Since the publication of Ernst Käsemann’s “Wandering People of God,” the wilderness motif in Hebrews has gained recognition among scholars. However, it is commonly seen as just one of many significant themes, not the central foundation of the text. Harold Attridge reflects the consensus among scholars, suggesting that Käsemann may have overemphasized the importance of the wilderness theme. In a similar vein, Susan Docherty’s 2016 article, which examines scholarly discussions and trends regarding Hebrews 3–4, also minimizes the significance of the wilderness motif.
Contrary to the common scholarly perspective, this paper contends that the wilderness motif is not merely one of the important themes in Hebrews but the foundational theme that permeates the entire text, serving as a “cultural frame,” a concept introduced by Sandra Huebenthal in 2023. This approach challenges the prevalent academic practice of relying on literary models to study the composition, transmission, and reception of ancient texts. Instead, this paper, considering the predominantly oral-aural context of the first-century Christian communities, specifically focuses on the critical role of memorization in the transmission process of traditions.
This study examines how Hebrews employs the memory of the wilderness, as depicted in the Pentateuch, not treating quotations, allusions, and echoes as isolated elements. Instead, they are viewed as integral components of a broader cultural frame or mnemonic strategy known as schematization. This approach involves organizing memories to form a “master commemorative narrative,” which helps to shape and direct the group’s self-perception.
The paper examines the interconnection between Jesus’ apostleship, his high priesthood, and the audience’s identity in Hebrews, and how these are linked with the significant memories of Moses’ apostleship, the Levitical high priesthood, and the faith of the Israelites as recorded in the Pentateuch. It argues that the author of Hebrews extensively utilizes the wilderness tradition as the cultural frame, enabling the audience to interpret the events surrounding Jesus and their own reality. This tradition, socially remembered, acts as a crucial identity marker, helping the audience to reassert and rejuvenate their identity as the true descendants of Abraham. In this sense, they are depicted as embarking on a wilderness journey akin to that of their ancestors, a journey that is commemorated in the Pentateuch.