We will begin our review of the Book of Hebrews starting at the beginning with chapter 1. I will be using the NASB translation and hope to be faithful to a plain reading and interpretation of the text.
Yeshua declared that we can be guided into all truth through the Holy Spirit – Ruach Hakodesh – John 16:13. But to receive the influence of the Ruach, we need to be living the law(commandments) – 1 John 3:24. We know that the Ruach is testifying truth to us when we receive a sense of peace – John 14:27.
The Bible and God’s truth is an expanding theology. We are bound to see paradoxes – two concepts that are true but seem to contradict with each other. Over time, the Spirit will help you to receive the knowledge to resolve the paradoxes.
Yeshua declared that we can be guided into all truth through the Holy Spirit – Ruach Hakodesh – John 16:13. But to receive the influence of the Ruach, we need to be living the law(commandments) – 1 John 3:24. We know that the Ruach is testifying truth to us when we receive a sense of peace – John 14:27.
The Bible and God’s truth is an expanding theology. We are bound to see paradoxes – two concepts that are true but seem to contradict with each other. Over time, the Spirit will help you to receive the knowledge to resolve the paradoxes.
CHAPTER 1
Yeshua is God's Son
In the Bible, we see that the concepts of father and son can be expressed in a biological/physical relationship and in a covenantal relationship. These two kinds of father and son relationships are expressed in both the Old and New Testaments and should be familiar concepts for Judah. We see the New Testament appears to assert that Yeshua has both kinds of relationships with God - Luke 1:35, John 5:19.
But here in chapter one, we see how Yeshua’s covenantal relationship with God is defined.
But here in chapter one, we see how Yeshua’s covenantal relationship with God is defined.
Yeshua is God's Son*
In verse two, Yeshua is called God’s Son and, in verse five, God begets Yeshua and God says that Yeshua will be a son to Him.
Hebrews |
Hebrew Bible References |
1:2,5 |
Psalms 2:7 2 Samuel 7:14 |
Yeshua Only Declares the Words of God His Father and Inherits All Things.
Also, in verse two we see the essence of Yeshua’s covenant with God His Father. Yeshua will only speak the words of God His Father to us and in so doing Yeshua will inherit all things. As the firstborn of God and under the Law, the firstborn are dedicated to the service of God and receives a greater inheritance. Next to the father of the family, the firstborn son assumes a leadership role.
Also, in verse two we see the essence of Yeshua’s covenant with God His Father. Yeshua will only speak the words of God His Father to us and in so doing Yeshua will inherit all things. As the firstborn of God and under the Law, the firstborn are dedicated to the service of God and receives a greater inheritance. Next to the father of the family, the firstborn son assumes a leadership role.
Hebrews |
Hebrew Bible References |
1:1,2,6 (John 5:19, Colossians 1:15) |
Exodus 13:2 Deuteronomy 21:17 |
Yeshua Made the Physical World.
The second concept we see in verse two is that Yeshua made the physical world. We see this concept repeated at verse ten, which we can also link to John 1:3.
The second concept we see in verse two is that Yeshua made the physical world. We see this concept repeated at verse ten, which we can also link to John 1:3.
Hebrews |
Hebrew Bible References |
1: 2,10 (John 1:3) |
Genesis 2 (paradox?) |
Yeshua Becomes Like God His Father
In verse three, we see ascension concepts. Yeshua becomes like God His Father and sits on His right hand. Linking his redemption from the death of sin, he sits on the right hand of God.
In verse three, we see ascension concepts. Yeshua becomes like God His Father and sits on His right hand. Linking his redemption from the death of sin, he sits on the right hand of God.
