NOTAS THE CONTEXT OF THE CRUX AT HEBREWS 5,7-8 JAMES SWETNAM An article in Biblica by the present author outlined a proposed solution for the crux at Heb 5,7-8 1. The present article will attempt to put this pro- posed solution in the general and particular context of the structure of the first six chapters of the epistle. This contextualization should help indicate the intention of the author of Hebrews and thus clarify and further commend the proposed solution. The structure on which this contextualization is based is, like the solution to the crux at Heb 5,7-8, a suggestion, to be judged on the intrinsic merits or lack thereof of the arguments adduced. I. The Structure of Hebrews 1,1 – 6,20 1. Hebrews 1,1 – 3,6 Another article on the structure of the Epistle to the Hebrews con- cluded that the section 1,1 – 3,6 is best divided according to a symmetri- cal pattern: after the exordium (1,1-4) comes a passage of exposition about the risen-exalted Christ as Son of God (1,5-14) followed by a brief parae- nesis based on this exposition (2,1-4); then comes a passage of exposition on Jesus as son of Abraham, possibly under the title ‘Son of Man’ (2,5-18), followed by a brief paraenesis based on this exposition (3,1-6) 2. This interpretation of the structure of Hebrews has set the stage for the present article about the crux at Heb 5,7-8, which will now analyze the structure of Heb 3,7 – 6,20 in order to situate 5,7-8 in its larger context. 2. Hebrews 3,7 – 6,20 a) Hebrews 3,7 – 4,11 Heb 3,7 – 6,20 begins with a quotation attributed to ‘the Holy Spirit’. This quotation is from Ps 95,7-11. At Heb 4,3-5 a passage from Ps 95,7- 1 J. Swetnam, «The Crux at Hebrews 5,7-8», Bib 81 (2000) 347-361. 2 J. Swetnam, «The Structure of Hebrews 1,1 – 3,6», Melita Theologica 43 (1992) 58-66. Cf. also J. Swetnam, «Hebrews 1,5-14: A New Look», Melita Theologica 51 (2000) 51-68. Filología Neotestamentaria - Vol. XIV - 2001, pp. 101-120 Facultad de Filosofía y Letras de Córdoba (España)