Zion Symbolism in Hebrews: Hebrews 12:18–24 as a Hermeneutical Key to the Epistle

by Kiwoong Son

Publisher:

Paternoster

, 2005

Overview

This book challenges the general tendency of understanding the Epistle to the Hebrews against a Hellenistic background and suggests that the Epistle should be understood in the light of the Jewish apocalyptic tradition. The author especially argues for the importance of the theological symbolism of Sinai and Zion (Heb. 12:18-24) as it provides the Epistle’s theological background as well as the rhetorical basis of the superiority motif of Jesus throughout the Epistle.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Longenecker explains three methods of Jewish interpretation of the Bible: Midrash Exegesis, Pesher Exegesis and Allegorical Exegesis, and suggests that the pesher style of exegesis is the dominant manner of Old Testament treatment by the NT writers.” (Page 5)

“Yet the reason that I began with the epistle to the Hebrews instead of Pauline epistles was that among the NT writings Hebrews is the most thorough and systematic treatment of the theological significance of and relationship between the Mosaic Law and the gospel in Christ.” (Page xiii)

“Therefore, the main task of this thesis is to prove that the reference to Sinai and Zion in Hebrews 12:18–24 is not simply a passing reference but reveals the author’s conceptual framework on the basis of which he has developed his argument throughout the epistle.” (Page 24)

“Hebrews is a single theological treatise with a single task to achieve (i.e. the theological significance of the person and ministry of Jesus) rather than to deal with all the religious pluralism of the first century. The following consideration on the structural coherence and literary unity in spite of the various themes of the epistle will suggest that the discovery of a single predominant conceptual framework of the epistle is still required instead of supposing that the epistle was written under the influence of the various religious and intellectual thoughts of the first century.” (Page 13)

“Likewise, Zion symbolism can never be understood outside the development of the Jerusalem cultic tradition. The” (Page 30)

Product Details

• Title: Zion Symbolism in Hebrews: Hebrews 12:18–24 as a Hermeneutical Key to the Epistle
• Author: Kiwoong Son
• Publisher: Paternoster Press
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 248

About Kiwoong Son

Kiwoong Son completed his doctorate at London School of Theology and has served as a chaplain to Korean and Asian students at Royal Holloway College, University of London, UK, before returning to South Korea.