Proverbs - Lesson 6, Apr 11
Elliot Ng/Spring 2010
The Structure of Proverbs (Recognizing Figures of Speech)
Review (Notes from Lesson 5, April 4, 2010)
Discussion:
• Introduction: Hebrew parallelism is a very important Hebrew thought form or
interpretation device for understanding the proverbs as well as the Bible
• Proverbs (MASHAL) simply means "a likeness' or "a comparison"
• Parallelism is like "rhyme or rhyming' or repetition or amplification of thoughts
and concept but not words
• Principle of good communication is the ability to repeat and emphasize your
point, e.g., God loves you always; no matter what you do He loves you
unconditionally; you may step away and He still loves you
Four major types of Parallelism
• Restating (Synonymous) Parallelism:
o Two lines with the second line restating the first line; but not restating the
first line, e.g., normally with "and" but not always (Examples: Proverbs
18:20; Proverbs 14:19)
• Contrasting (Antithetical) Parallelism:
o Two lines with the second line contrasting, e.g., normally or with "but"
but not necessary (Example: Proverbs 19:16)
• Developing (Synthetic) Parallelism:
o Two lines with the second line adding or developing the first line, i.e.,
adding to the thought ofthe first line (Examples: Proverbs 19:26; Proverbs
19: 17)
• Comparing (Comparative) Parallelism to include pictorial (Emblematic):
o Gives a picture then follows with a principle; gives a principle then follow
with a picture, i.e., basically comparing usually with a picture/emblem
o Examples: Proverbs 27:15; Proverbs 27:17; Proverbs 25:18; Proverbs
25:19; Proverbs 25:23
• Example of combination/overlap: Proverbs 15:17 ~ B (Contrasting) and/or D
(Comparing)
Profound wisdom becomes you when you have to grapple (struggle) with understanding
the proverbs and then apply them
Class Exercise on Proverbial Parallelism (see back page)
Class Exercise: Figures of Speech and Plan for Study