Why does the Epistle to the Hebrews evoke the desires of the patriarchs?

Abstract

The Pontifical Biblical Commission’s document The Jewish People and their Sacred Scriptures in the Christian Bible, calls attention to a threefold connection between the two parts of the Christian Bible: continuity, discontinuity, and newness. The paper offers an analysis of a passage as an example of this relationship. The Epistle to the Hebrews (11:8–22) gives a particular emphasis to the desires of the patriarchs among other attitudes of the heroes of faith. They were looking for what was promised to them and desired by them: a city with the solid foundations planned and built by God. Now these desires can be fulfilled: the everlasting life with God is offered to all who believe in Jesus Christ.