Epistle to the Hebrews

Hebrews, Epistle to the

Hebrews, Epistle to the. Traditionally included among the letters of St Paul, this Epistle, unlike most others in the NT, does not contain the name of the writer or of those addressed; the traditional title is probably an inference from its contents. The Epistle asserts the finality of the Christian dispensation and its superiority to the Old Covenant. Its theological teaching, notably on the Person of Christ, reaches a level unsurpassed in the NT.

From an early date it was received at Alexandria as Pauline. In the W. it was known to Clement of Rome, but not quoted as Pauline or certainly canonical until the 4th–5th cent. Modern scholars consider that internal evidence marks it as non-Pauline. Both its author and its intended readers were apparently familiar with Jewish worship, but it is disputed whether it was addressed to converts from Judaism or to Gentiles. A date before AD 70 has been supported by several scholars; the majority argue for a date under Domitian (81–96).

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Hebrews, Epistle to the." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Hebrews, Epistle to the." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-HebrewsEpistletothe.html

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Hebrews, Epistle to the." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-HebrewsEpistletothe.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

Gezerah shawah as analogy in the epistle to the Hebrews.
Magazine article from: Biblical Theology Bulletin; 6/22/2007
Tertullian's use of the Pastoral Epistles; Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, and...
Magazine article from: Reference &amp; Research Book News; 8/1/2011
Reading the Epistle to the Hebrews; a resource for students.(Brief...
Magazine article from: Reference &amp; Research Book News; 4/25/2012

Pictures from Google Image Search

Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture

See more pictures of Epistle to the Hebrews