Parallelism (5)

In this post we will deal with the use of parallels in the bible a Major aspect of poetic writing style for both Greeks and Hebrew writers. 

Parallels

A.   A parallelism is a relationship between two or more sentences that have a rhythm of thought that correspond in similarity. You find them most often in the wisdom literature and wisdom statement.

Parallelism may also be known as parallel structure or parallel construction and is often found in poetic writings. Much of the Old Testament is poetry. All of Psalms and Proverbs are writer in poetry and the prophets write in a poetic style. Even the book of Genesis is full of Poetry. There are several reasons the Hebrews used poetry, much of the Torah was sung and was easier to sing too, poetry and songs are easier to memorize than straight texts.  The rabbis believed that if something is worth saying, it is worth saying beautifully. There is much more poetry in the Bible than most realize because most people do not understand it. As Hebrew and Greek poetry is written much differently than our own Western style of poetry, many do not recognize the poetry which can cause problems when interpreting these passages.

Distinguishing poetry from prose is another important factor of Bible Interpretation.  About thirty percent of the Old Testament is written in poetry. Many newer versions such as New International Version use a different format in writing prose from poetry showing by the form that the passage is poetic. You will notice such difference by contrasting Genesis and Psalms in these newer versions.  Also since poetry is concerned with emotions descriptions rather than the literal descriptions of the message, it uses more figurative language more than prose.  There are common features of poetry called parallelism, and you need to recognized them to help understands the main point of the poetic passages.

B.   Hebrew poetry uses three types of parallelism.

1.    Antithetical parallelism is contrasting parallels where the second half of the  verse give the opposite perspective to the first half.  it reinforces idea.

A fool give full vet to his anger,

but a wise man keeps himself under control (Proverbs 29.11)

2.    Chiastic parallelism has the second half of the verse say the same thing as the first half but flips the word order. It repeats the idea. It shows intensity and importance.

The torrent would have gone

over us;

Then over us

 would have gone the raging waters. (Psalms 124.4-5)

      3.    Synthetic parallelism.  A line goes further than jrepeating or reinforcing it providing more information on the line before it.

             The Lord looks down from heaven on the son of men

              to see if there are any who understand,

              any who seek God. (Psalms 14:2 NIV)

        And saviours shall come up on mount Zion
        to judge the mount of Esau;
        and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S (Obadiah 21)  

C.   Parallelism helps us grasp the meaning of the passage:

1.    Try it Yourself - 2 Tim. 2.13

“If we are faithless,

     he will remain faithful,

     for he cannot disown himself”

Context: 2 Tim. 2.11-13 -   

                       

Read in isolation, vs. 13 could be understood as an encouragement that even our faithlessness cannot jeopardize our relationship with God. A truth affirmed elsewhere in Scripture. However, in context we see it is a parallel and is in fact, a warning that God will be faithful to His own Character. Using the tools of structure and parallelism allows us to begin mining the Word of God and “unearth the bible’s treasures.”