch, Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews, 2 vols. (1978); W. Milligan, The Theology of the Epistle to the Hebrews (1978); A. B. Bruce, The Epistle to the Hebrews (1980); W. Goudge, Commentary on Hebrews (1980); T. C. Edwards, Epistle to the Hebrews (1982); D. Guthrie, Letter to the Hebrews (1983); J. F. MacArthur, Jr., Hebrews, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary (1983); L. L. Morris, Hebrews (1983); A. Saphir, The Epistle to the Hebrews, 2 vols. in 1 (1984).

(from The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988.)

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