Ancient writers do not use paragraph, heading and sub-heading. They just write from the beginning to the end. Nowadays, we can use italics, bolded and coloured print for emphasis which were not used long ago.
So, to aid in bringing out the message and also make hearing easier to follow, certain techniques like repetitions and structures are used.
1. Repetitions
· Keywords: words relating to the theme that are repeated. Example: “It is good.”
· Motif: words or items not significant by themselves or related to the theme.
When they are repeated brings out certain significance. Example: The word “tall” and “handsome” appear in numerous places in 1Samuel
· Theme: idea, principle or theological statement being emphasized. Example: In the book of Judges, “The land had rest” keep appearing after each cycle of judges. There is a significant idea of the Sabbath rest after God’s creation.
· Sequence of Actions – a repeat of a sequence of 3 or more actions. This is very clear seen in the book of Judges with repeated cycles of: (1) did evil; (2) Suppression; (3) Cry to God, (4) Raise Deliverance, (5) Land rested.
· Type scene – e.g. woman at the well; removing shoes at holy ground; first born is looser
For example: In Exodus chapter 1, the words & phrase “multiplied, numerous” keep appearing (verses 7; 9; 12; 20).
2. Determine relationship
In reading Bible Stories, one should also see the relationship between characters and sequence of action. Often times, it has the following effects:
(1) Similarity / repetition
(2) Contrasting
(3) Progress – regress
(4) Cause – effect
3. Structure
- inclusion,
- chiasm,
- parallelism,
- linear progression/regression
- spiral (seldom used)
4. How to identify the structure of a passage?
My approach:
1. Read through the passages a few times. For the first time, try to understand what the story is about and what the narrator is speaking to his readers. (Narrator’s point of view)
2. Read through the second time to study each character in the story and their dialogue.
3. Read through the third time to see repetitions, similarity and contrast. At this point, once you have seen a few repetitions, the structure usually can be detected at this stage.
4. Read through a few more times, to ensure that the structure is really there and not your own imagination.
5. Example of a Chiastic Structure (Genesis Chapter 6-9)
Transitional Introduction (6:9-10)
A Violence in Creation (6:11-12)
B ......First divine speech: resolve to destroy (6:13-22)
C ...........Second divine speech: “enter ark” (7:1-10)
D ...............Beginning of flood (7:11-16)
E ....................The rising flood (7:17-24)
X ........................God remembers Noah
E’ ..................The receding flood (8:1-5)
D’ ..............Drying of the flood (8:6-14)
C’ ..........Third divine speech: “Leave ark” (8:15-19)
B’ .....God’s resolve to preserve order (8:20-22)
A’ Fourth divine speech: Covenant (9:1-17)
Transitional Conclusion (9:18-19)
By B.W. Anderson (Word Biblical Commentary, Genesis 1-15 page 156)
Here end my sharing on the approach to study Bible Stories. I have written a 34 pages on this topic on Understanding Bible Narratives. If you want a copy, please email me. Include in this write-out are some examples on structures, charts and also applications aid to Bible Narratives.
Charis Kai Irene (Grace and Peace) to you all
Mark Lim
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
(VI) The Plot of Bible Stories
In every stories or movies, there is a plot. The plot is the body. It consists of an organized and orderly system of events, arranged in temporal sequence.
The plot of a Bible story is constructed as a meaningful chain of interconnected events. This is achieved by careful selection. Any incident which does not fit in logically with the planned development of the plot is omitted.
Look at sequence of events, similar pattern/actions
The story begins with the narrative telling us that God wanted to test Abraham. If the narrative did not give us his point of view, we might be wondering why God wanted to kill Isaac after having Abraham to waiting for 25 years for the birth of Isaac.
The reader will ask: “How is God going to test Abraham?”
The conflicts begin when God calls Abraham to sacrifice Isaac at a place called Moriah. This is like a pagan worship where worshippers pledge allegiance to their God through child sacrifice. We need to remember that there is no Law yet at this point in time.
We are not told what Abraham is thinking all this while.
