Hebrew of the Hebrews

HEBREW OF THE HEBREWS (̔Εβραι̂ος ἐξ ̔Εβραίων, Phil 3:5). In this passage, Paul was defending his integrity and recounting his pedigree for the benefit of his readers. In effect he was stating that he was of pure Heb. stock and had retained the language and traditions of his ancestors, unlike some Jews who had become Hellenized. The phrase involves the use of the Heb. superlative, with a noun in special relationship to another noun. The usage is parallel to “the song of songs,” i.e., the most excellent song.