ST Test Flashcards
How are words arbitrary signs?
People have randomly assigned what sounds and symbols mean.
Name and describe the 4 types of word meanings
. Referential – this is the object, action, or idea to which the word refers, called the refernt.
1. So, ___every___ word has referential meaning.
2. Example: A dog is outside my house. The word “dog” refers to that animal__ outside.
B. Denotative – this is the meaning most people understand for the word in __most contexts.
Example: a dog is a domesticated carnivorous mammal that often has a long snout, great sense of smell, and a barking voice.
C. Connotative – this is a special meaning (more specific) that a certain group of people has for the word in certain contexts.
1. Example: “For dogs have surrounded me…. (Ps 22:6).” Here, “dogs” means “Gentiles,” the meaning Jews assigned to that word in certain contexts.
2. So, in every context a word will have __either_ denotative or connotative meaning.
D. Contextual – the immediate context (the words around a specific word) _limits__ the meaning of the word to one of the above meanings.
1. It is unusual for a single word to express a complete concept on its own. It must be __combined__ with other words in order to convey a larger concept.
Example: Do you want a _piece__ of jewelry or a piece of pie?
2. One must study the literary _context___ (and background) as well as the __historical__ setting for a specific passage to see if the words in it have denotative or connotative meaning.
A. Today “pants” and “trousers” do not have much difference in meaning in the USA.
In Great Britain, “pants” means “underpants,” although it is losing this distinction.
B. “Grace” (Greek charis) was a typical Gentile greeting, and “peace” (Greek eirēnē; Hebrew shalom) was a typical Jewish greeting in Paul’s day. Yet, they had more specific meaning as a common Christian greeting in Paul’s day (e.g., Gal 1:3; 1 Cor 1:3; Titus 1:4; 1 Pet 1:2; 2 Pet 1:2).
How does the word’s immediate context limit its meaning?
Contextual – the immediate context (the words around a specific word) _limits__ the meaning of the word to one of the above meanings.
1. It is unusual for a single word to express a complete concept on its own. It must be __combined__ with other words in order to convey a larger concept.
Example: Do you want a _piece__ of jewelry or a piece of pie?
2. One must study the literary _context___ (and background) as well as the __historical__ setting for a specific passage to see if the words in it have denotative or connotative meaning.
When we interpret the Bible, what do we mean by host and receptor language?
The goal of the interpreter is to determine the referent and type of meaning for each word in the host language and find a word or phrase in the receptor language that _best___ communicates that concept.
A. When dealing with the Bible, Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic is the host language.
B. In our case, English is the receptor language.
What does the statement mean that most words have multiple meanings?
A. Some meanings can overlap with other meanings.
For instance, BDAG gives 8 different meanings of kosmos (“world”): (1) adornment (1 Pet 3:3), (2) order, (3) everything (the universe) (Matt. 13:35), (4) all beings above animal level (1 Cor 4:9), (5) planet earth (Mark 16:15), (6) humanity (John 3:16-17), (7) human existence (Matt 16:26), and (8) totality (James 3:6).
B. Some meanings of a word can vary greatly.
Example: I can can a can of peas while doing the cancan.
Why and how can a word’s meaning change over time? How does this affect biblical hermeneutics?
- Word meanings __change__ over time.
A. We are dealing with Hebrew word usage from 3,600-2,400 years ago and Greek word usage almost 2,000 years ago.
B. The word’s __etymology_ (how it came to be) may be very different from its meaning.
C. The word’s original meaning may be very different from its meaning in a later context.
D. Thus, the context determines the meaning of a word.
1. Analysis of synchronic meaning (“with time”—at the current time it is used) is more important.
2. Analysis of diachronic meaning (“__through__ time”—how its meaning changes over time) is less important.
E. English example: changes in English since KVJ 1611:
1. “Mean man” meant “_common__ man” in 1611. Today it means “cruel man” or “bad man.”
A. Isa 2:9; 5:15; 31:8 all say “mean man” in today’s KJV, but the meaning is “common man.”
2. “Peculiar” meant “belonging to __one__ person” in 1611. Today it means “strange.”
A. God’s people are called a “peculiar people” in Deut 14:2; 26:18; Titus 2:14; 1 Pet 2:9 in KJV. In the NASB it is translated “a people for God’s own possession.”
