PREFACE. THE Epistle to the Hebrews has special claims on the theologian and the historian. For it stands absolutely alone in the New Testament in the thoroughness with which it developes the priestly character of the Messiah, and the typical significance of the Old Testament: its influence has been great in shaping the doctrine of the Atonement; and the formularies of our faith have borrowed largely from its language. Its historical importance will be differently estimated according to the date assigned to it, and the view taken of the author's position and circumstances: if it be, as I see strong reason to conclude, the voice of one of the most distinguished living members of the church of the circumcision at the supreme crisis of its history, uttered for the guidance of his Hebrew brethren during the final agony of the Jewish nation, its value becomes very great as a contribution to early church history. It has hitherto however obtained but scanty attention from English critics: and the want of an edition suitable for the student's use has been my chief motive for undertaking the present work; which has been to me a veritable labour of love. In its execution the authorities, to which I have most often had recourse, have been the LXX, and the New Testament, the works of Philo, Josephus and Clement of Rome: but I have relied still more upon the thoughtful study of the author's own language and argument. My obligations to those who have laboured before R. b |