Levitical Sacrifice and Heavenly Cult in Hebrews

by Benjamin J. Ribbens

Overview

This monograph examines Hebrews’ understanding of the relationship between old covenant sacrifices and Christ’s new covenant sacrifice, especially as it relates to the question of efficacy. Most scholars think the author of Hebrews strips the levitical sacrifices of most, if not all, efficacy, but this work affirms a more positive depiction of the levitical sacrifices. A mystical apocalyptic tradition stands behind Hebrews’ description of the heavenly cult , which establishes the framework for relating the levitical sacrifice to Christ’s sacrifice. The earthly, levitical cult was efficacious when it corresponded to or synchronized with the heavenly sacrifice of Christ. Still, the author of Hebrews develops the notion of the heavenly cult in unique ways, as Christ’s sacrifice both validates the earthly practice but also, due to his new covenant theology, calls for its end. Ribbens’ bold proposal joins a growing number of scholars that place Hebrews in the mystical apocalyptic tradition, highlights positive statements in Hebrews related to the efficacy of levitical sacrifices that are often overlooked, and relies on the heavenly cult to reconcile the positive and negative descriptions of the levitical cult.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783110475814
Publisher:	De Gruyter
Publication date:	06/06/2016
Series:	Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft , #222
Pages:	314
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.06(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Benjamin J. Ribbens, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL, USA.

Benjamin J. Ribbens, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL, USA.