3. “Suffer” meant “_allow__” or “let” in 1611. Today it means to “endure hardship.”
A. Matt 19:14 says “Suffer little children” in the KJV. NASB has “Let the children alone.”
B. Mark 5:19 says “suffered him not” in the KVJ. NASB has “did not let him.”
C. Mark 5:37 says “he suffered no man to follow him” in the KJV. NASB has “He allowed no one to accompany Him.”
4. “Prevent” meant “to come _before__” in 1611. Today it means “to hinder.”
A. Ps 88:13 says “in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee” in the KJV. NASB has “in the morning my prayer comes before you.”
B. 1 Thess 4:15 says “we which are alive…shall not prevent them who are asleep” in the KJV. NASB has “we who are alive…will not precede those who have fallen asleep.”
5. KJV: “And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke” (Ex 19:18)
NASB: “And mount Sinai was all in smoke (Ex 19:18)
6. KJV: “Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.” (Luke 17:9)
NASB: “He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he?”
7. Others: “neesings” = “sneezes” (Job 41:18); “wimples” = “cloaks” (Isa 3:22); “crisping pins” = “money purses” (Isa 3:22); “ouches of gold” = “settings of gold” (Ex 28:13); “sod”
Define synchronic and diachronic meaning. Which is the more important of those two for the Bible interpreter? Why?
Analysis of synchronic meaning (“with time”—at the current time it is used) is more important.
Analysis of diachronic meaning (“__through__ time”—how its meaning changes over time) is less important.
Do greek and Hebrew words have a one to one correspondence with English? In other words, each Hebrew or Greek word can be translated into one word in English and vice-versa.
- Sometimes the __same_ English word is used to translate different Hebrew or Greek words in the Bible.
When this occurs, determine the nuanced meaning of each Greek word to give a better understanding to its English translation.
A. “I love” can translate the Greek verbs agapō and philō.
B. “Servant” can translate the Greek nouns diakonos, pais, oiketēs, doulos, & 7 more words.
C. “Man” can translate the Greek anēr (male adult) or anthrōpos (male adult or person).- Often, a Hebrew or Greek word can be translated by different English words. This is because most words have different possible meanings.
The specific context will help you determine the exact meaning of the word in that context.
For instance, the English word “fire” has different meanings in a movie theater, when skeet shooting, or in a human resources office.
A. Hebrew ruach and Greek pneuma can mean “wind,” “human spirit,” a “spirit” (noncorporeal being), or “__spirit___” [of God].
B. Greek kurios can be translated as “__lord__,” “master,” or “sir.”
C. Greek peirasmos can be translated as: (1) a “__test__” or “trial” to learn the nature of someone or something, or (2) a “temptation” to sin. - Sometimes the same English word translating a Hebrew or Greek word can have different __meanings___.
The __context__ will help you determine the exact meaning of the word in a text.
A Hebrew or Greek lexicon (dictionary) will show the different meanings of each word.
The English word “elder” can mean “pastor” (Acts 14:23; 1 Tim 5:17, 19; 1 Tim 1:5; 1 Pet 5:1) or “older man” (Luke 15:25; Acts 2:17; 1 Tim 5:1).
A semantic domain lexicon shows the semantic _range__, allowing you to compare the word with other words in its domain and contrast it with words not in its domain. - In Louw-Nida, look up the Greek word in vol. 2. It gives the number of each semantic domain. Then look up the semantic domain in vol. 1.
- Often, a Hebrew or Greek word can be translated by different English words. This is because most words have different possible meanings.
When the same English word can be used to translate different Hebrew or Greek words, what challenges does this present?
hum not sure. There could be a lack of depth in the English word. And the English reader might miss the depth of the original word.
Can a Hebrew or Greek word translated by the same English word in different meanings? Why or why not?
Yes? Context?
What are the semantic domains? How do they help a person better understand a word?
A semantic domain lexicon shows the semantic _range__, allowing you to compare the word with other words in its domain and contrast it with words not in its domain.
1. In Louw-Nida, look up the Greek word in vol. 2. It gives the number of each semantic domain. Then look up the semantic domain in vol. 1.
What is the interliner?
Use an interlinear translation if you do not know Hebrew or Greek.
