The Book of Hebrews C. 1 - Introduction

[MatthewG]

Author : The author of Hebrews is unknown. Some scholars suggest that the apostle Paul wrote Hebrews. However Paul identified himself as a the writer in his letters, and the author of the Hebrews does not identify himself. Also the difference in themes and style between Paul's letters and the Hebrews argues against Paul as the author.

Date: Many scholars suggest a date from AD 60, to 69 for two main reasons : (1) The author of Hebrews mentions Timothy (13:23) - and (2) The temple in Jerusalem, which was destroyed in AD 70, still appears to be standing. The author speaks of the temple in the present tense, and it seems that it does not reference the end of the Old Testament sacrificial system.​

Audience : The author of Hebrews is writing to Jewish Christians. These converts appear to be tempted to resort back to Judaism or at least a hybrid version of Christianity mixed with Judaism. Some scholars suggest that the recipients of Hebrews were the large number of priest who converted to Christianity after the selection of the seven deacons in Acts 6:1-9. Because most people assumed that the audience of the book was Jewish, the book came to be called the letter of the Hebrews ( or Jews)​

Setting: The letter seems to address a group of Christians facing fierce persecution (10:32;12:4). The persecution from the Roman government probably was not the only one They might have experienced persecution from the other Jews. During the first century, Judaism was protected religion under Roman Law; Christianity was not.

The pressure of the persecution must have made it tempting for the Christians to return to their old Jewish roots in order to avoid persecution and possible death. Some scholars believe that in certain areas in the first century when Jew converted to Christianity they were banned from the synagogue and their children couldn't attend the synagogue schools​

(Source for introduction : Hendrickson Publishers - Bible Overview hardback - 2019 edition - )

Hebrews 1
King James Version

1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
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Verse 1: God, who at in many portions and in many ways, long ago. God whom spoke to the fathers in the prophets.

2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
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Verse 2: God has in these last days has spoken unto us by his Son, (Yeshua Christ), whom God appointed heir of all things, by God whom Yeshua (The Word) - (Colossians 1:1-29) who made the worlds. The Heavenly, and Earthly.

in these last days -> Last : ( 2078 ésxatos (from esxaton, "end, last") – properly, last, final (the furthest, extreme-end). 2078/esxatos ("future things"), the root of "eschatology" is "the study of last things." This includes future Bible prophecy, the end-times, and life after death ("the after-life").)

3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:​

verse 3: Yeshua, who being the brightness of (God's glory), who is the express image of (God our Father) expressing his mercy, justice, kindness, and love, upholding all things by the word of (Gods power), and when Yeshua had by himself purged our sins, and sat down at the right hand of the Majesty (God our Father - Yeshuas Father - Lord - God,).

Yeshua had came in and through life neve sinning, that He would be able to fulfill the law and the prophets by coming down from heaven being the Word and becoming flesh, and Yeshua had to live by the law, that Moses had gave from God to the Chosen Nation of Israel.

Yeshua Gods Son was able to pay for the price of the sin of eveyone in the world because of the blood shed on the cross, and the Father resurrecting Christ back up from the dead.

4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
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Verse 4: Yeshua was made so much better than the angels, as he had by inhertiance obtained a more excellent name than they.

5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
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Verse 5: For when did any of the angels at any time ever hear God call any of them ' Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee? - No angel did He ever tell at any time, but He told the Lord Jesus Christ that, the Father (Psalm 2:7)

~ ~ Changed the rest of the text to (Youngs Literal Translation)

6 and when again He may bring in the first-born to the world, He saith, `And let them bow before him -- all messengers of God;'
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Verse 6: And when God may bring in the first-born to the world - God says : And Let them bow before him ~~ all messengers of God;-

7 and unto the messengers, indeed, He saith, `Who is making His messengers spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire;'
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Verse 7: and unto the messengers indeed : He says : Who is making His messengers spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire;'

8 and unto the Son: `Thy throne, O God, [is] to the age of the age; a scepter of righteousness [is] the scepter of thy reign;
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Verse 8: and unto the Son: ' Thy throne, O God, [is] to the age of the age; a scepter of righteousness [is] the scepter of thy reign; -​

9 thou didst love righteousness, and didst hate lawlessness; because of this did He anoint thee -- God, thy God -- with oil of gladness above thy partners;'
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Verse 9: You Son thou did love righteousness, and did hate lawlessness; because of this did (God anoint thee -- your Father, your God -- with oil of gladness above thy partners;')

10 and, `Thou, at the beginning, Lord, the earth didst found, and a work of thy hands are the heavens;
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Verse 10: And Son ' Thou, at the beginning, Lord the earth dids found, and a work of thy hands are the heavens' - A reminder of (Colossians 1) Of Yeshua (Word of God) whom created everything. God was in Christ and reconciled the world unto himself ( 2 Corinthians 5:19)

11 these shall perish, and Thou dost remain, and all, as a garment, shall become old,
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Verse 11: These shall perish - explaining that the earth, and skys shall perish (our death?)- and Son you continue to remain, and all, as a garment shall become old (our aging process)?

12 and as a mantle Thou shall roll them together, and they shall be changed, and Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail.'
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Verse 12: and Son as the mantle you shall roll them together, and they shall be changed, - You are the same - and Your years shall not fail.

(Transformed, believers, Christ in us, Holy spirit given to us, love shed abroad, all by the Son of God, who makes all things new, and the Son of God never changes - the Lord Jesus Christ (Yeshua) Anointed Son of Man, Son of God, Second Adam, Paid the Price (buy back) redemption.

13 And unto which of the messengers said He ever, `Sit at My right hand, till I may make thine enemies thy footstool?'
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Verse 13: And unto which of the messengers said God ever (God our Father only ever said that to the His only begotten son -> - Sit at my right hand, till I may make thine enemies thy footstool.

Yeshua Christ would remain on the right hand of God until all of the enemies are done away with - Death, Satan, Sin, Grave, (She'ol - Hades - Hell), all of these would be overcome, and Yeshua would remain at his Fathers right hand, till all enemies were defeated.

14 are they not all spirits of service -- for ministration being sent forth because of those about to inherit salvation?
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Verse 14: not all are they ministering spirits for service, bring sent forth for the sake of those being about to inherit salvation?

Question, comments, insights are welcome.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give the increase!