OT Survey Lecture 2: Survey of Basic Hermeneutics Bible Ministry Training BtP 9.17.2024
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1 Hermeneutics
1 Hermeneutics
1.1 Starting With Jesus (at the Middle)
1.1 Starting With Jesus (at the Middle)
Hermeneutics is the art and science of interpretation. Biblical interpretation applies the tools of hermeneutics to the Biblical text(s) at both a Macro (understanding Genesis) and a micro level (preparing a sermon about Jacob).
Hermeneutics is the art and science of interpretation. Biblical interpretation applies the tools of hermeneutics to the Biblical text(s) at both a Macro (understanding Genesis) and a micro level (preparing a sermon about Jacob).
1.1.1 Goal: The Christian reading of the OT begins with Jesus, the culmination of all of the OT’s promises. He is the lens through which earliest Christianity read the Greek Version (LXX) of the Hebrew Bible and must be our lens as well.
1.1.1 Goal: The Christian reading of the OT begins with Jesus, the culmination of all of the OT’s promises. He is the lens through which earliest Christianity read the Greek Version (LXX) of the Hebrew Bible and must be our lens as well.
1.1.2 Jesus, the Gospels, and the OT
1.1.2 Jesus, the Gospels, and the OT
Hermeneutics? Message or Method?
Hermeneutics? Message or Method?
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.
17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,
29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.
32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
1.1.2.1.3 Sermon on the Mount as an example of Jesus authoritative exposition of the Hebrew Bible.
You have heard it said…but I say
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
1.1.3 The Church and the OT
1.1.3 The Church and the OT
1.1.3.1 Acts
1.1.3.1 Acts
Fulfillment
Fulfillment
16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
Evangelism
Evangelism
29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne,
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
Instruction
Instruction
26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.
25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
Paul
Paul
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh
4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,
4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.
Hebrews
Hebrews
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
The Most sophisticated and sustained use of the OT in the NT.
The Most sophisticated and sustained use of the OT in the NT.
Repeatedly affirms from the Old Testament (LXX version) the supremacy of Christ over every aspect of the Old Covenant: Theologically, Socially, Historically, and Liturgically.
Repeatedly affirms from the Old Testament (LXX version) the supremacy of Christ over every aspect of the Old Covenant: Theologically, Socially, Historically, and Liturgically.
1.2 “Old Testament”?
1.2 “Old Testament”?
1.2.1 Old with reference to what? This is a Christian designation, which is fine. The Jews simple called this “The Bible”, “Scripture”, TaNaK.
1.2.1 Old with reference to what? This is a Christian designation, which is fine. The Jews simple called this “The Bible”, “Scripture”, TaNaK.
1.2.2 Calling the Old Testament assumes the NT, as the primary interpretive matrix. Which is appropriate because we are Christians.
1.2.2 Calling the Old Testament assumes the NT, as the primary interpretive matrix. Which is appropriate because we are Christians.
1.3 Form, Genre, Sources
1.3 Form, Genre, Sources
1.3.1 We don’t know what we don’t know.
1.3.1 We don’t know what we don’t know.
1.3.2 Basic categories of analysis
1.3.2 Basic categories of analysis
1.3.2.1 Sources
1.3.2.1 Sources
1.3.2.1.1 For all intents and purposes all OT texts are non-contemporaneous, anonymous documents.
1.3.2.1.1 For all intents and purposes all OT texts are non-contemporaneous, anonymous documents.
1.3.2.1.1.1 We may have good reasons and sound traditions for who wrote a text but WDKWWDK.
1.3.2.1.1.1 We may have good reasons and sound traditions for who wrote a text but WDKWWDK.
1.3.2.1.1.2 Written sometime after the fact. There are hints that the intended audience was expected to know some things, and not know others.
1.3.2.1.1.2 Written sometime after the fact. There are hints that the intended audience was expected to know some things, and not know others.