1. There are different kinds of interlinears. a. A Hebrew interlinear has Hebrew text with English words underneath the Hebrew words. b. A Greek interlinear has Greek text with English words underneath the Greek words. c. A \_\_Revere_ interlinear has the English translation with Hebrew or Greek words underneath the English words. 2. Find the Hebrew or Greek word matched with the English word(s) that translates it. 3. However, an interlinear translation cannot tell you every occurrence of the Hebrew or Greek word in the OT or NT. You need Bible software, an \_\_exhaustive\_\_ concordance (large book), or a lexicon (just has partial listings) to do that.
What is a reverse interlinear? How does it differ from a interlinear.
A __Reverse_ interlinear has the English translation with Hebrew or Greek words underneath the English words.
What is Strong’s numbers?
An exhaustive concordance of the words in scripture.
How can a study of the Greek use of the LXX benefit us in interpreting the Bible today?
We get to see how they translated the word from Hebrew into Greek closer to the time that it was written. Examples would be the translation of the word virgin from OT to LX.
How does studying the use of Hebrew and Greek words outside of the Bile help s in interpreting the Bible?
Provides a great context for the Biblical words.
Define semitism. Are Biblical Semitisms easy to identify and interpret without any help?
Semitisms (language tendencies of the ___Jews___) in both Hebrew and Greek.
Correctly identifying and interpreting these Semitisms is imperative. Missing them leads to erroneous translation and interpretation.
It is very difficult to identify and interpret biblical Semitisms without _help___.
Name 3 tools that can help one to identify and interpret Semitisms.
Use Hebrew and Greek __lexicons__, grammars, and theological dictionaries/wordbooks for help.
Name and define 3 types of Hebrew semitisms.
A. The typical word order in Hebrew and Greek is: verb, subject, object.
B. Sometimes to __emphasize__ a word, phrase, or clause the writer will ___front___it: put it at the first of a sentence.
This is almost impossible to detect unless you consult the Hebrew and Greek text. This is because word order in the receptor language is often governed by different__ rules.
In translation or exposition, try to show the same emphasis in the receptor language by using __italics or in word order when writing, or using __vocal___ emphasis when speaking, but realize that most English translations do not do this.
Also
2. Hendiadys (“two for one”) – two words or phrases express the _same__ thing, and the second word/phrase ___intensifies ___ the first.
Some English translations combine these two words or phrases into _one. ____________.
There sometimes is disagreement among scholars as to when hendiadys occurs.
A. “multiplying I will multiply” (Gen 3:16, literal)
“I will intensify” (CSB); “I will greatly multiply” (NASB, KJV, NKJV)
“I will severely multiply” (ESV); “I will make very severe” (NIV)
B. “a city and a mother” (2 Sam 20:19, KJV, NKJV). Abel Beth-maacah was a city, but it was a metropolitan city: a mother with daughter towns around it.
1. “a city, even a mother” (NASB); “a city that is a mother” (ESV, NIV); “a city that is like a mother” (CSB); “an important city” (NET); “a city which is a mother” (RSV)
However, none of these translations fully communicate the idea in this Semitism.
Also
3. Idiom – This is a phrase whose meaning is different from the literal meaning of its words.
Idioms are language or region __specific_, so they are not understood in another language or area.
Idioms are dead metaphors. Their meaning is so well-known to a group that the metaphorical connection has been dropped or forgotten.
Bible translators will render an idiom: (1) word-for-word in the receptor language (but this is almost impossible to understand, so this is often not effective), (2) as a __comparable___ idiom in the receptor language, or (3) simply tell the action with no__ idiom.
Examples:
A. English idioms
1. “It is raining cats and dogs,”
What is the typical word order in Hebrew and Greek?
The typical word order in Hebrew and Greek is: verb, subject, object.
What is fronting? Give some examples.
