Bible Study: Understanding Passage Context
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Questions and Answers

What is the main objective of exegesis?

  • To read several verses above and below the passage in question
  • To identify the theme of a passage
  • To understand the overall context of a passage
  • To clearly understand the original content and context of a passage (correct)

    • What is the primary way to identify the immediate context of a passage?

  • By determining the limits of the passage
  • By analyzing the writer's intent
  • By looking for re-occurring themes (correct)
  • By reading several verses above and below the passage

    • What is a pericopé?

  • A contiguous passage
  • A passage that is self-contained
  • A literary unit or passage that forms one coherent thought (correct)
  • A theme that runs throughout a passage

    • What determines the limits of a passage?

    <p>When the re-occurring themes no longer appear</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should one do when the overall theme no longer seems to re-occur or appears to be incongruent with the previous theme?

    <p>Cut off the passage at the verse (or mid-verse, if necessary)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should the first and last verses of a contiguous passage usually have?

    <p>The same theme</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of reading several verses above and below the passage in question?

    <p>To determine the limits of the passage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the outcome of determining the immediate context of a passage?

    <p>Establishment of a pericopé</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is necessary for every verse or sentence in a passage?

    <p>To build upon the theme in some fashion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are thematic subcategories?

    <p>Sub-points within a pericopé that support the general theme</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of identifying Pivotal Words?

    <p>To establish new subcategories or sub-points within the pericopé</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is syntactical analysis?

    <p>The observation of how words and phrases are grammatically arranged</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is using a literal translation important?

    <p>It more closely matches the grammatical structure of the original languages</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the focus of syntactical analysis?

    <p>The observation of the structure of language</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to understand the parts of speech?

    <p>For grammatical observations and syntactical analysis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of critiquing and evaluating?

    <p>To thoroughly and repetitively critique the rationale</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a passage with multiple themes?

    <p>The story of the Prodigal son</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of observing the structure of language?

    <p>To communicate verbal thought or meaning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of irony in literature?

    <p>To highlight the contrast between the literal and implied meaning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of foreshadowing in literature?

    <p>To give the reader a hint of something that is going to happen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of imagery in literature?

    <p>To create mental images for the reader</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the literary device used to suggest the stark contrast of the literal meaning being put forth?

    <p>Irony</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the literary device used to give the reader a hint of something that is going to happen?

    <p>Foreshadowing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the literary device used to create mental images for the reader?

    <p>Imagery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the literary device used in 2 Samuel 12:1-13?

    <p>Irony</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the literary device used in Hebrews 10:1?

    <p>Foreshadowing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a metaphor in literary devices?

    <p>To ascribe a meaning or identity to one subject by way of another</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of using similes in literature?

    <p>To draw parallels between two unrelated things</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of personification in Scripture?

    <p>Wisdom calling aloud outside in the book of Proverbs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an allusion in literary devices?

    <p>A figure of speech that refers to a subject matter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In Revelation 12:1, what literary device is used?

    <p>Metaphor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of using metaphors in Scripture?

    <p>To take an identity or concept and use it to better understand the lesser-known element</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of similes in Scripture?

    <p>To draw parallels between two unrelated things</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of an allusion in Scripture?

    <p>Jesus saying 'I AM' in John 8:58</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of personification in literary devices?

    <p>To attach human traits and characteristics to inanimate objects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is understanding the historical and cultural atmosphere surrounding a passage important?

    <p>To understand allusions to events and cultural references</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal when skimming the entire chapter?

    <p>To determine the logical flow of the arguments made</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should you avoid doing when summarizing a paragraph?

    <p>Focusing on the first couple of sentences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main idea of the first chapter of Jonah?

    <p>Jonah's disobedience to God's call</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of searching for patterns of thought in the progression of a book?

    <p>To identify the breaks in the thought flow</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of not summarizing the whole paragraph?

    <p>Skewed results in the entire study</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the focus of the book of Jonah?

