Abstract
This study examined Hebrews’ use of gender-exclusive language for the purpose of understanding the author of the Epistle’s perspective on women and their role the religious community. The study used both broader historical research and exegetical analysis to support theological conclusions about Hebrews’ treatment of women. Despite the use of gender-exclusive language, the epistle does not suggest a bias against women. On the contrary, in the author of Hebrews’ hand, gendered language becomes a vehicle for understanding the implications of the gospel message for the Christian community.
Highlights
The following essay may seem ill-fitting in a volume on New Testament theology, for it spends the bulk of its words investigating the historical realities faced by women in the ancient world
Some scholars of Hebrews have argued that the author of this letter addressed his exhortation to former Jewish priests, which would indicate that women were not included (Allen 2010)
While Hebrews’ invitation to women to come into the holy place in the presence of God shares some similarities with the cultic practices of Greco-Roman religion and the spiritual descriptions of fellow Jews, in his text, the community is invited into a realm to perform actions that in a Jewish cultic setting would dominantly be associated with men (Cohick 2009)
Summary
If a scholar approaches a text as a historical document, as a repository of what someone thought at a particular time, the almost complete absence of women in the text would not disturb, but would, be expected. This author would be one among the many educated throughout time who ignored the presence and experience of women. Hebrews in this historically distant way, the majority of ecclesial readers who encounter it do not For these readers, the author of Hebrews’ words have a life beyond their original utterance.
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