Sometimes to __emphasize__ a word, phrase, or clause the writer will ___front___it: put it at the first of a sentence. Examples of fronting:
1. when a subject precedes its verb
Egō eimi hē anastasis kai hē zōē (“I am the resurrection and the life,” John 11:25)
2. when a direct object precedes the verb
auton estaurōsan (“they crucified him,” John 19:18)
3. when a predicate nominative or predicate adjective precedes their subject and/or their verb.
ho theos phōs estin (“God is light,” 1 John 1:5)
4. when a genitive noun/pronoun precedes the noun it modifies.
a. In Greek a genitive noun usually follows its noun.
b. If it precedes its noun, it is being emphasized.
c. Examples:
alēthōs theou huios ēn houtos (“truly this man was God’s Son,” Matt 27:54)
Xriston, theou dunamin kai theou sophian (“Christ, God’s power and God’s wisdom, 1 Cor 1:24)
5. when a prepositional phrase precedes its verb
ek Nazaret dunatai ti agathon einai; (“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” John 1:46)
How can a person reflect fronting in a translation exposition of a biblical text?
In translation or exposition, try to show the same emphasis in the receptor language by using __italics_ or in word order when writing, or using __vocal___ emphasis when speaking, but realize that most English translations do not do this.
What is Hendiadys? Give some examples.
Hendiadys (“two for one”) – two words or phrases express the _same__ thing, and the second word/phrase ___intensifies ___ the first.
A. “multiplying I will multiply” (Gen 3:16, literal)
“I will intensify” (CSB); “I will greatly multiply” (NASB, KJV, NKJV)
“I will severely multiply” (ESV); “I will make very severe” (NIV)
B. “a city and a mother” (2 Sam 20:19, KJV, NKJV). Abel Beth-maacah was a city, but it was a metropolitan city: a mother with daughter towns around it.
1. “a city, even a mother” (NASB); “a city that is a mother” (ESV, NIV); “a city that is like a mother” (CSB); “an important city” (NET); “a city which is a mother” (RSV)
However, none of these translations fully communicate the idea in this Semitism.
Define: idiom. How is an idiom a dead metaphor?
This is a phrase whose meaning is different from the literal meaning of its words.
Idioms are language or region __specific_, so they are not understood in another language or area.
Idioms are dead metaphors. Their meaning is so well-known to a group that the metaphorical connection has been dropped or forgotten.
What are three different ways to translate a biblical idiom? which of these is usually the worst way to translate a biblical idiom?
Bible translators will render an idiom: (1) word-for-word in the receptor language (but this is almost impossible to understand, so this is often not effective), (2) as a __comparable___ idiom in the receptor language, or (3) simply tell the action with no__ idiom.
What does the Semitic idiom “son of blank” mean? What are two meanings for the Semitic idiom “to break bread”?
“Son of blank” can mean you are a _great__blanker or have a lot of blank.
a. “Son of man” (e.g., used 98 x in Ezekiel; Jer 49:18, 33; Dan 3:25; 7:13; 8:17). b. ‘Son of peace’ (Luke 10:6) means “a peaceful man.”
“To break bread” (Heb.: paras lechem; Greek: klasai arton) means “to eat a meal” (e.g., Deut 26:14; Jer 16:7; Isa 58:7; Ezek 24:17; Hos 9:4; Acts 20:7, 11; 27:35). However, in some contexts (last Supper/__Lord’s_ Supper) it means literally “to break bread/to eat bread” (e.g., Matt 26:26
Be able to recognize and explain all 1 of the 11 common errors in interpreting Hebrew and Greek words.
A. Etymology Error (aka root abuse) – the wrong expectation that the present meaning of a word is always found in its etymology.
1. Sometimes__ word roots do give understanding to a later meaning of the word. Studying a word’s etymology may help.
2. Often a word changes__ in meaning from its roots.
3. So, using etymological meaning often __confuses__ and abuses the later meaning of many words. Examples:
A. No understanding of ‘butterfly’ comes from understanding ‘butter’ and ‘flies.’
B. ‘_Lasagna__’ comes from the Greek word lasonon or Latin lasanum (“chamber potty”).
C. ‘Nice’ comes from the Latin word nescius, meaning “ignorant.”
D. ‘Good-by’ is a contraction of “_God be with you,” but no one thinks of that anymore.
E. The Hebrew words “bread” (leḥem) and “war” (milḥamah) have the same root (lḥm), but there is no connection between those words.
F. The Greek hupēretēs in the NT (e.g., John 18:18; 1 Cor 4:1) is a “servant” like diakonos, and has nothing to do with an “under rower” (hupo + eretēs).
