Abstract:
This dissertation intends to analyze, through bibliographic and exegetical research, the theological function of the allusions to the Day of Atonement in the argumentation in Hebrews, especially in its ceremonial/cultic argumentation (Hb 8:1-10:18). For this end, this dissertation will identify and analyze the allusions and references to the Day of Atonement in the book of Hebrews and will evaluate what role they play in the rhetorical and theological development of the text of Hebrews. The Day of Atonement was the high point of the liturgical calendar of Israel in the Old Testament. And, because of the Jewish matrix of Christianity, for a long time this ceremonial day continued to have importance for the first Christian communities. Comprehending the meaning of the allusions to the Day of Atonement in Hebrews helps in the recovery of an important cultural trait since Christianity was born in a Jewish context. The probable conceptual influences on Hebrews point to a model of a real celestial sanctuary, in action, not platonic, where Christ makes his superior and single expiatory offering. The analysis of the priestly titles, of the places of priestly action and of the ritualistic language used in Hebrews shows that there exist at least three allusions to the Day of Atonement, located, precisely in the ceremonial/cultic argumentation (Hb 9:6-7; 9 24-25 and 10:1-4). The author of Hebrews makes use of the concepts of sanctuary and celestial expiation present in the Old Testament and in the Jewish Apocalyptic literature, and the Day of Atonement plays different roles in its argumentation. In Hebrews, the Day of Atonement has the role of amplifying and emphasizing the superiority of Christ’s offering, which will serve as a base for the final exhortations. It is important to understand in what way the “shadow” of the Day of Atonement was used in an exhortative and encouraging discourse. The understanding of what the text of Hebrews said to the first Christians through the symbolism of the Day of Atonement is useful for evaluating what Hebrews can say to us still today.