    <p>Jonah's attitudes toward God's mercy and compassion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of identifying breaks of thought between paragraphs?

    <p>To form major sections of the book</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the question that the Bible student is asking when reading a passage?

    <p>What is this passage trying to say?</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of skimming the entire chapter?

    <p>To determine the logical flow of the arguments made</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of identifying patterns of thought in a book?

    <p>Greater precision in interpretation and teaching</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary importance of understanding the historical context of scripture?

    <p>To understand the force and weight of the historical circumstances that affected the writer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of understanding the literary context of a passage?

    <p>It is the most basic factor in interpretation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the basis of the grammatico-historical meaning of scripture?

    <p>Study of the context and scope of an author's work</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should a Biblical interpreter do to understand the scripture?

    <p>Seek to transport himself from his present world of thought and ideas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the importance of understanding the larger context of a passage?

    <p>To grasp the whole before dissecting the parts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is essential for a Biblical interpreter to understand the scripture?

    <p>Knowledge of geography, history, and archeology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should a Biblical interpreter do to avoid confusing the ideas of one age or race with those of another?

    <p>Seek a familiarity with the customs, life, spirit, ideas, and pursuits of different times and tribes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the etymological definition of the word 'context'?

    <p>Something that is 'woven together'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of hermeneutics?

    <p>To move from text to context</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the process of understanding the literary context of a passage, according to Dr. Grant Osborne?

    <p>Chart the whole of a book to analyze its flow of thought, study each part intensively, and rework the thought development</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the 'basic evangelical fallacy' of our generation?

    <p>Not considering the original inspired meaning of a passage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the historical context of scripture, according to Dr. Milton Terry?

    <p>It helps in understanding the force and weight of the historical circumstances that affected the writer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the importance of understanding the historical context of scripture?

    <p>It is necessary for interpreting the scripture accurately</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two necessary areas to consider at the beginning of Bible study?

    <p>Historical context and logical context</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should a Biblical interpreter do to understand the thoughts and emotions of the writer?

    <p>Seek to transport himself from his present world of thought and ideas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of studying the historical context of a passage?

    <p>To determine the situation to which the book was addressed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of not having a strong foundation of historical and logical context?

    <p>The structure of interpretation is bound to collapse</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of understanding the customs, life, spirit, ideas, and pursuits of different times and tribes?

    <p>It helps in avoiding confusing the ideas of one age or race with those of another</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of tracing the thought development of a book?

    <p>To use an inductive approach to study the book</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the connection of thought in any given passage dependent on?

    <p>A variety of considerations, including historical and logical context</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of identifying key features such as developments, resumptions, and parallelisms in a passage?

    <p>To identify patterns and repetitions in the passage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the 'clues' for discovering 'seams' between units of thought in a passage?

    <p>A repeated term or phrase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to understand the literary genre of a biblical text?

    <p>To identify the author's intended meaning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of reading the entire book or chapter where a passage is found?

    <p>To understand the overall flow of the book or passage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key feature of the epistolary type of literature?

    <p>The use of vocative forms of address</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of identifying the overall flow of a book or passage?

    <p>To interpret the passage accurately</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of not understanding the overall flow of a book or passage?

    <p>The passage is interpreted out of context</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of identifying the 'seams' between units of thought in a passage?

    <p>To determine the limits of a passage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of understanding the general rules and parameters of a literary genre?

    <p>To determine the literary genre of the text</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of not understanding the literary genre of a passage?

    <p>The passage is misunderstood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of examining the writing styles of biblical texts?

    <p>To identify the rules of interpretation to be applied</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of using Cause-Effect and Problem-Solution rhetorical styles in biblical texts?

    <p>To provide instructions, warnings, wisdom, or lifestyle examples</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of using Prolonged Themes in biblical texts?

    <p>To provide extra clarity or to spotlight importance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of using Rhetorical Questions in biblical texts?

