A Perfect Priest: Studies in the Letter to the Hebrews (Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen Zum Neuen Testament 2.Reihe)

Albert Vanhoye is one of the most prominent French biblical scholars of the period following the Second Vatican Council, with an academic career spanning eight decades and publications in numerous European languages. Amidst diverse interests, the Letter to the Hebrews has remained the central focus of his scholarship throughout his career. This volume collects sixteen of his most significant essays on Hebrews, covering a variety of topics and approaches, with an emphasis on the key themes of priesthood and sacrifice. The essays are presented for the first time in English translation, with an introduction by the editors summarizing Vanhoye's contribution and analysing the central features of his work. Cover Titel Preface Table of Contents Introduction: ‘A Perfect Priest’: The Letter to the Hebrews in the Scholarship of Albert Vanhoye I. Albert Vanhoye: Life and Career II. Central Features of Vanhoye’s Work III. Rationale and Contents of This Volume Part One – Priesthood and Sacrifice Chapter 1: Christ as High Priest in Hebrews 2.17–18 I. A New Concept II. The Characteristics of the High Priest III. Expiation? IV. A Help in Trials Chapter 2: The Place and Meaning of Hebrews 5.1–10 I. The relationship of Heb 5.1–10 to its immediate context (4.15–16) II. The relationship between Heb 5.1–10 and the preceding passages (Heb 3–4) III. The relationship between Heb 5.1–10 and the following passages (Heb 7–10) Chapter 3: The teleiosis of Christ: Chief Point of Hebrews’ Priestly Christology I. The teleiosis of Christ: ‘chief point’? II. The rhetorical function of τετελειωμένον in Heb 7.28 III. The teleiosis of Christ according to Heb 8.1–2 IV. Rhetorical function of Heb 8.1–2 and the extent of the section V. Reformulation of the concept of priestly teleiosis VI. Existential priestly teleiosis VII. Relational priestly teleiosis VIII. Conclusion Chapter 4: ‘By the Greater and More Perfect Tent’ (Heb 9.11) I. Text and Context II. Interpretative Positions III. The Theme of the New Temple IV. The Tent: Body of the Risen Christ V. Conclusion Chapter 5: Eternal Spirit and Sacrificial Fire in Hebrews 9.14 I II III IV V VI VII VIII Chapter 6: Earthly Sanctuary and Heavenly Sanctuary in the Letter to the Hebrews I. God’s House or Christ’s House (3.2–6) II. God’s ‘Rest’ (3.11–4.11) III. The Sanctuaries in the Central Section (8.1–9.28) IV. The True Tent (8.2; 9.11) V. Conclusion Chapter 7: Historical Recollection and Theological Creativity in the Letter to the Hebrews I. The Priestly Cult and the Death of Jesus II. Covenant Sacrifice and the Death of Jesus Part Two – Thematic Studies Chapter 8: The Law in the Letter to the Hebrews I. The place of νόμος in the letter II. The exact meaning of νόμος in the letter III. Polemic against the law in Heb 7.11–28 IV. Change of law in the new ‘dispensation’ (Heb 8.1 – 9.28)? V. The prefigurative value of certain commandments (Heb 9.18–23) VI. The powerlessness of the law and the efficacy of the will of God (Heb 10.1–18) VII. New approaches in a new situation (Heb 10.19–29) VIII. Conclusion Chapter 9: The God of the New Covenant in the Letter to the Hebrews I. God, first and last II. God establishes mediation III. Questioning the First Covenant IV. Establishment of the new covenant V. Revelation of God through the new covenant VI. Conclusion Chapter 10: Universal Salvation through Christ and the Validity of the Old Covenant I. ‘The old covenant’ in 2 Cor 3.14: a written text II. Permanent and provisional aspects of the Old Testament III. Permanent validity of the covenant promise given to Abraham (Gal 3.15–18) IV. Discrediting the legal covenant of Sinai (Gal 4.21–31) V. Other Pauline texts on the ‘covenants’ with Israel VI. Conclusions on the Pauline position VII. ‘The first covenant’ destined to disappear (Heb 8.13) VIII. Conclusion Chapter 11: Christ as Re-creator of Humanity and Restorer of Human Rights according to the Letter to the Hebrews I. Christ fulfils the human vocation (Heb 2.5–9) II. The path to fulfilment (Heb 2.10) III. Redemptive solidarity IV. Human rights in the New Covenant V. Conclusion Part Three – Exegetical Studies Chapter 12: The οἰκουμένη in the Letter to the Hebrews I. State of the question II. The oikoumene of the Lord Chapter 13: Long Journey or Imminent Access? The Biblical Context of Hebrews 3.7–4.11 I. Allusions in the Hebrew Psalm II. Allusions in the Greek version III. The Perspective of Hebrews IV. Exegetical Insight V. Links with the rest of the Letter VI. Conclusion Chapter 14: Hebrews 6.7–8 and the Rabbinic Mashal Chapter 15: The Faith of Jesus? On Hebrews 12.2: ‘Jesus, Author and Perfecter of Faith’ Chapter 16: The Literary Question of Hebrews 13.1–6 I. Composition of Hebrews 13.1–6 II. Situation of Hebrews 13.1–6 in the Letter as a Whole III. Conclusion Bibliography I. Works by Albert Vanhoye II. Other Works Cited Acknowledgements Index of Ancient Sources Index of Modern Authors Index of Subjects Albert Vanhoye ist einer der bekanntesten französischen Exegeten in der Zeit seit dem Zweiten Vatikanischen Konzil; seine akademische Laufbahn erstreckt sich über acht Jahrzehnte und Veröffentlichungen in zahlreichen europäischen Sprachen. Neben diversen anderen Interessen ist der Brief an die Hebräer während seiner gesamten Laufbahn immer im Fokus seiner Arbeit gewesen. Dieser Band versammelt sechzehn seiner maßgeblichsten Aufsätze zum Hebräerbrief, die ein breites Spektrum an Themen und Ansätzen abdecken, mit dem Schwerpunkt auf die Schlüsselthemen Priestertum und Opfer. Die Aufsätze erscheinen erstmals in englischer Übersetzung, mit einer Einleitung durch die Herausgeber, welche Vanhoyes Beitrag zusammenfassen und die zentralen Merkmale seines Werks analysieren.InhaltsübersichtPart One: Priesthood and SacrificeChrist as High Priest in Hebrews 2.17-18 - The Place and Meaning of Hebrews 5.1-10 - The teleiōsis of Christ: Chief Point of Hebrews' Priestly Christology - 'By the Greater and More Perfect Tent' (Hebrews 9.11) - Eternal Spirit and Sacrificial Fire in Hebrews 9.14 - Earthly Sanctuary and Heavenly Sanctuary in the Letter to the Hebrews - Historical Recollection and Theological Creativity in the Letter to the Hebrews Part Two: Thematic StudiesThe Law in the Letter to the Hebrews - The God of the New Covenant in the Letter to the Hebrews - Universal Salvation through Christ and the Validity of the Old Covenant - Christ as Re-creator of Humanity and Restorer of Human Rights, according to the Letter to the Hebrews Part Three: Exegetical StudiesThe οἰκουμένη in the Letter to the Hebrews - Long Journey or Imminent Access? The Biblical Context of Hebrews 3.7-4.11 - Hebrews 6.7-8 and the Rabbinic Mashal - The Faith of Jesus? On Hebrews 12.2: 'Jesus, Author and Perfecter of Faith' - The Literary Question of Hebrews 13.1-6 "Albert Vanhoye is one of the most significant French biblical scholars of recent times. This volume presents, for the first time in English translation, sixteen of his essays on the Letter to the Hebrews, with an emphasis on the key themes of priesthood and sacrifice."-- Back cover Dieser Band versammelt sechzehn von Albert Vanhoyes maßgeblichsten Aufsätzen zum Hebräerbrief, die ein breites Spektrum an Themen und Ansätzen abdecken, mit dem Schwerpunkt auf die Schlüsselthemen Priestertum und Opfer