Advanced Search

Journal Navigation

Journal Home

Subscriptions

Archive

Contact Us

Table of Contents

Click here to sign up for SAGE Journal Email Alerts today!

Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
Currents in Biblical Research
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to Saved Citations
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Request Reprints
Right arrow Add to My Marked Citations
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Right arrow Citing Articles via Scopus
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Joslin, B. C.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
Social Bookmarking
 Add to CiteULike   Add to Complore   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati   Add to Twitter  
What's this?

Can Hebrews be Structured? An Assessment of Eight Approaches

Barry C. Joslin

Assistant Professor of Christian Theology Boyce College of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, KY, USA, BJoslin{at}sbts.edu

This article focuses on the specific matter of the literary structure and outline of Hebrews and focuses on the advances of the past one hundred years, with special attention to the last few decades. Numerous proposals for its structure and various divisions of Hebrews have been suggested, and the present task is to survey and summarize those proposals that have had the most significant influence in this area of Hebrews study. Those discussed in these pages are Donald Guthrie, Leon Vaganay, Ceslas Spicq, Wolfgang Nauck, Albert Vanhoye, F.F. Bruce, Harold Attridge, and George Guthrie.

Key Words: Bible • criticism • Hebrews • interpretation • New Testament.

References

  • Attridge, H. 1986 ' The Uses of Antithesis in Hebrews 8-10 ', HTR 79: 1-9 .
  • 1989 The Epistle to the Hebrews (Hermeneia; Philadelphia: Fortress Press ).
  • Aune, D. 1987 The New Testament in its Literary Environment (LEC, 8; Philadelphia: Westminster ).
  • Benetreau, S. 1989-90 L 'épître aux Hébreux ( Vaux-sur-Seine: Edifac ).
  • Black, D.A. 1986 ' The Problem of the Literary Structure of Hebrews: An Evaluation and a Proposal ', GTJ 7.2: 163-77 .
  • Bligh, J. 1964 ' The Structure of Hebrews ', HeyJ 5: 170-77 .
  • Bruce, F.F. 1985 ' The Structure and Argument of Hebrews ', SWJT 28: 6-12 .
  • 1990 Epistle to the Hebrews (NICNT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans , rev. edn [1st edn 1964]).
  • Buchanan, G.W. 1972 To the Hebrews (AB, 36; Garden City, NY: Doubleday ).
  • Biichsel, F. 1928 'Hebraerbriefe', in H. Gunkel and L. Aschamack (eds.), Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart ( Tübingen: J.C.B. Mohr [Paul Siebeck] ).
  • Caird, G.B. 1959 ' The Exegetical Method of the Epistle to the Hebrews ', CJT 5: 44-51 .
  • Delitzsch, F. 1952 Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews (2 vols.; trans. Thomas L. Kingsbury; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans ).
  • Descamps, A. 1954 ' La structure de l'Épître aux Hebreux ', Revue Diocésaine de Tournai 9: 251-58 , 333-38 .
  • DeSilva, D.A. 1995 Despising Shame: Honor Discourse and Community Maintenance in the Epistle to the Hebrews (SBLDS, 152; Atlanta: Scholars Press ).
  • 2000 Perseverance in Gratitude: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Epistle 'to the Hebrews' ( Grand Rapids: Eerdmans ).
  • Dussaut, Louis 1981 Synopse structurelle de l'èpître aux Hébreux ( Paris: Editions du Cerf ).
  • Ellingworth, P. 1993 The Epistle to the Hebrews (NIGTC; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans ).
  • Feld, H. 1985 Der Hebräerbrief (Erträge der Forshung, 228; Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft ).
  • Filson, F. 1967 'Yesterday': A Study of Hebrews in Light of Chapter 13 (SBT, 4; Naperville, IL: Alec R. Allenson ).
  • France, R.T. 1996 ' The Writer of Hebrews as a Biblical Expositor ', TynBul 47: 245-76 .
  • GraBer, E. 1990-97 An die Hebräer (3 vols.; EKKNT; Ziirich: Neukirchen ).
  • Guthrie, D. 1983 Hebrews (TNTC, 15; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans ).
  • 1990 New Testament Introduction ( Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press , rev. edn).
  • Guthrie, G.H. 1991 ' The Structure of Hebrews: A Text -Linguistic Analysis' (PhD dissertation, South-western Baptist Theological Seminary).
  • 1998 a Hebrews (NIVAC; Grand Rapids: Zondervan ).
