Answers Research Journal 5 (2012):115–123. www.answersingenesis.org/arj/v5/parallelism-hebrew-poetry-old-earth.pdf Parallelism in Hebrew Poetry Demonstrates a Major Error in the Hermeneutic of Many Old-Earth Creationists
Tim Chaffey, Web writer and editor, Answers in Genesis, Petersburg, Kentucky Abstract Many old-earth creationists cite poetic passages in an effort to convince people that we cannot and should not interpret the creation account literally. Yet the old-earth creationist is quick to interpret SRHWLFSDVVDJHVO LWHUDO O\DQGWUHDWWKHQD U UDWLYHSDVVDJHVÀJX UDWLYHO\7KLVD U WLFOHZ L O OSURYLGHDVX U YH\RI the nature of Hebrew poetry and provide examples of the various forms of parallelism exhibited in the six poetic books of the Bible: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and Lamentations. 7KHÀQDOVHFWLRQRIWKLVVWXG\ZLOOVKRZWKDW*HQHVLVLVQRWSRHWU\DQGDEULHIH[DPLQDWLRQRID SRSXODU2OG7HVWDPHQWHYHQWZLOOUHDGLO\GLVSOD\WKHYDVWGLIIHUHQFHVEHWZHHQQDUUDWLYHDQGSRHWU\
Keywords: narrative, Hebrew poetry, synonymous parallelism, antithetic parallelism, synthetic parallelism, framework hypothesis, progressive creationism, hermeneutics, old-earth creationism, chiasm Introduction 7KHVHFRQGW\SHRISDUDOOHOLVPLGHQWLÀHGE\/RZWK Poetry is a highly stylized form of writing used LVNQRZQDVDQWLWKHWLFSDUDOOHOLVPZKLFKLVQHDUO\WKH by many cultures, each having their own unique opposite of synonymous parallelism. This occurs when methods of conveying information. Americans and WKHVHFRQGVWLFKLVGLUHFWO\FRQWUDVWHGWRWKHÀUVWDQG other Westerners are familiar with poetry based on LWLVGRQHWRHPSKDVL]HRUFRQÀUPWKHWKRXJKWRIWKH rhyme and meter. For the ancient Hebrews, poetry ÀUVW3URYHUEV SURYLGHVDJRRGH[DPSOH was typically not based on rhyme, but on a concept 7KHWRQJXHRIWKHZLVHPDNHVNQRZOHGJHDFFHSWDEOH NQRZQDVSDUDOOHOLVP But the mouth of fools spouts folly. The nature of Hebrew poetry was recognized By contrasting the folly from the mouth of fools in the 12th century by Ibn Ezra and by Kimchi in with the tongue of the wise, it focuses attention on the WKHWKFHQWXU\EXWLWZDVPRUHFOHDUO\GHÀQHGE\ rightness of the tongue of the wise. 5REHUW/RZWKLQ 8QJHU S 7KLVVW\OH The third type of parallelism has been the LVPDUNHGE\DIRFXVRQWKHDUUDQJHPHQWRIFRQFHSWV VXEMHFWRIPXFKGLVFXVVLRQEHFDXVH/RZWKPD\KDYH rather than arranging words in a rhyming pattern. RYHUVLPSOLÀHG WKLV FDWHJRU\ LQWR D VRUW RI FDWFKDOO /RZWKOLVWHGWKUHHSULPDU\W\SHVRISDUDOOHOLVP IRUHYHU\RWKHUW\SHRISRHWU\5REHUWVRQ0F4XLONLQ V\QRQ\PRXVDQWLWKHWLFDQGV\QWKHWLF /XFDV VWDWHGWKDWV\QWKHWLFSDUDOOHOLVPLVIRXQGZKHQ´WKH SS² 7KHVH DUH VRPHWLPHV FDOOHG VLPLODU SRHWDGGVWRWKHRULJLQDOFRQFHSWµ 0F4XLONLQ thoughts, contrasting thoughts, and additional S +HVHHVWKHÀUVWWZRYHUVHVRI3VDOPDVDQ WKRXJKWVUHVSHFWLYHO\ 0F4XLONLQ S example of this. 7KLV SDSHU ZLOO GHÀQH WKHVH W\SHV RI SDUDOOHOLVP Blessed is the man give examples of each type found in the poetic :KRZDONVQRWLQWKHFRXQVHORIWKHXQJRGO\ ERRNV RI 6FULSWXUH DQG H[DPLQH WKH LPSRUWDQFH RI Nor stands in the path of sinners, parallelism. 