B. Subsequent Meaning (aka anachronism) – using a newer__ meaning for a word that was unknown in its present context. Examples:
1. The early church being “in one __accord___” (Acts 1:14; 2:1, 46) had nothing to do with them getting into a Honda.
2. When Jesus said to “take up your cross daily” (Luke 9:23), He meant one must be willing to die a __martyr’s___ death.
Some modern Christians wrongly thought Jesus said that a godly Christian will carry a small wooden cross in one’s pocket each day, so that is what they did.
3. “The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7) refers to His atoning, violent _death__ on the cross.
To attach modern knowledge of how blood cleanses human cells of impurities and nourishes the body is misleading.
C. Previous Meaning (aka obsolete meaning) – using an __older__ meaning for a word that was no longer in use at the time of the biblical text.
1. This is the difficulty with the KJV. Many of its 17th-century words no longer have those meanings today.
2. Although kephalē could mean “head, authority, source, or origin” in Classical Greek, it meant only “head” or “authority” by the time period of Koine Greek (such as in Eph 5:23; 1 Cor 11:2-13).
D. Unknown or Unlikely Meaning – using a meaning for a word that was not used in the biblical period or is __unlikely in that context.
1. This fallacy often is the result of poor research or __eisegesis__ of the alleged evidence.
2. The wrong belief that authenteō means “to proclaim oneself the author of man” rather than “to have authority” (1 Tim 2:12). There is no known use of that first meaning.
3. It is unlikely Paul used nomos in Rom 3:21 to mean “legalism” or in 1 Cor 14:34 to mean “rabbinical teaching” because all other times he used nomos to refer to “the Mosaic __law___” or “the Mosaic law covenant.”
E. Unwarranted Semantic Overuse (aka semantic smorgasbord) – using every___ meaning of a word as legitimate in one context.
1. Greek kosmos has eight possible meanings. There is no use of kosmos in any context that has all or even a few of the meanings.
2. Greek peirasmos can mean “test” or “trial” (Heb 3:8-9; Jam 1:2; 1 Pet 1:6; 4:12) or “temptation” or “enticement” to sin (e.g., Jam 1:12; Matt 26:41; 1 Tim 6:9).
Context determines the meaning.
F. Unwarranted Semantic Restriction – being overly _restrictive__ or technical about a word’s meaning.
1. Due to the differences in languages, there can be some __overlap___ in the semantic range (possible meanings of the word).
chrēstotēs (Gal 5:22) can mean “uprightness,” “goodness,” “kindness,” “generosity.”
agathōsunē (Gal 5:22) can mean “goodness,” or “generosity.”
pistis (Gal 5:22) can mean “faithfulness,” “faith,” “trust,” “body of belief”
(“gentleness, goodness, faith” – KJV)
(“kindness, goodness, faithfulness” – ESV, NASB, NET, NIV, RSV)
(“kindness, goodness, faith” – CSB)
G. Illegitimate Totality Transfer – bringing _every___ characteristic of a referent into the meaning of a word even though that goes far beyond the context.
1. “All of us like sheep have gone astray” (Isa 53:6) is focusing on the _waywardness__of sheep. Bringing other sheep characteristics (dumb, dirty, etc.) into the passage is wrong.
2. “My sheep hear my voice…” (John 10:27) focuses on the quality of sheep _knowing___ and following the voice of their shepherd, but not on other sheep characteristics.
3. How does one “receive the kingdom of God like a _child__” (Luke 18:17)?
Some biblical characteristics of a child are: innocence, helplessness, vulnerability, faith, and __humility____. In addition, children are naive, weak, imaginative, and own very little. But one cannot attach all of these qualities to Luke 18:17.
H. Improper Parallel (aka verbal parallelomania) – using a word or passage as parallel in meaning when it is not.
1. This history-of-religions school much __abused this practice, allegedly finding Sumerian/Babylonian/Canaanite roots to most of Judaism and mystery religion roots in much of Christianity.
2. The most common meaning of a word is not its meaning in ___every context.
A woman being “saved” in childbirth (1 Tim 2:15) is not the prevalent meaning of sōzō. It means they are “preserved” (see 1 Tim 4:16) through their role of motherhood.
