Why is Hebrews such a difficult book of the Bible?
The book of Hebrews is one of the most challenging books of the New Testament. It offers so much that we may never uncover more than a small portion of what it teaches. Yet, we can benefit in many ways from these complex teachings.
What does the Bible say about Hebrews?
This article is part of the What Does the Bible Say? series. In a Nutshell — The incarnation means that God’s Son, who was a Spirit and never had a body, took on a human body and life just like ours. Summary — When God first created humanity, he gave them a law to obey. If they obeyed it, they would know eternal blessing.
Why should we study the Hebrew Scriptures?
Why Study the Bible in Hebrew
- Play on Words. Many times words which sound alike are used next to each other to emphasize a certain point. ...
- Word Origins. Tracing the origin of a word can open up new meanings. ...
- Word Relationships. Sometimes you will find embodied in a word another word. ...
- Use of Hebrew letters. ...
- Hebrew Poetry. ...
- Idioms. ...
- Relationships. ...
Why is the Hebrew Bible considered important?
Hebrew Bible, collection of writings that was first compiled and preserved as the sacred books of the Jewish people. It also constitutes a large portion of the Christian Bible. It is the account of God’s dealing with the Jews as his chosen people, who collectively called themselves Israel.
What are the 3 important themes of Hebrew Scripture?
The great biblical themes are about God, his revealed works of creation, provision, judgment, deliverance, his covenant, and his promises. The Hebrew Bible sees what happens to humankind in the light of God's nature, righteousness, faithfulness, mercy, and love.
What is the key message of the book of Hebrews?
The theme of the epistle is the doctrine of the person of Christ and his role as mediator between God and humanity.
What is the most comprehensive Bible commentary?
To accomplish this, the ESV Study Bible combines the best and most recent evangelical Christian scholarship with the highly regarded ESV Bible text. The result is the most comprehensive study Bible ever published--with 2,752 pages of extensive, accessible Bible resources.
What is Hebrews 10 talking about?
This chapter contains the exposition about Christ's effective sacrifice and the exhortation to continue in faithfulness and expectancy.
What is the central event in the life of the Hebrews?
The events of the Hebrew Bible can be subdivided into 3 main sections: the Torah (instruction), the Nevi'im (prophets), and the Ketuvim (writings). The events listed in the Torah start with the creation of the universe and conclude with transfer of authority from Moses to Joshua and the death of Moses.
Who is Hebrews addressed to?
The letter was composed sometime during the latter half of the 1st century and is the 19th book of the New Testament canon. To judge from its contents, the letter was addressed to a Christian community whose faith was faltering because of strong Jewish influences.
What is the oldest Bible commentary?
The earliest known commentary on Christian scriptures was by a Gnostic named Heracleon in the 170s CE. Most of the patristic commentaries are in the form of homilies, or discourses to the faithful, and range over the whole of Scripture. There are two schools of interpretation, that of Alexandria and that of Antioch.
What is the easiest Bible to understand?
The Holy Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) is an English translation of the Bible compiled by the World Bible Translation Center.
Should I use a Bible commentary?
Should You Use A Bible Commentary? Everyone is different but in short, the answer is no... at least, not at first. Give yourself a chance to get to read the text and get to know it. Read it over and over and over and over... you get the idea.
What is the difference between backsliding and falling away?
Backsliding is a sliding back. Though backsliding is not sudden in onset, it may escalate rapidly. Backsliding is different from falling away or apostasy, which is the extreme end of backsliding. Apostasy or falling away is the act or state of rejecting the Christian Faith and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.
What does it mean to fall away from grace?
To fall from grace is an idiom referring to a loss of status, respect, or prestige. Fall from grace may also refer to: Fall of man, in Christianity, the transition of the first man and woman from a state of innocent obedience to God to a state of guilty disobedience.
What does Hebrews say about sacrifice?
'" First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second.
What does the author of Hebrews not focus on?
What amazes us is that the author of Hebrews does not focus on Jacob’s blessing of Judah, who from a New Testament perspective was the most important of Jacob’s sons and the link to the fulfillment of God’s promise . There is in Jacob’s blessing of Joseph’s children a hidden reference to life out of death.
What does the word "new" mean in the Bible?
Here the word ‘new’ (kainē) means new in contrast to the old, whereas in 12:24 another word (nea) is used which calls attention to the fact that it is recent (i.e. as far as the readers are concerned). In the present phrase the emphasis falls on the word covenant(diathēkē) which is placed first in Greek.
What does the eye of faith focus on?
The eye of faith focused on a heavenly people and a heavenly fatherland (v.16), with a heavenly city. It is a city God has prepared for his people (v.16), the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (12:22), the eternal, the future city (13:14).”.
What does the Greek text of v.26 mean?
The Greek text of v.26 reads literally: “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sin.”. In the Greek, “willfully,” hekousios, is the first word in the sentence, giving it the greatest emphasis.
