Everything you need to kick start your study of the Epistle to the Hebrews: maps, charts, key words, history, background, outlines, and links to help you study.
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Basics
- Author: Unknown, though probably the Apostle Paul. Other options suggested: Barnabas, Luke, Apollos, Priscilla.
- Date & occasion: debated whether before or after 70AD
- Recipients: Jewish believers who were in danger of drifting away from the faith or reverting back to Judaism.
- Genre: sermon in the form of a letter
Distinctive Literary Features
It is a single extended argument which alternates between exposition ad exhortation. For example:
- 1:1-14 – Exposition
- 2:1-4 – Exhortation (“we must pay attention, therefore…”)
- 2:5-18 – Exposition
- 3:1 – Exhortation (“therefore … fix your thoughts on Jesus”)
- 3:2-6 – Exposition
- 3:7-13 Exhortation (“so” in 3:7; “see to it” 3:12)
- 3:14-19 – Exposition
- 4:1 – Exhortation (“therefore… let us be careful”)
- 4:2-10 – Exposition
- 4:11-16 – Exhortation (“…therefore make every effort…”)
- Five Warnings: 2:1-4 – The danger of neglect; 3:7-4:13 – The danger of unbelief; 5:11-6:20 – The danger of not maturing; 10:26-39 – The danger of drawing back; 12:25-29 – The danger of refusing God
- The word “better”, “superior” or “how much more” as a structural clue: Heb 1:4; He 6:9; Heb 7:7; Heb 7:19; Heb 7:22; Heb 8:6; Heb 9:23; Heb 10:34; Heb 11:16; Heb 11:35; Heb 11:40; Heb 12:23.
Structure
- 1:1-3 – Superiority of Christ over old revelation (prophets)
- 1:4-2:18 – Superiority of Christ over angels
- 3:1-19 – Superiority of Christ over Moses
- 4:1-13 – Superiority of Christ over Joshua
- 4:14-7:28 – Superiority of Christ’s priesthood over OT priesthood
- 8:1-10:18 – Superiority of Christ’s covenant over old covenant
- THEREFORE
- 10:19-25 – A superior method of approach to God should be used
- 10:26-31 – The dangers of apostasy must be noted
- 10:32-39 – Memory of past days is an encouragement
- 11:1-40 – Examples of heroic endurance
- 12:1-11 – Greatest example of all is Jesus Christ
- 12:12-17 – Moral consistency encouraged (e.g. Esau as bad example)
- 12:18-29 – New way of worship
- 13:1-17 – Concluding exhortations
- 13:18-25 – Farewell
Genre: Understanding Epistles
Background & Outlines
Chronology of Acts/Epistles (Blue Letter Bible)
Ray Stedman: Overview of each Book
John MacArthur: Author, Date, Background
Hebrews quotes of the Old Testament
NIV: Hebrews Introduction
ESV: Intro to Hebrews
ESV: The Global Message of Hebrews
Hebrews Introduction – James Van Dine
Hebrews Notes and Outline – J Vernon McGee
Hebrews Theology – Leonard S. Walmark
Synthetic Bible Studies – Hebrews – James Gray (1906)
David Malick (Bible.org): Introduction To The Book Of Hebrews
David Malick: Argument Of The Book Of Hebrews
Hebrews – Hampton Keathley
Hebrews Introduction, Argument, and Outline – Daniel Wallace
Nathan Brown: Hebrews – Exegetical Outline
Hebrews – Charles Swindoll
Maps
Journeys
Paul’s Conversion and Early Ministry– Holman Bible Atlas
Paul’s 1st Journey – Bible-History.com
1st Missionary Journey of Paul– Holman Bible Atlas
Paul’s 2nd Journey – Bible-History.com
2nd Missionary Journey of Paul– Holman Bible Atlas
Paul’s 3rd Journey – Bible-History.com
3rd Missionary Journey of Paul– Holman Bible Atlas
Paul’s Journeys– Holman Bible Atlas
Paul’s Arrest and Imprisonment– Holman Bible Atlas
Paul’s Voyage to Rome– Holman Bible Atlas
Pentecost and the Jewish Diaspora– Holman Bible Atlas
Apostles’ Journeys – Bible-History.com
Geography
Israel in New Testament Times – Bible-History.com
New Testament Jerusalem – Bible-History.com
Herod the Great’s Kingdom – Bible-History.com
Herod’s Kingdom Divided – Bible-History.com
The Kingdom of Herod Agrippa I – Holman Bible Atlas
The Kingdom of Agrippa II– Holman Bible Atlas
Expansion of the Early Church in Palestine– Holman Bible Atlas
Key Words in Hebrews
Occurrences are based on New American Standard Text. “4x/3v” means the word appears 4 times in 3 verses. “3x” means the word appears 3 times in 3 verses.
