40 Questions
What was a main disadvantage of the rabbis' method of interpreting Scripture?
They interpreted Scripture in ways other than how communication is normally interpreted.
What was the goal of the Greek allegorists?
To resolve the tension between mythological traditions and philosophical heritages.
How did Rabbi Akiba extend the rabbinic method of interpretation?
By giving significance to every detail of the text, including letter shapes.
What was Philo's view on the literal meaning of Scripture?
It was only for the immature.
How did Jesus treat the historical narratives of the Old Testament?
As straightforward records of fact.
What was the result of the rabbis' method of interpretation?
Speculation and overlooking of the author's intended meaning.
What was the purpose of Jewish allegorism?
To adopt Greek philosophy while remaining faithful to the Mosaic tradition.
What was a characteristic of Rabbi Akiba's method of interpretation?
An undue focus on the letters from which the words of Scripture were composed.
What was Jesus' approach to interpreting scriptural truth?
Drawing from the normal, literal meaning of the text
How did the religious leaders of Jesus' time interpret scripture?
They replaced the literal meaning with their own traditions
What was the reaction of the crowds to Jesus' teaching?
They were amazed and recognized his authority
What was the purpose of Jesus' occasional use of a text in a way that seems unnatural to us?
To illustrate a legitimate Hebraic or Aramaic idiom or thought pattern
What was the significance of Jesus' reference to Jeremiah in Matthew 27:9-10?
It was a compilation from Jeremiah and Zechariah
Why did Jesus' teaching style differ from that of the Scribes and Pharisees?
Because he taught with authority, whereas they taught based on tradition
What did Jesus denounce about the religious leaders' methods?
Their replacement of the Word of God with their own traditions
What did the Scribes and Pharisees never accuse Jesus of?
Using scripture unnaturally or illegitimately
What is the primary advantage of the literal method of interpretation?
It provides a basis for interpretation that is independent of human reasoning and mystical perception
What is the role of figures of speech in Scripture, according to the literal method?
They reveal literal truth in a figurative way
What is the primary difference between the literal and figurative sense of a word?
The literal sense is based on the natural and primitive signification of a word, while the figurative sense is based on a derived meaning
What is the basis of authority for the literal method of interpretation?
The understanding of Scripture as the inspired Word of God
What is the result of using the literal method of interpretation, according to the passage?
It enables the average individual to understand and interpret Scripture for themselves
What is the distinction between the use of the word 'lamb' in John 1:7 and John 1:29?
The word 'lamb' is used literally in John 1:7 and figuratively in John 1:29
What was the primary reason for Christ's secrecy when sending His disciples to find a room for the Passover?
To avoid persecution from the Pharisees
What was unusual about the man carrying a jug of water on his head in ancient Palestine?
Carrying water was considered woman's work
What is the limitation of the allegorical method, according to the passage?
It lacks a basic authoritative test
What is the relationship between the literal and figurative senses of a word, according to the passage?
The figurative sense is a derivation of the literal sense
What can be inferred from the instructions Christ gave to His disciples regarding the man carrying a jug of water?
The man was a prearranged contact
What is the significance of understanding the cultural context of biblical events?
It provides a more accurate understanding of the actions and events
What is the primary reason for considering the level of spiritual commitment of the audience when interpreting biblical texts?
To grasp the significance of the text in its original context
What is the fate of the woman mentioned in the story of Hosea?
She continued her prostitution and unfaithfulness
What can be inferred from the actions of Hosea in the story?
He was a prophet of God, illustrating a powerful message
What is the significance of understanding the context of the story of Hosea?
It provides a deeper understanding of the biblical message
What is the first step in understanding the meaning of symbols in the Bible?
Determine what meaning or resemblance is explicitly assigned by the text to the referent.
What is the importance of checking the nature of the symbol in understanding its meaning?
It helps to distinguish between the literal and figurative meaning of the symbol.
What is the potential pitfall in interpreting symbols in the Bible?
Assigning the wrong characteristic of the symbol to the referent.
What is true about the symbolism of Christ in the Bible?
He is symbolized by multiple objects, including a lamb, a lion, and a branch.
What is the significance of the pillar of cloud in the Bible?
It symbolizes God's presence and guidance.
What should be avoided in prophetic literature?
Assigning symbolic meaning to every detail in the prophecy.
What is the importance of not symbolizing descriptions of the future in prophetic literature?
It allows for a more literal interpretation of the prophecy.
What should be considered when interpreting symbols in the Bible?
The immediate context, other passages, and the nature of the symbol.
Study Notes
Rabbinic Interpretation of Scripture
- The rabbis interpreted Scripture in ways that differed from normal communication methods
- They believed that since God is the author of Scripture, every detail of the text possessed significance
- Rabbi Akiba extended this idea to include every repetition, figure of speech, parallelism, synonym, word, letter, and even letter shapes having hidden meanings
Allegorism
- Allegorism was developed by Greeks to resolve the tension between their religious myth traditions and philosophical heritages
- Jewish allegorism was adopted by Jews who wanted to remain faithful to the Mosaic tradition while adopting Greek philosophy
- Philo, a Jewish philosopher, believed that the literal meaning of Scripture represented an immature level of understanding, and the allegorical meaning was for the mature
Jesus' Use of the Old Testament
- Jesus treated historical narratives as straightforward records of fact
- He drew applications from the normal, as opposed to allegorical, meaning of the text
- He did not divide scriptural truth into levels, and denounced the way the religious leaders had developed their methods
- Jesus' teaching was authoritative, and the crowds were amazed at His teaching because He taught as one who had authority
Literal Method and Figurative Language
- The Bible abounds in figurative language, but figures of speech are used to reveal literal truth
- Words are employed in their natural and primitive signification to express the proper literal sense
- Figurative language is used to teach truths in unfamiliar realms
Principles for Interpreting Symbols
- Determine the meaning or resemblance explicitly assigned by the text to the referent
- Check other passages, the nature of the symbol, and characteristics the referent and object have in common if the text does not give the meaning
- Be careful not to assign the wrong characteristic of the symbol to the referent
- Realize that one referent may be depicted by several object symbols
- In prophetic literature, do not assume that everything is symbolic, and do not symbolize descriptions of the future that are possible
This quiz covers the methods used by rabbis to interpret Scripture, including the assumptions they made about the text. Learn about Rabbi Akiba's contributions to this approach.
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