1.3.2.1.1.3 At some point Moses for material in the Pentateuch, Joshua & Samuel for the books between Joshua and 1 Samuel, and others were “moved along by the Holy Spirit” to select and arrange the material which makes up the Hebrew Bible. Some parts (the legal code and cult directives) are direct revelation, other parts consist of materials brought together and edited by the “authors” by the direction of the Holy Spirit.
1.3.2.1.1.3 At some point Moses for material in the Pentateuch, Joshua & Samuel for the books between Joshua and 1 Samuel, and others were “moved along by the Holy Spirit” to select and arrange the material which makes up the Hebrew Bible. Some parts (the legal code and cult directives) are direct revelation, other parts consist of materials brought together and edited by the “authors” by the direction of the Holy Spirit.
1.3.2.1.1.4 Inspiration is incarnational (men were moved by God), historical (then), and spatial (there).
1.3.2.1.1.4 Inspiration is incarnational (men were moved by God), historical (then), and spatial (there).
1.3.2.1.2 Stories always fit into some kind of a cultural context—if they did not, no one could understand.
1.3.2.1.2 Stories always fit into some kind of a cultural context—if they did not, no one could understand.
1.3.2.1.3 “Biblical” materials share “generic” features with the stories of its Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) environment.
1.3.2.1.3 “Biblical” materials share “generic” features with the stories of its Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) environment.
1.3.2.2 Form=a literary type (sermon, genealogy, poem, essay, article, blog post, text). The ancient world had its own forms.
1.3.2.2 Form=a literary type (sermon, genealogy, poem, essay, article, blog post, text). The ancient world had its own forms.
1.3.2.3 Genre=shares some characteristics of a form. Genre typically refers to entire literary works, or larger portions of works seen as planned and executed wholes. (Quick example: The Gospel genre exhibits the forms of parable, historical narrative, apothegms, controversy stories, and passion narratives.)
1.3.2.3 Genre=shares some characteristics of a form. Genre typically refers to entire literary works, or larger portions of works seen as planned and executed wholes. (Quick example: The Gospel genre exhibits the forms of parable, historical narrative, apothegms, controversy stories, and passion narratives.)
Planned & Executed Wholes
Planned & Executed Wholes
The Author knows the beginning and end of the “story.”
The Author knows the beginning and end of the “story.”
The “narrator” knows everything
The “narrator” knows everything
1.3.2.4 OT forms:
1.3.2.4 OT forms:
(1) Reading a text in keeping with what we can infer about the author’s intention. Whenever a biblical author entrusted his utterance to a literary genre or form, we can infer that he intended us to assimilate his work by using all the ordinary methods of literary interpretation. (2) Doing justice to the specificity of a text. If a text is literary in nature, paying attention to its specific qualities requires us to interact with its literary traits. (3) Assimilating and interpreting a passage in terms of the kind of writing (genre) it is. The only way to assimilate a text in terms of its literary form is to pay close attention to the form or genre.
(1) Reading a text in keeping with what we can infer about the author’s intention. Whenever a biblical author entrusted his utterance to a literary genre or form, we can infer that he intended us to assimilate his work by using all the ordinary methods of literary interpretation. (2) Doing justice to the specificity of a text. If a text is literary in nature, paying attention to its specific qualities requires us to interact with its literary traits. (3) Assimilating and interpreting a passage in terms of the kind of writing (genre) it is. The only way to assimilate a text in terms of its literary form is to pay close attention to the form or genre.
Leland Ryken, Literary Introductions to the Books of the Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015), 11.
Leland Ryken, Literary Introductions to the Books of the Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015), 11.
Origin Stories
Origin Stories
Historical narratives.
Historical narratives.
Cultic Law.
Cultic Law.
Social Law.
Social Law.
Poetic prose.
Poetic prose.
Poetry.
Poetry.
Saga.
Saga.
Epic.
Epic.
Sermons.
Sermons.
Letters.
Letters.
Addresses.
Addresses.
Songs.
Songs.
Liturgical, antiphonal songs.
Liturgical, antiphonal songs.
Instruction.
Instruction.
Parable/proverbs.
Parable/proverbs.
Riddles.
Riddles.
Apocalyptic.
Apocalyptic.
Judgment Oracles.
