Texts in Conversation
Hebrews echoes Deuteronomy’s warning about a “root of bitterness,” using it to caution against negative attitudes that influence others. In Deuteronomy, it describes those who secretly turn toward other gods, while in Hebrews it describes influence.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
LXX Deuteronomy 29:18
Septuagint
16 For you know how we lived in the land of Egypt as we passed in the midst of the nations when you passed. 17 And you saw their abominations and their images, wood and stone, silver and gold that was from them. 18 Is there no one among you, man or woman or family or tribe, whose mind has turned from the Lord your God to go forth serving the gods of those nations? Is there no one among you who is a root growing upwards in gall and bitterness? 19 And it shall be if he hears the words of this curse and utters in his heart saying, ‘May holiness come to me, for in the error of my heart I shall walk’—lest the sinner should destroy the innocent. 20 God will not wish to be merciful on him; rather the anger of the Lord and his zeal will burn out then in that person, and all the curses of this covenant that are written in this book will cling unto him, and the Lord shall wipe out his name from under the heavens.
Hebrews 12:15
New Testament
13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but be healed. 14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up and causing trouble, and through it many become defiled. 16 And see to it that no one becomes an immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing with tears.
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Notes and References
"... The broader context of Hebrews 12 refers to Deuteronomy: the majority of quotations from, and allusions to, Deuteronomy appear in the latter portions of Hebrews, especially Chapter 12 (Kibbe 2016:121, 132). Hebrews 12:3 probably alludes to Deuteronomy 20:3 (Steyn 2007:160), and Hebrews 12:15 to Deuteronomy 29:18 LXX (Guthrie 2007:988). Finally, there is a possibility that Proverbs 3:11–12 is based on Deuteronomy 8:5, or at least that ‘the concept of discipline’ in Deuteronomy 8 ‘informs the writer of Proverbs’ (Spellman 2016:499). This would explain several of the parallels between Hebrews 12:9 and Proverbs 3:11–12 ..."
Coetsee, A.J.
Hebrews 12:9 Revisited: The Background of the Phrase "and live"
(pp. 1-11) HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies 76(1), 2020
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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