Hebrews background

Hebrews

Author: Unknown (1)

Date: 68 A.D. (2)

Language: Greek

Place: Italy (Hebrews 13:24)

Purpose: To explain that the covenant between God and the Israelites, often called the Mosaic Covenant since Moses was the mediator, which I like to call the "leading covenant," was used by God to lead to the "New Covenant," where Jesus was the atoning sacrifice for sins.

What kind of book?: Christian teaching letter

Reflection: I did a personal study of this book in Grand Junction, and I absolutely loved it, because it explains how Jesus did what He said He had come to do in Matthew 5:17. Jesus fulfilled the Law!  Those who believe in Jesus, who is the Messiah, are no longer under the Mosaic Law, rather we are to live by the Spirit, the One who indwells those who have given their heart to Jesus!
Hunter Irvine
(1) On this topic, and regarding the entire book, see my blog commentary on Hebrews starting in April of 2014, and I also recommend a commentary from the 1970's by a longtime professor:  Lightfoot, Neil R. Jesus Christ Today: A Commentary on the Book of Hebrews (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1976).
(2) Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 1993), 647.