angels 13/12v – Strong’s G32a in Heb 1:4; 1:5; 1:6; 1:7; 1:13; 2:2; 2:5; 2:7; 2:9; 2:16; 12:22; 13:2.
better 13x/12v Strong’s G2909 – Heb 1:4; 6:9; 7:19; 7:22; 8:6; 9:23; 10:34; 11:4; 11:16; 11:35; 11:40; 12:24.
blood 23x/20v – Strong’s G129 in Heb 2:14; 9:7; 9:12; 9:13; 9:14; 9:18; 9:19; 9:20; 9:21; 9:22; 9:25; 10:4; 10:19; 10:29; 11:28; 12:4; 12:24; 13:11; 13:12; 13:20.
covenant – 21x/18v – Strong’s G1242 in Heb 7:22; 8:6; 8:7; 8:8; 8:9; 8:13; 9:1; 9:4; 9:15; 9:16; 9:17; 9:20; 10:16; 10:29; 12:24; 13:20.
faith 33x/31v – Strong’s G4102 in Heb 4:2; 6:1, 12; 10:22, 38, 39; 11:1, 3, 4; 11:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 39; 12:2; 13:7; faithful 6x – Strong’s G4103 in Heb 2:17; 3:2; 5:6; 10:23; 11:11.
God 71x/66v – Strong’s G2316 in Heb 1:1; Heb 1:6; Heb 1:8; Heb 1:9; Heb 2:4; Heb 2:9; Heb 2:13; Heb 2:17; Heb 3:4; Heb 3:12; Heb 4:4; Heb 4:9; Heb 4:10; Heb 4:12; Heb 4:14; Heb 5:1; Heb 5:4; Heb 5:10; Heb 5:12; Heb 6:1; Heb 6:3; Heb 6:5; Heb 6:6; Heb 6:7; Heb 6:10; Heb 6:13; Heb 6:17; Heb 6:18; Heb 7:1; Heb 7:3; Heb 7:19; Heb 7:25; Heb 8:5; Heb 8:10; Heb 9:14; Heb 9:20; Heb 9:24; Heb 10:7; Heb 10:12; Heb 10:21; Heb 10:29; Heb 10:31; Heb 10:36; Heb 11:3; Heb 11:4; Heb 11:5; Heb 11:6; Heb 11:7; Heb 11:10; Heb 11:16; Heb 11:19; Heb 11:25; Heb 11:40; Heb 12:2; Heb 12:7; Heb 12:15; Heb 12:22; Heb 12:23; Heb 12:28; Heb 12:29; Heb 13:4; Heb 13:7; Heb 13:15; Heb 13:16; Heb 13:20.
great 8x – Strong’s G5082 in Heb 2:3; Strong’s G3173 in Heb 4:14; 10:21, 10:35; 13:20; Strong’s G4080 in Heb 7:4; Strong’s G4183 in Heb 10:32; Strong’s G5118 in 12:1; greater 6x – Strong’s G3173 in Heb 6:13, 616; 9:11; 11:26 Strong’s G2909 in Heb 7:7; Strong’s G4183 in Heb 7:23.