1RUVLWVLQWKHVHDWRIWKHVFRUQIXO %XWKLVGHOLJKWLVLQWKHODZRIWKH/25', Types of Parallelism And in His law he meditates day and night. Synonymous parallelism is perhaps the easiest to Each successive line of this passage builds on the spot while reading. This term applies to successive FRQFHSW RI ZKDW D PDQ ZKR LV EOHVVHG ZLOO EH OLNH lines of text which state essentially the same concept Three lines describe what he will not do, and two give LQWZRGLIIHUHQWZD\V8QJHUGHÀQHGLWDV´WKHÀUVW positive examples of what he will do. OLQH RUVWLFK UHLQIRUF>HV@WKHVHFRQGDQGJLYLQJD But is synthetic parallelism really that easy GLVWLFKµ 8QJHU S $Q H[DPSOH RI WKLV LV WRGHÀQH"0LFNHOVHQGRHVQRWEHOLHYHV\QWKHWLF found in Psalm 2:4: parallelism is even true parallelism. He wrote, +HZKRVLWVLQWKHKHDYHQVVKDOOODXJK 7KLVLVDFDWHJRU\IRUPXODWHGE\%LVKRS/RZWKEXWLQ 7KH/25' shall hold them in derision. reality is not true parallelism. The meaning continues Although these two lines are not identical, they but the balance of thought is lost. The thought is convey the same concept regarding God’s response H[WHQGHG³LWÁRZVRQ³EXWWKHVWUHVVDQGEDODQFHRI toward those who plot and scheme to overthrow Him. true parallelism is not there 0LFNHOVHQ S
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The views expressed are those of the writer(s) and not necessarily those of the Answers Research Journal Editor or of Answers in Genesis. 116 T. Chaffey
/H0RQDQG6WUDZQDGGHG 0LFNHOVHQ S 6\QWKHWLF SDUDOOHOLVP LV WKXV D NLQG RI FDWFKDOO When two lines are paired together and are FDWHJRU\ ZKHQSRHWLFOLQHVDUHQHLWKHUV\QRQ\PRXV parallel to another pair of lines it is called external QRUDQWLWKHWLFDO/RZWKSODFHGWKHPLQWKLVWKLUGW\SH parallelism. An example of introverted parallelism is /H0RQDQG6WUDZQS 1 IRXQGLQ3VDOP ² VODVKHVDQGVSDFLQJDGGHG -DPHV.XJHORIIHUHGWKHPRVWWKRURXJKFULWLTXHRI WRGLVSOD\WKHSDUDOOHOLVP parallelism as the primary characteristic of Hebrew 7R 1/H0RQDQG6WUDZQFLWH/RZWK·VDGPLVVLRQWKDWKLVWKLUGFDWHJRU\ZDVYHU\EURDGRIWHQLQFOXGLQJDVFKHPHRISDUDOOHOLVPWKDW LVVXEWOHRUREVFXUH7KHGLIÀFXOW\ZLWKVXFKDEURDGFDWHJRU\LVKLJKOLJKWHGE\WKHP´$YHU\UHDOSUREOHPDULVHV ZKDWNHHSV PXQGDQHSURVHIURPEHLQJMXVWDQRWKHUNLQGRIV\QWKHWLFSDUDOOHOLVP"µ/H0RQDQG6WUDZQ S 26RPHKDYHDUJXHGWKDWWKLVIRUPRISDUDOOHOLVPZDVDFWXDOO\DIRUPRIV\QRQ\PRXVSDUDOOHOLVP 0F&DEHQG ´(PEOHPDWLF SDUDOOHOLVPLVDFWXDOO\DW\SHRIV\QRQ\PRXVSDUDOOHOLVPLQZKLFKRQHOLQHLVÀJXUDWLYHDQGWKHRWKHUOLQHLVOLWHUDOµ 3DUVRQV S Parallelism in Hebrew Poetry Demonstrates a Major Error in the Hermeneutic of Many Old-Earth Creationists 117 a. b. c. -RE a. b. Bildad a. d. e. 'RHV*RGVXEYHUWMXGJPHQW" f. g. 2UGRHVWKH$OPLJKW\SHUYHUWMXVWLFH" -RE f. g. Zophar Fig. 1. 0LFNHOVHQ FODVVLÀHG WKH IRUP RI 3VDOP DV &DQ\RXVHDUFKRXWWKHGHHSWKLQJVRI*RG" incomplete parallelism without compensation. This &DQ\RXÀQGRXWWKHOLPLWVRIWKH$OPLJKW\" complex scheme illustrates one of the problems with -RE /RZWK·VVLPSOLVWLFFDWHJRULHV Elihu +HDUP\ZRUGV\RXZLVHPHQ SDWWHUQ 0LFNHOVHQ S )LJVDQG *LYHHDUWRPH\RXZKRKDYHNQRZOHGJH ,WLVFHUWDLQO\GLIÀFXOWWRNHHSWUDFNRIWKLVFRPSOH[ -RE form of incomplete parallelism. It is no wonder that God 0LFNHOVHQ .XJHO DQG RWKHUV GR QRW DJUHH ZLWK . . . When the morning stars sang together, /RZWK·VVLPSOLVWLFFDWHJRULHV $QGDOOWKHVRQVRI*RGVKRXWHGIRUMR\" -RE Antithetical parallelism is very common in Examples of Parallelism in the Poetic Books 3URYHUEVEXWVFDUFHLQ-RE$QH[DPSOHFDQEHIRXQG With the exception of the chiastic example, every LQ-RE example has come from