HEBREWS, BOOK OF

Certain first-century Jews sought to persuade Christians (perhaps in the region of Jerusalem) to abandon the faith, return to Judaism, and wait for the real Messiah. The design of this letter, by an author whose identity has been concealed, is to inoculate against this danger of apostasy. The letter argues the case that Christianity is superior to Judaism, the latter being merely a divine preparation for the former. The term "better" (twelve times) is a key. The New Covenant has a better: prophet, priesthood, promises, hope, etc. A return to Judaism will signal disaster for those who succumb to the temptation.