ritten not many years before that event; but a more exact
determination of the time is impossible. According to the most probable
interpretation of chap. 13:24, the epistle was written from Italy. But
that Timothy was not the bearer of it, as the subscription states, is
plain from the preceding verse, in which he conditionally promises to
come with Timothy at a future time.

The references in the epistle to the Levitical priesthood and
the temple services connected with it are in the _present_ or
perfect _tenses_--"is ordained," "is encompassed," "he ought,"
"taketh this honor," "have a commandment to take tithes"
"receive tithes" "_hath given attendance_ at the altar" (chap.
7:13), "_have become_" (chap. 7:21, 23), "maketh men high
priests," "who serve," "hath made the first old" (the references
in chap. 9:1-5 are to the ancient tabernacle), "_enter_ always
into the first tabernacle" (chap. 9:6), "which he _offers_"
(verse 7), "the Holy Ghost this signifying that the way into the
holiest places _has not yet been made manifest_, while the first
tabernacle _is as yet standing_" (verse 8), "gifts and
sacrifices _are offered_" (verse 9), "sanctifieth," "are by the
law purged," "can never," "standeth." It is to be regretted that
our version has not in all cases observed this distinction of
tenses.

44. The _central theme_ of this book is the superiority of the Christian
over the Mosaic dispensation considered on the side of its divine
Mediator and High-priest. In unfolding this great theme the writer
dwells on the glory and dignity of Christ's person in contrast with the
ancient prophets, with the angels, and with Moses, all of whom were
connected with the first economy. He then proceeds to exhibit the divine
efficacy of Christ's priesthood. This is the substance, of which the
Levitical priesthood, with its altar, its offerings and all the
temple-services connected with it, was only the shadow. In no book of
the New Testament is our Lord's priestly office set forth with such
fullness and rich variety of illustrations, always with reference to its
divinely appointed type, the Levitical priesthood. This was especially
needful to fortify the Hebrew Christians, who had been educated and
lived under the constant impression of the splendid Mosaic ritual with
its magnificent temple, against the danger of being turned from the
simplicity of the gospel to reliance on