The conflict gets most intense when Isaac asked his father where the offering is. Confidently, Abraham answered that God will provide. What was Abraham thinking when he gave this answer? We will never know but the impact of the whole story is ended with a strong memorial statement in verse 14: “Abraham called the place – THE LORD WILL PROVIDE”
It indicates that the experience is forever etched in Abraham’s life that he can trust the LORD to provide.
Do you have this Mount Moriah experience?
It is the place for the test of obedience to God.
The plot of a Bible story is constructed as a meaningful chain of interconnected events. This is achieved by careful selection. Any incident which does not fit in logically with the planned development of the plot is omitted.
Look at sequence of events, similar pattern/actions
Example. Gen 22:1-14 describes the test of Abraham.
The story begins with the narrative telling us that God wanted to test Abraham. If the narrative did not give us his point of view, we might be wondering why God wanted to kill Isaac after having Abraham to waiting for 25 years for the birth of Isaac.
The reader will ask: “How is God going to test Abraham?”
The conflicts begin when God calls Abraham to sacrifice Isaac at a place called Moriah. This is like a pagan worship where worshippers pledge allegiance to their God through child sacrifice. We need to remember that there is no Law yet at this point in time.
We are not told what Abraham is thinking all this while.
The conflict gets most intense when Isaac asked his father where the offering is. Confidently, Abraham answered that God will provide. What was Abraham thinking when he gave this answer? We will never know but the impact of the whole story is ended with a strong memorial statement in verse 14: “Abraham called the place – THE LORD WILL PROVIDE”
It indicates that the experience is forever etched in Abraham’s life that he can trust the LORD to provide.
Do you have this Mount Moriah experience?
It is the place for the test of obedience to God.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
(V) Dialogues In Bible Stories
Generally, you really get to know someone when he starts to talk. Whether he is talking about fact, opinions, feelings, or even gossiping, he is actually revealing himself to you. Sometimes a person may lie. We need discernment when listening to others talk.
Likewise, Bible characters also make speeches, just like movies.
(Except Mr. Bean, which is silent.)
What the characters talk reveal their traits and inner self. It also reveal relationship (when they address one another as brothers and sisters; Gen 33:9; 2Sam 13:11), social standing (as in addressing king as “my lord”)
Some important point about Dialogues
1. Dialogue happen usually between two people or at most three.
By using dialogue, the narrator sometimes makes it as part of the plot and structure.
Example #1: Gen 27 – Jacob deceives Isaac for the blessing
In this example, each conversation involved only 2 people at any time. And it is always one parent with one child:
A Isaac and Esau (vv. 1-5) ...........A’ Isaac and Esau (vv. 31-40)
B Rebekah and Jacob (vv. 6-17) ....B’ Rebekah and Jacob (vv. 42-45)
C Isaac and Jacob (vv. 18-30) .......C’ Isaac and Jacob (v 46; 28:1-5)
(taken from JP Fokkelman, Reading Biblical Narrative)
This is also a parallel structure.
Example #2: 2Sam 13 – Amnon and Tamar
In this example, we see that the plot and structure are very well played out using dialogues. Again, the conversation is only 2 people at any time
..................................(4) Tamar – Amnon
.......................(3) David – Tamar (5) Amnon - Servant
............(2) Amnon-David ........................(6) Servant-Tamar
(1) Jonadab-Amnon ............................................(7) Tamar-Absalom
There is a link and pattern in this structure. All the links are connected to one another by the fact that the second character in each of them is the first in the succeeding one.
The structure is also symmetrical in the fact that Jonadab, who is close to and supports Amnon, appears in the first link whereas Absalom, who is close to and supports Tamar, appear in the last one.
(taken from Shimon Bar-Efrat; Narrative Art in the Bible)
2. Most important speeches come from God – the final authority, then angel, prophets and individual.
Example: Judges 6 (about Gideon) – When the angel of the LORD first appeared to Gideon:
When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." (verse 12)
14 The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"
15 "But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."