the Psalms. However, the other Though your beginning was small, SRHWLF ERRNV HPSOR\ SDUDOOHOLVP 7KLV VHFWLRQ ZLOO Yet your latter end would increase abundantly. provide examples of parallelism found throughout the -REGRHVFRQWDLQDJUHDWGHDORIV\QWKHWLF SRHWLFERRNVRI-RE3VDOPV3URYHUEV(FFOHVLDVWHV SDUDOOHOLVP DV GHÀQHG E\ 0F4XLONLQ LQ ZKLFK WKH 6RQJRI6RORPRQDQG/DPHQWDWLRQV VSHDNHURUZULWHUDGGVDGGLWLRQDOLQIRUPDWLRQWRWKH original idea. This can also be found in the speeches Job RIHDFKPDMRUFKDUDFWHU ,QPDQ\UHVSHFWVWKHERRNRI-RELVIDUGLIIHUHQW Job IURP WKH RWKHU SRHWLF ERRNV ,W LV FRQVLGHUHG WR EH Why is light given to him who is in misery, ZLVGRPOLWHUDWXUHOLNH3URYHUEVDQG(FFOHVLDVWHV And life to the bitter of soul -RE /XFDVS EXW-RELVODUJHO\PDGHXSRI Eliphaz FRQYHUVDWLRQVEHWZHHQ-REDQGKLVIULHQGVWU\LQJWR ,KDYHVHHQWKHIRROLVKWDNLQJURRW ÀJXUHRXWZK\KHLVVXIIHULQJVRPXFK3URYHUEVDQG But suddenly I cursed his dwelling place (FFOHVLDVWHV WDNH WKH IRUP RI D WHDFKHU SDVVLQJ RQ -RE LQVWUXFWLRQVWRKLVUHDGHUV'HVSLWHWKHLUGLIIHUHQFHV Bildad WKHVHERRNVDUHSULPDULO\ZULWWHQDVSRHWU\DQGDV )RUZHZHUHERUQ\HVWHUGD\DQGNQRZQRWKLQJ such, contain a great deal of parallelism.3 Because our days on earth are a shadow -RE 6\QRQ\PRXV SDUDOOHOLVP LV XVHG WKURXJKRXW -RE Zophar E\HDFKRIWKHPDMRUFKDUDFWHUV%HORZDUHH[DPSOHV For an empty-headed man will be wise, RI V\QRQ\PRXV SDUDOOHOLVP IURP WKH PRXWKV RI -RE :KHQDZLOGGRQNH\·VFROWLVERUQDPDQ Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, Elihu, and God. -RE Elihu Job :KDWPDQLVOLNH-RE :K\GLG,QRWGLHDWELUWK" :KRGULQNVVFRUQOLNHZDWHU -RE :K\GLG,QRWSHULVKZKHQ,FDPHIURPWKHZRPE" God -RE +HPRYHVKLVWDLOOLNHDFHGDU Eliphaz 7KHVLQHZVRIKLVWKLJKVDUHWLJKWO\NQLW By the blast of God they perish, -RE And by the breath of His anger they are consumed Synthetic parallelism seems to be more of a natural One thing / / / I have asked / from the Lord That / / / I will seek / My dwelling / in the house / all the days / / /to look / on the delightfulness (of the Lord) (of my life) (of Jehovah) / /to contemplate / in His temple. Fig. 2. Here is the text of Psalm 27:4 according to its form. 37KHSURORJXHDQGHSLORJXHRI-REDUHQRWSRHWLF 118 T. Chaffey ÀWIRUWKHERRNRI-REEHFDXVHLWDOORZVWKHVSHDNHUWR avoid something negative. The very next line shows FRQYH\ PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ SHU GLVWLFK 6LQFH -RE DQG what happens when that advice is ignored. This is a his friends carry on lengthy discourses, this form powerful way to communicate one’s point. of parallelism is well-suited to give the reader the Proverbs does not utilize synthetic parallelism necessary amount of information. DV IUHTXHQWO\ DV WKH RWKHU WZR IRUPV 7KLV LV OLNHO\ GXH WR WKH IDFW WKDW LQ PRVW SODFHV WKH ERRN LV QRW Proverbs advancing a narrative at all, but simply providing 6LQFHWKHH[DPSOHVLQWKHÀUVWVHFWLRQRIWKLVSDSHU short pieces of wise advice. One place where a sort of were primarily from the Psalms, there is no need pseudo-narrative is told is found in the passage about WRÀQGPRUHH[DPSOHVRIWKHVHIRUPVRISDUDOOHOLVP a virtuous wife in Proverbs 31. As expected, this is IURP WKLV ERRN 7XUQLQJ WR WKH ERRN RI 3URYHUEV also the passage that contains a high percentage of UHYHDOVPXOWLSOHH[DPSOHVRI/RZWK·VWKUHHW\SHVRI synthetic parallelism. parallelisms. :KRFDQÀQGDYLUWXRXVZLIH" Synonymous parallelism is found numerous times For her worth is far above rubies. WKURXJKRXWWKHERRNDQGVHYHUDOWLPHVLQWKHÀUVW 7KHKHDUWRIKHUKXVEDQGVDIHO\WUXVWVKHU chapter alone. 