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Heidegger's Bible Handbook: Old Testament in General: Threefold Canon and Christ's Threefold Office

Updated: Apr 30, 2019

9. Summary of the parts of the Old Testament with respect to the person and office of Christ.



But even if it is to be admitted that all the Writings of the Old Testament are ξύμμικτα/commingled, and that in all things the doctrine is delivered of the Law as a Schoolmaster to Christ,[1] and of the Gospel concerning the same Christ: nevertheless, nothing prevents us from referring for the sake of instruction the principal books to some certain κεφάλαια/heads concerning the person and office of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the Pentateuch shows forth Christ the Lord, the θεάνθρωπον/God-man, as Priest according to the order of Melchizedek,[2] superior to all the Levitical Priets,[3] who was going to offer Himself once and for all through the eternal Spirit as an immaculate sacrifice, so that He might sanctify all the elect.[4] This same Christ as His Church’s head, Savior, Supreme Judge, and αὐτοκρατορικὸν/autocratic King of all believers, the books of the history of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, etc., describing the deeds and κατορθώματα, virtuous actions, of the pious Judges and Kings, magnificently commend τυπικῶς/typically. Finally, His Prophetic office all the Prophets celebrate ὁμοθυμαδὸν, with one accord, according to the sayings of Isaiah, Isaiah 61:1, the Spirit of Jehovah is upon me in this, that He hath anointed me, etc.; of John, John 1:18, the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, hath declared Him to us, Revelation 19:10, the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.

[1] Galatians 3:24, 25.


[2] Psalm 110:4.


[3] See Hebrews 4:14-10:39.


[4] See Hebrews 9:14; 10:10-14.


Dr. Dilday's Lecture: "The Text of the Old Testament"


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