Hebrews 5:7 as the cry of the Davidic sufferer

Timothy Bertolet

doi:10.4102/ids.v51i1.2286

Abstract

This article proposes a better source for the Son’s cry in Hebrews 5:7. It begins by surveying sources previous scholars have identified, including Jesus’ cry in Gethsemane and Golgotha, several Psalms, and the Maccabean martyr literature. It is then argued that these background sources for the language are insufficient. Instead the author of Hebrews has an entire motif from the Psalter as his informing source: the Davidic figure that cries out in trust to be delivered from a death-like experience. Firstly, the motif of the Davidic righteous suffering in the LXX Psalms is demonstrated. Secondly, Hebrews’ use of the Messianic royal figure is demonstrated and thirdly, Hebrews 5:7 as a portrait of the Christ who cries out for deliverance is demonstrated. Thus, Hebrews 5:7 sees the Son as the Davidic king who is the true representative human exercising trust in YHWH, bringing to fulfilment the theme from various Psalms.

Highlights

Scholars of Hebrews have long recognised that the author himself is a capable interpreter of Scripture
While debates continue over the nature of his methodology, his reasons for choosing various texts, and their contribution to his theology, there is virtually no question that the writer has been deeply influenced by Scripture, most likely from a familiarity with various texts of the LXX
It can be proposed that this submersion in the Old Testament helps one to identify a specific motif from the Psalms informing the language of Hebrews 5:7

Summary

Introduction

Scholars of Hebrews have long recognised that the author himself is a capable interpreter of Scripture. The author has a whole psalmic motif behind his statement ὃς ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τῆς σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ δεήσεις τε καὶ ἱκετηρίας πρὸς τὸν δυνάμενον σῴζειν αὐτὸν ἐκ θανάτου μετὰ κραυγῆς ἰσχυρᾶς καὶ δακρύων προσενέγκας (5:7). In this verse, for Hebrews, Jesus is the fulfilment of the psalmic motif of the Davidic figure who exercises true pious dependence upon God by crying out in trust in his experience of utter despair and descent into death

Objectives

Conclusion