6RKHZLOOKDYHQRODFNRIJDLQ :HVKDOOÀQGDOONLQGVRISUHFLRXVSRVVHVVLRQV She does him good and not evil :HVKDOOÀOORXUKRXVHVZLWKVSRLO All the days of her life. Cast in your lot among us, 6KHVHHNVZRRODQGÁD[ /HWXVDOOKDYHRQHSXUVH $QGZLOOLQJO\ZRUNVZLWKKHUKDQGV 0\VRQGRQRWZDONLQWKHZD\ZLWKWKHP 6KHLVOLNHWKHPHUFKDQWVKLSV .HHS\RXUIRRWIURPWKHLUSDWK She brings her food from afar 3URYHUEV ² For their feet run to evil, In fact, every verse in the account of the virtuous $QGWKH\PDNHKDVWHWRVKHGEORRG 3URYHUEV ² wife is made up of synthetic parallelism. There are Each distich in this section contains an example also several examples of this form in the warning of synonymous parallelism. The context of the about the harlot in Proverbs 7. passage may explain why this was chosen. The writer Proverbs masterfully utilizes each of the forms of instructed his son to stay away from people who parallelism. To stress a point that is being made, the ZRXOG HQWLFH KLP WR PDNH HYLO GHFLVLRQV $V VXFK writer used synonymous parallelism. To offer both an the information bears repeating and synonymous exhortation and a warning of failing to achieve a goal, SDUDOOHOLVPZRUNVSHUIHFWO\LQWKLVVHWWLQJ the author used antithetic parallelism. Finally, when Proverbs contains the highest percentage of WKHZULWHUZDQWHGWRH[SRXQGRQSDUWLFXODUVXEMHFWKH DQWLWKHWLFDOSDUDOOHOLVPLQWKHSRHWLFERRNV2QHRIWKH utilized a high percentage of synthetic parallelism. PRVWSRSXODUYHUVHVLQWKHERRNLVDJUHDWH[DPSOHRI this form. Ecclesiastes 7KHIHDURIWKH/25'LVWKHEHJLQQLQJRINQRZOHGJH 7KH ERRN RI (FFOHVLDVWHV LV TXLWH GLIIHUHQW IURP But fools despise wisdom and instruction DQ\ RWKHU ERRN LQ WKH %LEOH ,Q PDQ\ UHJDUGV LW LV 3URYHUEV DOPRVWWKHRSSRVLWHRI3URYHUEVH[FHSWIRUWKHÀQDO The mention of fools despising instruction reiterates chapter. In Proverbs, the writer already has gained WKHLPSRUWDQFHRIVHHNLQJZLVGRPDQGLQVWUXFWLRQEXW ZLVGRPDQGLVVHHNLQJWRSDVVWKDWRQWRRWKHUV,Q WKLVFDQRQO\WUXO\EHJLQZKHQRQHIHDUVWKH/25'. (FFOHVLDVWHV WKH DXWKRU OLNHO\ WKH VDPH PDQ ZKR -XVWDVLWGRHVZLWKV\QRQ\PRXVSDUDOOHOLVP3URYHUEV ZURWHPRVWRI3URYHUEV 4LVVHHNLQJWKDWZLVGRPE\D also strings together multiple antithetical distiches. study of the natural world. The author discovers the ,QWKHPXOWLWXGHRIZRUGVVLQLVQRWODFNLQJ FRPSOHWHYDQLW\RUIXWLOLW\RIDOLIH´XQGHUWKHVXQµ But he who restrains his lips is wise. which is not centered in the fear of God and devotion to 7KHWRQJXHRIWKHULJKWHRXVLVFKRLFHVLOYHU +LP 3DUVRQVS 7KHSHVVLPLVPSRUWUD\HG 7KHKHDUWRIWKHZLFNHGLVZRUWKOLWWOH WKURXJKRXWPXFKRIWKHERRNFDXVHGGLVSXWHVDPRQJ The lips of the righteous feed many, rabbis about whether it belonged in the canon. Some %XWIRROVGLHIRUODFNRIZLVGRP 3URYHUEV ² argued that it contained the Epicurean philosophy The contrast between the righteous man and the DQGDGHQLDORIWKHOLIHWRFRPH $UFKHU S IRROLVKRUZLFNHGPDQLVGUDZQLQWRFOHDUIRFXVE\WKH 7KHSRLQWRIWKHERRNLVWRGHPRQVWUDWHWKHIXWLOLW\ XVH RI DQWLWKHWLFDO SDUDOOHOLVP 7KH ÀUVW VWLFK WHOOV of a life lived from a naturalistic or materialistic point the reader to either strive for something