I. _Wrong__ Meaning – simply using the wrong meaning of a word in a given context.
1. Phoebe was a “servant” and not a “deacon.” Both meanings are possible for diakonos, but there were no instances of women deacons in the early church.
2. ‘Flesh’ can refer to fallen nature, but it can also refer to humanity (1 Pet 1:24-25).
J. Cognate Confusion – the problem of taking an English cognate and expecting insight into the Greek word.
1. “Dynamite” comes from the Greek dunamis (“power”), but Jesus was not saying that Christians would get “explosive” power in Acts 1:8.
2. The Greek hilaron meant “cheerful,” and it did not mean “hilarious” even though the English word has almost the same letters (see 2 Cor 9:7).
God is not looking for people to get hysterical when the church offering plate is collected in a public worship service.
3. Although apostolos (“messenger”) is a cognate of apostellō (“I send”), the emphasis of apostolos is more on the __message___ than the aspect of being sent, so the apostolos is a special messenger.
4. When Jude wrote to “contend for” the faith (epagōnizomai, Jude 3), he did not mean that we should “agonize” over it.
K. Confusion of Sense and Referent.
1. The sense is the meaning of a word in its __context__.
2. The referent is the object to which it is referring. The two are not interchangeable.
3. Examples:
A. Timothy was a ‘co-worker’ (sunergōs) of Paul (1 Thess. 3:2; Rom. 16:21). He was also a senior pastor at Ephesus (1 Tim 1:3).
B. Euodia and Syntyche were also ‘co-workers’ with Paul (Phil. 4:2), but this does not mean that they were also pastors.
Define: etymology, anachronism, subsequent, obsolete, semantic range, and cognate.
Etymology Error (aka root abuse) – the wrong expectation that the present meaning of a word is always found in its etymology.
1. _Sometimes__ word roots do give understanding to a later meaning of the word. Studying a word’s etymology may help.
2. Often a word _changes__ in meaning from its roots.
3. So, using etymological meaning often __confuses__ and abuses the later meaning of many words. Examples:
A. No understanding of ‘butterfly’ comes from understanding ‘butter’ and ‘flies.’
Subsequent Meaning (aka anachronism) – using a _newer\_\_ meaning for a word that was unknown in its present context. Examples: 1. The early church being “in one \_\_accord\_\_\_” (Acts 1:14; 2:1, 46) had nothing to do with them getting into a Honda.
Cognate_ Confusion – the problem of taking an English cognate and expecting insight into the Greek word.
1. “Dynamite” comes from the Greek dunamis (“power”), but Jesus was not saying that Christians would get “explosive” power in Acts 1:8.
Previous Meaning (aka obsolete meaning) – using an __older__ meaning for a word that was no longer in use at the time of the biblical text.
1. This is the difficulty with the KJV. Many of its 17th-century words no longer have those meanings today. 2. Although kephalē could mean “head, authority, source, or origin” in Classical Greek, it meant only “head” or “authority” by the time period of Koine Greek (such as in Eph 5:23; 1 Cor 11:2-13).
Unwarranted Semantic Restriction – being overly _restrictive__ or technical about a word’s meaning.
1. Due to the differences in languages, there can be some __overlap___ in the semantic range (possible meanings of the word).
Contrast between a word’s sense and referent.
The sense is the meaning of a word in its __context__.
2. The referent is the object to which it is referring. The two are not interchangeable.
3. Examples:
A. Timothy was a ‘co-worker’ (sunergōs) of Paul (1 Thess. 3:2; Rom. 16:21). He was also a senior pastor at Ephesus (1 Tim 1:3).
B. Euodia and Syntyche were also ‘co-workers’ with Paul (Phil. 4:2), but this does not mean that they were also pastors.
Define rhetoric pattern, or chiasmus, intercalation or sandwich technique, palindrome.
Rhetorical Patterns
It is important to note if the focal text fits within a rhetorical pattern. Its purpose within the pattern can impact the meaning of the focal text.
These patterns become evident through multiple readings of the focal text within its larger context.
Some patterns are usually visible only when studying the Hebrew or Greek text (catchwords, chiasm, and acrostic).
One must avoid _eisegesis__ in finding rhetorical patterns (such as finding chiasm everywhere).
Define Inclusio
Inclusio (aka bookends)
A. A text is an inclusio when it is framed__: it begins and ends similarly (with similar words, phrases, subject, event, etc.).
