Eschatology and the Use of Psalms in Hebrews: Songs for the Last Days (The Library of Second Temple Studies)

$120.00
by Seth Whitaker

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Seth Whitaker argues that the Psalm texts function as the structural and theological backbone of Hebrews from start to finish, and that few scholars have examined the use of Psalms outside of quotations or connected the author of Hebrews' use of Psalms with his broader eschatological outlook. Whitaker suggests that the author’s eschatology is his dominating exegetical assumption, allowing numerous psalms to be read with multiple meanings. Whitaker further suggests that Psalms, for the author of Hebrews, not only provide messianic material for his exegetical commentary, but also speak to a deeper interpretive tradition that is detectable through scriptural allusions, shared motifs, and narrative structures. Whitaker examines three passages of Hebrews, 1:5–13, 12:18–28 and 13:15, which correspond to three perceived gaps in scholarship: the relationship between quoted texts, the author’s cultural encyclopedia, and the function of scriptural allusions. By focusing on Psalms and the eschatological nature of the author of Hebrews' exegesis, Whitaker concludes that readers will be better suited to situate Hebrews in relation to other Second Temple and early Jewish interpretive traditions. “Whitaker's research achieves his goal of redirecting our attention from isolated proof-texting methods to view the author of Hebrews as operating with a network of divine dialogue in mind. This provides a valuable lens for understanding how eschatology shapes a community's engagement with the Psalter-and vice versa-making it an essential resource for discussions in hermeneutics and eschatology.” ― Jonathan Sedlak Seth Whitake r is a recent graduate of the University of St Andrews, UK. Lester L. Grabbe is Professor Emeritus of Hebrew Bible and Early Judaism at the University of Hull. He is founder and convenor of the European Seminar in Historical Methodology. A recent book is Ancient Israel:What Do We Know and How Do We Know it

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