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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.]]

[[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.]]

The [[Epistle to the Hebrews]] is the nineteenth book of the [[New Testament]]. In contrast with the other epistles, it is distinctly unlike a letter, and has a "symbolic style and sustained argument that mark it as a [[Hellenism|Hellenistic]] work based on the [[Jewish]] tradition."<ref>Saldarini, Anthony J. [http://mb-soft.com/believe/txs/hebrews.htm ''Epistle to the Hebrews''] Believe. Accessed 15 March 2008</ref> Overall, the tone is very Jewish, and a proper understanding of the epistle requires a familiarity with the [[Old Testament]] scriptures, particularly [[Leviticus]].<ref>Pawson, J. David ''Unlocking The Bible'' p.1113 (London, Collins; 2003) ISBN 978 0 00 716666 4</ref>  It is the only New Testament letter 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 completely unknown.  There are not even any plausible theories about who wrote it. In contrast with the other epistles, it is distinctly unlike a letter; it is the only New Testament letter not introduced by the name of its author.

Hebrews, which is intellectual in style, is different from all other books in key respects.  It is the only book which asserts that [[faith]] existed in the Old Testament (the sacrifice of Isaac), and the only book that implores individuals to "submit" to government leaders (Heb 13:17).

The content of this short book is at the highest intellectual level.  It appears to have been directed at the ancient Hebrew audience, because 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>

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