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Hebrews 12.5–13, the Wilderness Period, and...
Journal article

Hebrews 12.5–13, the Wilderness Period, and Israel's Discipline*

Abstract

Since the author of Hebrews locates his readers in Israel's wilderness period in Heb 3.1–4.11 and 11.8–39, the discussion of παιδɛία in 12.5–13 should be interpreted in light of early Jewish conceptions of Israel's time in the wilderness. Confirmation that this is the correct context in which to understand 12.5–13 will be found in Deuteronomy, Wisdom, Philo, and Josephus, all of whom, like Hebrews, consider endurance of the disciplinary period of the wilderness necessary in order to inherit the promised rest. For this reason, Hebrews warns of Esau, the paradigmatic example of the undisciplined person who forfeits his inheritance.

Authors

Thiessen M

Journal

New Testament Studies, Vol. 55, No. 3, pp. 366–379

Publisher

Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Publication Date

July 1, 2009

DOI

10.1017/s0028688509000277

ISSN

0028-6885

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