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The [[Epistle to the Hebrews]] is the nineteenth book of the [[New Testament]], and one of the greatest mysteries in all of intellectual history: the authorship of this brilliant work is unknown. It is not a letter at all, but a detailed explanation of the reasons behind Jesus's life and [[Passion of Christ|Passion]], and how [[God]] did not fail to intervene.  Unlike the real New Testament letters, this book is not introduced by the name of its author.

The [[Epistle to the Hebrews]] is the nineteenth book of the [[New Testament]], and one of the greatest mysteries in all of intellectual history: the authorship of this brilliant work is unknown. It is not a letter at all, but a detailed explanation of the reasons behind Jesus's life and [[Passion of Christ|Passion]], and how [[God]] did not fail to intervene.  Unlike the real New Testament letters, this book is not introduced by the name of its author.

The content of this short book is at the highest intellectual level.  It appears to have been directed at the ancient Hebrew audience as its title suggests, because it draws an analogy between the new concept of [[Christian]] [[faith]] and the sacrifice of [[Isaac]] in the [[Old Testament]].<ref>Saldarini, Anthony J. [http://mb-soft.com/believe/txs/hebrews.htm ''Epistle to the Hebrews''] Believe. Accessed 15 March 2008</ref><ref>Pawson, J. David ''Unlocking The Bible'' p.1113 (London, Collins; 2003) ISBN 978 0 00 716666 4</ref>

The content of this short book is at the highest intellectual level.  It contains a record number of words that do not appear anywhere else in the New Testament, and the style of the writing is at the highest level of Greek found anywhere.  "It would be difficult to find anywhere passages more exact and pregnant in expression than i. 1-4; ii. 14-18; vii, 26-28; xii, 18-24."<ref>''The Epistle to the Hebrews: The Greek Texts with Notes and Essays'' (edited by Brooke Foss Westcott), xlvi</ref>It appears to have been directed at the ancient Hebrew audience as its title suggests, because it draws an analogy between the new concept of [[Christian]] [[faith]] and the sacrifice of [[Isaac]] in the [[Old Testament]].<ref>Saldarini, Anthony J. [http://mb-soft.com/believe/txs/hebrews.htm ''Epistle to the Hebrews''] Believe. Accessed 15 March 2008</ref><ref>Pawson, J. David ''Unlocking The Bible'' p.1113 (London, Collins; 2003) ISBN 978 0 00 716666 4</ref>

The Epistle was written before any persecution of the disciples, because there is a reference to their lack of their physical suffering yet; this makes it likely the Epistle was written prior to the [[Ascension]].  The Epistle also uses a same distinctive phrase once used by Jesus, which reinforces his likely authorship.

The Epistle was written before any persecution of the disciples, because there is a reference to their lack of their physical suffering yet; this makes it likely the Epistle was written prior to the [[Ascension]].  The Epistle also uses a same distinctive phrase once used by Jesus, which reinforces his likely authorship.