Heb. 1:1-3; 10:19-25, Beginning in Hebrews

Outline of Hebrews

1)      Foundational truths, Ch. 1-2 (by which we mean: 2 basic truths about Christ, His Deity and Humanity.)

a)      1:1-14: Superior to the angels (Deity)

            **2:1-4: Warning against drifting away.

b)      2:5-18: Made lower than the angels (Humanity)

2)      Forceful truths, Ch. 3-10:18 (by which we mean: the arguments related to our High Priest that would be persuasive for those receiving the letter.)

a)      3:1-6: We have a High Priest.

            **3:17-4:13: Warning against unbelief.

b)      4:14-5:17: We have a sympathetic High Priest.

            **5:12-6:20: Warning against sluggishness.

c)      7:1-10:18: We have a superior High Priest.

i)       Ch. 7: Jesus has a superior priesthood.

ii)     Ch. 8: Jesus has a superior ministry.

iii)   9:1-10:18: Jesus has a superior sacrifice.

3)      Functional truths, Ch. 11-13 (by which we mean: truths that guide our response to our High Priest.)

a)      10:19-25: Conclusions.

      **10:26-39: Warning against willful sin.

b)      11:1-12:4: Illustrations.

            **12:5-11: Warning against despising chastening.

c)      12:12-13:25: Exhortations and admonitions.

The Septuagint.

The Septuagint was a Greek translation of the Hebrew OT.  It was believed to be translated in Egypt in the 3rd and 2nd centuries before Christ.  It was believed to be the work of 70/72 translators, thus the name Septuagint using the Greek term.  The abbreviation is LXX, Roman numerals for 70.  It was originally done to accommodate Jews who were spread across the Greek world.  It became the translation of choice for the Early Church, who lived in the Greek world and who often did not know Hebrew.  (Paul was an exception, having been schooled in Judaism.)  The writer of Hebrews used it exclusively.  The Dead Sea scrolls attest to its accuracy, as they do to the accuracy of the Hebrew text.  There are, as with all translations, differences between the two.  Heb. 1:6 is taken from Deut. 32:43. If you look in your English translation, the phrase “Let the angels of God worship Him” does not appear in Deut.  It is because your translation is based on the Hebrew text.  In Hebrews, as in all the Bible, we trust every word because the Holy Spirit is the Divine Author.  If the human author used the Septuagint, we believe it was by the leading of the Spirit of God.

Timeline of Events leading up to 70 AD

·         64-66: rule of Florus; massacres of Jews in Caesarea, Jerusalem.

·         *66: Revolt begins; Romans expelled from Jerusalem.

·         *Jews govern Jerusalem and surrounding area.

·         Nero sends Vespasian, 60,000 soldiers, pushes back into Jerusalem.

·         69: Vespasian becomes emperor.

·         *Passover: Jews permitted to enter Jerusalem but not permitted to leave; greater burden on food supplies.

·         April 70: Titus (son of Vespasian) besieges Jerusalem.

·         August 70: Romans breach final defense.  City burned.  Many killed, others enslaved.  Temple destroyed.

(* (* refers to items helpful in understanding the Letter to the Hebrews.)

Bibliography

In lieu of footnotes here is a listing of primary resources.

Barnes, Albert, Notes on the New Testament: Hebrews.  Reprinted from edition published by Blackie & Son, London: 1884-85.  Edited by Robert Frew.

Phillips, John, Exploring Hebrews. Kregel Pub., Grand Rapids, MI: 2002.

Fruchtenbaum, Arnold, Ariels Bible Commentary: The Messianic Jewish Epistles. Ariel Ministries, San Antonio, Texas: 2004.