The careful reflection upon the literary genre can help interpret what the passage is saying and what it is not, according to Dr. Heiser [1]. He uses an excellent example about how abortion supporters wrongly interpret the law of the pregnant woman and the infant in her womb in Exodus 21:22-25 as proof that the adult has more worth than the infant. But, careful analysis of this Scripture shows that this interpretation in favor of womb babies not holding personhood is misleading, and not the point of that passage in Scripture. Interpreters are able to see this clearly because they consider the genre that it is written. Dr. Heiser uses this example to declare that it is the social status, not the personhood status that this example shows, and that social status penalty that is assigned the mother and the child are like many examples of the Near Easter law codes such as Hammurabi 202-214 that deals with assault [2].
Dr. Heiser uses this example to show the need to recognize that Hammurabi laws match many biblical laws, and that it is a natural progression of civil development between social classes during this time. The Code of Hammurabi is a well-preserved Babylonian law code of ancient Mesopotamia, dating back to about 1754 BC. It is a popular scholarly point that “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” was written in Hammurabi law by the ancient Mesopotamian culture a long time before the Bible, and that the Hebrews merely appropriated these words for their own use. That there are similarities between Hammurabi and Biblical laws cannot be denied. But, a slippery slope is placed in the path of Bible interpreters when Scripture is analyzed from sources outside itself. Biblical scholars will always point to the literary genre of legal writings in Scripture as duplications of Hammurabi laws. Once this idea is nurtured, interpretation of Scripture then becomes a secular examination of the laws in place during the time of the Old Testament, and conclusions easily reached that it is not God’s laws, but Hammurabi laws that worked well for the Israelites also.
Most Scholars will always declare civil law influencing Scripture law. Most Pastors will touch upon Old Testament Laws, and then cancel them out completely through the shed blood of Christ. Professional Theologists have neither viewpoint available to them. The truth of God is this; He wrote his laws purposefully and for specific reason; that natural laws were developed by Hammurabi also might point to Godly influence for the world’s growth to progress as Israel matures. Professional Theologists can agree that during specific times in the Old Testament, the natural lives of mankind were developing at the same pace as the spiritual lives of God’s Chosen people were growing. That the laws match closely should not be surprising. That many, many scholars try to compare the different kingdoms governments to astound their peers and professors in connecting similarities in their dissertations is often a sign of running out of available unaddressed Biblical issues and having the need to go outside the Bible for provocative subjects that qualify for their doctorate programs.
Professional Theologists must reflect upon the literary genre of the Old Testament Laws and recognize that any analysis and interpretation must start and end with Scripture. Stated succinctly, we don’t care how or why society was developing around Israel and how they wisely governed their people in our interpretation of Scripture for specific understanding of God’s Law; rather, we are interested in how God governed His people. Focusing upon anything other than this skews the interpretive potential. Why were very specific laws placed into Scripture at various points? Why were these laws particular and specific and how do they connect to shadows and mysteries of other Scripture to enlighten understanding further?
Now there are interesting studies that connect the Bible to geographic or natural life governments around them, and often students of Scripture venture to these references to understand the fullness of life in the times of the Bible. That is acceptable; there is nothing wrong with venturing past the Bible and examining history and Hammurabi laws to imagine the times and places. But, when that info is connected to the interpretation of God’s Word with the assumption that Hammurabi just merely carried over without the full intention of God, then interpretation is skewed and flawed. Professional Theologists must always protect the inerrancy of Scripture by ensuring it is the defining source for all things contained within it. If God’s laws to His People reflected in Scripture seem similar to Hammurabi laws, then possibly God moved Hammurabi to create natural life government laws. But, that should not matter to Bible interpreters, because definitely, God moved His people to form and establish specific laws and that should be the primary interest of Professional Theologists. Thus, the literary genre must be considered for the meaning of a passage in Scripture but it must always focus upon the Scripture, not upon historical documents available in the approximate time of Scripture reported events. Professional Theologists should do their thing with Scripture and allow Historians to do their thing with historical papers.
Bibliography
Heiser, Michael S. BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources: LOGOS Bible Software.
Links
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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