The Book of Hebrews: Its Challenge from Zion: Intertextal Bible Commentary

How fitting it is that after some thirty-five years since the appearance of his original Anchor Bible Commentary on Hebrews Professor George Wesley Buchanan again turns his hand to this challenging document of early Christianity–now as an intertextual commentary. Here he further elaborates upon his novel thesis that Hebrews 1-12 is a midrashic sermon based on Psalm 110, giving special attention throughout to its frequent use of scripture. The commentary in a way represents vintage Buchanan. It is at once fresh, bold, provocative, suggestive, learned, and filled with helpful insight. Buchanan is equally conversant with ancient sources and modern scholarship, including recent archaeology. His masterful knowledge of Judaism, displayed in many publications over the years, pays rich dividends in the commentary. Buchanan is never dull, never predictable. Never does one have the feeling that one is getting things second hand; on the contrary, it is continually evident that one is reading the result of a direct, fresh encounter with the text. Above all, Buchanan does what he also asks his readers to do: Think for yourself! Knowledge, after all, will not progress if one accepts only traditional and settled opinions on everything. This is anything but just another commentary on Hebrews. It will engage and challenge readers as very few commentaries do! Therefore, I am happy to recommend it! Donald A. Hagner George Eldon Ladd Professor of New Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary