Know the Word.
Your studiesOverviewsAboutSupport
Book 58 of 66 · New Testament

Hebrews

An eloquent argument that Christ is greater than everything before him — better priest, better sacrifice, better covenant.

13 chapters303 versesWritten in GreekSet To Jewish Christians tempted to turn back

Overview

Hebrews is more sermon than letter, written to Jewish believers tempted to slip back into their old faith under pressure. Its argument is a single sustained case that Jesus is greater than everything that came before — greater than the angels, than Moses, than the priests and their sacrifices — the true high priest of a better covenant. Woven through it are urgent warnings not to fall away, and the great roll-call of faith in chapter 11.

Book facts

Author
UnknownThe only New Testament letter whose author is entirely unknown; guesses include Paul, Apollos, and Barnabas.
Date written
c. AD 60–90Whether it was written before the temple's destruction in AD 70 is uncertain.
Original language
GreekThe most polished Greek in the New Testament.
Setting
To Jewish Christians tempted to turn backUrging them not to abandon Christ under pressure.

How it came to be

Hebrews does not name its author — the only New Testament letter that is truly anonymous. Ancient and modern guesses include Paul, Apollos, Barnabas, and others, but no one knows.

It reads less like a letter than a carefully built sermon for Jewish Christians under pressure.

What is arguedWho wrote it, and when. Its authorship has been debated since the earliest centuries.

The whole book, chapter by chapter

ChapterWhat this chapter covers
Christ is greater — better than angels, Moses, and the priests, chapters 1–10
Chapter 1The Son above angelsThe Son is greater than the angels, the exact image of God.
Chapter 2The great salvationA warning not to neglect so great a salvation; Christ shared our humanity.
Chapter 3The house of MosesChrist is greater than Moses; a warning against unbelief.
Chapter 4The rest remainingA rest remains for God's people; the word of God is living and powerful.
Chapter 5The order of MelchisedecChrist is a high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Chapter 6The anchor of hopeA warning against falling away, and hope as an anchor for the soul.
Chapter 7The priest for everMelchisedec pictures Christ, a priest for ever.
Chapter 8The new covenantChrist mediates a better covenant, making the first one obsolete.
Chapter 9The blood of the covenantThe earthly sanctuary, and Christ's once-for-all entry with his own blood.
Chapter 10The once-for-all sacrificeChrist's single sacrifice perfects believers; hold fast, and do not draw back.
The life of faith — the heroes of faith and the call to endure, chapters 11–13
Chapter 11The heroes of faithThe great roll-call of faith, from Abel to the prophets.
Chapter 12The cloud of witnessesSurrounded by a cloud of witnesses, run the race and look to Jesus.
Chapter 13The city to comeFinal exhortations; here we have no lasting city, but seek one to come.

All 13 chapters. Start reading →

Worth knowing

Known for

Some of the best-known verses in Hebrews — tap the verse to read it.