The author is anonymous, although the internal reference to "our brother Timothy" (Hebrews 13:23) causes a traditional attribution to Paul, but this attribution has been disputed since the second century and there is no decisive evidence for the authorship.

[1][2] This chapter contains an admonition to press on toward 'God's Rest' and a reflection on the power of God's Word.

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are: The Hebrew version of Psalm 95 names no author, but David is explicitly said to have written these words from Psalm 95:7–8, which happened long after the Israelites already enjoyed rest and were established in Canaan under the leadership of Joshua.

[9] The "rest" experienced by the Israelites in the time of Joshua was 'an earthly anticipation of the ultimate, heavenly rest', an old covenant promise which is fulfilled in a transformed way by Jesus Christ.

Protestant theologian Heinrich Meyer notes that in Hebrews 1:2 there is confirmation that "in these last days [God] has spoken to us by his Son",[15] but argues that the present wording cannot be read in this way because when Hebrews was written, "the expression was too unusual for it to be employed and understood [in this way] without further indication".