    <p>To spotlight the logic of an argument via reason and common sense</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which rhetorical style is used in Psalm 42 to express emphasis or to spotlight significant ideas?

    <p>Descriptive Language</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of using Climax and Pivotal Turning Points in biblical texts?

    <p>To guide to a conclusion or to spotlight the consummation of an idea</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which rhetorical style is used in Romans 7:7-8:4 to provide extra clarity or to spotlight importance?

    <p>Prolonged Themes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of understanding the intermediate writing styles and compositional techniques in biblical texts?

    <p>To communicate God's message to humanity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary task during the Argument Flow phase of exegesis?

    <p>Diagramming the sequential flow of the passage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a sentence diagram in exegesis?

    <p>To diagram the sequential flow of the argument</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Anthony Weston mean by 'premises' in the context of argumentation?

    <p>The statement for which reasons are given</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of rhetorical analysis in exegesis?

    <p>The literary style used to convey a message</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a word study in exegesis?

    <p>To get the meanings of the words in their original context</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of diagramming the structural development of ideas in a paragraph?

    <p>To come into contact with rhetorical techniques</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of resources are helpful in understanding the context of a passage?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the focus of the initial phase of exegesis?

    <p>Getting an overall sense of the book, chapter, and passage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of identifying the flow of the argument in a passage?

    <p>To understand how the point is made in the passage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of exegesis?

    <p>Getting an overall sense of the book, chapter, and passage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Determining the Immediate Context of the Passage

    • To determine the meaning of a passage, it's essential to understand the original content and context, which involves a rigorous study of words, phrases, and sentences.
    • The objective is to identify whether the passage is a self-contained whole or part of a larger theme or idea.

    Identifying the Immediate Context

    • Look for re-occurring themes that link verses together.
    • Determine the limits of the passage by reading several verses above and below the passage in question until the re-occurring themes no longer appear.
    • Establish a Pericopé, a literary unit or passage that forms one coherent thought.

    Characteristics of a Pericopé

    • The first and last verses of a contiguous passage usually have the same theme.
    • Notable mentions of the theme should run throughout the section.
    • Every verse or sentence builds upon the theme in some fashion.
    • Parenthetical content may be present, which is not directly connected with the primary theme.

    Identifying Thematic Subcategories

    • Identify pivotal words that turn the whole text toward a new perspective of the overall theme.
    • Determine how a subcategory fits into the whole of the passage thematically.
    • Examples of subcategories include independence, wastefulness, repentance, and restoration in the story of the Prodigal son.

    Critique and Evaluate

    • Thoroughly and repetitively critique your rationale for your Pericopé determinations.

    Note Simple Definitions and Grammar Syntax

    • Syntactical analysis is the observation of how words and phrases are grammatically arranged in sentences and paragraphs to communicate verbal thought or meaning.
    • Observing the structure of language is imperative in Bible study methodology.
    • Critical things to note in any given passage include:
      • General words and phrases
      • Key words
      • Grammatical structure
      • Literary genres and style

    Literary Devices in the Bible

    • Irony: a literary device that conveys a meaning that is opposite of its literal meaning, often used to highlight the contrast between the literal and deeper meaning (e.g., Nathan's confrontation with David in 2 Samuel 12:1-13)
    • Foreshadowing: a device that hints at an event that will occur later in the story, without revealing the story or spoiling the suspense (e.g., Hebrews 10:1, which foreshadows the coming of Christ)
    • Imagery: the use of words and phrases to create vivid mental images, helping readers to visualize the author's writings (e.g., Revelation 12:1)
    • Metaphor: a comparison between two unlike things, used to convey a meaning or identity (e.g., James 3:6, which compares the tongue to a fire)
    • Simile: a comparison between two unlike things, using "like" or "as" to make the comparison (e.g., Isaiah 53:6, which compares Israel to sheep)
    • Personification: attributing human characteristics to non-human entities, such as objects or animals (e.g., Proverbs 1:20-21, which gives human attributes to wisdom)

