“Look at the Book” is Bible Gateway’s series of short blog posts and infographics introducing you to the books of the Bible. It has long been a mystery who wrote the Letter to the Hebrews, but it was clearly someone very well-educated in both Greek oratory and the Hebrew Bible.
Scroll to the bottom if you’d prefer to see (and save) this article as an infographic. You’ll also find a handy 30-day reading guide. Or, for a challenge, you can do it in one week using the 7-day reading guide below.
Summary
The need of all mankind was for a perfect priest and a perfect sacrifice that would once and for all actually remove sin. God’s provision for that perfect priest and sacrifice in Christ is the central message.
- Category: Epistle
- Theme: Superiority
- Timeline: Written around AD 67-70
Key Verse
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.” — Hebrews 4:14 (NIV)
Warning!
Exhortations designed to stir the readers into action are found throughout the text. Those exhortations are given in the form of 6 warnings:
- Drifting from “what we heard”
- Slipping from “the teaching about Christ”
- Devaluing “the grace of God”
- Not believing “the voice of God”
- Despising “the knowledge of the truth”
- Leaving “him who is speaking”
7 Day Reading Guide
(See 30-day guide below.)
- Day 1: Hebrews 1-2
- Day 2: Hebrews 3-4
- Day 3: Hebrews 5-6
- Day 4: Hebrews 7-8
- Day 5: Hebrews 9-10
- Day 6: Hebrews 11-12
- Day 7: Hebrews 13
Who Wrote Hebrews?
It is clear the writer was well known to the recipients, and the fact he was well versed in the Old Testament has led many to believe he was either Barnabas or Apollos, a Jewish Christian known to have notable intellectual and oratorical abilities.
Access the rest of the series. Browse Bible studies for each book of the Bible. Or right-click on the infographic below to download and save the image for your reference.
Chris Fann is the Senior Digital Marketing Manager for Harper Christian Resources. He loves the smell ofa baseball glove, coffee, and old books. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife, 2 teenage boys, and their dog, Freya.
