Seth Whitaker argues that the Psalm texts function as the structural and theological backbone of Hebrews from start to finish, and that few scholars have examined the use of Psalms outside of quotations or connected the author of Hebrews' use of Psalms with his broader eschatological outlook. Whitaker suggests that the author’s eschatology is his dominating exegetical assumption, allowing numerous psalms to be read with multiple meanings.
Whitaker further suggests that Psalms, for the author of Hebrews, not only provide messianic material for his exegetical commentary, but also speak to a deeper interpretive tradition that is detectable through scriptural allusions, shared motifs, and narrative structures. Whitaker examines three passages of Hebrews, 1:5–13, 12:18–28 and 13:15, which correspond to three perceived gaps in scholarship: the relationship between quoted texts, the author’s cultural encyclopedia, and the function of scriptural allusions. By focusing on Psalms and the eschatological nature of the author of Hebrews' exegesis, Whitaker concludes that readers will be better suited to situate Hebrews in relation to other Second Temple and early Jewish interpretive traditions.
By:
Dr. Seth Whitaker (University of St Andrews UK) Imprint: T.& T.Clark Ltd Country of Publication: United Kingdom Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 156mm,
ISBN:9780567720955 ISBN 10: 0567720950 Series:The Library of Second Temple Studies Pages: 200 Publication Date:10 July 2025 Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
College/higher education
,
Undergraduate
,
Further / Higher Education
Format:Hardback Publisher's Status: Active
Seth Whitaker is a recent graduate of the University of St Andrews, UK.