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Hebrews 13.9–16 Revisited1
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 February 2009
Extract
Many years ago I watched a television programme on the art of acting. It was a ‘Masterclass’ conducted by Dame Flora Robson. She took a group of Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts’ students, divided them into four separate groups, and then asked each to act out a scene. Each separate cast was given the same script, but, unbeknown to the others, each group was given an entirely different background to the setting of the scene. We then saw the results; four readings, each with the same lines but understood completely differently.
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References
2 For a discussion of the major first-century milieux suggested as Hebrews' background see Hurst, L. D., The Epistle to the Hebrews: Its Background and Thought (SNTSMS 65; Cambridge University, 1990).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
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6 Compare the MT: ‘For the Lord your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God.’
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26 Cf. Heb 9.5 which refers to the covering of the ark (ἱλαστριου the usual LXX translation of kapporeth [Exod 25.18, 22; 31.7; 35.12]), the place where mercy is dispensed (RSV ‘mercy seat’); cf. also 4.16, ‘throne of grace’ (θρυοζ τζ χριτοζ).
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50 For the place of Jesus’ execution see John 19.20, ‘near the city’. Mark 15.20 and Matt 27.31 which state that Jesus was ‘led out’ (cf. Luke 23.2, ‘led away’) imply that it took place outside the city walls.
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