Judgment Oracles.
At least one Fable.
At least one Fable.
1.4 Sound Hermeneutical Guides (In ascending order from beginner to experienced)
1.4 Sound Hermeneutical Guides (In ascending order from beginner to experienced)
Verkruyse, Peter. Building Blocks for Bible Study: Laying a Foundation for Life. Joplin, Mo: College Press Pub, 1997.
Verkruyse, Peter. Building Blocks for Bible Study: Laying a Foundation for Life. Joplin, Mo: College Press Pub, 1997.
Kaiser, Walter C. Toward an Exegetical Theology: Biblical Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Book House, 1981.
Kaiser, Walter C. Toward an Exegetical Theology: Biblical Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Book House, 1981.
Osborne, Grant R. The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. [2nd print.]. Downers Grove (Ill.): InterVarsity Press, 1997.
Osborne, Grant R. The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. [2nd print.]. Downers Grove (Ill.): InterVarsity Press, 1997.
Mcknight, Scot. Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible. Place of publication not identified: Zondervan, 2010.
Mcknight, Scot. Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible. Place of publication not identified: Zondervan, 2010.
1.5 A basic hermeneutical algorithm
1.5 A basic hermeneutical algorithm
1.5.1 Interpret the words, clauses, sentences, paragraphs, and rhetorical structure of the text according to the rules of the genre in which it is written.
1.5.1 Interpret the words, clauses, sentences, paragraphs, and rhetorical structure of the text according to the rules of the genre in which it is written.
1.5.2 Interpretation is a matter of first discerning the author’s intended meaning to the original audience.
1.5.2 Interpretation is a matter of first discerning the author’s intended meaning to the original audience.
1.5.3 Interpret and apply the text in appropriate context(s). (Original audience, within Israel, within Judea, within emerging Judaism, within the earliest Christianity, the Great Tradition, and generally orthodox Protestantism.)
1.5.3 Interpret and apply the text in appropriate context(s). (Original audience, within Israel, within Judea, within emerging Judaism, within the earliest Christianity, the Great Tradition, and generally orthodox Protestantism.)
1.5.3.1 The words of Scripture are written for us but not to us!!!!
1.5.3.1 The words of Scripture are written for us but not to us!!!!
1.5.3.2 What this means to me/us is the last question, not the first!!!!
1.5.3.2 What this means to me/us is the last question, not the first!!!!
1.5.3.3 Without following these basic constraints you are basically interpreting according to Post Modern, reader-centered, Deconstructionist hermeneutics.
1.5.3.3 Without following these basic constraints you are basically interpreting according to Post Modern, reader-centered, Deconstructionist hermeneutics.
1.5.4 No interpretation which would or could not have been understood by the original audience actually explains the text. It is eisegesis not exegesis.
1.5.4 No interpretation which would or could not have been understood by the original audience actually explains the text. It is eisegesis not exegesis.
1.5.5 Do not confuse applications (some texts may have several, and your preaching strategy may emphasize one of them or many) with what the text says.
1.5.5 Do not confuse applications (some texts may have several, and your preaching strategy may emphasize one of them or many) with what the text says.
1.6 Read as much as you possibly can across a number of styles, genres, and theological backgrounds to sharpen your tools. Read history, biography, novels—anything to improve your skills at actively interpreting and discerning what authors intend.
1.6 Read as much as you possibly can across a number of styles, genres, and theological backgrounds to sharpen your tools. Read history, biography, novels—anything to improve your skills at actively interpreting and discerning what authors intend.
2 Lay of the Land
2 Lay of the Land
2.1 Text and Canon of the OT
2.1 Text and Canon of the OT
2.1.1 Goal: You need to know how the various parts of the Hebrew Bible Fit together and how Israel, formative Judaism, and earliest Christianity understood the relationship between these books.
2.1.1 Goal: You need to know how the various parts of the Hebrew Bible Fit together and how Israel, formative Judaism, and earliest Christianity understood the relationship between these books.
