The Book of Hebrews
Hebrews is a tough read for many people. They struggle to comprehend it. So if you strain to make sense of this concise 13-chapter book, you’re not alone. In this 40-day devotional Bible study, we’ll dig into this book to unveil the powerful truths it contains.
First, a bit of background.
We don’t know who wrote Hebrews. Traditionally, many people ascribe it to Paul. Yet scholars say the writing style and structure of Hebrews doesn’t match Paul’s other letters in the Bible. They conclude he isn’t the author.
Other considerations are Apollos or Barnabas. Apollos was an educated man who thoroughly knew the Old Testament Scriptures (Acts 18:24). Barnabas was a Levite who would have likewise known the Old Testament (Acts 4:36). Though either could have written Hebrews, this is mere conjecture.
Interestingly, except for Hebrews 13:19, 22, and 23, the text doesn’t use the pronouns I and my and instead uses we and our. This suggests the letter to the Hebrews is a group effort. Perhaps—and this is just speculation—Paul, Apollos, and Barnabas worked as a team of writers. Also note that the authors are themselves Hebrew and part of their target audience.
Though it would be interesting to know the book’s authors, it’s more important to consider the book’s audience.
The name Hebrews suggests it’s for the Hebrew people. But does this mean the Jews (that is, the Hebrews) who have converted to Christianity or the Jews who haven’t converted? It could be either. The book of Hebrews clearly ties the old covenant of the law with the new covenant of Jesus, so either group could benefit from the text.
Hebrews, which takes less than an hour to read, could help Jewish non-Christians connect the Old Testament with Jesus, revealing him as the Savior the prophets foretold. Yet Hebrews seems more directed to Jewish Christians, to help keep them focused on their newfound faith in Jesus and his new covenant, when they might be tempted to retreat to the familiar old covenant they grew up with.
If you’re not Jewish or familiar with Judaism, don’t despair.
The book of Hebrews is a great resource for non-Jewish believers—that is, Gentile Christians. It can help us more fully appreciate how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament law when he comes to earth to die for our sins.
Hebrews is a celebration of our faith today and the Old Testament traditions that support it. By better understanding Hebrews, we’ll better understand our relationship with Jesus.
Who do you think wrote the book of Hebrews? How might that inform your understanding of this book?
[Discover more about the Hebrew people in Exodus 5:3, 9:13–14, and 10:3.]
