Hebrews, Homiletics, and Liturgical Scripture Interpretation

Gabriella Gelardini

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Chapter 3 Hebrews, Homiletics, and Liturgical Scripture Interpretation

In: Deciphering the Worlds of Hebrews

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Gabriella Gelardini

Gabriella Gelardini
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 67–91

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004460171_005

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Abstract

This article begins with the observation that the author of Hebrews makes extensive use of biblical quotations but varies the methodology and concentration of citations from section to section in the book, a technique most closely paralleled in synagogue homilies. It continues by providing an introduction to ancient synagogue practices, architecture, and liturgy before turning to describe the nature of and expectations for synagogue homilies. In the reading presented, the key biblical passages undergirding the homily are Exod 31:18–32:35 (the Torah text, or sidrah, with the theme of covenant breaking) and Jer 31:31–34 (the related reading from the Prophets, the haphtarah, on covenant renewal). The overall structure is that of a three-part petichta homily with elaborate expectations for the use of scriptural citations in each section. It is asserted that the key texts from Exodus and Jeremiah were paired in the reconstructed ancient Jewish triennial reading cycle between the two fast days of Tammuz 17 and Av 9, the former commemorating the destruction of the law tablets by Moses in response to the golden calf incident and the latter the rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea. Both were also associated with the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians, with Tisha be-Av moreover related to the fall of the Second Temple and the failure of the Bar Kokhba revolt. As the lowest points on the Jewish calendar, they are shadow images of its highest point, Yom Kippur, and this explains the importance of the Day of Atonement rite for the author of Hebrews.

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Deciphering the Worlds of Hebrews

Collected Essays

Series: Novum Testamentum, Supplements, Volume: 184

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004460171

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 12 Apr 2021

Subjects
- Biblical Studies
  - New Testament & Early Christian Writings
  - Ancient Judaism

Front Matter

Part 1 The World of Hebrews’s Text

Part 2 The World behind Hebrews’s Text

Part 3 The World in Front of Hebrews’s Text

Back Matter

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African Studies	Education	Media Studies
American Studies	History	Middle East and Islamic Studies
Ancient Near East and Egypt	Human Rights and Humanitarian Law	Musicology
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Asian Studies	International Relations	Religious Studies
Biblical Studies	Jewish Studies	Slavic and Eurasian Studies
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Book History and Cartography	Life Sciences	Theology and World Christianity
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Chapter 3 Hebrews, Homiletics, and Liturgical Scripture Interpretation

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Deciphering the Worlds of Hebrews

Collected Essays

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