Some Recent Acquistions of Note

I continue to add to my collection of all things Hebrews. Some of the books are on the more popular level, but a couple of books are of particular interest:

Di Giovambattista, Fulvio. Il giorno dell’espiazione nella Lettera agli Ebrei. Tesi Gregoriana, Serie Teologia 61. Rome: Editrice Pontificia Università Gregoriana, 2000.

This first book is a monograph on "the Day of Atonement in the Letter to the Hebrews." Here is a description of the book with the help of Google translate:

"The present study aims to highlight the affinities, the allusions, the references, the contacts with the feast of the Day of Atonement, which are more or less explicitly present in the Letter to the Hebrews.
     First we examine the biblical texts concerning the complex ritual of solemnity (Lv 16; 23.26-32; 25.9; Num 29.7-11; Ex 30.10), for whose penetration various Excursus on various aspects of the ancient cult (the Conference Tent and the Temple, the priestly vestments, the sacrifices' ōlâ, "holocaust", and ḥaţţā't, "sacrifice for sin"). The texts of ancient Jewish literature are then analyzed , from which it appears that the Day of Atonement at the time of the NT was celebrated in a form that only reflected the biblical data in its essential lines.
     Then we move on to consider the Letter to the Hebrews, in an attempt to show how in this paper the peculiar rituals of the feast are taken up in relation to the saving work of Christ. In addition to the analysis of the passages in which explicit reference is made to the Day of Atonement (eg, Heb. 9: 7-14), formulations present in different passages of the Letter are highlighted, which in a certain way might suggest a some more or less veiled contact with it. We also propose a solution to the noted crux interpretum by χρυσούν θυμιατήριον (Heb 9,4).
     Finally, the final part of the research is dedicated to the effects of the Day of Atonement according to the author of the Letter to the Hebrews, undoubtedly a fundamental theological theme, although very complex and delicate."

Kennard, Douglas W. A Biblical Theology of Hebrews. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2018.

This book appears to be a semi-popular treatment of the biblical theology of Hebrews, although there is obvious scholarship behind it. Here is the description of the book from the website:

" Using a biblical theology method, this book reflects the content of the epistle of Hebrews within its Jewish-Christian context. Within Jewish monotheism, a Two Powers Christology is championed to float a simple missional Trinitarianism. Jesus Christ is also presented as a superior prophet, Davidic king, and Melchizedek priest. Christ initiates the new covenant with his very Jewish atonement in the Day of Atonement pattern, ultimately perfecting believers’ conscience (as an Edwardsian Religious Affection) and providing everlasting forgiveness. This provision initiates the believer on a new exodus toward the celestial city within a two-way soteriological framework. To make it to that heavenly goal, the believer must continue in faith. Those who are faithful already begin to experience rest in this life as a foretaste of the kingdom rest to come, when Christ brings in eschatological salvation."