positive or to RI YLHZ 7KLV LV LGHQWLÀHG E\ WKH SKUDVH ´XQGHU WKH 4.LQJ6RORPRQLVRIWHQFRQVLGHUHGWREHWKHDXWKRURI(FFOHVLDVWHVDQGPXFKRI3URYHUEV KRZHYHUWKHUHDUHPDQ\VFKRODUVZKR UHMHFW6RORPRQLFDXWKRUVKLSRI(FFOHVLDVWHV)RUDJRRGRYHUYLHZRIDUJXPHQWVIRUERWK6RORPRQLFDQGQRQ6RORPRQLFDXWKRUVKLS RI(FFOHVLDVWHVVHH*DUUHWW SS² Parallelism in Hebrew Poetry Demonstrates a Major Error in the Hermeneutic of Many Old-Earth Creationists 119 sun,” which occurs 29 times. By the end, the author instead have proposed that it is an extended allegory discovers that only when one recognizes his Creator to show God’s love for Israel or Christ’s love for the FDQ OLIH KDYH PHDQLQJ DQG SXUSRVH 0F&DEH &KXUFK $UFKHU S 5 S 6RWKHÀQDOFKDSWHULVPRUHOLNH3URYHUEV Since the Song advances an ongoing account, one Another similarity to Proverbs is the masterful would expect it to contain quite a bit of synthetic ZD\LQZKLFKWKHDXWKRUPDNHVXVHRIHDFKW\SHRI SDUDOOHOLVP ,Q IDFW PRVW RI WKH 6RQJ GRHV WDNH parallelism. Although synthetic parallelism is used this form. Nevertheless, there is some synonymous most frequently, synonymous parallelism is scattered parallelism. WKURXJKRXWWKHERRN You are all fair, my love, Because of laziness the building decays, And there is no spot in you 6RQJRI6RORPRQ $QG WKURXJK WKH LGOHQHVV RI KDQGV WKH KRXVH OHDNV , GLG QRW ÀQG DQ\ H[DPSOHV RI DQWLWKHWLFDO (FFOHVLDVWHV SDUDOOHOLVP LQ WKH 6RQJ 7KLV LV OLNHO\ GXH WR WKH Antithetic parallelism is also utilized throughout nature of the content. The characters frequently WKH ERRN VHHPLQJO\ WR D KLJKHU GHJUHH WKDQ WKH express their desire for each other, and describe each V\QRQ\PRXVNLQG7KLVLVRIWHQGRQHWRFRQWUDVWWKH other in positive terms. There really is no need for wise man and the fool. the positive/negative contrast found in antithetical A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, parallelism. However, there are plenty of examples of But a fool’s heart at his left. synthetic parallelism. The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, Set me as a seal upon your heart, %XWWKHOLSVRIDIRROVKDOOVZDOORZKLPXS $VDVHDOXSRQ\RXUDUP (FFOHVLDVWHV For love is as strong as death, As mentioned above, synthetic parallelism -HDORXV\DVFUXHODVWKHJUDYH appears more often than synonymous parallelism ,WVÁDPHVDUHÁDPHVRIÀUH LQ(FFOHVLDVWHV2QFHDJDLQWKLVLVOLNHO\GXHWRWKH $PRVWYHKHPHQWÁDPH DGYDQFHPHQW RI D VRUW RI QDUUDWLYH 7KLV ERRN DOVR 0DQ\ZDWHUVFDQQRWTXHQFKORYH includes numerous verses composed of tristiches 1RUFDQWKHÁRRGVGURZQLW instead of the common distich. For example, If a man would give for love Ecclesiastes 1:9–11 illustrates the use of tristiches All the wealth of his house, and synthetic parallelisms. It would be utterly despised 6RQJRI6RORPRQ ² That which has been is what will be, Through the use of synthetic parallelism, the That which is done is what will be done, characters in the Song of Solomon are able to advance And there is nothing new under the sun. the plot. They describe their passionate experiences Is there anything of which it may be said, together in graphic detail through poetic language, ´6HHWKLVLVQHZµ" which is perfectly suited for this type of dialogue. It has already been in ancient times before us. There is no remembrance of former things, Lamentations Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are 7KHÀQDOSRHWLFERRNLQ6FULSWXUHZDVZULWWHQE\ to come WKH SURSKHW -HUHPLDK 7KLV VKRUW ERRN LV PDGH XS By those who will come after. of a series of laments by the prophet concerning the $OWKRXJK WKH ÀUVW WZR OLQHV LQ WKLV SDVVDJH DUH GHYDVWDWLRQZKLFKKDGMXVWEHHQOHYHOHGRQ-HUXVDOHP fairly synonymous, the remaining lines build upon by the Babylonians. Approximately one-third of what is before them and provide more detail. Through WKH3VDOPVWDNHWKHIRUPRIDODPHQW /XFDV the use of synthetic parallelism, the author is able SS² ZKLFK´JLYHYRLFHWRWKHFRPSODLQWVDLQWVIHHO to tell of his futile search for wisdom by trying to when they experience various troubles in this life” H[SHULHQFHHYHU\WKLQJ´XQGHUWKHVXQµ 0F*LQQLVVS Chapters 1, 2, and 4 are dominated by lengthy Song of Solomon YHUVHVRIWHQFRPSRVHGRIIRXURUÀYHOLQHV7KHWKLUG The proper interpretation of the Song of Solomon DQGÀIWKFKDSWHUVDUHPDUNHGE\QXPHURXVGLVWLFKHV KDVEHHQGLVSXWHGDPRQJVFKRODUVGXHWRLWVVXEMHFW 'HVSLWHWKHGLIIHUHQFHLQIRUPDWWKHYHUVHVDUHVWLOO matter. On its surface, it appears to be an ongoing predominantly made up of synthetic parallelism. drama between a man and his bride, including a Here is an example of two quatrains. description of their wedding night. Some scholars (YHQWKHMDFNDOVSUHVHQWWKHLUEUHDVWV KDYHREMHFWHGWRDVWUDLJKWIRUZDUGLQWHUSUHWDWLRQDQG 7RQXUVHWKHLU\RXQJ 5 Archer seems to favor a third view, which blends these two elements. The typical view sees the account as being an actual account RI6RORPRQZLWKRQHRIKLVZLYHVZKRWDXJKWKLPWKHWUXHPHDQLQJRIORYHZKLFKLVV\PEROLF RUW\SLFDO RI*RG·VORYHIRU+LVSHRSOH and/or Christ’s love for His church. 120 T. Chaffey But the daughter of my people is cruel, meant to convey detailed historical information. As /LNHRVWULFKHVLQWKHZLOGHUQHVV such, if someone wants to add the billions of years The tongue of the infant clings VXJJHVWHGE\QDWXUDOLVWLFVFLHQFHVWKHQKHLV´IUHHRI 7RWKHURRIRILWVPRXWKIRUWKLUVW ELEOLFDOFRQVWUDLQWVµ .OLQH WRGRVR+RZHYHU 7KH\RXQJFKLOGUHQDVNIRUEUHDG if the Bible’s opening chapter does not contain these %XWQRRQHEUHDNVLWIRUWKHP /DPHQWDWLRQV ² KDOOPDUNVRI+HEUHZSRHWU\WKHQWKLVYLHZIDLOV It is easy to see how the author uses synthetic 2QHRI.OLQH·VIRUPHUVWXGHQWV-RKQ5DQNLQKDV parallelism to build each successive line upon the attempted to identify parallel concepts in Genesis original idea. The same is true even when the format LQ DQ HIIRUW WR VXSSRUW WKLV YLHZ +H ZURWH ´7KH switches to the use of distiches. )UDPHZRUNWKHRU\EHJLQVLQUHFRJQLWLRQRIWKHEDVLF The crown has fallen from our head. nature of Hebrew poetry, and its service to literary Woe to us, for we have sinned! GHYLFHµ +RGJHSHUVFRPP 7 He continued, %HFDXVHRIWKLVRXUKHDUWLVIDLQW In Genesis 1, all but v. 27 is written in prose, but %HFDXVHRIWKHVHWKLQJVRXUH\HVJURZGLP the overall structure and details abound in the %HFDXVHRI0RXQW=LRQZKLFKLVGHVRODWH parallelisms of Hebrew poetry. It is in many ways :LWKIR[HVZDONLQJDERXWRQLW /DPHQWDWLRQV ² WKH VRQJ RI *RG·V FUHDWLRQ 7KH )UDPHZRUN WKHRU\ 2QFH DJDLQ -HUHPLDK OLNH WKH RWKHU ZULWHUV highlights this: examined in this section, was able to expound on an 'D\LVSDUDOOHOWR'D\ idea through the use of synthetic parallelism. 'D\LVSDUDOOHOWR'D\ DQG 'D\ LV SDUDOOHO WR 'D\ +RGJH SHUV The Importance of FRPP Recognizing Hebrew Parallelism There are many problems with this approach, but 5HDGHUVRI(QJOLVKWUDQVODWLRQVRIWKH%LEOHGRQRW VSDFHGRHVQRWDOORZIRUDIXOOFULWLTXH,WLVVXIÀFLHQW KDYHPXFKGLIÀFXOW\LQLGHQWLI\LQJSRHWLFDQGSURVH to say that the alleged parallelism does not hold up WH[WV WKHZRUNKDVDOUHDG\EHHQGRQHIRUWKHPE\WKH XQGHU FORVH H[DPLQDWLRQ &KDIIH\ SS² translators. The original text simply runs together 0RUHRYHULWVKRXOGEHDSSDUHQWWKDWWKLVDUJXPHQW OLNHQDUUDWLYHUDWKHUWKDQJLYLQJDZD\WKHIDFWWKDWLW misrepresents Hebrew parallelism prevalent in the is poetry by the way it is formatted on the page. SRHWLF ERRNV8 The Genesis creation account is not ,W LV FUXFLDO IRU D &KULVWLDQ WR NQRZ ZKHQ KH LV dependent upon parallelism, whether synonymous, UHDGLQJ QDUUDWLYH RU SRHWU\ -DPHV .XJHO GLG QRW antithetic, or synthetic. As such, it stands as historical believe there was any substantive difference between narrative and should be interpreted as such. the two, but several distinctions can be made. Besides the parallelism readily found in poetry, there are Comparison of the Poetic and other distinguishing characteristics which can help Narrative Reports of the Red Sea Crossing the reader spot poetry. Poetic passages contain a high One of the simplest ways to showcase the vast SHUFHQWDJHRIÀJXUDWLYHODQJXDJH)RUH[DPSOHWKH\ GLIIHUHQFHV EHWZHHQ SRHWU\ DQG QDUUDWLYH LV WR ORRN have a much higher rate of perfect and imperfect DW([RGXVDQG,Q([RGXVWKH5HG6HD verbs than narrative passages, which often utilize crossing is described in historical narrative. Exodus preterite verbs.6 15 provides a poetic account of this same event. Both This ability to identify parallelism and differentiate accounts are inspired and true, but narrative and between these two genres has become increasingly poetry convey God’s Word in a different manner. Pay LPSRUWDQWLQPRGHUQWLPHV0DQ\VFKRODUVVXFKDV close attention to the type of language used in the 0HUHGLWK.OLQHKDYHSURPRWHGDQRYHOH[SODQDWLRQRI following accounts. WKH*HQHVLVFUHDWLRQDFFRXQWZKLFKVHHNVWRUHFODVVLI\ Here is the narrative recording of the Israelites’ WKHÀUVWFKDSWHUDVSRHWLFRU´VHPLSRHWLFµ .OLQH PLUDFXORXV FURVVLQJ WKURXJK WKH 5HG 6HD RQ GU\ S +LVYLHZNQRZQDVWKHIUDPHZRUNK\SRWKHVLV ground: was invented to de-emphasize the actual meaning of 7KHQ0RVHVVWUHWFKHGRXWKLVKDQGRYHUWKHVHD DQG the text, so that its adherents can claim that it is not WKH/25'FDXVHGWKHVHDWRJREDFNE\DVWURQJHDVW 6$VWDWLVWLFDODQDO\VLVRI2OG7HVWDPHQWSDVVDJHVZDVFRQGXFWHGE\'U6WHYHQ%R\G+HIRXQGWKDWSRHWLFDQGQDUUDWLYH SDVVDJHVFRXOGEHFDWHJRUL]HGZLWKDEHWWHUWKDQ DFFXUDF\EDVHGRQWKHYHUEXVDJHDORQH 'H wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, 90RGHUQ(QJOLVKVW\OHWHQGVWRDYRLGVWDUWLQJDVHQWHQFHZLWKWKHZRUG´DQGµVRWKHwaw is not readily apparent in many English %LEOHVVLQFHWKH´DQGµLVGURSSHGIRUVW\OLVWLFSXUSRVHV+RZHYHUPDQ\ROGHUWUDQVODWLRQVVXFKDVWKH.LQJ-DPHV9HUVLRQDQG $PHULFDQ6WDQGDUG9HUVLRQXVXDOO\GLGWUDQVODWHWKHwawDV´DQGµDWWKHEHJLQQLQJRIQXPHURXVYHUVHV,QWKHVHWUDQVODWLRQVLW is easy to see how the wawLVXVHGWRDGYDQFHWKHQDUUDWLYHLQDVHTXHQWLDOPDQQHUIURPRQHSRLQWWRWKHQH[W6HHDOVR0F&DEH DQG&KDIIH\DQG0F&DEH 10:KLOHVXPPDUL]LQJWKH5$7(UHVHDUFKRI6WHYHQ%R\G'H SUDLVHVWHPPLQJIURP*RGJLYLQJKHUDVRQ 6DPXHO without the need for repetition. Proverbs is made up )LUVW&KURQLFOHV LVLQWKHPLGVWRI'DYLG·VVRQJ largely of antithetic parallelism because of the sharp RIWKDQNVJLYLQJZKHQWKH$UNRIWKH&RYHQDQWZDV contrasts drawn between the wise man and the foolish EURXJKWWR-HUXVDOHP7KLVVRQJDOVRPDNHVXSWKH man. Finally, Psalms contains a wide variety of each ÀUVWYHUVHVRI3VDOP form because there are numerous types of Psalms, This tactic is very common among old-earth HDFKZULWWHQZLWKDVSHFLÀFSXUSRVH creationists, yet it represents an irresponsible The ability to recognize Hebrew poetry has handling of the text.11 Each passage should be LPSOLFDWLRQV EH\RQG EDVLF WUDQVODWLRQ ZRUN interpreted according to the appropriate principles 5HFRJQL]LQJSDUDOOHOLVPFDQDLGLQSURSHUO\ for its particular genre. Historical narrative can interpreting the text. Also, one of the greatest debates be understood in a straightforward manner, in the modern church can be resolved by realizing that UHFRJQL]LQJ WKDW ÀJXUHV RI VSHHFK ZLOO RFFDVLRQDOO\ Genesis 1 is not poetic in nature because it does not arise. Interpreting poetry requires one to identify EHDUWKHKDOOPDUNVRI+HEUHZSDUDOOHOLVP6WXGHQWV WKH SDUDOOHOLVP DQG WKH IUHTXHQW XVH RI ÀJXUDWLYH of the Bible would do well to study parallelism, the language. If one fails to do this, and interprets poetry basic structure of Hebrew poetry. in a literal manner, then it will inevitably result in contradictions and theological absurdities. For References example, consider again the verses from Exodus 15. $UFKHU */ A survey of Old Testament introduction. If we are supposed to interpret this passage literally, &KLFDJR,OOLQRLV 0RRG\3UHVV WKHQZHZRXOGFRQFOXGHWKDW*RGLVDPDQ Y ZLWK %XOORFN &+ An introduction to the Old Testament QRVWULOV Y DQGDULJKWKDQG Y ZKRSLFNHGXS poetic books&KLFDJR,OOLQRLV 0RRG\3UHVV Chaffey, T. 2008. God means what He says: A biblical critique 3KDUDRK·VDUP\DQGFDVWWKHPLQWRWKHVHD Y ZKHUH of the framework hypothesis. Browntown, Wisconsin: WKH\GURZQHG Y EXWZHUHDOVRGDVKHGLQWRSLHFHV 0LGZHVW$SRORJHWLFV Y FRQVXPHGOLNHVWXEEOH Y DQGVZDOORZHGE\ &KDIIH\7DQG%0F&DEH)UDPHZRUNK\SRWKHVLV,Q WKHHDUWK Y How do we know the Bible is true? vol. 1, ed. K. Ham and 5HFRJQL]LQJWKDWSRHWU\DQGKLVWRULFDOQDUUDWLYH %+RGJHSS ²*UHHQ)RUHVW$UNDQVDV 0DVWHU must be interpreted differently immediately solves %RRNV these problems. Exodus 14 reveals precisely what 'H wisdom-literature/interpreting-proverbs/. &KLFDJR,OOLQRLV 0RRG\3UHVV 0F&DEH 59 7KH PHVVDJH RI (FFOHVLDVWHV Detroit 0LFNHOVHQ$% Interpreting the Bible *UDQG 5DSLGV Baptist Seminary Journal 1:85–112. 0LFKLJDQ :P%(HUGPDQV 0F&DEH59$FULWLTXHRIWKHIUDPHZRUNLQWHUSUHWDWLRQRI Parsons, G. W. 1993. Guidelines for understanding and WKH&UHDWLRQ:HHN,QComing to grips with Genesis: Biblical SURFODLPLQJ WKH ERRN RI 3URYHUEV Bibliotheca Sacra authority and the age of the earthHG70RUWHQVRQDQG7+ 150:151–170. 8U\SS²*UHHQ)RUHVW$UNDQVDV 0DVWHU%RRNV Parsons, G. W. 2003. Guidelines for understanding and 0F*LQQLVV0/HDUQLQJWRSUD\DVDVKHSKHUGJournal SURFODLPLQJ WKH ERRN RI (FFOHVLDVWHV 3DUW , Bibliotheca of Ministry and Theology 10, no. 2:33–61. Sacra 160:159–173. 0F4XLONLQ5 Understanding and applying the Bible. 8QJHU0) 7KHQDWXUHRI+HEUHZSRHWU\Bibliotheca Sacra 108:282–285. 124