Brooh Hailu
REL 220-01
Professor Smith
4/11/2014
Hebrews 4.14-5.14
Variations in Biblical Translations- there are variations between the New Oxford Annotated
Bible (NRSV) and the New International Version (NIV). There is a number of cases where
Hebrews varies between the two biblical translations. Some examples are:
V 4.14 in the NRSV it says, “Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the
heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confessions.” The NIV version however
says, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus Son
of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.”
V 5.2 in the NRSV version it states, “He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward…
” but the NIV version says “He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going
astray...”
V 5.5-6 in the NRSV version God says to Jesus, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you; as
he also says in another place, You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
However the NIV version says, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father. And he says
in another place, you are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
V 5.7 in the NRSV version it is stated, “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and
supplications…” However, in the NIV version is says, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth,
he offered up prayers and petitions...”
V 5.12 in the NRSV it says, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need
someone to teach you again the basic elements of the oracles of God.” The NIV version however
says, “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the
elementary truths of God’s word all over again.”
A Larger Story
Hebrews 4.14-5.14 is part of a larger story.
Hebrews 4:13 ends by saying everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of God to
whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:14 talks about how we have to hold on to our high Priest otherwise we will have to
face the consequences of our sins. This is a continuation of the idea that God wants us to live
according to his word.
Hebrews 4:15-16 talks about how we should thus approach the throne of God with confidence
because he sympathizes with our weakness and is merciful.
Hebrews 5:1-4 talks about what being a high Priest entails; how he’s chosen, his duties etc. and
how he must not glorify himself.
Hebrews 5:5-6 discusses how Christ didn’t glorify himself and was appointed by God according
to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 5:7-10 talk about the intensity of Jesus’ prayers through his loud cries and how he
learned obedience by experiencing suffering. And thus as he is made perfect through his
sufferings, he gives salvation for all who obey him as God’s high Priest.
Hebrews 5:11-14 uses food as a metaphor for maturity in the spiritual life. Uses milk as a
metaphor for those that are immature spiritual and solid food for those that are mature spiritually.
Outline of Hebrews 4:14-5:14
A. Jesus as the eternal high priest
1. Jesus as a high priest who has been tested as we have
4:14-15
2. Approach the throne of grace boldly to receive mercy
16
B. A high priest’s responsibilities and sacrifices
5: 1-2
1. A high priest is able to relate to others
2
2. And thus sacrifices for himself as well as others
3
3. One cannot take the honor of being a high priest, but is instead appointed
4
4. Just as Jesus was appointed to be a high priest and didn’t glorify himself
5-6
5. Jesus in the days of his flesh
7
6. Jesus was perfected and learned obedience through suffering
8
7. Jesus as the as the source of eternal salvation
9-10
8. Milk and solid food
11-14
Setting in History and Life
The author of Hebrews is often linked to one person but is still somewhat of a mystery.
Hebrews is often linked to the Apostle Paul. However, it is not definitive and there has been
much speculation as to who wrote Hebrews.
Paul has been claimed as the author of Hebrews starting at the end of the 2nd century CE.
There are several evidence that support this claim. For example, Paul’s letters to the Romans was
followed by Hebrews, suggesting that it also came from Paul. Moreover, Hebrews was first titles
as “The Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews” in the Vulgate (Oxford, 2103).
However, scholars and early church writers have questioned Paul as the author of
Hebrews due to multiple reasons. The first reason lies in the difference in style and theology
which differs from Paul’s letter and Hebrews (Oxford, 2103). Paul’s letters have similarities in
this area that Hebrews lacks. Differences in arrangement of materials, the interweaving of long
exhortations with the argument in a manner not to be found in any of Paul’s letters, and the
whole fabric and fashion of the thought are other ways Paul’s letters and Hebrews differ
supporting the idea that Paul is not the author of Hebrews. Moreover, Paul never presents Christ
as a priest, which is however repeatedly done in Hebrews (The Interpreters Bible, 590).
There are multiple authors that are suggested as the author of Hebrews. One of author
that is suggested is a disciple of Paul. It is suggested that a disciple of Paul wrote Hebrews based
on the notes Paul has (Oxford, 2103). This would explain both the similarities and differences of
Hebrews and Paul. However, this is merely one of the theories and does not hold a very strong
argument.
Others that are proposed to be possible authors of Hebrews are Apollos, Aquila and
Priscilla, Silas, Aristion, Philip the deacon, Timothy, and Luke. Out of all these authors, Apollos
seems to be the best fit when compared to the others. The reason being, there is no evidence that
suggests the contrary; that goes against the hypothesis of him being the author. However, this is
still not necessarily good evidence that he may be the author (The New Interpreters Bible, 590).
It has also been hypothesized by Clement that Luke translated Paul’s Hebrew into Greek, making
Paul the original author yet explaining the differences seen that may have occurred in the
translation process (Oxford, 2103).
One of the other popular theories as to who the author of Hebrews may have been is
Barnabas. Barnabas was a Levite that was associated with Paul (The Interpreters Bible, 590). His
association with Paul gives possible reason for the similarities.
