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Feed Yourself Lesson Fourteen

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Writing Techniques

"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings." Proverbs 1:5-6

We saw in Lesson 11 that different books of the Bible are written in different styles. Not only were the books written in different styles, but also the writers used different techniques in writing. We will look at a few of them below. Sometimes they are easy to spot, at other times we must look carefully at the context to see what the writer is really saying. Context is always important. God used used men and human writing styles to convey to us His holy Word. That is part of the miracle of Scripture. God and man producing a work of God. So we see in the Bible normal writing techniques.

Take time to look up and read the Scriptures which illustrate the different techniques.

Hyperbole [hi pr bul e]

A hyperbole is a deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or effect. You have probably done this if you have said, “If I’ve told you that once, I told you a thousand times!” You most likely have not literally said it a thousand times, but you are emphasizing that you are tired of repeating yourself. In John 21:25 John uses hyperbole to emphasize how many works Jesus did that were not recorded.

Irony/Sarcasm

Irony is saying the opposite of what you really mean for emphasis. God often uses irony in His acts of justice. He had Pharaoh train Moses. In Rev. 2:20-23, the woman who led others into sexual immorality is thrown into a bed of suffering. God in effect said, “You like the bed so much I will put you into a bed, but it will not be a bed of pleasure!” Another example is, in 2 Sam. 6:20 Michal, King David's wife, told him he was distinguished. A reading of the entire verse shows she really meant exactly the opposite.

Sarcasm is a type of irony, but it tends to mock or make fun of the thing or person spoken of. It is much easier to recognize in the spoken word than in the written word. The Apostle Paul would use sarcasm at times and one has to carefully study the context to see if he is sarcastic or serious. Although it is controversial, it is likely Paul was quoting his opponent[s] in 1 Cor. 14:34-35 and then sarcastically commenting on what they said in verse 36. This is the only way to explain the words of verse 36 in context that I know.

Metaphor/Allegory

A metaphor is an implied comparison between two things that are very different. Psalm 28:1 refers to the Lord as a Rock. Now we know that the Lord and a rock are entirely different, but the writer is comparing the firmness and stability of a rock with the firmness and stability of the Lord. An allegory is an expanded metaphor. It often develops the metaphor [or many metaphors] into a larger picture or story. John 15:1-8 is an example of an allegory.

Parable

A parable is usually a short fictional story given to show a moral or spiritual truth. The parable was a popular method of communication during the time of Jesus. Jesus was not doing something new, He was using a technique that was well-known. Not every detail in the story has significance, but they all work together to make one point. Jesus told many parables. For example, the Good Samaritan [Luke 10:30-37] is a fictional story Jesus told to explain who a neighbour really is. Many times Jesus Himself gave the meaning of the parable.

Personification

Personification is when something that is not a person is spoken about as if it was a person or had human characteristics. For example, Psalm 98:8 refers to the floods clapping their hands. Obviously floods do not have hands, but is a poetic figure to illustrate a point.

Simile

A simile compares two unlike things using the words "like" or "as." In Hosea 6:4 a simile is used as when God says the love of Ephraim and Judah is like the morning mist and early dew which disappears.

Symbols

A symbol is when something represents something else. In John 1:29 John the Baptist refers to Jesus as the Lamb of God. The lamb in the Old Testament was a real lamb that was really sacrificed, but the lamb was also symbolic of Jesus and His sacrifice for sins. People can also have symbolic significance. Isaac, for example, was probably in his twenties when Abraham was told to offer him as a sacrifice. There is no way Abraham forced Isaac onto that altar. The only way Isaac was there was because he voluntarily obeyed his father and got on the altar. While this is a historical story, it is also symbolic of Christ obeying His Father and voluntarily going to the cross. Many things in the Bible - even historical books - have symbolic meaning, but that does not take away from the fact that they really happened.

It is important as well that we follow normal grammar rules in reading and understanding the Bible.

WEEK FOURTEEN PROJECT

1. Using your Bible and the SEC find as many examples of the above writing techniques as you can during your Bible Study time. Try to find at least one in each category. Don't be discouraged if you find this difficult. Just do your best.

2. Continue with your daily reading/memorization program.

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Reference Works Used In This Course:

Bible Study Methods by Mrs. Shirley Davis

The International Inductive Study Bible by Harvest House Publishers

Effective Bible Study by Howard F. Vos, Zondervan

How To Understand Your Bible by T. Norton Sterrett, IVP

How To Study Your Bible by Kay Arthur, Harvest House

Independent Bible Study by Irving L. Jensen, Moody

How To Study The Bible For Yourself by Tim LaHaye, Harvest House

Return to Feed Yourself Lessons.

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