Smith's Bible Dictionary.pdf - Online Christian Library

Smith's Bible Dictionary
been reduced. It is one of the earliest of known languages, and some suppose that it was the original
language of man.
Hebrews, Epistle To The
•The
author—There has been a wide difference of opinion respecting the authorship of this epistle.
For many years Paul was considered the author; others think it may have been Luke, Barnabas,
or Apollos. Much of the theology and the language are similar to Paul’s, but the authorship of the
epistle ia still disputed.
•To whom written .—The epistle was probably addressed to the Jews in Jerusalem and Palestine.
The argument of the epistle is such as could he used with most effect to a church consisting
exclusively of Jews by birth, personally familiar with and attached to the temple service.
•Date.—It was evidently written before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, probably about
A.D. 62-64.
•Place .—It was probably written in Italy, while Paul was a prisoner at Rome.
•Contents .—With respect to the scope of the epistle, it should be recollected that while the numerous
Christian churches scattered throughout Judea, (Acts 9:31; Galatians 1:22) were continually
exposed to persecution from the Jews, (1 Thessalonians 2:14) there was in Jerusalem one additional
weapon in the hands of the predominant oppressors of the Christians. The magnificent national
temple might be put against the Hebrew Christian; and even if this affliction were not often laid
upon him, yet there was a secret burden which he bore within him, the knowledge that the end of
all the beauty and awfulness of Zion was rapidly approaching. The writer of this epistle meets the
Hebrew Christians on their own ground, showing that the new faith gave them Christ the Son of
God, more prevailing than the high priest as an intercessor; that his Sabbath awaited them, his
covenant, his atonement, his city heavenly not made with hands. Having him, believe in him with
all your heart, with a faith in the unseen future strong as that of the saints of old, patient under
present and prepared for coming woe, full of energy and hope and holiness and love. Such was
the teaching of the Epistle to the Hebrews.
Hebron
(alliance).
•The third son of Kohath, who was the second son of Levi. (Exodus 6:18; Numbers 3:19; 1
Chronicles 6:2,18; 23:12) He was the founder of a family of Hebronites, (Numbers 3:27; 26:58;
1 Chronicles 26:23,30,31), or Bene-Hebron. (1 Chronicles 15:9; 23:19)
•A city of Judah, (Joshua 15:54) situated among the mountains, (Joshua 20:7) 20 Roman miles
south of Jerusalem, and the same distance north of Beersheba. Hebron is one of the most ancient
cities in the world still existing; and in this respect it is the rival of Damascus. It was a well-known
town when Abraham entered Canaan, 3800 years ago. (Genesis 13:18) Its original name was
Kirjath-arba, (Judges 1:10) “the city of Arba;” so called from Arba the father of Anak. (Joshua
15:13,14; 21:13) Sarah died at Hebron; and Abraham then bought from Ephron the Hittite the
field and cave of Machpelah, to serve as a family tomb (Genesis 23:2-20) The cave is still there,
and the massive walls of the Haram or mosque, within which it lies, form the most remarkable
object in the whole city. Abraham is called by Mohammedans el-Khulil, “the Friend,” i.e. of God,
and this is the modern name of Hebron. Hebron now contains about 5000 inhabitants, of whom
some fifty families are Jews. It is picturesquely situated in a narrow valley, surrounded by rocky
hills. The valley runs from north to south; and the main quarter of the town, surmounted by the
lofty walls of the venerable Haram, lies partly on the eastern slope. (Genesis 37:14) comp.
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William Smith