Dexiosis and the Son in Hebrews 1:3–4: Divine Kingship in Light of Epigraphical and Sculptural Evidence

Rescue excavations at Zeugma (Turkey) in 2000 unearthed inscriptions that added to our understanding of Dexiosis reliefs. These stelae depict a radiant Antiochus I of Commagene (late 1st cent. BC) grasping right hands with the god Apollo. Associated texts interpret the scene with a constellation of terms (image, impression, radiance, glory, right hand, king, priest) predicated of the Son Hebrews 1:3-4. Further, these stelae were associated with sanctuary space and sacrifice. All this suggests new ways of understanding the significance of the Son in the argument of Hebrews; it may also offer new possibilities for evaluating the regional provenance of the epistle-homily.