Hebrew Poetry
Terms
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- Parallelism
- When two or more lines are grouped together to express an idea poignantly
- Complete Parallelism
- Each and every element or grammatical unit of the FIRST line has corresponding element in the second line
- Incomplete Parallelism
- When One or more elements of grammatical units from the first lines are omitted in the second line
- Synonymous Parallelism
- When Two or more lines of poetry express the same idea in different words
- Chiastic Parallelism
- When parallel elements or grammatical units from the first line are arranged in an inverted or transposed position on the second line
- Emblematic Parallelism
- A simile or metaphor is used in one line to express a literal thought in the other line
- Antithetic Parallelism
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When two lines of a verse expressing contrasting ideas are arranged in parallel
They have bowed down and fallen
But we have risen and stood upright.
"But" is a key - Synthetic Parallelism
- The second line adds a thought not present in the first line
- Stanza
- A series of lines (or bicola) in parallel structure combined into one grouping
- Refrain
- A regularly recurring line (or bicola) that normally stands at the end of a stanza. The main point.
- Selah
- A problematic Hebrew particle of indeterminate meaning that may indicate poetic or musical structure
- Acrostic
- A poem in which each successive line/verse/stanza begins with each successive letter of the alphabet
- Inclusio
- Sometimes called an envelope figure, is a form of repetition used at the beginning and end of a stanza or poem. Main point but no refrain
- Figure of Speech
- A method of vibration in which words are used in ways out of the ordinary
- Scheme
- The deviation from the ordinary arrangement or pattern of words
- Trope
- The deviation from the ordinary meaning of words
- Figure of Comparison
- Occurs when the biblical author brings together two or more items in order to note their resemblance
- Simile
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An explicitly stated comparison often using "Like" or "as"
Works by Comparison
All flesh is like grass - Metaphor
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A comparison by direct assertion
Works by representation
God was their rock - Hypocatastasis
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(Literally, hidden down under) The literal subject is implied, not stated.
Works by implication
For dogs have surrounded me (Dogs=enemies) - Personification
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Human characteristics are attributed to inanimate objects.
Let the rivers clap their hands - Anthropomorphism
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Human characteristics are attributed to God
And yet this was insignificant in YOUR EYES, o Lord GOD. - Figures of Substitution
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When one word is substituted for another because of a relationship between the two things.
Association - Synechdoche
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The use of a part of the whole to denote the whole.
Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. (Feet=whole human) - Metonymy
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The substitution of an attribute or characteristic, rather than a part.
They flatter with their tounge (Tounge =speech) - Dramatic Irony
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When a person's actions/words result in the opposite of what was intended.
The pit which they have made, their own foot has been caught - Hyperbole
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A rhetorical figure in which the statement is an exaggeration
When we heard it, our hearts melted - Hendiadys
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(Literally, one by means of two)
The expression of a single concept using two similar terms joined by AND.
This funcitons similarly to an appositive in which one noun clarifies the other.
(My daughter, Natalie)
My voice and my supplicaions (my supplicating voice) - Merism
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The expression of totality using two contrasting parts often joined by AND
Seedtime and Harvest
Cold and Heat
Summer and winter
Day and night - Euphemism
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The figure of speech in which an offensive or indelicate expression is replaced by an inoffensive or modest one.
The manner of women is upon me. - Type
- An event/person/thing in the OT that intentionally pre-figures or foreshadows something greater in the NT
- Anti-type
- The NT fulfillment of the OT Type
- Hymn
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Begin with a call to worship
Expands on the reasons why God should be praised
Often include and sometimes conclude with further calls to praise - Lament
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Upset with himself
Upset about the action of others (enemies)
Upset with God - 7 elements of a Lament
- Invocation, Plea to God for help, Complaints, Confess sin or assert innonence, Curse enemies (Imprecation), Confidence in God's response, Hymn or blessing
- Thanksgiving
- Easily identified by restating the lament
- Confidence
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Same psalms are bound together
Feeling of trust dominate God is Refuge, Shephard, Light, Rock, Help - Wisdom Psalms
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Emphasize a contrast in ways of living with each bringing about different consequences
The law is adored - Kingship Psalms
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Human king of Israel
God is King