The earliest manuscripts head the writing “the Hebrews”, which later was expanded to “The Epistle to the Hebrews.” It’s exact date of writing is not known, but there is strong internal and external evidence that it was written before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. AD 68 or AD 69 are dates commonly posited. We know from Clement of Rome in his writing that by the end of the first century he was in possession of the manuscript.
The exact audience is likewise unknown, but the title and content show that the audience was Jewish Christians. The book deals with a common problem early in the church, the Jewish struggle to know how exactly to place Jesus and His sacrifice in the context of God’s will for man.
We always argue the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as it pertains to the Bible, and this includes the book of Hebrews. Peter affirmed, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21). While the primary author is known (the Holy Spirit) the human author is not. Nowhere in the text does he identify himself. It is a cause for much speculation. Paul seems likely to many, and was primarily believed to be the author in the early church, but there is insufficient evidence to be dogmatic about any assertion. Other possibilities have been given, such as Barnabas, Luke, Apollos, Silvanus, Philip, as well as a host of others. (Bible scholars like to speculate!)
We know that the author had a great knowledge of the text of the Old Testament. There are historical references in the book that range from the creation of man (4:4; 11:3) through the establishment of nation of Israel. There are quotes from the book of Psalms and prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Habakkuk, Haggai and Zechariah.
Not only was he versed in the Old Covenant, but the author was also very familiar with the life of Christ. As such he was well qualified to argue the superiority of Christ and His New Covenant over the Old. The author compares and contrasts Old Testament figures such as angels, animal sacrifices, the tabernacle, the Levitical priesthood, (among others); with what Jesus ushered in with His death on the cross. In so doing he masterfully argues and proves that our hope in Jesus is better and more profound that anything the Old had to offer. The book is well worth a thorough study by every Christian.
