The Book of Hebrews describes Jesus as YHWH God Incarnate, as well as the very Wisdom and Son of God who became a human being (Cf. 1:1-3, 6, 8-12; 2:5-18; 3:3-6). In fact, the inspired author states that it was the prehuman Jesus whom Moses beheld and for whose sake he gave up the riches of Egypt:
“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:24-27 New International Version (NIV)
He thought that being insulted for the sake of the Messiah was of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, without being afraid of the king’s anger, and he persevered because he saw the one who is invisible.” International Standard Version (ISV)
The following chart will help the readers see how the writer of Hebrews has identified Jesus as both YHWH and YHWH’s own Wisdom, since he has taken OT references and/or terminology about YHWH and divine Wisdom and applied all of that to Christ.
JESUS | YHWH |
“but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir (kleronomon) of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection (apaugasma) of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word.” Hebrews 1:2-3a “When he had made purification (katharismon) for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (en hypselois),… And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’” Heb. 1:3b, 6 “But of the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God (Ho Theos), is forever and ever, and the scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom.’… And, ‘In the beginning, Lord (Kyrie), you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end.’” Heb. 1:8, 10-12 | “Arise, O God (Ho Theos), judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit (kleronomeneis) all nations.” Psalm 81[Heb. 82]:8 LXX “for wisdom, the fashioner of all things, taught me… For she is a reflection (apaugasma) of eternal light…” Wisdom 7:22, 26 “Great is the Lord who made it; at his orders it hurries on its course… Because of him each of his messengers succeeds, and by his word all things hold together.” Sirach 43:5, 26 “Who is as the Lord our God? who dwells in the high places (en hypselois),” Palm 112[Heb. 113]:5 LXX “… and let all the angels of God worship him;… and the Lord shall purge (ekkathariei) the land of his people.” Deuteronomy 32:43 LXX “In the beginning thou, O Lord (Kyrie), didst lay the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands. They shall perish, but thou remainest: and [they all] shall wax old as a garment; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them, and they shall be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.” Psalm 101:26-28 LXX (Heb. 102:25-27) |
FURTHER READING
JESUS AS THE ETERNAL CREATOR IN HEBREWS
The Book of Hebrews and Jesus as Creator
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