Comparative Characterization in the Book of Hebrews: Abstract

Characterization is nothing but the way a character is characterized. An author may use various means to characterize a character. Among them, the author may compare a character with another character so as to bring out a characteristic trait. I call this method as comparative characterization (Comparative Characterization in the Sermon on the Mount, Wipf and Stock, 2017). The compared character can be a contrastive character like Saul for David or complementary character like John the Baptist to Jesus. I call the former as contrastive comparative characterization and the latter as complementary comparative characterization. In this paper, the book of Hebrews will be interpreted using both these comparative characterizations to see their function in the characterization of Jesus.

It is assumed that comparisons are used to characterize Jesus in a better way. Both contrastive and complementary characters are used in comparison with Jesus. The book of Hebrews is full of comparisons. In fact, the book starts with comparisons from Heb 1:1 onwards. Heb 1:1-2 shows the way the author uses comparisons in his book. In 1:1, he says, “long ago.” Similarly, in 1:2, he compares this with “in these days.” In 1:1, “God spoke to the fathers” but now he speaks to “us”. In 1:1, God spoke “at many times and in many ways,” but now God speaks only in one-way that is through his Son (1:2). In 1:1, the agents of God’s speaking to the forefathers were prophets but now the agent is His Son himself (1:2). Comparisons in these two verses are quite apparent. 1:1 is totally contrasted with 1:2a. This is the beauty of the use of comparisons. The words (1:2b-3) following 1:2a characterizes Jesus with direct and indirect descriptive characterization. This shows that the objective of use of comparisons in 1:1-2a is to characterize the Son.

 The comparisons of Jesus with the angels run from 1:4 to 1:9. The Son becomes Superior than the angels (1:4). Unlike the angels the Son is worshipped, even by the angels (1:6). While angels are just winds and fire (1:7) the Son’s throne exists forever (1:8a). In 1:9, God anoints the Son with the oil of gladness as he loved righteousness and hated wickedness “beyond his companions” (angels?) (1:9).

Similarly, comparisons are found throughout the book. In 1:10-12, the Son, who is forever, is compared with his creation, which will perish. From 1:13 to 2:9, the Son is compared and contrasted with the angels. In 3:1-19, the Son is contrasted with Moses, for “He was counted worthy of more glory than Moses” (3.3). 4:8-9 shows the Son being compared with Joshua who functions as complementary character displaying complementary comparative characterization. From 4:14 to 10:25, the Son is contrasted with earthly high priest. In 5:6 to 7:17, the characterization of the Son is complemented with the characterization of Melchizedek. In addition, the author of Hebrews compares and contrasts old covenant (8:1) and new covenant (10:25). Therefore, complementary comparative characterization and contrastive comparative characterization will help in interpreting the book of Hebrews.