Authors of the different books of the Bible use numerous literary devices to convey their messages. Dr. Heiser addresses just a few of the many possibilities that the writers used as they wrote God’s Word.
It is important for Professional Theologists to realize that the literary genre does not necessarily correspond to the chosen literary devices of the authors; but, some books are similar, such in the case of the poetic style of writing in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs.
The Gospels are filled with parables, another literary device if it is considered from the author’s viewpoint. However, that the Lord Jesus Christ delivered many of His sermons and discussions through the use of understandable parables, it should be argued that parables are not a literary device in this case, but rather, a direct record of Christ’s teachings. In fact, many of the different literary devices in the New Testament must be analyzed with the idea that there is a difference between the historical accounts (descriptions of Christ’s teachings) vs. an author’s words (formed around literary devices to aid in interpretation). Metaphors (2 Corinthians 3:2-3; James 3:6), similes (Matthew 20:1; James 1:6), hyperboles (Colossians 1:23; John 21:25; 2 Corinthians 3:2), and satire (Matthew 19:24 with 23:24) are also reflected in the New Testament.
The first literary device we will study is the Acrostic. The Acrostic is a poem with a pattern of consecutive letters ordered alphabetically. Acrostics are found in the Old Testament Book of Psalms. Psalm 119 is the perfect example of an Acrostic that is alphabetically ordered in Hebrew. Those psalms that are found alphabetically ordered in their writings are in that literary form in order to help the reader memorize the verses. Since the Hebrew alphabet is made up of 22 letters, the perfect pattern of acrostic psalms consists of 22 lines. Psalms 37, 111, 112, 114 follow the acrostic pattern. Psalm 111 is a complete acrostic Psalm, with exact alphabet order in 22 lines. Some Psalms like 25 and 34 remove the Hebrew letter waw and add the letter peh in an extra verse at the end. Also, the combination of Psalms 9 and 10 show an acrostic pattern that is incomplete. It should be noted also that Proverbs 31:10-31 and Nahum 1:2-10 follow an acrostic pattern, as well as the Book of Lamentations where several instances can be located in most of the poems recorded (See chapters 1, 2, and 3; though chapter 5 contains 22 verses, it does not use the pattern device of the acrostic).
Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm in the Bible with 22 eight-verse stanzas with 176 verses; it speaks praises to the Word of God and all of the testimonies, laws, statutes, light, commandments, principles, rules, ways, and judgments that come from it in the governance and leading of His people. Psalm 119 extols the nature of God’s word that brings blessings, happiness, purity, wisdom, encouragement, reassurance, answers, freedom, hope, delight, peace, deliverance, love, salvation, mercy, respect, and remembrance.
Psalm 119 is perfect for the deeper understanding of Divine Inspiration, which reveals the many different ways Scripture shows the authority and presence of God’s Word with an analysis of its nature and benefits. That the literary device of acrostic is used in the writing of Psalm 119, not only shows its importance for memorization purposes, but links that importance to the full message gives evidence to its verbal plenary inspiration. Through God’s supervision, every word of Scripture was inspired by Him to be written thus making it perfect for teaching, rebuking, correcting, training in righteousness and thoroughly equipping the man of God for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Bibliography
Barry, John D., et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012.
Geisler, Norman L. A General Introduction to the Bible. Chicago: Moody Press, 1986.
Heiser, Michael S. Bi101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources: LOGOS Bible Software.
Footnotes
Michael S. Heiser, Bi101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources (LOGOS Bible Software), Segment 75.
Norman L. Geisler, A General Introduction to the Bible (Chicago: Moody Press, 1986), 58.
John D. Barry, et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012), Psalms.
Ibid.
Ibid., La 1:1
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About the Author
Kathy L. McFarland is President and Founder of Becker Bible Ministries, Inc. and the Becker Professional Theology Academy. She is also a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She has received her Bachelor of Science degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University, is on track for the Master of Divinity (Professional Ministries Track) degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary & Graduate School in 2016 and will be seeking a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Theology and Apologetics beginning in the fall of 2016. She is the originator of the newest theological movement to encourage Christian leaders to minister within the modern-day marketplace as Professional Theologists. She is also the Curriculum Developer for Becker Professional Theology Academy and a teaching faculty member. Kathy's favorite studies to teach include the connections between Old Testament exegesis, Christian Apologetics, and Bible typology and mysteries.
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