Jesus – 14x – Heb 2:9; Heb 3:1; Heb 4:14; Heb 6:20; Heb 7:22; Heb 7:24; Heb 10:10; Heb 10:19; Heb 12:2; Heb 12:24; Heb 13:8; Heb 13:12; Heb 13:20; Heb 13:21.
son (17v) – Strong’s G5207 in Heb 1:2; Heb 1:5; Heb 1:8; Heb 2:6; Heb 3:6; Heb 4:14; Heb 5:5; Heb 5:8; Heb 6:6; Heb 7:3; Heb 7:28; Heb 10:29; Heb 11:17; Heb 11:24; Heb 12:5; Heb 12:6; Heb 12:7. sons (7x) – Strong’s G5207 in Heb 2:10; Heb 7:5; Heb 11:21; Heb 11:22; Heb 12:5; Heb 12:7; Heb 12:8.
priest 26x – Strong’s G749 in Heb 2:17; 3:1; 4:14, 4:15; 5:1, 5:5, 5:10; 6:20; 7:26; 8:1, 3; 9:7, 11, 25; 13:11; Strong’s G2409 in Heb 5:6; 7:1; 7:3; 7:11; 7:15; 7:17; 7:21; 8:4; 10:11; 10:21; Strong’s G2405 in Heb 7:5; priesthood (3x) – Strong’s G2420 in Heb 7:11; 7:12; 7:24
sacrifice(s) (18x) – Strong’s G2378 in Heb 5:1; 5:3; 7:27; 7:3; 9:9; 9:23; 9:26; 10:1; 10:3; 10:5; 10:6; 10:8; 10:11; 10:12; 10:26; 11:4; 13:15; 13:16
sin/sins (26x) – Strong’s G266 in Heb 1:3; 2:17 3:13; 4:15; 5:1; 5:3; 7:27; 8:12; 9:7; 9:26; 9:28; 10:2; 10:3; 10:4; 10:6; 10:8; 10;11; 10:12; 10:17; 10:18; 10:26; 11:25; 12:1; 12:4; 13:11; sinners (2x) Strong’s G268 in Heb 7:26; 12:3;
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary: Hebrews, Theology of
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Hebrews
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Hebrews, Epistle to
Holman Bible Dictionary: Hebrews
Fausset Bible Dictionary: Hebrews
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Hebrews Epistle to the
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Hebrews epistle to
McClintock and Strong: Hebrews, the Epistle to
The Jewish Encyclopedia: Hebrews, Epistle to
American Tract Society: Hebrews
1911 Encyclopedia Britannica: Epistle to the Hebrews
The Nuttall Encyclopedia Hebrews, Epistle to the
Commentaries
Top 5 Commentaries on Hebrews by Keith Mathison – Ligonier.org
Best Commentaries on Hebrews – Tim Challies
Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible: Hebrews
Albert Barnes Notes on the Whole Bible: Hebrews
Alfords Exegetical Commentary: Hebrews
Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible: Hebrews
Reformation Study Bible Notes: Hebrews
The Biblical Illustrator: Hebrews
Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: Hebrews
Articles
Walter Kaiser – The Promise Theme and the Theology of Rest – Bib Sac 130:518, 1973
Paul House – The God Who Gives Rest in the Land: Joshua – SBJT 2:3 (Fall 1998)
The Psalm Quotations of Hebrews 1: A Hermeneutic-Free Zone?- Stephen Motyer
Source and Significance – Gareth L Cockerill
The Translation and Significance of “O Theos” in Hebrews 1:8-9 – Murray J Harris
Hermeneutical Issues and Principles in Hebrews as Exemplified in the Second Chapter – Lanier Burns
Christ and His People – An Exegetical and Theological Study of Hebrews 2:5-18 – Geoffrey W Grogan
Archegos in the Salvation History of the Epistle to the Hebrews – J Julius Scott
Scott, Brett R. “Jesus’ Superiority over Moses in Hebrews 3:1-6 Bibliotheca Sacra 155 (1998) 201-10.
