HermeneuticsHermeneutics

The Science of Biblical The Science of Biblical InterpretationInterpretation

““Correctly Dividing the Word”Correctly Dividing the Word”(2 Timothy 2:15)(2 Timothy 2:15)

We must note what kind of We must note what kind of literary form we are reading literary form we are reading

. . . . . . Biblical Biblical

stories stories (narrative)?(narrative)?

Proverbs?Proverbs? Prophecy?Prophecy? Parables?Parables?

Interpreting ProverbsInterpreting Proverbs

A biblical proverb is a short, pithy A biblical proverb is a short, pithy saying that expresses a wise, saying that expresses a wise, general truth concerning life from a divine truth concerning life from a divine perspective.perspective.

Proverbs are not “laws.” They are not Proverbs are not “laws.” They are not even “promises.” They are principles even “promises.” They are principles that function as general truths.that function as general truths.

Proverbs are true as a general rule, Proverbs are true as a general rule, but there are exceptions.but there are exceptions.

ExamplesExamples

Proverbs 22:6—Proverbs 22:6— ““Train up a child in the way he Train up a child in the way he

should go, and when he is old he will should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”not depart from it.”

Is this ALWAYS true?Is this ALWAYS true? Are their not exceptions?Are their not exceptions?

Solomon no doubt was aware of Eli’s Solomon no doubt was aware of Eli’s sons who did not follow the path of sons who did not follow the path of their devout father (1 Samuel 2).their devout father (1 Samuel 2).

Solomon was no doubt aware of the Solomon was no doubt aware of the evil sons of the good kings of Judah evil sons of the good kings of Judah (2 Chronicles 14ff).(2 Chronicles 14ff).

Nevertheless, there are certain Nevertheless, there are certain exceptions, like the prodigal son, exceptions, like the prodigal son, who “come to their senses” (Luke who “come to their senses” (Luke 15:17) and return home to the faith 15:17) and return home to the faith of their parents.of their parents.

Another ExampleAnother Example

Proverbs 26:4-5—Proverbs 26:4-5— Verse 4: “Do not answer a fool according to Verse 4: “Do not answer a fool according to

his folly, lest you also be like him.”his folly, lest you also be like him.” Verse 5: “Answer a fool according to his folly, Verse 5: “Answer a fool according to his folly,

lest he be wise in his own eyes.” lest he be wise in his own eyes.”

So what do we do, do we So what do we do, do we “answer” or “not answer?”“answer” or “not answer?”

Are we to respond to the Are we to respond to the fool or not?fool or not?

ANSWER:

It depends on the fool!

Interpreting Hyperbole Interpreting Hyperbole (exaggeration)(exaggeration)

Hyperbole is “exaggeration which is Hyperbole is “exaggeration which is not meant to be literally carried not meant to be literally carried out.”out.”

We use hyperbole when we REALLY We use hyperbole when we REALLY want to get a point across.want to get a point across.

““I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.” ““It killed me to have to tell him the It killed me to have to tell him the

truth.”truth.”

Exaggeration / HyperboleExaggeration / Hyperbolein the Biblein the Bible

““I am poured out like water, and all my I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within turned to wax; it has melted away within me” (Psalm 22:14).me” (Psalm 22:14).

““You blind guides! You strain out a gnat You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:24).but swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:24).

““Why do you look at the speck of sawdust Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3-4).(Matthew 7:3-4).

Misinterpreting Misinterpreting HyperboleHyperbole

Most people are intuitively able to Most people are intuitively able to determine if a passage contains determine if a passage contains hyperbole. They just “know” that such hyperbole. They just “know” that such passages should not be interpreted passages should not be interpreted literally. But not always . . .literally. But not always . . .

1970s “Jesus Movement.”1970s “Jesus Movement.” Members were to “hate” their parents on Members were to “hate” their parents on

the basis of Luke 14:26.the basis of Luke 14:26. Some have mutilated themselves due to Some have mutilated themselves due to

the misinterpretation of Matthew 5:29-the misinterpretation of Matthew 5:29-30.30.

Two basic rules to Two basic rules to recognize exaggeration in recognize exaggeration in

the Bible:the Bible: 1) The statement conflicts with what the 1) The statement conflicts with what the

Bible says elsewhere.Bible says elsewhere. ExampleExample: Compare Luke 14:26 with Mark : Compare Luke 14:26 with Mark

7:10.7:10. 2) The literal fulfillment would not 2) The literal fulfillment would not

achieve the desired goal.achieve the desired goal. ExampleExample: Would cutting off one’s hand : Would cutting off one’s hand

keep one from stealing? Would gouging keep one from stealing? Would gouging out one’s eye keep a person from lusting?out one’s eye keep a person from lusting?

The Point of HyperboleThe Point of Hyperbole

It is used when the biblical speaker/ It is used when the biblical speaker/ writer REALLY wants to get a point writer REALLY wants to get a point across.across.

So, when Jesus talks about “hating So, when Jesus talks about “hating one’s parents” and “cutting off one’s one’s parents” and “cutting off one’s hand” etc., what point is He REALLY hand” etc., what point is He REALLY wanting to get across? Suggestions:wanting to get across? Suggestions:

Let nothing stand between you and Let nothing stand between you and your relationship with God.your relationship with God.

There’s no sin worth going to hell for.There’s no sin worth going to hell for.

Interpreting ParablesInterpreting Parables

Parables generally teach ONE MAIN Parables generally teach ONE MAIN POINT.POINT.

As such, we are not to press the As such, we are not to press the DETAILS of the parable.DETAILS of the parable.

Example: What is the meaning of the Example: What is the meaning of the parable of the Good Samaritan parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)?(Luke 10:25-37)?

It’s wrong to press the It’s wrong to press the details:details:

The “certain man” as Adam.The “certain man” as Adam. The “robbers” are the Devil and his The “robbers” are the Devil and his

demons.demons. The “Priest” is the Law.The “Priest” is the Law. The “Levite” is the Prophets.The “Levite” is the Prophets. The “Good Samaritan” is Christ.The “Good Samaritan” is Christ. The “Inn” is the Church.The “Inn” is the Church. The “Innkeeper” is the Apostle Paul.The “Innkeeper” is the Apostle Paul.

So what is the ONE MAIN So what is the ONE MAIN POINT of the Good POINT of the Good

Samaritan?Samaritan? Note the Note the contextcontext: read the verses : read the verses

before and after the parable.before and after the parable. The parable answers the lawyer’s The parable answers the lawyer’s

question: “Who is my neighbor.”question: “Who is my neighbor.” The ONE MAIN POINT: We should The ONE MAIN POINT: We should

love those in need just as the Good love those in need just as the Good Samaritan loved the man who fell Samaritan loved the man who fell among thieves. among thieves.

Read the Bible through Next Year! I suppose I knew my Bible, reading

piecemeal, hit or miss, now a bit of John or Matthew, now a snatch of Genesis.

Certain chapters of Isaiah, certain Psalms (the 23rd), 12th of Romans, 1st of Proverbs—Yes, I thought I knew the Word!

But I found that thorough reading was a different thing to do, and the way was unfamiliar when I read the Bible through.

You who like to play at Bible, dip and dabble, here and there, just before you kneel, aweary, and yawn through a hurried prayer;

You who treat the Crown of Writings as you treat no other book, just a paragraph, disjointed, just a crude, impatient look.

Try a worthier procedure, try a broad and steady view; you will kneel in very rapture when you read the Bible through.”—(Amos Wells)

READ THE WORD!!!READ THE WORD!!!