2.1.2 The Books that Make the hands unclean
2.1.2 The Books that Make the hands unclean
2.1.3 Textual Traditions
2.1.3 Textual Traditions
2.1.3.1 Hebrew Bible: Hebrew is a semitic language. It is written and read right to left. It is not, as originally formulated, vocalized (there are no vowels). Talmudic scholars in the 9th and 10th centuries vocalized the text, standardized the text, and distributed the text in the broader Jewish community.
2.1.3.1 Hebrew Bible: Hebrew is a semitic language. It is written and read right to left. It is not, as originally formulated, vocalized (there are no vowels). Talmudic scholars in the 9th and 10th centuries vocalized the text, standardized the text, and distributed the text in the broader Jewish community.
2.1.3.2 The Septuagint. (LXX)
2.1.3.2 The Septuagint. (LXX)
Greek version(s) of the Hebrew Bible and apocryphal literature.
Greek version(s) of the Hebrew Bible and apocryphal literature.
Likely began in Alexandria in Egypt, traditionally translated by 72 (or 70) independent scholars who all translated the text identically.
Likely began in Alexandria in Egypt, traditionally translated by 72 (or 70) independent scholars who all translated the text identically.
A broad stream of translation over many years rather than a single “authorized” text.
A broad stream of translation over many years rather than a single “authorized” text.
The LXX was to a great extent the “Old Testament Scriptures” for the early Church.
The LXX was to a great extent the “Old Testament Scriptures” for the early Church.
2.1.3.3 Samaritan Pentateuch
2.1.3.3 Samaritan Pentateuch
Archaic Hebrew text used by the Samaritan cult. They only saw the Torah as inspired scripture.
Archaic Hebrew text used by the Samaritan cult. They only saw the Torah as inspired scripture.
2.1.3.4 Qumran Texts. (The Dead Sea Scrolls)
2.1.3.4 Qumran Texts. (The Dead Sea Scrolls)
The discovery of the Scrolls rolled back the dating of the earliest Hebrew archetypes from the 9th and 10th century A.D. to the 2nd century B.C.
The discovery of the Scrolls rolled back the dating of the earliest Hebrew archetypes from the 9th and 10th century A.D. to the 2nd century B.C.
Their texts, while idiosyncratic (due to the theology of the Qumran community), shows affinity to readings both in the Hebrew Text and the LXX,
pointing to a common “ancestor” to them all.
Their texts, while idiosyncratic (due to the theology of the Qumran community), shows affinity to readings both in the Hebrew Text and the LXX,
pointing to a common “ancestor” to them all.
Canonical Traditions
Canonical Traditions
Logos Canon Comparison…
Logos Canon Comparison…
2.2 Chronology and Order
2.2 Chronology and Order
2.2.1 “Christian” order attempts to be chronological attaching Ruth to Judges for example and moving 1,2 Chronicles after 2 Kings. Yielding our common understanding of “Historical books, Poetry, Prophets.”
2.2.1 “Christian” order attempts to be chronological attaching Ruth to Judges for example and moving 1,2 Chronicles after 2 Kings. Yielding our common understanding of “Historical books, Poetry, Prophets.”
2.2.2 The Hebrew order combines historical, liturgical, genealogical, and theological ordering.
2.2.2 The Hebrew order combines historical, liturgical, genealogical, and theological ordering.
2.3 Geography
2.3 Geography
2.3.1 The Old Testament narratives take place in the fertile crescent. The action moves as far west as Egypt and as far east as Persia. In technical literature this is often called the Ancient Near East (ANE). You may also encounter the term Levant or the Levant.
2.3.1 The Old Testament narratives take place in the fertile crescent. The action moves as far west as Egypt and as far east as Persia. In technical literature this is often called the Ancient Near East (ANE). You may also encounter the term Levant or the Levant.
Logos Atlas
Logos Atlas
2.3.2 Archaeology has aided the geographical, spatial and historical study of the Old Testament, though with some difficulty due to the continuous habitation of much of the region in which primary activities take place.
2.3.2 Archaeology has aided the geographical, spatial and historical study of the Old Testament, though with some difficulty due to the continuous habitation of much of the region in which primary activities take place.