  • 1998 b The Structure of Hebrews: A Text-Linguistic Analysis ( Grand Rapids: Baker Book House ).
  • 2003 ' Hebrews' Use of the Old Testament: Recent Trends in Research ', CBR 1: 271-94 .
  • 2004 'Hebrews in its First-Century Contexts: Recent Research', in S. McKnight and G. Osborne (eds.), The Face of New Testament Studies ( Grand Rapids: Baker Book House ): 414-43.
  • Gyllenberg, R. 1957-58 ' Die Komposition des Hebraerbriefs ', SEÅ 22-23: 137-47 .
  • Hegermann, H. 1988 Der Brief an die Hebräer (THNT, 16; Berlin: Evangelische Verlagsanstalt ).
  • Hering, J. 1954 L'Épître aux Hébreux ( Neuchâtel: Delachaux & Niestlé ).
  • Hiebert, E. 1977 An Introduction to the New Testament (3 vols.; Chicago: Moody ).
  • Hughes, G. 1979 Hebrews and Hermeneutics: The Epistle to the Hebrews as a New Testament Example of Biblical Interpretation (SNTSMS, 36; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press ).
  • Hughes, P.E. 1977 A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews ( Grand Rapids: Eerdmans ).
  • Hurst, L.D. 1990 The Epistle to the Hebrews: Its Background of Thought (SNTSMS, 65; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press ).
  • Isaacs, M.E. 1992 Sacred Space: An Approach to the Theology of the Epistle to the Hebrews (JSNTSup, 73; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press ).
  • 2002 a Reading Hebrews and James: A Literary and Theological Commentary ( Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys ).
  • 2002b ' Why Bother with Hebrews? ', HeyJ 43: 60-72 .
  • Joslin, B.C. 2007 Hebrews, Christ, and the Law: The Theology of the Mosaic Law in Hebrews 7:1-10:18 (PBMS; Carlisle: Paternoster Press ).
  • Kasemann, E. 1939 Das wandernde Gottesvolk ( Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht ).
  • Kent, H. 1972 The Epistle to the Hebrews ( Grand Rapids: Baker Book House ).
  • Kistemaker, S. 1961 The Psalm Citations in the Epistle to the Hebrews ( Amsterdam: Van Soest ).
  • 1984 Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews (NTC; Grand Rapids: Baker Book House ).
  • Koester, C. 1994 ' The Epistle to the Hebrews in Recent Study ', CR 2: 123-45 .[CrossRef]
  • 2001 Hebrews (AB, 36a; New York: Doubleday ).
  • Kummel, W.G. 1963 Einleitung in das neue Testament ( Heidelberg: Quelle & Meyer ).
  • Kuss, O. 1966 Der Brief an die Hebräer ( Regensberg: Friedrich Pustet ).
  • Lane, W.L. 1985a Call to Commitment: Responding to the Message of Hebrews ( Nashville: Thomas Nelson ).
  • 1985b ' Hebrews: A Sermon in Search of a Setting ', SWJT 28: 13-18 .
  • 1991 Hebrews (2 vols.; WBC, 47; Nashville: Thomas Nelson ).
  • Lindars, B.
  • 1989 ' The Rhetorical Structure of Hebrews ', NTS 35: 382-406 .
  • 1991 Theology of the Letter to the Hebrews ( Cambridge: Cambridge University Press ).
  • Lloyd, L. 1976 'A Discourse Analysis of Hebrews' (MA thesis, University of Texas at Arlington ).
  • Manson, W. 1951 The Epistle to the Hebrews: An Historical and Theological Reconsideration ( London: Hodder & Stoughton ).
  • McCullough, J.C. 1994a ' Hebrews in Recent Scholarship ', IBS 16.2: 66-86 .
  • 1994b ' Hebrews in Recent Scholarship (Part 2) ', IBS 16.3: 108-20 .
  • McKnight, E.V. 2004 Hebrews-James ( Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys ).
  • Ménégoz, E. 1894 La théologie de l'Épître aux Hébreux ( Paris: Fischbacher ).
  • Michel, O. 1966 Der Brief an die Hebräer (KEK; Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht ).
  • Milligan, G. 1899 The Theology of the Epistle to the Hebrews ( Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark ).
  • Moffatt, J. 1952 A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews (repr.; ICC; Edinburgh : T. & T. Clark [1924]).
  • Montefiore, H. 1964 A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews (BNTC; London: Adam & Charles Black ).
  • Morris, L. 1983 Hebrews (BSC; Grand Rapids: Zondervan ).
  • Motyer, S. 1999 ' The Psalm Quotations of Hebrews 1: A Hermeneutic-Free Zone? ', TynBul 50.1: 3-22 .
  • Murray, A. 1894 Holiest of All: An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews ( Chicago: Revell ).
  • Nairne, A. 1913 The Epistle of Priesthood ( Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark ).
  • Nauck, W. 1960 ' Zum Aufbau des Hebraerbriefes', in W. Eltester (ed.), Judentum-Urchristentum-Kirche. Festschrift für Joachim Jeremias (BZNW, 26; Berlin: Alfred Topelmann ): 199-206.
  • Neeley, L. 1987 ' A Discourse Analysis of Hebrews', Occasional Papers in Translation and Linguistics 3-4: 1-146 .
  • Owen, J. 1811-12 An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews (4 vols.; Boston: Samuel T. Armstrong , rev. and abridged edn).
  • Phillips, R.D. 2006 Hebrews (REC; Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Publishing ).
  • Pink, A.W. 1954 An Exposition of Hebrews ( Grand Rapids: Baker Book House ).
  • Riggenbach, E. 1922 Die Brief an die Hebräer (KNT, 14; Leipzig: Deichert ).
  • Schenck, K. 2003 Understanding the Book of Hebrews: The Story Behind the Sermon ( Louisville, KY: John Knox Press ).
  • Schlatter, A. 1950 Die Briefe des Petrus, Judas, Jakobus, der Brief an die Hebräer ( Stuttgart: Calmer Verlag ).
  • Schunack, G. 2002 Der Hebräerbrief( Zürich: Theologischer Verlag ).
  • Smith, R.H. 1984 Hebrews (ACNT; Minneapolis: Augsburg ).
  • Spicq, C. 1947 ' L'authenticité du chapitre XIII de L'épître aux Hebreux ', ConNT 11: 226-36 .
  • 1952 L'Épître aux Hébreux (2 vols.; Paris: J. Gabalda ).
  • Stanley, S. 1994 ' The Structure of Hebrews from Three Perspectives ', TynBul 45.2: 245-71 . 1.
  • Swetnam, J. 1972 ' Form and Content in Hebrews 1-6 ', Bib 53: 368-85 .
  • 1974 ' Form and Content in Hebrews 7-13 ', Bib 55: 333-48 .
  • 1990 ' The Structure of Hebrews: A Fresh Look ', MelT 41.1: 25-46 .
  • Synge, F.C. 1959 Hebrews and the Scriptures ( London: SPCK ).
  • Tasker, R.V.G. 1950 The Gospel in the Epistle to the Hebrews ( London: Tyndale ).
  • Thien, F. 1902 ' Analyse de L'Épître aux Hebreux ', RB 11: 74-86 .
  • Thuren, J. 1973 Das Lobopfer der Hebräer. Studien zum Aufbau und Anliegen von Hebräerbrief 13 ( Abo: Abo Akademi ).
  • Trotter, A. 1997 Interpreting the Book of Hebrews ( Grand Rapids: Baker Book House ).
  • Vaganay, L. 1940 ' La Plan de L'Épître aux Hebreux', in L.-H. Vincent (ed.), Memorial Lagrange ( Paris: J. Gabalda , 1940): 269-77.
  • Vanhoye, A. 1963 La structure litteraire de L'Épître aux Hébreux ( Paris: Desclee de Brouwer ).
  • 1974 ' Discussions sur la structure de l'Épître Hebreux ', Bib 55: 349-80 .
  • 1976 La structure littéraire de l'Épître aux Hébreux ( Paris: Desclee de Brouwer , 2nd edn).
  • 1977 Our Priest in God: The Doctrine of the Epistle to the Hebrews ( Rome: Pontificio Instituto Biblico ).
  • 1979 ' Literarische Struktur und theologische Botschaft des Hebraerbriefs (1. Teil) ', Studien für die Neue Testament Umwelt 4: 119-47 .
  • 1980 ' Literarische Struktur und theologische Botschaft des Hebraerbriefs (2. Teil) ', Studien für die Neue Testament Umwelt 5: 18-49 .
  • 1986 Old Testament Priests and the New Priest According to the New Testament (trans. J. Orchard; Petersham, MA: St. Bede's Publications ).
  • 1989 Structure and Message of the Epistle to the Hebrews (Subsidia Biblica, 12; trans. J. Swetnam; Rome: Editrice Pontifico Istituto Biblico ).
  • Von Soden, H. 1905 Urchristliche Literaturgeschichte. Die Schriften des Neuen Testaments ( Berlin: Dunker ).
  • WeiB, H.-F. 1991 1 Der Brief an die Hebräer (KEK, 15; Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht , 15th edn).
  • Westcott, B.F. 1892 The Epistle to the Hebrews: The Greek Text with Notes and Essays ( New York: Macmillan , 2nd edn).
  • Westfall, C. 2005 A Discourse Analysis of the Letter to the Hebrews: The Relationship between Form and Meaning (LNTS, 297; London: T. & T. Clark ).
  • Windisch, H. 1931 Der Hebräerbrief (HNT, 14; Tübingen: J.C.B. Mohr ).
  • Zimmerman, H. 1977 Das Bekenntnis der Hoffnung. Tradition und Redaktion im Hebräerbrief ( Köln: Peter Hanstein Verlag ).

Currents in Biblical Research, Vol. 6, No. 1, 99-129 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1476993X07080243


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Complore Complore   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati   Add to Twitter Twitter    What's this?



This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to Saved Citations
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Request Reprints
Right arrow Add to My Marked Citations
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Right arrow Citing Articles via Scopus
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Joslin, B. C.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
Social Bookmarking
 Add to CiteULike   Add to Complore   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati   Add to Twitter  
What's this?