Old Testament II - Exam 1

The _____________ and _____________ books are interspersed with poetry.

1 ) Pentateuch 2) historical books

Four New Testament examples of poetry

1) Mary's song 2) Zechariah's prophecy 3) Lord's Prayer 4) Philippians 2:5-11

What are the 7 approaches to interpretation of the Song of Songs?

1. Allegorical approach 2. Typological approach 3. Cultic approach 4. Dramatic approach 5. Didactic approach 6. Wedding Cycle approach 7. Literal/natural approach

The five types of semantic parallelism

1. Complete parallelism 2. Compensatory parallelism 3. Elliptical parallelism 4. Chiastic parallelism 5. Antithetical parallelism

You will glorify God and experience satisfaction in your marriage when you...

1. Demonstrate a desire to be with your spouse 2. Communicate in loving ways with your spouse 3. Are faithful to your spouse (don't let anything in that will cause destruction to your relationship) 4. Are physically intimate with your spouse

What are the different types of psalms?

1. Individual laments 2. National laments 3. Thanksgiving/declarative praise 4. Praise 5. "Catch-all" category: a. Contrasts b. Ascent (pilgrim psalms) c. Royal/messianic psalms d. Enthronement psalms e. Wisdom psalms

What are the 5 functions of semantic parallelism?

1. Intensification of meaning 2. Concretization 3. Specification 4. Focusing (General to more specific) 5. Heightening

What are 7 features of Hebrew poetry?

1. Repetition 2. Key words used frequently 3. Refrains 4. Inclusio 5. Vivid imagery 6. Hyperbole 7. Intense emotion

Robert Lowth's 3 categories of parallelism

1. Synonymous Parallelism 2. Antithetic Parallelism 3. Synthetic Parallelism

2 themes of Hebrew wisdom literature

1. The ambiguity of life and events in life 2. The reliability of wisdom

What are the 7 assumptions of the sages?

1. The universe is ordered and life proceeds according to a fixed order. 2. This order is teachable and learnable. 3. By learning the order in the universe the individual is handed an "instrument" with which to determine and secure his/her way through life. 4. God designed human beings in His image, which included the ability to think. The two fit together, in that the world is designed such that it can be understood, and human beings are destined to understand. 5. The source and foundation of the order in the universe is God Himself. a. This separates the wisdom tradition of Hebrew versus other cultures' wisdom literature b. They realized that any attempt to understand reality and discover the principles by which the world operates must begin with a worshiping submission to God, who created that world and those principles c. Spiritual formation cannot take place apart from such a commitment by the believer at the very beginning 6. There are limits to what man is able to discover and know. He is finite and he is a creature, not God. Therefore, Scripture regularly makes it clear that man, with all his remarkable abilities, must understand who he is and function in submission to the sovereign Creator of the world. 7. Man is fallen, but the impairments that came with the Fall have not completely destroyed the abilities that God designed into human beings.

4 dimensions (meanings) of Hokmah in the Old Testament

1. To have a skill or craft (i.e. warriors, judges) 2. Intelligence or shrewdness (academic wisdom, like Solomon, OR scheming/being cunning, like Pharaoh) 3. Good sense or moral understanding a. The ability to apply knowledge prudently to life b. The ability to navigate life and reach one's "proper goals" c. Prudence (knowledge that works) 4. Understanding the fundamental issues of life in relation to God a. True wisdom is characterized by the fear of the Lord b. God is the source and goal of wisdom c. Hokma recognizes the nature and purposes of difficulties in life d. Hokma recognizes that our reason for being is to have relationship with God and glorify Him in everything e. Juridical wisdom (Hokma with the ability to relate to others)

The types of balance (4 types) in Hebrew poetry

1. vocabulary 2. form and structure 3. meaning (distinguishes it most) 4. thought

How many books (hymnals) make up the Psalms?

5

____% of the book of Isaiah is poetry.

82%

Prophets A. Function in the OT? B. Audience? C. Basis of authority? D. Objective? E. Scope?

A. Function: Relaying messages from Yahweh B. Audience: Israel C. Basis of authority: Directly from God/direct revelation D. Objective: Call Israel back to covenant relationship with Yahweh and/or rebuke the Israelites when they have turned from Yahweh E. Scope: National

Priests A. Function in the OT? B. Audience? C. Basis of authority? D. Objective? E. Scope?

A. Function: Teaching (1) and Cultic/ceremonial (2). Offered sacrifices and did anything involving the temple/tabernacle B. Audience: Israel C. Basis of authority: The Law/Torah D. Objective: To maintain Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh E. Scope: National

Sages A. Function in the OT? B. Audience? C. Basis of authority? D. Objective? E. Scope?

