Philo of Alexandria and the Epistle to the Hebrews on the Concept of the Spiritualization of the Cult

The Epistle to the Hebrews contains one of the most unique Greek lexicology and syntax of all the New Testament writings. Behind syntax, however, there lies a very profound theological vision on topics such as Christ, Temple, holiness, perseverance and salvation. Studying Hebrews against the backgro...

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Main Author: Botica Aurelian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sciendo 2023-03-01
Series:Perichoresis: The Theological Journal of Emanuel University
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.2478/perc-2023-0009
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author Botica Aurelian
author_facet Botica Aurelian
author_sort Botica Aurelian
collection DOAJ
description The Epistle to the Hebrews contains one of the most unique Greek lexicology and syntax of all the New Testament writings. Behind syntax, however, there lies a very profound theological vision on topics such as Christ, Temple, holiness, perseverance and salvation. Studying Hebrews against the background of Graeco-Roman culture, the source that most contemporary scholars mention as being closest to the world of Hebrews in this context is Philo of Alexandria. Not only on philological grounds, but also in matters of methods of interpreting the Old Testament cult and in theology, Hebrews and Philo share a very common background. Analyzing the Epistle to the Hebrews comparatively, we are bound to ask whether or not comparsions such as these are warranted. In the following study we will state the state of the problem and then will examine the two sources that seem to have served as a source of inspiration for the author of Hebrews: the Old Testament and Philo of Alexandria. We will focus exclusively on the issues of the method of allegory and the spiritualization/reinterpretation of Old Testament cultic entities, since both Philo and Hebrews are characterized by these concerns. In essence, we will want to know who or what served as the most plausible source of inspiration for the author of Hebrews in the particular area of the reinterpretation of the Old Testament cult.
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spelling doaj.art-f5c7c507931c43b68922d62af4e381fa2023-04-11T17:19:27ZengSciendoPerichoresis: The Theological Journal of Emanuel University2284-73082023-03-0121s1406610.2478/perc-2023-0009Philo of Alexandria and the Epistle to the Hebrews on the Concept of the Spiritualization of the CultBotica Aurelian0Emanuel University of OradeaThe Epistle to the Hebrews contains one of the most unique Greek lexicology and syntax of all the New Testament writings. Behind syntax, however, there lies a very profound theological vision on topics such as Christ, Temple, holiness, perseverance and salvation. Studying Hebrews against the background of Graeco-Roman culture, the source that most contemporary scholars mention as being closest to the world of Hebrews in this context is Philo of Alexandria. Not only on philological grounds, but also in matters of methods of interpreting the Old Testament cult and in theology, Hebrews and Philo share a very common background. Analyzing the Epistle to the Hebrews comparatively, we are bound to ask whether or not comparsions such as these are warranted. In the following study we will state the state of the problem and then will examine the two sources that seem to have served as a source of inspiration for the author of Hebrews: the Old Testament and Philo of Alexandria. We will focus exclusively on the issues of the method of allegory and the spiritualization/reinterpretation of Old Testament cultic entities, since both Philo and Hebrews are characterized by these concerns. In essence, we will want to know who or what served as the most plausible source of inspiration for the author of Hebrews in the particular area of the reinterpretation of the Old Testament cult.https://doi.org/10.2478/perc-2023-0009hebrewsphiloold testamentcultspiritualizationallegory
spellingShingle Botica Aurelian
Philo of Alexandria and the Epistle to the Hebrews on the Concept of the Spiritualization of the Cult
Perichoresis: The Theological Journal of Emanuel University
hebrews
philo
old testament
cult
spiritualization
allegory
title Philo of Alexandria and the Epistle to the Hebrews on the Concept of the Spiritualization of the Cult
title_full Philo of Alexandria and the Epistle to the Hebrews on the Concept of the Spiritualization of the Cult
title_fullStr Philo of Alexandria and the Epistle to the Hebrews on the Concept of the Spiritualization of the Cult
title_full_unstemmed Philo of Alexandria and the Epistle to the Hebrews on the Concept of the Spiritualization of the Cult
title_short Philo of Alexandria and the Epistle to the Hebrews on the Concept of the Spiritualization of the Cult
title_sort philo of alexandria and the epistle to the hebrews on the concept of the spiritualization of the cult
topic hebrews
philo
old testament
cult
spiritualization
allegory
url https://doi.org/10.2478/perc-2023-0009
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