The Semitic background of the term "mystery" in the New Testament

Raymond Edward Brown

Examining the concept of mystery in the Old Testament, the Pseudepigrapha, and the New Testament, the author concludes that the meaning of mystery can be explained on the basis of Semitic backgrounds. In the course of his investigations he sheds light not only on the meaning of mystery but also on the whole understanding of God's redemptive purpose that lies behind Paul's use of the word. -- Book Cover.