A. Function: To provide counsel primarily to young people and kings B. Audience: The individual (not as corporate) C. Basis of authority: Observation through experience under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit D. Objective: Recognizing God's created order and thus living according to God's created order E. Scope: Universal

One of the oldest approaches to interpreting the Song of Songs; dates back to the 1st century in Jewish history and 2nd century in Christian history

Allegorical approach

This interpretational view of the Song of Songs is that it is an extended metaphor where the things in the story represent other things.

Allegorical approach

Which type of parallelism // Lines 1 and 2 are opposite in meaning ("He opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble")

Antithetic parallelism

Which type of semantic parallelism // The idea in Line 2 is opposite of the idea in Line 1

Antithetical Parallelism

Psalms -Book 1: -Book 2: -Book 3: -Book 4: -Book 5:

Book 1 = 1-41 Book 2 = 42-72 Book 3 = 73-89 Book 4 = 90-106 Book 5 = 107-150

The meaning of the Hebrew word "hebel"

Breath; futility; that which cannot be controlled

Which type of logical parallelism // Line 2 will open with the word "because" or "for"

Cause and Effect Parallelism

Which type of semantic parallelism // The first element of Line 1 corresponds to the last element of Line 2 - Line 1 = A B C Line 2 = C2 B2 A2

Chiastic Parallelism

Which type of rhetoric parallelism // A repetition of 2-3 words in successive lines, creating emphasis

Climactic or "Staircase" Parallelism

Which type of logical parallelism // An element in Line 1 is compared to an element in Line 2. The word "better" usually depicts this style.

Comparative Verse Parallelism

Which type of semantic parallelism // The number of elements in Line 1 is equal to the number of elements in Line 2. However, one element from Line 1 is dropped from Line 2, and something else is added to Line 2. - Line 1 = A B C Line 2 = B2 C2 D

Compensatory Parallelism

Which type of semantic parallelism // Every element/word in Line 1 has a counterpart in Line 2. In other words, there are matching elements, even if they are not in the same order.

Complete Parallelism

This interpretational view of the Song of Songs is that it is an adaptation of rituals from the Canaanite religions

Cultic approach

This interpretational view of the Song of Songs is more concerned with morality and purity. It looks at simplicity, faithfulness, chastity, and the teachings that need to be understood within the confines of marriage

Didactic approach

This interpretational view of the Song of Songs is that it is a drama

Dramatic approach

Key Idea - Enjoyment of life comes only through a God-centered worldview.

Ecclesiastes

Key Idea - Frustrations in life are unavoidable.

Ecclesiastes

Key Idea - Life should not be expected to be self-fulfilling.

Ecclesiastes

Key Idea - The seasons of life must be accepted.

Ecclesiastes

Major Theme - Epicureanism versus piety

Ecclesiastes

Major Theme - Experience versus revelation

Ecclesiastes

The big question of this book is, "what truly matters?"

Ecclesiastes

The meaning of this book is to show the meaninglessness and emptiness of life when God is not its controlling factor and, on the other hand, the wisdom of knowing Him early in life so as to live out one's days with full satisfaction and fulfillment

Ecclesiastes

This book emphasizes giving your attention to the things that are above

Ecclesiastes

Which type of semantic parallelism // An element from Line 1 is dropped from Line 2, but there is nothing else added to line 2. - Line 1 = A B C Line 2 = A2 _ C2

Elliptical Parallelism

Which type of rhetoric parallelism // Line 1 contains a figure that is compared to in Line 2. However, the words "like" or "as" are what differentiates this from comparative parallelism. It's metaphoric. The "all-other" category.

Emblematic Parallelism

True/False -- The Hebrew writers were more concerned with chronology over description.

False -- The Hebrew writers were MORE concerned with description than they were chronology.

True/False -- There is regularity in the meter and rhythm of Hebrew poetry.

False -- irregularity in the meter and rhythm

The verb for "to be wise" in Hebrew

Hakam

What does James Kugel, an OT scholar, claim about poetry in the Bible?

He claims that there is no such thing as poetry in the Old Testament. He claims, instead, that there is prose and heightened prose.

The noun for "wisdom" in Hebrew

Hokmah

This characteristic of Hebrew poetry has to do with the idea of bracketing parts; it is similar to a chiasm but the middle doesn't matter. The beginning and end match up, creating an envelope of sorts.

Inclusio

In the Psalms, the authors write in a way where you are always going "up" to ____________ and "down" to _________.

Jerusalem; Egypt

Key Idea - God's infinite wisdom is the key to acknowledging His justice

Job

Key Idea - God's justice cannot be reduced to a simple formula like the retribution principle.

Job

Key Idea - It is not true that only the wicked suffer.

Job

Major Theme - Mediator

Job

Major Theme - Wisdom, justice, and the sovereignty of God

Job

Major Theme - Retribution principle

Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes

This interpretational view of the Song of Songs is that they take it at face value and interprets it as love poetry, sometimes sensual even

Literal/natural approach

The most synthetic category of parallelism

Logical Parallelism

Key word of the Song of Songs

Love

Semantic parallelism is based on __________.

