Principles of Hermeneutics, Part 2

Review

Foundational Principles of Hermeneutics

Literary Genres use in the Bible

In this Lesson

Different Kinds of Context

Word Meaning

What is Context

Definition

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) Context

con•text \ˈkän-ˌtekst\ noun

[Middle English, weaving together of words, from Latin contextus connection of words, coherence, from contexere to weave together, from com- + texere to weave—more at TECHNICAL] circa 1568

1: the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw light on its meaning

2: the interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs: ENVIRONMENT, SETTING 〈the historical context of the war〉—con•text•less \-ˌtekst-ləs\ adjective—con•tex•tu•al \kän-ˈteks-chə-wəl, kən-, -chəl, -chü-əl\ adjective—con•tex•tu•al•ly adverb

The context are the materials surrounding the passage for study, and which give light to its meaning

The context are the condition within which the passage or text exists

Kinds of Context

In studying a Bible passage we must consider the following contexts

Historical context

Geographical context

Cultural context

Literary context

Theological context

Historical context

International issues - treaties, covenants, wars, cooperation between nations, puppets states, subject peoples

National events - government, rebellions, transitions

Family issues - marriages, inheritances, deaths etc

Warfare and its consequences

Natural phenomenon - floods, earthquakes, drought, famine, eclipses etc

Group relationships - church to church, tribe to tribe

Prophecies made previously

Example - Abraham’s life and times

Abraham’s family

Events that took place in Canaan

Canaan is a country of many nations - Gen 15.18-21 - Kenites, Kennizites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaim, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, Jebusites

Lot’s separation

war between king of nations and 5 kings in Canaan - Gen 14

Abraham’s relationship with kings and nations in Canaan

Geographical context

Borders between countries

Sources of drinkable water

Navogable boies of water

Natural barriers

Weather and climate

Topography and special features

Ease or difficulty of travel

Example - Abraham’s life and times

Canaan’s boundaries

location of Sodom and Gomorrah

location of places where he dwelt

Cultural context

Food practices

Religious practices

Marriage practices

Clothing, jewelry, hair, etc.

Entertainment, arts, literature

Sexual practices

Monetary and business practices

Legal practices

Warfare practices

Child rearing and educational practices

Funerary practices

Example - Abraham’s life and times

religious practices in Ur

marriage between Abraham and Sarah

customs and practices in Sodom

covenant between Abraham and God

Literary context

Word in a sentence

Sentence in a pragraph

Paragraph in a book (not chapter)

Book in the bible as a whole

Example - Abraham’s life and times

Genesis 19.5 (KJV) - “…that we may know them.”

Theological context

Covenants given by God

Promises made by God

Truths revealed by God

Prophecies spoken by true and false prophets

Example - Abraham’s life and times

God’s promise to Abraham in Gen 12

God established his covenant to Abraham in Gen 15

God gave Abraham the sgin of His covenant - Gen 17

God visits Abraham to confirm the promised child - Gen 18

Word Meaning

How do we know the meaning of a “word” or a “passage” in a text?

Meaning

Dictionary of Hermeneutics: A Concise Guide to Terms, Names, Methods, and Expressions (Meaning)

Here is a word that is used differently by scholars in their various approaches to interpretation. From an evangelical perspective it seems wise to adopt the position that the meaning of a text is inextricably tied to the truth-intention of the inspired author represented in the text of Scripture. All subsequent “implications” or APPLICATIONS derived from interpretation seem best identified with the SIGNIFICANCE that the text has to a particular reader.

the meaning of the text is what the author intended to deliver to the original hearer/reader

Semantics and Semantic Range

Dictionary of Hermeneutics: A Concise Guide to Terms, Names, Methods, and Expressions (Semantics)

Refers generally to the study of word meanings. It can include an investigation into a word’s historical origin, usage, and change in meaning, as well as the theory of how words as “signs” come to signify, or denote, something. Its relevance to HERMENEUTICS is evident, as biblical word-studies must recognize that word meanings are fluid and that care must be taken to determine which meaning of a word is intended by the author in a given literary context.

Or, the meaning or relationship of meanings of a sign or set of signs

Dictionary of Hermeneutics: A Concise Guide to Terms, Names, Methods, and Expressions (Semantic Range)

Refers to all the meanings assigned to a given word in a given literary context.

Refers to the meaning or sense of a given word in a literary context

In other words, the meaning of a given word depends on how it relates to its context.

Example no. 1 - law (grk. nomos)

Romans 7.7 - the mosaic law

Romans 8.2 - law of the Spirit of life; the law of sin and death (operative principles)

Example no. 2 - logos