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[[Image:KJV 1611 Hebrews.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The 1611 edition of the [[King James Bible]] showing the opening of the Epistle to the Hebrews, with a mistaken attribution to Paul as the author.]]

[[Image:KJV 1611 Hebrews.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The 1611 edition of the [[King James Bible]] showing the opening of the Epistle to the Hebrews, with a mistaken attribution to Paul as the 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 to the Hebrews, but a detailed explanation to everyone of the reasons behind Jesus's life and [[Passion of Christ|Passion]], and how [[God]] did not fail to intervene.  Unlike the actual letters in the New Testament, this book is not introduced by the name of its author.  Its title of "Hebrews" is itself a misnomer, almost certainly added later, as the explanation in the book is plainly for everyone.

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 to the Hebrews, but a detailed explanation to everyone of the reasons behind Jesus's life and [[Passion of Christ|Passion]], and how [[God]] did not fail to intervene.  Unlike the actual letters in the New Testament, this book is not introduced by the name of its author.  Its title of "Hebrews" is itself a misnomer, as the explanation in the book is plainly for everyone. The only hint we have about its author is Hebrews 13:19, where the author urges the audience to [[prayer|pray]] "in order that I may be restored to you the sooner."<ref>ESV quoted here.</ref>

 

In Hebrews 13:19, the author urges the audience to [[prayer|pray]] "in order that I may be restored to you the sooner."<ref>ESV quoted here.</ref>

This Epistle was likely written within months or even days of Jesus's [[Resurrection]], because it refers to worship practices under the old covenant in the present tense (Hebrews 8:4-5, 10:1-3), practices which continued to A.D. 70, for thirty-seven years after Jesus [[Ascension|ascended]] into heaven.<ref>"practices which continued A.D. 70, for thirty-seven years after Jesus ascended into heaven." (Compare Hebrews 10:32-34 and Acts 8:1-3.) It is not impossible that this Epistle could also have been written at ''any'' time during those 37 years, even as late as February A.D. 70 (A.D. 33 + 37 years = A.D. 70). The Temple was taken in March of that year and burned in April. See the following historical documentation.

This Epistle was likely written within months or even days of Jesus's [[Resurrection]], because it refers to worship practices under the old covenant in the present tense (Hebrews 8:4-5, 10:1-3), practices which continued to A.D. 70, for thirty-seven years after Jesus [[Ascension|ascended]] into heaven.<ref>"practices which continued A.D. 70, for thirty-seven years after Jesus ascended into heaven." (Compare Hebrews 10:32-34 and Acts 8:1-3.) It is not impossible that this Epistle could also have been written at ''any'' time during those 37 years, even as late as February A.D. 70 (A.D. 33 + 37 years = A.D. 70). The Temple was taken in March of that year and burned in April. See the following historical documentation.

This Epistle contains an admonition against both [[same-sex marriage|same-sex "marriage"]] and [[adultery]]:  "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous."<ref>Hebrews 13:4 (ESV)</ref>

This Epistle contains an admonition against both [[same-sex marriage|same-sex "marriage"]] and [[adultery]]:  "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous."<ref>Hebrews 13:4 (ESV)</ref>

'''Written at the highest intellectual level''':  This Epistle was written '''''perfectly''''' in a higher form of Greek than any other book ever written in history.  "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>  There is also a striking absence of five words commonly used in other parts of the New Testament.  This short book demonstrates a phenomenal knowledge of Scriptures by the author, and 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>  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. 

This Epistle was written perfectly in a higher form of Greek.  "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>  There is also a striking absence of five words commonly used in other parts of the New Testament.  This short book demonstrates a phenomenal knowledge of scriptures by the author, and 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>  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.

 

 

'''Likely authorship by Jesus''': This Epistle is actually a 45-minute sermon, probably the one given by [[Jesus]] to disciples on the Road to Emmaus, shortly after the [[Resurrection]].<ref>Luke 24:13-35 (Road to Emmaus).  See also [http://sljinstitute.net/general-epistles/hebrews/the-finality-and-superiority-of-the-son-of-god-hebrews/ Mentioning an expert opinion that the Epistle is based on Jesus's explanation on the Road to Emmaus]</ref>  The total length of this Epistle is slightly less than 5000 words.<ref>http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT-Statistics-Greek.htm</ref>  Although some early manuscripts of this book are marked as "to the Hebrews," this Epistle is actually directed more towards early Christians familiar with Scriptures.

'''Likely inspiration for Luke's Gospel and his [[Acts of the Apostles]]''': There are striking similarities between this Epistle and Luke's work, which suggests that one inspired the other.  Given that this Epistle is written at a higher level and probably earlier than Luke's works, this Epistle probably inspired Luke to write his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles.

Luke's Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, particularly its chapter 7, apparently benefited from having a copy of this Epistle because Luke imitated it in several ways.<ref>"Lukan Authorship of Hebrews," by David Lewis Allen, pp. 143-50, which describes the parallels between Acts 7 and Hebrews 11.</ref>  This Epistle was written before institution of the Eucharist and before the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in A.D. 70.<ref>http://www.mycrandall.ca/courses/ntintro/Heb.htm</ref>  This Epistle was also known to Clement, a very early pope, as confirmed by 1 Clement (17:1, 36:2-5), which is typically dated as having been written sometime between A.D. 95 and 120.<ref>Theopedia says that Clement cited the Epistle to the Hebrews in A.D. 96. [http://www.theopedia.com/epistle-to-the-hebrews]</ref> There are striking similarities between this Epistle and Luke's work, which suggests that one inspired the other.  Given that this Epistle is written at a higher level and probably earlier than Luke's works, this Epistle probably inspired Luke to write his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles.

Chapter 11 of this Epistle is known as the "[[faith]] Hall of Fame."  The phrase "brotherly love"—Greek for "Philadelphia"—originated with Hebrews 13:1 and was then repeated in various forms in Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Peter 1:7; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Peter 3:8; 1 John 3:10, 4:7, and 4:20-21.

Chapter 11 of this epistle is known as the "Hall of Faith."<ref>[https://enduringword.com/commentary/hebrews-11/ HEBREWS 11 – EXAMPLES OF FAITH TO HELP THE DISCOURAGED]</ref> The phrase "brotherly love"—Greek for "Philadelphia"—originated with Hebrews 13:1 and was then repeated in various forms in Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Peter 1:7; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Peter 3:8; 1 John 3:10, 4:7, and 4:20-21.

==Language==

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