Like the authorship of Hebrews, the exact date as to when Hebrews was written us also
unknown. It is argued by some scholars that Hebrews may have perhaps been written before the
destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, which occurred in 70 CE (Oxford, 2103). Therefore,
scholars have come with a rough estimation that Hebrews was written somewhere between 60-90
CE. An important factor that helped scholars make an estimation was that it was composed after
the first generation of Christian leaders. However, later than the mid-90 CE when Hebrews is
quoted in 1 clement, therefore making the latest possible date 90 CE (Oxford, 2103). This helped
scholars come to the narrower estimation of 60-90 CE.
Word Study
Flesh- in the New Testament, flesh often refers to the material substance that covers the bones of
humans. The use of the word flesh is intended to emphasize the physical being and often also has
a connotation of humankind’s weakness. In Hebrews, the word flesh is used to describe Jesus in
the days of his flesh, meaning the days that he was human like us. This therefore brings a
similarity between us humans and Jesus. We shared a commonality of flesh, which after death
decays and corrupts. Jesus shared flesh and blood so that he may share death. And in the days of
his flesh, he learned obedience as flesh is subject to suffering. The sufferings of his days of flesh
is highlighted in the following sentences where “Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with
loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death”.
Melchizedek – the term is used as a reference to a Levitical man named Melchizedek, meaning
“King of Righteousness”. Melchizedek was described as king of Salem and priest of God Most
High (Anchor Bible Dictionary, 684). In Hebrews, Melchizedek is used as a familiar reference to
the people. In Hebrews, it is used to describe Jesus, Son of God, as an eternal high priest,
according to the order of Melchizedek , even though Jesus did not have a Levitical ancestry. This
therefore, gave the familiar high priest image of Melchizedek to the people.
Aaron- is the son of Amram and the brother of Moses and Miriam, who was the ancestor of the
priestly Aaronites. He is also the model of later priest. In Hebrews, Aaron is referenced in order
to show a positive image of Aaron as a priest of honor that was appointed by God. In Hebrews,
the author uses the image of Aaron to explain that one, a high priest in this instance, should not
presume to take honor, but rather take only when called by God, just as Aaron was. Thus Aaron,
is used as an example of a man that was called by God for honor. He did not assume honor, but
only took it when called by God, which is what the author of Hebrews portrays as the right way
of behaving.
Old Testament/New Testament Ties
Old Testament Ties:
Exodus 28.1- the story of Aaron, and his sons with him, to serve God as priests is mentioned in
Hebrews 5:4 as a reference for a high priest.
Psalms 110:4- Melchizedek is repeatedly used as a reference of a high priest, including in
Psalms. In Hebrews 5:6, it is used to refer to Jesus as a high priest ‘like’ Melchizedek.
New Testament Ties:
Mark 14:32-42- the story of Gethsmane is traditionally used to refer the verse of Hebrews 5:7. In
Gathemane’s prayer, he appears to be distressed and agitated to the point of even death. The
strength and deep grievance is found as a tie between Jesus and Gathemane’s prayer.
2 Corinthians 12:2- talks about a person in Christ who has reached the highest level of heaven.
This is the third level where God dwelled upon, and only God knows who this one is. In
Hebrews 4:14, this one is connected to Jesus, who is a high priest that has passed through the
series of heavens and entered where God lives.
Summary
In this passage of Hebrews, the subject that is discussed is of high priesthood and Jesus’
accordance with it. A high priest was an integral part of the Jewish religion. The becoming of
Jesus as the high priest, one that was perfect in every way, brought importance of priesthood to
the Christian religion as well.
At the beginning of this passage of Hebrews, it describes how a high priest is chosen and
his responsibilities as a high priest. It then goes on to discuss how Jesus did not glorify himself
as a high priest, but was rather appointed by God. The passage goes on to describe Jesus in the
form of his flesh, and through flesh, he suffered what we suffer, including death. But through his
sufferings, Jesus was able to learn obedience. And thus, these reasons are briefly discussing how
and why he is the eternal high priest.
A main point that is carried on in this passage and that the author tries to get across is
Jesus not only as the Son of God, but one who is subject to all, including weakness, as we
humans are. This is highlighted in the passage in order to show that even though Jesus is perfect,
he is still tested in every way just as we all are. And by overcoming everything and learning
obedience, he is thus made perfect. Therefore, his ability to sympathize with us and yet still be
able to overcome all sufferings, is highlighted in this passage as to why he is the eternal high
priest.
The passage end with using the metaphor of milk and food to compare people’s spiritual
belief. The author describes those that are not strong in their faith and immature spiritually as
only needing milk. However, solid food is only for those that are mature and able to tell right
from wrong and good from evil.
Why was this passage written?
Hebrews was written to those of Jewish and Gentile background. The main purpose of
this passage is to encourage and exhort those who have suffered hardship and persecution to
ongoing confidence and faith (Oxford, 2103). The passage of Hebrews 4:14-5:14, was written to
teach people about Jesus as the high priest. Furthermore, Jesus as the perfect high priest even
though he was subject to all that us humans are subject to, including temptation. Therefore, it is a
passage about Jesus as the high priest and how we should obey and follow him.