Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2010 Haima in Hebrews Hermann V. Kuma Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, and the Christianity Commons Recommended Citation Kuma, Hermann V., "Haima in Hebrews" (2010). Dissertations. 80. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/80 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. Please honor the copyright of this document by not duplicating or distributing additional copies in any form without the author’s express written permission. Thanks for your cooperation. ABSTRACT ÁÍìá IN HEBREWS by Hermann V. A. Kuma Adviser: Richard M. Davidson ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: ÁÍìá IN HEBREWS Name of researcher: Hermann V. A. Kuma Name and degree of faculty adviser: Richard M. Davidson, Ph.D. Date completed: January 2010 Problem The focus of the dissertation is the significance of the term áÍìá (“blood”) in the Epistle to the Hebrews and how the author of Hebrews uses the term to formulate the argument and message of the Epistle. The dissertation traces the scholarly blood debate involving blood as life or death which began in the last decade of the nineteenth century and eventually fizzled out in the mid-1950s. Recognition of the ambivalence of blood, symbolizing both life and death, is necessary to understand the message of Hebrews. Method The dissertation provides a discussion of the concept of blood in the OT and ANE environments, demonstrating that in the OT the role of blood in the context of the cult as a means of atonement is unique. Results References to blood are also classified and assessed from the works of both Philo and Josephus, Rabbinic literature, the Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, the Qumran community, and the NT. The final chapter of the dissertation deals with the meaning of blood in the Epistle itself, where the author of Hebrews uses his rhetorical skill to present blood as a most powerful medium of approach to God. Conclusions According to the Epistle, blood sanctifies, purifies/cleanses, consecrates/inaugurates, effects perfection, seals covenants, and brings about decisive purgation. When it is despised, it destroys by death. Blood, when used with the term óÜñî (“flesh”), confirms the true humanity of Christ. Blood constitutes a Leitmotif in the Epistle to encompass the atoning work of Christ, who as High Priest shed His blood vicariously to eradicate sin, cleanse the conscience, and save humankind. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary ÁÍìá IN HEBREWS A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Hermann V. A. Kuma January 2010 © Copyright by Hermann V. A. Kuma 2010 All Rights Reserved ÁÍìá IN HEBREWS A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by Hermann V. A. Kuma APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: _______________________________ _________________________________ Faculty Adviser, Director of Ph.D./Th.D. Program Richard M. Davidson Rudolf Maier Professor of Old Testament _______________________________ _________________________________ Robert M. Johnston Dean, SDA Theological Seminary Professor of New Testament, Emeritus J. H. Denis Fortin _______________________________ William Johnsson _______________________________ _______________________________ _________________________________ Date approved This work is dedicated to the loving memory of my late parents COMFORT AND ANDREWS KUMA who taught me from childhood to fear the Lord. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . ix ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . xiii Chapter I. INTRODUCTION . 1 Statement of the Problem . 2 Purpose and Scope of the Research . 2 Research Methodology . 2 Organization of Research . 2 II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE . 4 Debate over the Significance of Blood in the New Testament . 5 Blood as Symbol of Life . 5 Blood as a Symbol of Death . 18 The Ambivalence of Blood . 24 Summary of the Blood Debate . 26 Studies of Blood in the New Testament after 1950 . 28 Summary of NT Studies on Blood since 1950 . 40 Blood in Hebrews since 1950 . 42 Summary of Ideas of Blood in Hebrews . 62 Justification for the Present Study . 64 III. OLD TESTAMENT BACKGROUND OF íã (ÁÍìá) . 67 íã/ÁÍìá in the Ancient Near East (Outside Israel) . 67 Blood in the ANE Cults . 68 Blood in the Ugaritic Cult . 68 Summary . 76 Blood and Covenant-Making in the ANE . 76 Summary . 78 íã/ÁÍìá in the OT . 78 Pre-Israelite References to íã (ÁÍìá) in the OT . 78 The Sacrifice of Cain and Abel . 79 The Aftermath of the Flood . 80 iv íã (ÁÍìá) in the Old Testament Cultus . 81 Blood and the Problem of Feminine Impurity in Leviticus 15 . 81 Blood and Leviticus 17 . 86 íã/ÁÍìá and Various Kinds of OT Sacrifices . 97 The Holocaust Offering . 100 The Peace Offering . 100 The Sin/Purification Offering . 101 The Trespass Offering . 104 The Day of Atonement . 104 Blood as Purification and Consecration Agent . 116 Summary . 120 íã/ÁÍìá and the OT Covenant Relationship . 120 God’s Covenant with Noah . 123 God’s Covenant with Abraham . 124 The Passover . 124 God’s Covenant with Israel at Sinai . 127 The Covenant at Shechem . 129 Circumcision as Sign of Covenant . 131 Summary . 133 Bloodshed in the OT . 133 Blood and Its Sphere of Influence . 134 The Dangerous Problem of Blood-guilt . 134 Yahweh as Avenger of Blood . 135 íã/(ÁÍìá) in the Israelite Cult as Viewed by the Prophets of the Eighth Century B.C. 136 Summary . 138 IV. ÁÍìá IN THE NEW TESTAMENT WORLD . 143 ÁÍìá in the Jewish Apocrypha . 143 Blood as Designating Death/Murder . 144 Blood Designating Humanity/Family . 145 ÁÍìá in the Pseudepigrapha . 146 Blood Designating Murder . 147 ÁÍìá in the Qumran Literature . 148 Murder or Destruction . 148 Blood as Defilement . 150 Blood in the Cultic Sense . 151 ÁÍìá in Philo . 154 Blood Designating Family Relationship . 155 Blood Typifies Humanity . 156 Blood Designating Pollution/Defilement . 157 Cultic Use of Blood . 158 ÁÍìá in Josephus . 160 Blood to Denote Sense of Death . 160 v Blood to Denote Defilement/Purification . 162 Blood to Denote Family Relationship . 163 ÁÍìá in Rabbinic Literature . 164 Blood, Figurative/Superstitious Use . 164 Blood in Cultic Use . 166 Blood and Ritual Defilement . 169 ÁÍìá in the Greco-Roman World . 172 ÁÍìá in the New Testament . 175 Blood as Death/Murder . 175 Blood as a Designation for Humanity . 179 Symbolic Use of Blood . 181 Physiological Meaning of Blood . 185 Blood Signifying the Vicarious Death of Christ . 187 Possible Roots of the Blood Debate . 188 Summary and Conclusion . 192 V. ÁÍìá IN THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS . 194 Overview of the Argument of Hebrews . 194 Paraenetic Passages . 196 Protreptic Passages . 198 AÍìá Passages in Hebrews . 200 AÍìá as a Designation for the Human Family: Hebews 2:14 . 201 Text and Translation . ..