Gezerah Shawah as Analogy in the Epistle to the Hebrews

Abstract

This article argues that the Jewish exegetical technique of gezerah shawah should have its definition reconsidered as it is used in the epistle to the Hebrews. The general consensus views the technique as a mere verbal analogy. This study seeks to re-frame it as a multi-dimensional analogy with verbal, theological, and social aspects. A brief survey examines five occurrences in the epistle to the Hebrews. As an analogy it is argued that gezerah shawah relies on verbal relationships. When two verses with an identical word or words are connected, the rest of the quotation is relevant to the New Testament writer's interpretation. As a social analogy the study points to the differences between pre-70 CE and post-70 CE rabbinical techniques. Lastly, the theological aspect of the analogy demonstrates that Old Testament passages are not cited ad hoc.