Patterns of Repetition, Structure, and Meaning in the Book of Hebrews
Ebook
While many have recognized unusual patterns of repetition within the book of Hebrews, which seem to play a range of important functions within the text, the consistency of this patterning has not been fully appreciated and its function has been largely unexamined. This study investigates the location and function of what we have termed "link clusters" within Hebrews from the perspective of discourse analysis, to gain fresh insight into the language, structure, and genre of Hebrews; into the book's relationship to the Old Testament; and into the book's authorship and meaning. This work proposes, first, that Hebrews uses repetition to establish formal connections between words and phrases marked as significant by their location and context with respect to other similarly connected words and phrases; second, that link clusters serve to structure the book of Hebrews by uniting the text into a series of overlapping, concentric, and coherent units; and, third, that link clusters also serve an important topical function, clarifying and amplifying intended meaning as pairs of matching topic sentences that respectively introduce and conclude each section and subsection of the discourse by summarizing its content.
“The complex structure of the Epistle to the Hebrews has long intrigued readers. Michael Clark offers a novel analysis of that structure using contemporary discourse theory, showing how repetitive patterns and well-defined chiastic structures contribute to the homily’s rhetorical effect. His approach will no doubt stimulate further reflection on the dynamics of this early Christian literary masterpiece.”
—Harold Attridge, professor of divinity, Yale Divinity School
“The structure of the Letter to the Hebrews has been so examined by so many previous scholars that one wonders initially if there is anything fresh to be said about it. Michael Clark amply dispels this anticipation by his consistent inductive approach to the text by his discriminating use of insights from general linguistics and by showing the implications for exegesis of his structural analysis. I find this an extremely thorough and systematic treatment of which future scholars will need to take account.”
—Paul Ellingsworth, author of The Epistle to the Hebrews: A Commentary on the Greek Text
“Michael Clark has made a substantial contribution to scholarship. . . . I think he has done outstanding work and has made a significant contribution to the ongoing study of the structure of Hebrews, further developing and enhancing the works of Guthrie and Westfall, for instance. To be sure, given his subject matter, his thesis will be met with critique, criticism, as well as praise. To that end he has significantly succeeded.”
—Barry C. Joslin, associate professor of Christian theology, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Michael Clark surveys and critiques landmark studies on the structure of Hebrews and builds on them to develop his approach. Following the wider linguistic discipline of Cohesion Analysis, he notes ‘link clusters’ of repetition and considers how they function individually, in relation to one another, and to the wider discourse as a whole. With helpful summaries at the end of each section, this complex study provides fresh and significant exegetical and structural insights for the interpreter of Hebrews.”
—David Peterson, emeritus faculty member, Moore Theological College
“Following Vanhoye, scholars have sought to use literary devices to unlock the difficult sections of Hebrews. Michael Clark’s study of repetition follows suit, providing stimulating alternatives in the quest to understand this central New Testament text.”
—Matthew Jensen, research associate, Department of Hebrew, Biblical, and Jewish Studies, Sydney University
“Michael Clark’s investigation of repetition in Hebrews examines, in addition to recognized clusters of repeated words, countless more that have gone unnoticed. Attending to repetition generates fresh insights into both the implications of words and the structure of the treatise. Patterns is especially effective in showing how Hebrews generates meaning and therefore how it elevates Christ.”
—Philip H. Kern, head of New Testament, Moore Theological College
“The Letter to the Hebrews is rightly esteemed for the depth of its theological understanding on the one hand and the complexity of argument on the other. In this study of the ‘mystery’ of Hebrews, Michael Clark has appreciatively analyzed the major efforts of scholars before him, before advancing his own thesis. This is a work of outstanding scholarship that will chart new directions in the understanding of the Letter to the Hebrews.”
—Paul Barnett, lecturer emeritus, Moore Theological College
- Title: Patterns of Repetition, Structure, and Meaning in the Book of Hebrews
- Author: Michael C. Clark
- Publisher: Pickwick Publications
- Print Publication Date: 2024
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781666783391, 9781666783384, 1666783382, 9781666783377, 1666783374, 1666783390
- Resource ID: LLS:9781666783391
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-09T20:13:01Z
Since completing his PhD on Hebrews, Mike Clark has taught New Testament and preaching at the Martin Bucer Seminar in Munich, Germany, while also working in a range of church and other ministry contexts in Australia. He is presently serving as the Anglicare chaplain at the Cobham Youth Justice Centre in Sydney.