Hebrews 3:1-6 Jesus’ Superiority Over Moses in Hebrews 3:1-6 – Brett R Scott
God’s Rest in Hebrews 4:1-11 – Andrew S Kulikovsky
Hebrews 4:11-13 God’s Lethal Weapon – Andrew T Lincoln
Christology and the Concept of Faith in Hebrews 5:11-6:20 – Victor Rhee
Persevering and Falling Away: A Reexamination of Hebrews 6:4-6 – Bruce Compton
Reading Heb 6-4-6 in light of the OT- Dave Mathewson
Hebrews 6:4-6 From an Oral Critical Perspective – Casey W Davis
Hebrews 6:4-8: A Socio-Rhetorical Investigation (Part 1) – David A deSilva
Hebrews 6:4-8: A Socio-Rhetorical Investigation (Part 2) – David A deSilva
Exegesis 15: Falling Away – Hebrews 6:4-6 – Michael Plant
Hebrews 6:19: Analysis of Some Assumptions Concerning Katapetasma – George Rice
Inauguration or Day of Atonement?…Hebrews 6:19-20 Revisited – Richard M Davidson
Where Jesus Has Gone as a Forerunner on our Behalf (Hebrews 6:20) – Norman H Young
Melchizedek or “King of Righteousness” – Gareth L Cockerill
Hebrews 7:3 A Crux Interpretum Historically Considered – Bruce A Demarest
A Lawyer Looks at Hebrews 9:15-17
Covenant, Cult and the Curse of Death diatheke in Hebrews 9:15-22 – Scott W Hahn
A Broken Covenant and the Curse of Death: A Study of Hebrews 9:15-22 – Scott W Hahn
THE ALTAR OF INCENSE IN HEBREWS 9-3-4 – Harold Camacho
Covenant or Testament? Hebrews 9:16-17 Reconsidered – K M Campbell
The Angels, Sonship and Birthright in the Letter to the Hebrews – J D Charles
Christ’s Sacrifice as Apologetic: An Application of Hebrews 10:1-18 – William D Spencer
The Eschatology of the Warning in Hebrews 10:26-31 – Randall Gleason
No Sacrifice Remains: A Study of Hebrews 10:26-31 – Graham Buck
Total Depravity – Gordon Girod
Judgement or Vindication? Deuteronomy 32 in Hebrews 10:30 – John Proctor
“Not Apart from Us” (Hebrews 11:40): Physical Community in the Letter of Hebrews – Stephen Motyer
The Cloud of Witnesses in Hebrews 11 – S M Baugh
The One Who is Speaking in Hebrews 12:25 – Gene Smillie
Jerusalem in Hebrew 13:9-14 and the Dating of the Epistle – Peter Walker
Covenant of Grace or New Covenant? An Exegetical Note-Richard Mayhue
Our Brother Timothy (Author of Hebrews?) – John D Legg
Textual Problems in the Epistle to the Hebrews – F F Bruce
The Vocabulary of the Epistle to the Hebrews
The Vocabulary of the Epistle to the Hebrews – Part 2
The Atonement in the Epistle to the Hebrews – Stephen S Smalley
Hughes, Philip E. “The Blood of Jesus and His Heavenly Priesthood in Hebrews: Part II: The Significance of the Blood of Jesus,” Bibliotheca Sacra 130 (July, 1973) (or Pdf)
Hughes, Philip E. “The Blood of Jesus and His Heavenly Priesthood in Hebrews: Part IV: The Present Work of Christ in Heaven,” Bibliotheca Sacra 131 (Jan. 1974) 26-33. (or Pdf)
Doctrine of Faith in Hebrew, James and Clement of Rome – B W Bacon
Jesus as Priest – John W Baigent
Recent Literature on the Epistle to the Hebrews – F F Bruce
Hebrews 6:4-6 Irretrievable Apostasy (Problem Texts) – F F Bruce
The First Readers of Hebrews – John V Dahms
Hebrews and the Anticipation of Completion – Paul Ellingworth
Jesus and the Universe in Hebrews – Paul Ellingworth
Hellenistic Influence in the Epistle to the Hebrews – Alan M Fairhurst
The Writer of Hebrews as a Biblical Expositor – R T France
The Function of the Warning Passages in the Structure and Argument of Hebrews – Lee Gatiss
Riddles Around the Letter to the Hebrews – Rob Van Houwelingen
The Epistle to the Hebrews: Faith Means Perseverance – Rob Van Houwelingen-
Obeying and Worship a Holy, Living God – Kent Hughes
Issues in the Interpretation of Hebrews – William G Johnsson
The Christology of Hebrews 8-10- by Julian Kinkaid
An Examination of the Historical-Jesus Motif in the Epistle to the Hebrews – Bertram Melbourne
The Melchizedek Citations in the Letter to the Hebrews – A R Millard
Seven Theological Themes in Hebrews – Merland Ray Miller
The Heavenly Priestly Activity of Christ- by Professor John Murray
The Christ of Hebrews and Other Religions – Grant R Osborne
Son and High Priest: A Study in the Christology of Hebrews – Mikeal C Parsons
A New Covenant Hermeneutic: The Use of Scripture in Hebrews 8-10 – Steven K Stanley
The Structure of Hebrews From Three Perspectives – Steve Stanley
The Concept of Apostasy in the Epistle to the Hebrews – D H Tongue
Philo and the Epistle to the Hebrews – Robert W Thurston
The Authorship and Character of the So-Called “Epistle to the Hebrews” – Charles Torrey
Preaching Advice from the Sermon to the Hebrews – Anthony T Selvaggio
GotQuestions.org
Treat like any commentary: read carefully & thoughtfully.
Book of Hebrews – Bible Survey
Who wrote the Book of Hebrews? Who was the author of Hebrews?
Hebrews 2:7 What does it mean that Jesus was a little lower than the angels (Psalm 8:5)?
What is the supremacy of Christ and what are its implications?
Hebrews 4 – How can we enter into God’s rest?
Hebrews 4:12 What is the living Word?
Hebrews 4:14 What does it mean that Jesus is our High Priest?
Does Hebrews 6:4-6 mean we can lose our salvation?
Hebrews 7 How is Jesus our Sabbath Rest? Who was Melchizedek?
Does Hebrews 10:26 mean that a believer can lose salvation? What does Hebrews 10:26 mean?
Hebrews 9 What is the meaning of the blood of Christ?
Hebrews 9:15 What does it mean that Jesus is our mediator?
Why did God require animal sacrifices in the Old Testament?
Will there be animal sacrifices during the millennial kingdom?
If God hates human sacrifice, how could Jesus’ sacrifice be the payment for our sins?
What were the various sacrifices in the Old Testament?
What does the Bible have to say that would apply to animal testing?
Why would the aroma of a sacrifice be important to God?
Why did the sacrificial system require a blood sacrifice?
How do we bring blemished offerings to God (Malachi 1:8)?
Hebrews 12:1 What does it mean to ‘run the race set before us’?
Who are “the cloud of witnesses” mentioned in Hebrews 12:1?
Can people in heaven look down and see us?
Hebrews 12:2 What does it mean that Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith
Hebrews 12:15 What is a root of bitterness?
Hebrews 13:15 What does it mean to give a sacrifice of praise?
What does it mean that angels are ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14)?
What does it mean that Jesus was a little lower than the angels (Psalm 8:5; Hebrews 2:7)?
How can we enter into God’s rest?
What does it mean that Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered (Hebrews 5:8)?
Does Hebrews 6:4-6 mean we can lose our salvation?
What does it mean that Jesus is our mediator?
Who are “the cloud of witnesses” mentioned in Hebrews 12:1?
What does it mean to ‘run the race set before us’ (Hebrews 12:1)?
What is the meaning of Hebrews 12:2?
What does it mean that Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)?
What does it mean to give a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15)?
What does it mean that Jesus is our High Priest?
How is Jesus our Sabbath Rest?
What does it mean that the marriage bed is undefiled (Hebrews 13:4)?
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