Abstract

Although the Letter to the Hebrews has merited immense amounts of scholarly attention regarding its use of Hebrew Scriptures, Hebrews scholarship is lacking a critical accounting of the dependence of Hebrews on the Hebrew Scriptures, especially Leviticus, to construct a meaningful text. My dissertation, which addresses this lacuna, is interested in how the author of Hebrews uses the textual levitical Tabernacle theme to construct the central motif of the heavenly Tabernacle in Hebrews. In analysing the ways in which Hebrews relates to Hebrew Scriptures, I make use of literary theorist Gerard Genette's model of "transtextuality," which classifies different kinds of textual relations between antecedent and successor texts. This model sets in relief the variegated relationships Hebrews has with Hebrew Scriptures in general and Leviticus in particular. Using Genette's model, I identify various types of transtextual relationships that exist between Hebrews and Hebrew Scriptures. Based on the results of this mapping, I argue that the author's selective use of symbolism associated with the levitical Tabernacle and priesthood gives the author the scope to present Jesus as the High Priest at the heavenly Tabernacle.