Did Rahab lie to the messengers of the king of Jericho?
The author of Hebrews does not mention the fact that Rahab told a lie to the messengers of the king of Jericho, saying that the Israelite spies were no longer in her house, while they were hidden on the roof. But this does not mean that the Bible condones lying in circumstances where the life of others is at stake. 11.
Does Psalm 8 speak directly of the Messiah?
Andrew Murray, in The Holiest of All, comments appropriately on this section: “Psalm 8 does not speak directly of the Messiah but rather of man and his destiny. It is, however, applied most justly to the Messiah, . 17Gen. 1:28 . 18Phil. 2:10,11 . Hebrews – John Schultz © - Bible-Commentaries.com 15/104 .
What are the advantages of the New Testament over the Old Testament?
Hebrews lists the following advantages of the New Testament over the Old: 1:1-2:5 – The Old Testament was revealed by angels through prophets. The gospel was revealed by Jesus (through apostles). Jesus is superior to angels. 3:1-6 – Moses, the giver of the Old Testament, was a servant in the household.
What does the word "for" mean in verse 26?
It is my judgment that such acts are not alone or primarily thewillful sin of verse 26. Nevertheless, the word “for” at the beginning of verse 26 shows a connection between verses 25 and 26. Neglect of worship assemblies, as in verse 25, can lead to the willful sin described in verses 26ff.
Why did Jesus share in flesh and blood?
Since we, the “children” (verse 13), have flesh and blood, and since Jesus wanted to defeat the power of death, He had to share in flesh and blood.
Is the Sabbath day in Hebrews 4?
The usual word for the Sabbath day (sabbaton) is not used anywhere in Hebrews 4. The word for “rest” in verse 9 (sabbatismos) is used only here, and the context shows that it simply describes rest, not a particular day of rest. The translators recognized this distinction and translated accordingly.
What does changehis mind mean in Hebrews 7?
In the Greek of Hebrews 7, the word is. changeHis mind= metamelomai(met-am-el’-lom-ahee) = from <G3326> (meta) and the middle of <G3199> (melo); to care afterwards, i.e. regret:- repent (self). The idea is that the one who has sworn might pick up some different feelings later on, and thus change his mind.
What did Barak do in Judges 4-5?
Barak11:32 Judges 4-5 he obeyed the Lord’s command to lead troops against Sisera , insisting that the prophetess attend, then sang the Lord’s praise with Deborah Sisera (an oppressor of Israel for twenty years), while stronger in human terms, destroyed; Barak’s faith and obedience remembered.
What does the Bible say about Noah?
9 Mat. 24:37-38 (Luke 17:26-27) 2 Peter 2:5 fearing God, he obeyed His command and built an ark, and thus permitted God to condemn the world through his act of faith and obedience his family saved ; an heir of righteousness; a preacher of righteousness; .
What does the apostle do in Hebrews 5?
This the apostle does in Hebrews 5. In its first four verses we have a description of the Levitical high priest: first with respect to his nature (verse 1), second his employment (verse 1), third his qualification (verse 2), fourth his duty (verse 3), fifth his call (verse 4).
What did the Jewish Church believe?
The Jewish church, and most of Christendom now, believed in a General Judgment, a great assize at the end of time when God would examine every man’s life, "For God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
What is the end of the law for righteousness unto every one that believes?
In the Gospel is "the righteousness of God revealed" (Rom. 1:16, 17), for Christ is "the end of the law for righteousness unto every one that believeth" (Rom. 10:4). Now the Hebrews are not here said to be ignorant of or utterly without the Word of Righteousness, but "unskillful" or "inexperienced" in the use of it.
What is the central aim of the Epistle?
In all his arguments, in every doctrine, in every illustration, the central aim of the Epistle is kept prominent—the exhortation to steadfastness.". This is, indeed, a peculiarity about Hebrews.
Was Moses a servant?
Moses was but a " servant" (verse 5); Christ, the "Son.". Moses was a "testimony" of things to be spoken after (verse 5), Christ supplied the substance and fulfillment of what Moses witnessed unto. Moses was but a servant in the house of Jehovah, Christ was Son over His own house (verse 6).
What was Abraham's promise to his seed?
These are (1) a promise that Abraham should have a numerous offspring; (2) that God would be a God to him and to his seed after him; (3) that he would give to him and to his seed an everlasting possession; and (4) that he would bless all the nations of the earth through him and his seed.
What does David say about the resurrection?
11-21), speaks of the sufferings of the Messiah; in another (xvi. 7-11), of his resurrection, and his deliverance from the power of Hades; and in another (ex), of his priesthood, reign, and triumphs. And so also it may be said of all the other Prophets.
What did Jesus pass through on his way to heaven?
