Rabbinic Scripture Interpretation

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Questions and Answers

What was a main disadvantage of the rabbis' method of interpreting Scripture?

They had a limited understanding of Scripture.

They did not consider the historical context of Scripture.

They interpreted Scripture in ways other than how communication is normally interpreted. (correct)

They focused too much on the literal meaning of Scripture.

What was the goal of the Greek allegorists?

To promote the worship of multiple gods.

To resolve the tension between mythological traditions and philosophical heritages. (correct)

To understand the literal meaning of myths.

To dismiss the importance of myths in Greek culture.

How did Rabbi Akiba extend the rabbinic method of interpretation?

By focusing only on the literal meaning of Scripture.

By ignoring the literal meaning of Scripture.

By giving significance to every detail of the text, including letter shapes. (correct)

By rejecting the authority of Scripture.

What was Philo's view on the literal meaning of Scripture?

It was only for the immature. Signup and view all the answers

How did Jesus treat the historical narratives of the Old Testament?

As straightforward records of fact. Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the rabbis' method of interpretation?

Speculation and overlooking of the author's intended meaning. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of Jewish allegorism?

To adopt Greek philosophy while remaining faithful to the Mosaic tradition. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

What was Jesus' approach to interpreting scriptural truth?

Drawing from the normal, literal meaning of the text Signup and view all the answers

How did the religious leaders of Jesus' time interpret scripture?

They replaced the literal meaning with their own traditions Signup and view all the answers

What was the reaction of the crowds to Jesus' teaching?

They were amazed and recognized his authority Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Jesus' reference to Jeremiah in Matthew 27:9-10?

It was a compilation from Jeremiah and Zechariah Signup and view all the answers

Why did Jesus' teaching style differ from that of the Scribes and Pharisees?

Because he taught with authority, whereas they taught based on tradition Signup and view all the answers

What did Jesus denounce about the religious leaders' methods?

Their replacement of the Word of God with their own traditions Signup and view all the answers

What did the Scribes and Pharisees never accuse Jesus of?

Using scripture unnaturally or illegitimately Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of figures of speech in Scripture, according to the literal method?

They reveal literal truth in a figurative way Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

What is the basis of authority for the literal method of interpretation?

The understanding of Scripture as the inspired Word of God Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

What was unusual about the man carrying a jug of water on his head in ancient Palestine?

Carrying water was considered woman's work Signup and view all the answers

What is the limitation of the allegorical method, according to the passage?

It lacks a basic authoritative test Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of understanding the cultural context of biblical events?

It provides a more accurate understanding of the actions and events Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

What is the fate of the woman mentioned in the story of Hosea?

She continued her prostitution and unfaithfulness Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from the actions of Hosea in the story?

He was a prophet of God, illustrating a powerful message Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of understanding the context of the story of Hosea?

It provides a deeper understanding of the biblical message Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential pitfall in interpreting symbols in the Bible?

Assigning the wrong characteristic of the symbol to the referent. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the pillar of cloud in the Bible?

It symbolizes God's presence and guidance. Signup and view all the answers

What should be avoided in prophetic literature?

Assigning symbolic meaning to every detail in the prophecy. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of not symbolizing descriptions of the future in prophetic literature?

It allows for a more literal interpretation of the prophecy. Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered when interpreting symbols in the Bible?

The immediate context, other passages, and the nature of the symbol. Signup and view all the answers

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

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Description

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.