    The Laws of Hermeneutics

    • The Law of Context and Theme: understanding the larger context of a passage, including its historical and literary context
    • The importance of context: considering the author's purpose, historical setting, and literary structure to understand the meaning of a passage
    • The importance of the historical context: understanding the time, place, and circumstances of the writing, as well as the author's individuality, local surroundings, and relation to the audience

    The Grammatico-Historical Method of Interpretation

    • The importance of the grammatical significance of words and sentences
    • The importance of understanding the historical circumstances that may have affected the writer
    • The need to consider the individuality of the writer, their local surroundings, and their relation to the audience

    The Historical Context

    • The importance of understanding the historical context of a passage, including the time, place, and circumstances of the writing
    • The need to consider the author's individuality, local surroundings, and relation to the audience
    • The importance of understanding the historical context of the whole Bible, including the history of the Israelites, the great world-powers, and the life of Christ

    The Literary Context

    • The importance of understanding the literary context of a passage, including its themes, motifs, and structure
    • The need to consider the logical flow of a passage, including its paragraphs, sections, and chapters
    • The importance of reading a passage in its entirety, rather than focusing on individual verses or phrases

    Determining the Logical Context of a Passage

    • The need to chart the whole of a book to understand its flow of thought
    • The importance of studying each part intensively to detect detailed argumentation
    • The need to rework the thought development of the whole in relation to the parts

    Reading a Passage for Major Themes

    • The importance of skimming the entire chapter to determine the logical flow of the arguments
    • The need to identify key words and themes, and to summarize the whole paragraph
    • The importance of asking the question, "What is this passage trying to say?"

    Determining Patterns of Thought

    • The importance of searching for patterns of thought in the progression of a book's chapters and verses

    • The need to give careful attention to breaks in the thought flow

    • The importance of identifying key features, such as developments, resumptions, unique forms of phrase, central or pivotal words, parallelisms, chiasms, inclusions, and other repetitions or progressive patterns### Understanding Literary Genre

    • Identifying the literary genre or category of the biblical text is crucial for understanding its meaning

    • Factors to consider: parable, allegory, letter, narrative, poem, typology, and the rules and parameters of the biblical writers

    • Understanding the genre helps to establish the context and flow of the passage within the overall book or chapter

    Understanding the Flow of the Passage

    • Read the entire book or chapter to understand the overall flow of the argument or point
    • If reading the entire book is not possible, create an outline to understand the flow
    • Identify the topics or themes being communicated and how the passage fits within this
    • Questions to consider:
      • What are the issues, questions, concerns, or points being addressed?
      • What are the claims being made?
      • Who is this directed to?
      • What are the circumstances concerning what the writer addresses?

    Argument Flow

    • Examine how the message of the text flows and progresses
    • Ask questions like:
      • What is the flow of the argument?
      • How is the point made?
      • What is the main theme?
      • Is this a premise or conclusion?
    • Resources: Anthony Weston's "A Rulebook for Arguments" and sentence diagrams

    Word Study

    • Get the meanings of words in their original context
    • Ask questions like:
      • What words is the author using?
      • What do those words mean in the context of the passage, chapter, and book?
      • Are these words used elsewhere in the Bible?
      • What are the symbols and/or idioms used and what is their meaning?

    Rhetorical and Content Analysis of Thought

    • Identify the literary style used by the writer to communicate their point
    • Examine the structural development of ideas in a paragraph
    • Identify rhetorical techniques, such as:
      • Cause-Effect & Problem-Solution
      • Comparisons and Parallelisms
      • Descriptive Language
      • Prolonged Themes
      • Unexpected Changes in Patterns
      • Contrasting Concepts
      • Climax and Pivotal Turning Points
      • Rhetorical Questions

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    Description

    Learn how to determine the immediate context of a Bible passage and begin exegetical analysis. Discover the importance of understanding the original content and context of a passage in Bible study.

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