Meaning

Which type of logical parallelism // Line 2 builds on the narrative of Line 1

Narrative Verse Parallelism

Which type of rhetoric parallelism // This kind is just like climactic/staircase parallelism except that it uses numbers

Numerical Parallelism

A function of this book is that it expresses important truths for practical living in ways that are memorable and thus repeatable

Proverbs

A function of this book is that it has practical instruction for the young

Proverbs

A function of this book is that it shows the reader the importance of living uprightly and well in a society that understands itself to be under God

Proverbs

In this book, a function is that the sages provide general principles for life rather than strict promises

Proverbs

Key Idea - Illustrates a general principle, not a promise

Proverbs

Key Idea - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

Proverbs

Key Idea - Wisdom leads to an understanding of the retribution principle

Proverbs

Key idea - The way of wisdom leads to life

Proverbs

Major Theme - Human sexuality

Proverbs

Major Theme - Human speech

Proverbs

Major Theme - The fear of the Lord

Proverbs

Key Idea - Conduct and destiny of the righteous and the wicked

Psalms

Key Idea - God's comfort and defense in times of crisis

Psalms

Key Idea - Importance of praise in all of its variations

Psalms

Key Idea - Recognition of the kingship and sovereignty of God

Psalms

Key idea - Role of nature and creation

Psalms

Major Theme - Kingship

Psalms

Major Theme - Nature and creation

Psalms

Reveals God's character so that we might learn to submit to Him and worship Him

Psalms

Teaches us how to pray and how to worship

Psalms

Which type of logical parallelism // The second line begins with "that" or "in order that"

Purpose Verse Parallelism

Which type of logical parallelism // Line 2 qualifies the statement in Line 1

Qualifying Verse Parallelism

Which type of logical parallelism // A question is given, then an answer is given

Question and Answer Parallelism

What separates strophes?

Refrains, acrostics, & catch phrases

____________ is prevalent in semantic parallelism

Repetition

Using some type of linguistic device to prove a point; any way of communicating outside of normal methodology to get your point across; the "all other" category

Rhetorical Parallelism

Two results of wisdom that we see in Proverbs

Righteousness and justice

Who is the Father of Hebrew Poetry?

Robert Lowth

Key Idea - The dignity of human affections

Song of Songs

Key Idea - The goodness of humanity created male and female in God's image

Song of Songs

Key Idea - The sanctity of human expression in the context of marriage

Song of Songs

Key Idea - The virtue of chastity before marriage and the virtue of faithfulness once married

Song of Songs

Major Theme - Positive dimensions of human love

Song of Songs

Key word of the book of Job

Sovereignty

A group of lines that are arranged and developed for one general idea

Strophe (if this helps: lines are to sentences as strophes are to paragraphs)

Which type of parallelism // When Line 1 equals Line 2 in meaning

Synonymous parallelism

Which type of parallelism // Line 2 completes line 1

Synthetic parallelism

What is the problem with Hebrew poetry in the Bible?

The Bible never distinguishes between poetry and prose

This book further serves to help us better understand the analogical nature of the relationship between biblical election and human marriage

The Song of Songs

In essence, what is Psalm 1 about?

The Torah -- righteous vs. the wicked

True/False -- A selah does not always mark a strophe.

True

True/False -- Hebrew poetry is more about balance than Western poetry.

True

True/False -- There is hardly any rhyme of sound (assonance) in Hebrew poetry.

True

True/False -- We see a lot of poetry in the prophet sections of the Old Testament.

True

This interpretational view of the Song of Songs is that it is a type and antitype representing God's covenant to Israel and the church

Typological approach

Key word of the book of Ecclesiastes

Vanity (hebel)

This interpretational view of the Song of Songs is borrowed from ancient Near Eastern contexts. These came from Arabian traditions where wedding poems that would be read out during wedding ceremonies

Wedding cycle approach

Key word of the book of Proverbs

Wisdom

"This is how you are to live your life"

Wisdom literature

Key word of the book of the Psalms

Worship

a) 1 line in Hebrew poetry = b) 2 lines in Hebrew poetry = c) 3 lines in Hebrew poetry =

a) Monatic line b) Dyadic c) Triatic

What is parallelism? (definitely a test question in some form)

a. The structuring of lines in such a way that they exhibit patterns of literary symmetry and balance b. Parallelism is the distinguishing feature between prose and poetry (but not all poetry has parallelism)

Acrostics carry the idea of ______________________.

completeness

The common denominator in Ecclesiastes

death

Each of the 5 books within the entirety of the Psalms ends with a ___________.

doxology

The ________ prophets have less poetry.

exilic

In Hebrew poetry, verses are made up of ________.

line(s)

The number one characteristic of Hebrew poetry

parallelism

Through wisdom literature, God speaks in a way that is more ___________

personal

These are songs and prayers

the Psalms

These writers employed a lot of contrasts in what they wrote

the Sages