Changes: Literary and Theological Consideration of Two Variation Units in Hebrews 1:8b

Abstract

While the Epistle to the Hebrews has few hotly debated textual variants, issues surrounding variation within the author’s citation of the scriptures of Israel in Greek remain thorny. This paper considers two variation units in Hebrews 1:8b and argues for the priority of certain readings primarily on the basis of internal evidence, namely the author’s citation practices and Christological exegesis. This paper concludes that Hebrews 1:8b most originally read καὶ ἡ ῥάβδος τῆς εὐθύτητος ῥάβδος τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ, and that this alteration to the Old Greek text of the Psalm cited is an intentional reference to the Davidic covenant and the Son’s exalted, incarnate reign.