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Reading Hebrews

Hugh DeLong
02/14/24 - Mornings With The Bible

Reading Hebrews

Disciples have from the beginning struggled in their comprehension of the relationship they now face with the Old Testament since Jesus has come. Circumcision? Jewish Feasts? Etc., etc. Thus, we now begin a reading of the book of Hebrews. To be blunt, the more of the Old Testament that I have come to understand, the more I appreciate the book of Hebrews! AND, the more I comprehend the points being made in Hebrews, the fuller my understanding of the place the OT has in my life.

Ronald Clements commented: “The precise number of Old Testament passages cited, or alluded to, is less easy to determine than might have been expected. This is for two reasons: first, the same passage is sometimes cited, or referred to, more than once. Second, the writer’s knowledge of the Old Testament enables him to make allusions which combine reference to more than one pas­sage. Longenecker lists thirty-eight quotations based on twenty-seven Old Testament passages, with a further fifty-five allusions. Cf. further B. F. Westcott, The Epistle to the Hebrews (London: Macmillan, 1903), pp. 471-97, “On the Use of the Old Testament in the Epistle.”  [Ronald E. Clements  |  Southwestern Journal Of Theology vol. 28 - fall 1985].

The whole article can be found on the web: https://preachingsource.com/journal/the-use-of-the-old-testament-in-hebrews/

As you jump into your reading of this letter, you immediately are immersed in the use of scripture! A common listing of Old Testament references in chapter 1 of Hebrews would include;

  • Hebrews 1:3: Book of Wisdom 7:16.
  • Hebrews 1:5: Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14.
  • Hebrews 1:6: Deuteronomy 32:43 (Septuagint, Dead Sea Scrolls); Psalm 97:7.
  • Hebrews 1:7: Psalm 104:4.
  • Hebrews 1:8–9: Psalm 45:6–7.
  • Hebrews 1:10: Psalms 102:2 and Isaiah 34:4.
  • Hebrews 1:12: Psalm 102:25–27.
  • Hebrews 1:13: Psalm 110:1.

So, buckle up and get ready to look at all those little footnotes that you will encounter! Go ahead an go back and read these OT quotes – in their context and learn how they impact our lives as disciples. 

Hugh DeLong

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