The Gospel to the Hebrews: The voice jewish original Yeshua

“Blessed the one who has seen the Lord in life, and even more that he recognizes in her spirit.”

The Gospel to the Hebrews —also called Gospel according to the Hebrews— it is a text judeo-christian now lost, known only through fragments quoted by authors of the centuries I–IV. Circulated in christian communities speaking aramaic/Hebrew, especially among nazarenes and certain ebionites moderate, and constitutes one of the witnesses oldest of christianity is deeply jewish, parallel to the emergence of the canonical gospels.

Not to be confused with the Gospel of the Nazarenes, the Gospel of the Ebionites or Gospel of the Hebrews (another distinct work). Modern criticism distinguishes these texts, although the antiquity mixed with frequency. Their existence is undoubted, but its full text is lost.

1. Origin and historical framework

Date and environment

The majority of specialists situates the composition between 50 and 120 d. C., possibly contemporary, or even earlier, to some traditions, evangelical, Greek.

Community of origin

Comes from the environment the judeo-christian palestinian, or syrian-palestiniancharacterized by:

• Use of a language of semitic (Hebrew or aramaic).
• Observance of the Torah.
• Jewish liturgy.
• Appreciation for the genealogy davidic and by the figure of James the Just.

Among the affiliated groups include:

• Nazarenes: accept the divinity of Jesus.
• Ebionites moderate: not necessarily denied the virgin birth.

Original language

The testimonies patristic agree that it was written “in the Hebrew language” probably Hebrew, late or aramaic west. Jerome he claimed to have translated the Greek and the Latin.

“The one who seeks the truth must walk with the Law in the heart, and with mercy in your hands.”

2. Transmission and loss

The text disappeared into the century. Just survive about twenty fragmentsall indirect, preserved by:

• Jerome (our main source).
• Clement of Alexandria.
• Origins.
• Eusebio and Epiphanius.

The loss of the complete manuscript is associated to its exclusion from the canon and their relationship —often exaggerated— with the currents considered heterodox.

3. Content rebuilt

Although incomplete, the preserved material makes it possible to outline some key theological themes.

Jesus and the sapiential theology

A fragment prominent features of the The Holy spirit as the Mother of Jesus:

“My mother, the Holy Spirit, took me by one of my hairs and carried me to the monte grande Tabor.” —Origins

This image reflects the background semitic in which ruach (spirit) is feminine, and it is linked to Jesus with the Divine wisdom (Jokhmá).

Appearance of the Risen christ to James

One of the most significant texts in the history of christianity:

“The Lord... he appeared to James the Just and said to him: ‘My brother, eat thy bread, for the Son of Man has risen’.” —Jerome

This confirms the central role of Santiago, a leader of the Jerusalem community.

Ethical approach to radical

His teachings coincide with subjects of Matthew:

• Mercy over sacrifice.
• Forgiveness is unlimited.
• Poverty voluntary.
• Rejection of materialism.

Christology high but jewish

Presents a christology highbut anchored in categories semitic original, without developments trinitarians late.

4. Theology of the Gospel to the Hebrews

Christology

• Jesus as Son of God and Divine wisdom incarnate.
• Appearances figures core of the early church, especially Santiago.

Pulmonology

The Holy Spirit appears in gender female, consistent with the Hebrew grammar and approaches later of certain mystical texts.

Anthropology and ethics

Ethics demanding, close to the Sermon on the Mountcentered in the mercy and justice.

Relationship with the Torah

Text it is not anti-jewish. Assumes observance of the Law, without falling into the rigor ebionita more extreme.

5. Liturgical use

The Gospel to the Hebrews is used:

• In liturgies nazarene.
• Text read devotional.
• In communities judeo-christian until the fourth century.

Jerome claims to have seen in use in Berea and Nazareth.

“James, my faithful servant... you'll give you the command of my brothers.”

6. Relationship with the other gospels judeo-christian

• Gospel of the Nazarenes: style related; possibly version aramaic Matthew.
• Gospel of the Ebionites: more hellenized; it rejects the virgin birth.
• Gospel of the Hebrews: mystic and wise; directed to judeo-christian hellenistic.

Modern criticism is clearly distinguished three worksalthough some fragments could be mixed in the patristic tradition.

7. Testimonials patristic

• Clement of Alexandria: appointment ethical teachings and wisdom.
• Origins: it mentions the figure of the Holy Spirit Mother.
• Eusebio: it ranks among the texts “discussed”.
• Jerome: main transmitter; claims to have translated.
• Epiphanius: links to groups judaizers.

8. Authorship

Unknown. Among the theories:

• A disciple judeo-christian near Santiago.
• A editor-in-hellenistic he used Matthew in Hebrew and oral traditions.
• A community textperhaps liturgical, of the church of Jerusalem.

There is No evidence of authorship direct apostolic.

9. Compared to the canonical gospels

It is a witness crucial early christianityprior to the predominantly gentile.

10. Importance of historical and theological

• A bridge between judaism and christianity: displays a Jesus fully jewish.
• Traditions independent: retains those not present in the canon.
• Relevance to the study of James: evidence of its primacy in Jerusalem.
• Later influence: its treatment of female influence in the mystical currents.
• Value for textual criticism: allows you to glimpse ways aramaic of the original message.

11. Academic Debates current

Among the contemporary discussion:

• If it preserves material oldest that Matthew and Luke.
• If derived from the Matthew Hebrew original.
• If they reflect authentic traditions of James and the nazarenes.
• If some of these date back to the Historical jesus.

For many researchers, this is the font that is most relevant to understand christianity, jew above to Paul.

Conclusion

The Gospel to the Hebrews it is essential to understand:

• The transition of the judaism christianity.
• The theology semitic primitive.
• The role of James the Just.
• The original diversity of the Jesus movement.

Although lost, the preserved fragments allow us to reconstruct a work that is deeply jewish, spiritual, mystical, and focused on Yeshua from a different perspective to that of the canonical gospels.