Understanding The Biblical Law And Narrative Genres

Understanding the Biblical Law and Narrative Genres Prophecy, poetry, songs, and genealogy lists are just a few of the many genres found in the Pentateuch. However, the two dominant genres include biblical law and biblical narrative. In fact, 40 percent of the Old Testament is narrative (â€Å"Lecture 1,† 2015). Key to interpreting different texts within the Bible, it is critical to understand the genres themselves. Each genre possesses unique features that, when understood, assist in the interpretation of the text. Understanding the key features of biblical law and biblical narrative genres will affect how an individual interprets Scripture in the Old Testament. Biblical Law When reading and interpreting biblical law, there are several important features to consider. First, there should be an understanding of the nature of law (â€Å"Lecture 1,† 2015). Torah, or × ªÃ– ¼Ã—•Ö ¹Ã— ¨Ã– ¸Ã—”, is the Hebrew word translated for â€Å"law† (Vogt, 2009). Its meaning refers to ‘instruction† or â€Å"teaching,† much different than the contemporary world defines the law. Moreover, it carries a â€Å"theologically centered† (Vogt, 2009, p. 26) teaching, providing for the ancient Israelites guidance in how to live in such a way that is pleasing to God (Vogt, 2009). Rather than looking at the law from a legalistic approach as is common today, it is important to understand that the Israelites received the law as a gift from God (Psalm 119:111, NIV) upon their deliverance from Egypt. Second, it is important to understand theShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Bible Story: The Old Testament2039 Words   |  9 Pagesengross oneself in an overarching narrative that, depending on your personal convictions, continues to the present day. Within this richness is found a wide variety of different events and experience, told through a series of genre ranging from foundational myth to apocalypse, law giving to poetry, genealogy to wisdom and many more. Within this diversity however, three broad sections can be discerned that speak to a shared purpose and content, these are the sections of Law, Prophecy and Writings. It isRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Old Testament Survey II By Robert H. Stein1436 Words   |  6 PagesPreface, â€Å"The basic goal of interpreting the Bible and other written texts should be to understand what their authors consciously sought to convey by what they wrote. It is the understanding of the authors’ willed meaning, their communicative inten t, that continues to be emphasized in this revision as the primary goal of biblical interpretation.†1 This review is on his first work which he produced in 1994 and not his more current work which was published in 2011. I believe the work he has done in theRead MoreEssay about How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth2583 Words   |  11 Pagesfor All Its Worth, have written an easy to read book for those who want to learn more about what the Bible has to offer. The authors present distinct principles for interpreting different genres found in the Bible. The book has sold over a half a million copies and is one of the most popular books regarding biblical interpretation. Fee is a seminary professor of New Testament studies at Regent College. He has authored several New Testament commentaries and is the general editor of the New InternationalRead Morebible 104 Quiz 12264 Words   |  10 Pagesmentioned that God uses to convey his Word. God uses narrative history, genealogies, chronicles, laws of all kinds, poetry of all kinds, sermons and apocalypses to convey his Word. 6. â€Å"To interpret properly the â€Å"then and there† of the biblical texts, you must†¦Ã¢â‚¬  You must not only know some general rules that apply to all the words of the Bible, but you also need to learn the special rules that apply to each of these literary forms (genres). 7. Know and be able to discuss the two types of ‘context’Read MoreSlavery : The Old Testament4666 Words   |  19 PagesSlavery in Exodus 21-The Old Testament deemed to be a common practice. Modern readers should gain understanding like other nation, slavery was rampant and flourished in the Israelites, but the biblical slavery is very different from the modern slavery. The old testament lacks slavery condemnation but it has a clear teaching on ethical treatment of slaves, which was part of the culture of the surrounding nations. Slavery in the bible in the time of the Jews was not an exploitation act but rather anRead Morecompare and contrast aphra Bhens Oroonoko the royal slave and candide, or optimism1618 Words   |  7 Pagesblushing modesty.. This is also a clever use of the narrative structure known as vocalisation, and gives a powerful impression of how the natives feel for each other. However the tone she uses in the text is also hyperbolic, in as much as she r omanticises the natives she describes. Also by doing this the natives are shown as passive. The text also contains Biblical perspective and religious connotations. In the first quarter of the narrative she states †¦so like our parents before the fall†¦ whichRead MoreThe Purpose of the Biblical Flood narrative1977 Words   |  8 Pages(Coogen 2008) that contains many forms of writings and stories which address not only myth, main historical events and laws, but also those that follow the Israelites unique relationship with God. The first book of the Old Testament is known as Genesis, which is highly concerned with the world’s creation and its initial stages. It is also the origin of the biblical Flood Narrative concerning Noah and the Ark. The story is characterised by a man that is instructed to build an ark under the guidanceRead MoreAncient Near Eastern Thought Essay3623 Words   |  15 Pagesthe ancient and Near Eastern and Israelite cognitive context. He provides guidance for students and general public to have a wider understanding and expand the ir knowledge of today’s culture, and historical culture interacts with the ancient world culture. In doing so, he tries to balance all audiences though examining artifacts to assist the individual’s understanding through these artifacts about both the historical prospective and culture and the parallel with the Bible. Summary of Book TheRead MoreBiblical Genealogy Is Important For Establishing Identity1360 Words   |  6 Pagesfalse gods, Jacob and his family are vulnerable and separated from a community of likeminded practitioners. When Genesis 34 begins, we learn the lineage of Dinah as Leah’s daughter with Jacob (Gen 34:1). Biblical genealogy is important to establishing identity as it â€Å"expresses idealized understandings of families.† Leah is the daughter of Laban to which Jacob was tricked into marriage (Gen 29:21-25). Leah, after birthing several sons, delivered a daughter for which she named Dinah (Gen 30:21). AsRead MoreAncient Eastern Thought and the Old Testament Essay10692 Words   |  43 PagesTHE ANCIENT NEAR EAST 10 CHAPTER 4: THE GODS 14 CHAPTER 5: TEMPLES AND RITUALS 19 CHAPTER 6: STATE AND FAMILY RELIGION 22 CHAPTER 7: COSMIC GEOGRAPHY 25 CHAPTER 8: COSMOLOGY AND COSMOGONY 28 CHAPTER 9: UNDERSTANDING THE PAST HUMAN ORIGINS AND ROLE 31 CHAPTER 10: UNDERSTANDING THE PAST 34 CHAPTER 11: ENCOUNTERING THE PRESENT 38 CHAPTER 12: ENCOUNTERING THE PRESENT 43 CHAPTER 13: ENCOUNTERING THE PRESENT 46 CHAPTER 14: PONDERING THE FUTURE ON EARTH AND AFTER DEATH 49 POSTSCRIPT