On his way into the heavenly Sanctuary, he passed through, not a material structure, such as the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and Temple, but through the true and spiritual Tabernacle of the new creation. 2. He went into heaven itself, and not into a mere symbol of it.
Why are there seven lamps in the Gospel?
The seven lamps seem to be symbolical of the perfect light of the Gospel. And the table and the shewbread.—On the north side of the Holy Place, opposite the candlestick, stood the table of shewbread, or bread of the face, so called because it always stood in the presence or before the face of Jehovah.
Who is the Apostle of God in the Old Testament?
1. Son to be the Savior of the world" (1 John iv. 14). Christ is then the Apostle of God under the New Economy as Moses was his Apostle under the Old Economy. True, indeed, Moses is nowhere called the Apostle of God in the Holy Scriptures; but words equivalent to these occur frequently in the Old Testament.
What does "sus" mean in the Bible?
1. sus, every one of whom has fled from "coming wrath" to lay hold on the hope of eternal life offered to us in the Gospel (Titus i. 2); just as the guilty sinner, under the Law, was wont to flee to one of the cities of refuge, or to lay hold on the horns of the altar (1 Kings i. 5; ii. 28).
What are the three main objectives of the Hebrews?
The author of Hebrews had three main objectives: 1) Combat possible apostasy (Heb 2:1-4; 10:19-25); 2) Encourage them to press on to spiritual maturity (Heb 5:11-14; 10:32-39); and, 3) Comfort them in their persecutions (Heb 11:1-12:3). Author’s Method.
What is the purpose of the letter to the Hebrews?
The entire purpose of this letter to the Hebrews is to get the Jewish believers to enter the fullness of “rest.”. The writer uses two different words for rest in this chapter. The one he uses the most is kata,pausijkatapausis, which is used eight times in Chapters 3 and 4 (Heb 3:11, 18; 4:1, 3—twice, 5, 10, 11).
What does Peter 3:15-16 mean?
2 Peter 3:15-16. “...unto you”: Written to Hebrews (1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 3:1). Furthermore, Peter calls Paul’s letter Scripture: if Paul wrote an inspired letter to the Jews scattered abroad, and that letter has been lost, then a part of God’s inspired, eternal Word has been destroyed; and this is impossible.
How many times did the provocation occur in the New Testament?
The Provocation. The Greek word for the provocation, parapikrasmo,j parapikrasmosis used only three times in the entire New Testament and, all three times, it is used in this chapter (Heb 3:8, 15, 16). Altogether the children of Israel provoked God ten times (Num 14:22-23), but the turning point was at Kadesh-Barnea.
Who was Paul's companion?
Timothy was one of the best known of Paul’s companions and fellow- laborers. He was evidently one of Paul’s own converts, as the apostle describes him as his beloved and faithful son in the Lord (1 Cor 4:17;1 Tim 1:2; 2 Tim 1:2).
Is Israel a subset of the New Testament?
One of the two greatest theological treatises in the New Testament: Israel is nota subset of “nations,” but a contrast and a focus. Hebrews stands as the “Leviticus” of the New Testament and attends even higher ground: the distinctives of the Priesthood of Christ vs. the priesthood of the covenant.
Who is the first name in Hebrews 11:32?
There is a whole list of names in Hebrews 11:32 that we will deal with over the next few weeks. The first is Samuel. Samuel ’s faith story starts even before he was born at a time when Eli was the priest at Shiloh where a man named Elkanah and his wife Hannah would go to worship the Lord. This couple was unable to have children. Hannah had prayed to the Lord for years for a child but so far . That is where the story picks up in 1 Samuel 1:9-20 (read with the group).
What did God promise Abraham?
God promised Abraham that He would make him the father of many nations (Gen 17:4) and yet Abraham was elderly and his elderly wife was barren (unable to have children). It seemed like an impossible situation. That is what makes Abraham’s faith so amazing. Why did Abraham believe God would do this? (see 11:11).
What does Jesus tell them about the sacrament of the resurrection?
Jesus tells them exactly what is about to take place, even their abandoning Jesus that will happen just after this conversation. Jesus then says he has told them all of that so that they may have peace.
What does Chapter 12 mean?
Chapter 12 shifts the focus from the past heroes of the faith to those reading the Hebrew letter and us as well. He writes that this great cloud of witnesses who have gone on before us should encourage us to run this race of life with everything we’ve got.
What is the name of the Old Testament?
Moses is the big name of the Old Testament. During the time of Moses came the exodus from Egypt, parting the Red Sea, wandering in the wilderness, receiving the Law, and getting to the Promised Land. Moses is one of the great examples of faith in the Old Testament. Moses also wrote Genesis-Deuteronomy. Moses had faith and God was faithful to Moses .
What would happen if God was faithless?
If God was faithless and never came through on His promises, faith would be impossible. That is true in life. We don’t trust people who never do what they say.