The Epistle to the Hebrews vs the Hebrew Bible

The Epistle to the Hebrews boldly proclaims that Jesus establishes a “better covenant” and serves as a superior high priest. Frans Hansen’s audit puts those claims to the test. Using the Torah’s own criteria for covenant making, priesthood and atonement, he examines whether the author of Hebrews has prophetic authority for changing the law.

Hansen demonstrates that Hebrews quotes Psalm 110 and Jeremiah 31 to justify its assertions, but when read in context those passages do not support the epistle’s conclusions. He shows how Hebrews employs metaphors—such as Jesus entering a heavenly sanctuary—to replace concrete statutes about sacrifices and priestly lineage. The book highlights that while the Torah allows for covenant renewal, it never abolishes existing commandments without prophetic sanction.

This volume is crucial for anyone wrestling with the letter to the Hebrews. It clarifies that admiration for Jesus need not entail accepting theological innovations that lack a Tanakh basis. By comparing each claim with the relevant Torah passages, readers can discern where interpretation ends and innovation begins.

Related Books

Continue exploring these themes with:

• The Epistle to the Hebrews vs the Hebrew Bible — a close look at how Hebrews redefines covenant, priesthood, and sacrifice (“better covenant” claims tested inside Torah constraints).
• THE BOOK OF ROMANS VS. THE HEBREW BIBLE — Romans under stable Torah categories: where definitions can’t shift mid-argument and citations can’t be ripped from covenant context.