Abstract
The origin and text form of Psalm 45:6-7 (44:7-8) in Hebrews 1:8-9 are investigated. On a tradition-historical level it is established that Psalm 45:1-2b was quoted in 4Q171 in early Judaism, but in early Christianity, prior to Hebrews, no evidence of quoting Psalm 45 has been found. Messianic connections might have prompted the author to use it. On a text-critical level, new manuscript evidence is assessed and variant readings are discussed. It is concluded that the author himself made minor changes to his text without following another Vorlage. Insofar as Jesus is being called “God” by God himself, Psalm 45 confirmed to the author of Hebrews the divinity of Jesus. The royal imagery, righteous rule and eternal throne are christologically applied.
Highlights
The issue of the Vorlage of the explicit quotations in Hebrews is still an unresolved one
In the quest for the Vorlage, evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls, the latest available information on New Testament textual witnesses and developments in the research of the Psalms all need to be taken into account
The quotation from Psalm 45:6-7 (44:7-8 LXX) in Hebrews 1:8-9 is the fifth explicit quotation in the catena of Hebrews 1:5-14 and in all likelihood belongs to the second group of quotations mentioned above, that is those quotations from previously quoted passages by authors who wrote prior to Hebrews, from a different section in that passage
Summary
The issue of the Vorlage of the explicit quotations in Hebrews is still an unresolved one. The quotation from Psalm 45:6-7 (44:7-8 LXX) in Hebrews 1:8-9 is the fifth explicit quotation in the catena of Hebrews 1:5-14 and in all likelihood belongs to the second group of quotations mentioned above, that is those quotations from previously quoted passages by authors who wrote prior to Hebrews, from a different section in that passage. It is closely connected with the quotation from Psalm 102 (101):, which is the only quotation from the seven cited in this catena not to have been quoted prior to Hebrews. Karrer (2002:141) puts it as follows: “Wahrscheinlich liegt eine Schriftentdeckung des Hebr vor.”
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