Changes

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>

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>

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 August. See the following historical documentation.

*[http://www.biblestudytools.com/history/flavius-josephus/war-of-the-jews/book-5/ '''''War'', Book 5''' (biblestudytools.com)]<br>[http://www.biblestudytools.com/history/flavius-josephus/war-of-the-jews/book-6/ '''''War'', Book 6''' (biblestudytools.com)]

*[http://www.biblestudytools.com/history/flavius-josephus/war-of-the-jews/book-5/ '''''War'', Book 5''' (biblestudytools.com)]<br>[http://www.biblestudytools.com/history/flavius-josephus/war-of-the-jews/book-6/ '''''War'', Book 6''' (biblestudytools.com)]

*[http://www.livius.org/ja-jn/jewish_wars/jwar04.html Wars between the Jews and Romans: the destruction of Jerusalem (70 CE) (livius.org)]

*[http://www.livius.org/ja-jn/jewish_wars/jwar04.html Wars between the Jews and Romans: the destruction of Jerusalem (70 CE) (livius.org)]