Table of Contents

List of Abbreviations xiii

1 The Efficacy of Levitical Sacrifice Compared to Christ's Sacrifice in Hebrews 1

1.1 Two Tensions in Hebrews's Cult Criticism 2

1.1.1 Self-Contradictory Sacrifice Theology? 3

1.1.2 Malicious Reinterpretation of the LXX? 4

1.2 Proposals 5

1.2.1 Different Kinds of Cleansing 6

1.2.1.1 External v. Internal 6

1.2.1.2 Defilement v. Sin 7

1.2.1.3 Social Purity v. Sins 8

1.2.1.4 Sins of Ignorance v. Willful Sins 8

1.2.1.5 Temporary v. Final 9

1.2.2 Prophetic Criticism 10

1.2.3 Hellenistic Dualism 11

1.2.4 Dogmatic Conclusion 11

1.2.5 Socio-Historical Context 12

1.2.6 Typology 13

1.3 Need for and Approach to this Study 17

2 Sacrifice Theology in Second Temple Judaism 20

2.1 Second Temple Judaism: An Overview 21

2.1.1 Perspectives on and Hopes for the Temple 22

2.1.2 Efficacy of Sacrifice: Pentateuch 26

2.1.3 Importance of Internal Dispositions: Prophets 27

2.1.4 Re-Narration of Biblical History 29

2.1.5 Martrydom Described with Sacrificial Terms 30

2.2 Philo 32

2.2.1 The Efficacy of Sacrifice 32

2.2.1.1 Three Types of Levitical Sacrifice 32

2.2.1.2 The Day of Atonement 34

2.2.2 The "Plain" and "Symbolic" Senses 35

2.3 Qumran Literature 40

2.3.1 Relationship to the Temple 40

2.3.1.1 Separation from the Temple 40

2.3.1.2 Anticipation of Restored Control of the Jerusalem Temple 42

2.3.1.3 Expectation of a God-Made, Eschatological Temple 43

2.3.2 Sacrifice Theology 43

2.3.2.1 The Ideal Sacrificial Cult 43

2.3.2.2 Provisional Adaptations 45

Offerings of Piety 45

Community as Temple 47

2.4 Conclusion 49

3 Heavenly Cult in Second Temple Judaism 52

3.1.1 Enoch 14 54

3.2 Jubilees 56

3.3 Songs of the Sabbath Sacrifice 60

3.3.1 First and Thirteenth ShirShabb 61

3.3.2 Second and Twelfth ShirShabb 64

3.3.3 Third through Eleventh ShirShabb 65

3.3.4 Function of the ShirShabb 65

3.4 Testament of Levi 71

3.5 Post-70 CE Texts 79

3.6 Conclusion 80

4 Heavenly Tabernacle and Cult in Hebrews 82

4.1 Introduction to Hebrews 83

4.2 Possible Backgrounds to Hebrews's Heavenly Tabernacle 89

4.3 Texts 99

4.3.1 Hebrews 1:3 99

4.3.2 Hebrews 4:14-16 100

4.3.3 Hebrews 6:19-20 101

4.3.4 Hebrews 7:26 102

4.3.5 Hebrews 8:1-6 102

4.3.6 Hebrews 9:11-14 113

4.3.7 Hebrews 9:23-28 119

4.3.8 Hebrews 10:11-14 127

4.3.9 Conclusions 129

4.4 The Function of the Heavenly Sanctuary and Cult 136

4.5 Distinctives 141

4.5.1 Singularity of Christ's Sacrifice 141

4.5.2 The End of Sacrifice 142

4.5.3 The Inauguration of the Heavenly Sanctuary 143

4.5.4 LXX Psalm 39:7-9 in Hebrews 10:5-10 143

5 Old Covenant Sacrifices 149

5.1 What the Old Covenant Sacrifices Accomplished 149

5.1.1 Old Covenant Sacrifices for Sins 149

5.1.2 Old Covenant Sacrifices and Forgiveness 154

5.1.3 Other Considerations 160

5.2 What the Old Covenant Sacrifices Did Not Accomplish 163

5.2.1 Access to God 163

5.2.2 Perfection 169

5.2.2.1 Perfection as Moral or Ethical Development 171

5.2.2.2 Perfection as Cultic Consecration 172

5.2.2.3 Perfection as Direct Presence of God 174

5.2.2.4 Perfection as the Totality of Salvation 176

5.2.2.5 Conclusion 177

5.2.3 Redemption 178

5.2.4 The Law Has a Shadow 184

5.2.5 Regulations of the Flesh (9:10, 13) 189

5.2.6 Cleansing the Conscience 193

5.2.7 Annual Reminder of Sins 196

5.2.8 Take Away Sins 198

5.2.9 Sins of Ignorance 202

6 New Covenant Sacrifice 206

6.1 Atonement 206

6.2 Forgiveness 211

6.3 Purification 212

6.4 Sanctification 213

6.5 Perfection 215

6.6 Redemption 218

6.7 Take Away Sin 220

6.8 Non-Remembrance of Sins 223

6.9 Purification of the Conscience 225

6.10 Conclusion 227

7 Conclusion 228

7.1 Evaluation of Proposals 228

7.1.1 Different Kinds of Cleansing 229

7.1.1.1 External v. Internal 229

7.1.1.2 Defilement v. Sin 230

7.1.1.3 Social Purity v. Sins 231

7.1.1.4 Sins of Ignorance v. Willful Sins 232

7.1.1.5 Temporary v. Final 233

7.1.2 Explanations of the Critical Statements 233

7.1.2.1 Prophetic Criticism 233

7.1.2.2 Hellenistic Dualism 234

7.1.2.3 Dogmatic Conclusion 234

7.1.2.4 Socio-Historical Context 235

7.1.2.5 Typology 235

7.2 Sacramental, Christological Types 236

Appendix: Perfection in Second Temple Literature and the New Testament 241

LXX 241

Pseudepigrapha, DSS, and Philo 244

New Testament 245

Conclusion 246

Bibliography 248

Primary Sources 248

Secondary Sources 249

Index of References 268

Index of Authors 289

Index of Subjects 295

Editorial Reviews

"Ribbens’s work on Second Temple literature provides useful background and introduction as well as thorough examinations of the passages in question. This study is a resource to which I will return often."
Madison N. Pierce in: Journal of The Evangelical Theological Society (2018), 663-665

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