Hebrews |
Hebrew Bible References |
1:3,4,13 |
Psalms 110:1 |
Proxy Salvation and the Melchizedek Priesthood
The proxy salvation that we see in Yeshua redeeming humanity from the death of sin is a function of the Melchizedek Priesthood. We also see proxy salvation with Moses – Exodus 32; and, with King Hezekiah at the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. Hezekiah and Isaiah appeal to Jehovah to deliver the people who have taken refuge there (2 Kings 19:1–4, 15–19; 2 Chronicles 32:20). By connecting Hezekiah’s suffering of a mortal illness to Jehovah’s promise of his people’s deliverance (Isaiah 38:2–6), Isaiah emphasizes Hezekiah’s spiritual role as a proxy savior of his people.
Yeshua Gives Power to His Angels
In verse seven, we see Yeshua empowering his angels and ministers(servants).
In verse seven, we see Yeshua empowering his angels and ministers(servants).
Hebrews |
Hebrew Bible References |
1:7 |
Psalms 104:4 |
Yeshua’s Everlasting Kingship
In verses eight to twelve, we see a declaration of Yeshua’s everlasting kingship, which is linked with the kingly covenant that God made with King David due to the many references with Psalms.
In verses eight to twelve, we see a declaration of Yeshua’s everlasting kingship, which is linked with the kingly covenant that God made with King David due to the many references with Psalms.
Hebrews |
Hebrew Bible References |
1:8-12 |
Psalms 45:6,7 Psalms 102:25-27 |
Yeshua is called God.
Besides being humanity’s king and priest, we see that Yeshua is called God due of his elevated status.
Besides being humanity’s king and priest, we see that Yeshua is called God due of his elevated status.
Hebrews |
Hebrew Bible References |
1:8,9 (John 1:1) |
Psalms 45:6,7 |
* From Conditional to Unconditional Covenant, Avraham Gileadi, PhD
In the pattern of ancient Near Eastern covenants between emperors and their vassal kings, covenants become unconditional when a vassal proves exceedingly loyal to an emperor. At that point, their “lord–servant” relationship turns into a “father–son” relationship, although the vassal may be no blood relative of the emperor. The emperor’s legal adoption of the vassal as his “son” guarantees him the right to a city-state—a Promised Land—over which he and his descendants may rule him in perpetuity or “forever.” God makes such an unconditional covenant with King David and his heirs (Jeremiah 33:19–26), and it becomes the model for all future kings.
God’s calling David his “servant,” “son,” and “firstborn,” and God’s acting as David’s “lord” and “father” (Psalms 2:6–7; 89:3, 20, 26–27, 49), express the unconditional nature of God’s covenant after David proves loyal. David proves his loyalty to God by trusting implicitly in him to give him the victory when the Philistines challenge Israel (1 Samuel 17:26–47; 23:1–5); by not speaking a word against God’s “anointed” (King Saul), even when Saul seeks his life and God gives David power over him (1 Samuel 24:1–22; 26:1–25); and by valiantly defending God’s people Israel against the Philistines and against all their enemies (2 Samuel 3:18).
In the pattern of ancient Near Eastern covenants between emperors and their vassal kings, covenants become unconditional when a vassal proves exceedingly loyal to an emperor. At that point, their “lord–servant” relationship turns into a “father–son” relationship, although the vassal may be no blood relative of the emperor. The emperor’s legal adoption of the vassal as his “son” guarantees him the right to a city-state—a Promised Land—over which he and his descendants may rule him in perpetuity or “forever.” God makes such an unconditional covenant with King David and his heirs (Jeremiah 33:19–26), and it becomes the model for all future kings.
God’s calling David his “servant,” “son,” and “firstborn,” and God’s acting as David’s “lord” and “father” (Psalms 2:6–7; 89:3, 20, 26–27, 49), express the unconditional nature of God’s covenant after David proves loyal. David proves his loyalty to God by trusting implicitly in him to give him the victory when the Philistines challenge Israel (1 Samuel 17:26–47; 23:1–5); by not speaking a word against God’s “anointed” (King Saul), even when Saul seeks his life and God gives David power over him (1 Samuel 24:1–22; 26:1–25); and by valiantly defending God’s people Israel against the Philistines and against all their enemies (2 Samuel 3:18).