In these 2 speeches, the LORD called Gideon a mighty warrior, but Gideon portrays himself as someone weak and insignificant. Who is right? And why did Gideon do that?
3. Sometimes, the speeches are repeated verbatim
For example: Marriage arrangement of Isaac & Rebekah (Gen 24)
The command of Abraham to the servant to get a bride from his kindred in Gen 24:3,4 is repeated in verses 37 & 38.
The servant’s prayer (Gen 24:14) is repeated in verses 43 & 44.
The focus on this marriage arrangement is therefore God ordained.
4. Other times, the speeches sequences are changed or certain part omitted or added.
Example: in Gen 2:16,17 God told Adam (before Eve was created):
2:16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
But when the woman answers the serpent about what God told them, she said:
3:3 but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' "
Eve added to the speech of what God has said. We do not know how she knows about what God said. Probably Adam told her and add “you must not touch it” into the conversation.
In Summary, always pay attention what is spoken by the characters. They help in interpretation and understanding of the Bible stories.
Likewise, Bible characters also make speeches, just like movies.
(Except Mr. Bean, which is silent.)
What the characters talk reveal their traits and inner self. It also reveal relationship (when they address one another as brothers and sisters; Gen 33:9; 2Sam 13:11), social standing (as in addressing king as “my lord”)
Some important point about Dialogues
1. Dialogue happen usually between two people or at most three.
By using dialogue, the narrator sometimes makes it as part of the plot and structure.
Example #1: Gen 27 – Jacob deceives Isaac for the blessing
In this example, each conversation involved only 2 people at any time. And it is always one parent with one child:
A Isaac and Esau (vv. 1-5) ...........A’ Isaac and Esau (vv. 31-40)
B Rebekah and Jacob (vv. 6-17) ....B’ Rebekah and Jacob (vv. 42-45)
C Isaac and Jacob (vv. 18-30) .......C’ Isaac and Jacob (v 46; 28:1-5)
(taken from JP Fokkelman, Reading Biblical Narrative)
This is also a parallel structure.
Example #2: 2Sam 13 – Amnon and Tamar
In this example, we see that the plot and structure are very well played out using dialogues. Again, the conversation is only 2 people at any time
..................................(4) Tamar – Amnon
.......................(3) David – Tamar (5) Amnon - Servant
............(2) Amnon-David ........................(6) Servant-Tamar
(1) Jonadab-Amnon ............................................(7) Tamar-Absalom
There is a link and pattern in this structure. All the links are connected to one another by the fact that the second character in each of them is the first in the succeeding one.
The structure is also symmetrical in the fact that Jonadab, who is close to and supports Amnon, appears in the first link whereas Absalom, who is close to and supports Tamar, appear in the last one.
(taken from Shimon Bar-Efrat; Narrative Art in the Bible)
2. Most important speeches come from God – the final authority, then angel, prophets and individual.
Example: Judges 6 (about Gideon) – When the angel of the LORD first appeared to Gideon:
When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." (verse 12)
14 The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"
15 "But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."
In these 2 speeches, the LORD called Gideon a mighty warrior, but Gideon portrays himself as someone weak and insignificant. Who is right? And why did Gideon do that?
3. Sometimes, the speeches are repeated verbatim
For example: Marriage arrangement of Isaac & Rebekah (Gen 24)
The command of Abraham to the servant to get a bride from his kindred in Gen 24:3,4 is repeated in verses 37 & 38.
The servant’s prayer (Gen 24:14) is repeated in verses 43 & 44.
The focus on this marriage arrangement is therefore God ordained.
4. Other times, the speeches sequences are changed or certain part omitted or added.
Example: in Gen 2:16,17 God told Adam (before Eve was created):
2:16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
But when the woman answers the serpent about what God told them, she said:
3:3 but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' "
Eve added to the speech of what God has said. We do not know how she knows about what God said. Probably Adam told her and add “you must not touch it” into the conversation.
In Summary, always pay attention what is spoken by the characters. They help in interpretation and understanding of the Bible stories.
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