1. The section of narrative or poetic text could be as short as a paragraph or as long as several chapters.
2. The inclusio emphasizes a singular-__thematic element of the marked text.
B. Examples:
1. Historical narrative:
a. Moses framed the Flood narrative (6:1-9:27) with statements about the wickedness of humanity (6:1-8 and 9:20-27).
Define chiasm
Chiasm (aka chiasmus or inverted parallelism)
A. This common pattern throughout Scripture has lines of successive elements, and the elements in the second half are parallel with and in reverse__ order to the elements in the first half: A-B-B’-A’, A-B-C-B’-A’, A-B-C-C’-B’-A’, A-B-C-D-C’-B’-A’, A-B-C-D-E-D’-C’-B’-A’, etc.
1. They can have a single center or __doubleb.ko___ center.
2. This pattern is like a palindrome at a higher level (word/clause/sentence/paragraph/ pericope).
3. FYI: palindromes - “madam, i’m adam,” “too hot to hoot,” “taco cat,” “civic.”
B. It is named for the Greek letter __chi (X), because a line drawn through the elements forms this letter.
A chiasm is often only evident in the Hebrew or Greek.
Define Intercalation
Intercalation (aka __sandwich__ technique).
A. This is a form of chiasm, but it has only two elements: the bread and the meat, in an A-B-A’ “sandwich.”
B. It is a specific way to tell a story in which story A is interrupted to tell story B. One finds a _connection____ between the stories—especially when story A is resumed.
▪ Each story helps give meaning to, __explains__, or contrasts with the other story.
C. Examples:
A – 1st event (top bread) is related to… A – Joseph sold into slavery (Gen 37)
B – 2nd event (PB & J), that is related to… B – Sin of Judah and Tamar (Gen 38)
A’ – 1st event (bottom bread). A’ – Joseph story resumed (Gen 39)
What are the emphases of chiasms (the main parts)? What is the danger in looking for a chiasms?
In an extended chiasm, the primary emphasis of the passage is the __center___ element, and the next emphasis is on the outer frames (A and A’)
Beware of using _eisegesis__ in finding chiasms. Some people seem to find them everywhere.
Define catchwords
Catchwords (aka chain-link)
A. This pattern has a series of words linked together. Each link has a __key___ word in a sentence or paragraph that is related to the key word in the next sentence or paragraph.
B. James 1:2-4 – trials testing of faith endurance perfect and complete
C. This pattern can appear __within___ another pattern, such as chiasm.
Define trilogy pattern.
Trilogy
A. There are many groupings of __3___ in the Scriptures.
B. Examples in Jude and 2 Peter:
1. 3 times of God’s judgment on egregious sin (rebellious Jews in Egypt, sinning angels, Sodom/Gomorrah, Jude 5-7) (sinning angels, the Flood, Sodom/Gomorrah, 2 Pet 2:4-6)
Define alternating pattern.
Alternating A. In this pattern of _4\_\_ events, the first and third correspond with each other, and the second and fourth events correspond with each other. B. Examples: 1. Psalm 31:20 A – “in the shelter of Your presence B – You hide them A’ – in Your dwelling B’ – You keep them safe
Define ascending/descending pattern.
Ascending or Descending – In both of these patterns, each section leads to the next section in an order of ascension or descension.
A. 1 John ascends from the testimony of John and others bearing witness to Christ (1:1-4) to the readers bearing witness to Christ (5:13-21).
B. 2 Samuel 13:3-20 descends from Amnon’s lust after his half-sister Tamar to his terrible violation of her.
Define parallelism.
Parallelism “is that phenomenon whereby two or more successive poetic lines dynamically strengthen, reinforce, and develop each other’s thought. As a kind of emphatic additional thought, the follow-up lines further define, specify, expand, intensify, or contrast the first.”
Define and be able to identify the following parallelisms: synonymous,
Synonymous – the 2nd line says something very similar to the first line.
“As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout,
So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion (Prov 11:22).”
Define Parallelism antithetical
Antithetical – the 2nd line contrast the 1st line; however, it does relate to the first line because it gives its opposite.
“Better is a dish of vegetables where love is,
Than a fattened ox and hatred with it (Prov 15:17).”
