A Brief Introduction to Hebrews

A Brief Introduction to Hebrews

From the desk of Rev Tay 1 February 2026

          The book of Hebrews is the only New Testament book that calls the Lord Jesus “the High Priest”. Even though it is a letter without an opening, its first three verses form one of the five major Christology passages in the New Testament. The book also has a powerful exposition on the doctrine of the two-nature of Jesus Christ, that he is fully God and yet fully man: “the Son is the exact representation of his(God’s) being” (1:3) and “he had to be made like them, fully human in every way” (2:17)

          While the book itself reveals its nature and purpose, neither the author nor the recipients is specifically named. The contents of the letter, for example, “This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.” (2:3), indicate that he was a second-generation believer who was also a skilled interpreter of Scripture and a good preacher with an excellent command of Greek. The recipients are believed to be some believing Jews, also known as the Jewish Christians, and are in danger of falling away from the Christian faith due to persecution. This letter is likely to be written between a.d. 50 and 70 since the destruction of the temple is not mentioned, and it fits quite well in the argument of verse 8:13 and verses 10:1,2.

          The book aims to demonstrate the superiority of the final realities God has revealed in the new covenant over the temporary realities of the first covenant, thereby encouraging its readers to respond to the threat of persecution by recommitting to the new and better reality Jesus brings.


          You will notice that the writer alternates between teaching and exhortation. He reviews the key events in Israel’s history and the arrangements for temple worship, and then exhorts or warns his readers based on the teaching. Such teaching-exhortation pairs are strewn throughout the letter. For example,

• Jesus and his salvation are better than the angels and the salvation they announced.
• Jesus is a better mediator than Moses;
• Jesus brings us into a better rest than that Joshua brought Israel into.

• Jesus is a better high priest than Aaron and all others appointed by the law.

          As God’s faithful people have throughout the ages, we must continue to live in the light of God’s unseen heavenly realities and step out in faith. Through Christ, we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken!