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Principles of Biblical Interpretation Principles Of Principles of Biblical Interpretation Principles of CO/J,rlg"', 1950, b, L. BERKHOF Biblical Interpretation All rights in this book are reserved. No part may be reproduced in any manner (SACRED HERMENEUTICS) without permission in writing from the publisher, except brief quotations used in connection with reviews in a magazine or newspaper. ISBN: 0-8010-0549-3 by L. BERKHOF, B. D. First printing, June 1950 Second printing, July 1952 Third printing, July 1957 President Emeritus of Calvin Seminary Fourth printing, August 1958 Fifth printing, August 1960 Grand Rapids, Michigan Sixth printing, January 1962 Seventh printing, August 1964 Eighth printing, January 1966 Ninth printing, August 1967 Tenth printing, August 1969 Eleventh printing, August 1971 Twelfth printing, August 1973 Thirteenth printing, May 1974 Fourteenth printing, October 1975 BAKER BOOK HOUSE PHOTOLITHOPRINTED BY CUSHING - MALLOY, INC. ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN 1975 PREFACE Much of the present day confusion in the realm of religion, and in the application of Biblical principles, stems from dis­ torted interpretation and misinterpretation of God's Word. That is true even in those circles which adhere unwaveringly to the infallibility of Holy Scriptures. We are convinced that the adoption and use of sound princi­ ples of interpretation in the study of the Bible will prove sur­ prisingly fruitfu1. We believe that this is one means which "the Spirit of truth" is pleased to use in leading His people "into all truth." It is with this in mind that we offer this book for individual guidance in the study of Scriptures, and par­ ticularly for use in seminaries and Bible schools. The early adoption of valid procedure in Biblical interpretation will lead the devoted kingdom worker to a life of useful service for the advancement of God's kingdom. THE PUBLISHERS Contents PREFACE ....•.......•.....•...................,.. 5 I. INTRODUCTION .................•............ 11 II. HISTORY OF HERMENEUTICAL PRINCIPLES AMONG THE JEWS ....•.......................... 14 A. Definition of History of Hermeneutics ...... 14 B. Principles of Interpretation among the .T ews. .. 14 III. HISTORY OF HERMENEUTICAL PRINCIPLES IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. .. 19 A. The Patristic Period. 19 B. The Period of the Middle Ages. .. 23 C. The Period of the Reformation. .. 25 D. The Period of Confessionalism ............ ,. 28 E. The Historico-Critical Period................ 31 IV. THE PROPER CONCEPTION OF THE BIBLE, THE OB- JECT OF HERMENEUTICA SACRA ........ .. 40 A. The Inspiration of the Bible. .. 40 B. Unity and Diversity in the Bible. 53 C. The Unity of the Sense of Scripture.. 57 D. The Style of Scripture: General Characteristics. 60 E. The Exeg~~ical Standpoint of the Interpreter. .. 65 V,.,..,...6RA~MATICAL .INTERPRETATION ............... 67 A. Meaning of the Separate \Vords ............. 67 B. The Meaning of the \\Tords in their Connection. 74 ( , C. Internal Helps for the Explanation of Words.. 78 D. The Figurative Use of Words. .. 82 E. Interpretation of the Thought ............... 87 F. Internal Helps for the Interpretation of the Thought. .. 103 G. External Helps for the Grammatical Interpretationl09 VI. HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION •..••.....•......• It3 A. Definition and Explanation................. 113 Principles of B. Personal Characteristics of the Author or Speaker115 C. Social Circumstances of the Author .......... 119 Biblical Interpretation D. Circumstances Peculiar to the Writings. .. 124 E. Helps for the Historical Interpretation. .. 128 VII. THEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION................ 133 A. Name ................................. 133 B. The Bible as a Unity. .. 134 C. The Mystical Sense of Scripture. .. 140 D. The Symbolical and Typical Interpretation of Scripture ............................... 142 E. The Interpretation of Prophecy............ 148 F. The Interpretation of the Psalms.......... 154 G. The Implied Sense of Scripture............ 157 H. Helps for the Theological Interpretation. .. 160 INDEX ..•••..•..••.•••..••..•..•..........•.... 167 I. Introduction The word Hermeneutics is derived from the Greek word HERMENEUTIKE which, in turn, is derived from the verb HER­ MENEUO. Plato was the first to employ HE HERMENEUTIKE (sc. TECHNE) as a technical term. Hermeneutics is, properly, the art of TO HERMENEUEIN. but now designates the theory of that art. We may define as follows : Hermeneutics is the science that teaches us the principles, laws, and methods of in­ terpretation. We must distinguish between ,general and special Hermen­ neutics. The former applies to the interpretation of all kinds of writings; the latter to that of certain definite kinds of liter­ ary productions, such as laws, history, prophecy, poetry. Her­ meneutica Sacra has a very special character, because it deals with a book that is unique in the realm of literature, viz., with the Bible as the inspired Word of God. It is only when wei recognize the principle of the divine inspiration of the Bible that we can maintain the theological character of Hermeneu­ tica Sacra. Hermeneutics is usually studied with a view to the inter­ pretation of the literary productions of the past. Its special task is to point out the way in which the differences or the dis­ tance between an author and his readers may be removed. It teaches us that this is properly accomplished only by the read­ ers' transposing themselves into the time and spirit of the author. In the study of the Bible, it is not sufficient that we understand the meaning of the secondary authors (Moses, 11 12 Principles of Biblical Interpretation I ntrod-uction 13 Isaiah, Paul, John, etc.) ; we must learn to know the mind of In the Encyclopaedia of Theology, Hermeneutics belongs the Spirit. to the Bibliological group of studies, that is, to those studies The necessity of the study of hermeneutics follows from that center about the Bible. It naturally follows the Philologia several considerations: Sacra, and immediately precedes Exegesis. Hermeneutics ( 1) Sin darkened the understanding of man, and still ex­ and Exegesis are related to each other as theory and practice. ercises a pernicious influence on his conscious mental life. The one is a science, the other an art. Therefore, special efforts must be made to guard against er­ In this study on Hermeneutics, we deem it necessary to in­ ror. clude the following in the order here given: (2) Men differ from one another in many ways that natur­ ( 1) A brief outline of the history of Hermeneutical prin­ ally cause them to drift apart mentally. They differ, for in­ ciples. The past may teach us many things both negatively stance, and positively. (a) in intellectual capacity, aesthetic taste, and moral quali­ (2) A description of those characteristics of the Bible that ty resulting in a lack of spiritual affinity: determine, in measure, the principles that are to be applied in (b) in intellectual attainment, some being educated, and oth­ its interpretation. ers uneducated; and ( 3) An indication of the qualities that should characterize, ( c) in nationality, with a corresponding difference in lan­ and of the requirements that are essential in an interpreter of guage, forms of thought, customs, and morals. the Bible. The study of Hermeneutics is very important for future ( 4) A discussion of the threefold interpretation of the Bi­ ministers of the Gospel, because: ble, namely, ( 1) The intelligent study of the Bible only will furnish (a) the Grammatical, including the logical interpretation; them with the material which they need for the construction (b) the Historical, including also the psychological interpre­ of their theology. tation; and (2) Every sermon they preach ought to rest on a solid ex­ ( c) the Theological interpretation. egetical foundation. This is one of the greatest desiderata of the present day. QUESTIONS: What is the difference between Hermeneutics and Exegetics? Are general and special Hermeneutics mutually ex­ ( 3) In instructing the young people of the Church, and in clusive or does the one in some sense include the other? In what family visitation, they are often called upon unexpectedly to respect did sin disturb the mental life of man? Why should we interpret passages of Scripture. On such occasions, a fair un­ apply a threefold interpretation to the Bible? derstanding of the laws of interpretation will aid them mate­ LITERATURE: Immer. Hermeneutics, pp. 1-14; Elliott, Biblical rially. Hermeneutics, pp. 1-7; Terry, Biblical H ermeneittics, pp. 17-22; ( 4) It will be a part of their duty to defend the truth over Lutz, Biblische Hermeneutik, pp. 1-14. against the assaults of higher criticism. But in order to do this effectively, they must know how to handle it. History of Hermeneutical Principles Among the Jews 15 habit of counting them, lest any of them should be lost in transcription. At the same time, they held the Law in far greater esteem than the Prophets and the Holy Writings. II. History of Hermeneutical Principles Hence the interpretation of the Law was their great objective. Among the Jews They carefully distinguished between the mere literal sense of the Bible (technically called peshat) and its exposition of ex­ egesis (midrash ) . "One controlling motive and feature of A. Definition of History of Hermeneutics midrash was to investigate and elucidate, by all exegetical We must distinguish between the history of Hermeneutics means at command, all possible hidden meanings and applica­ as a science and the history of Hermeneutical principles. The tions
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