Ⅵ. Principles of Bible Interpretation
The Bible is the only book that is different from other religious books.
God gave the Bible to reveal His will to man.
The Bible clearly states how God redeemed sinful human beings.
However, even though they have one Bible, they have different denominations and different beliefs.
This is not the result of the Bible's message, but the result of Bible interpretation.
Here, we feel the need for correct Bible interpretation.
Correct interpretation of the Bible is possible only by understanding the characteristics of the time the Bible was written.
1. Grammatical, historical and canonical interpretation
1) Church and Bible interpretation
The Bible is a church book.
And it is a book that is read in the Christian community.
Therefore, the interpretation of the Bible with the church is closely related.
The direction of the church varies depending on the direction of interpretation.
The period before the Reformation was interpreted according to traditional interpretation methods.
When Martin Luther reformed, the Catholic Church said Martin Luther was not qualified to interpret the Bible.
However, reformist churches teach that each individual has the power to study and interpret the Bible.
The Reformed Church believes that the Church is committed to the task of preserving, interpreting and protecting the Word of God, and with the help of the Holy Spirit fulfills this interpretive missio
However, we do not consider the decision of the church on the Bible and do not think that it is infallible.
2) The term grammatical-historical
By learning the grammatical laws and historical facts and circumstances of the language, it is to find the exact meaning that the author intends to convey.
Grammatical: It is to find out what the words and phrases used in the Bible mean when used.
So, I also find the meaning of the original language.
Historical:
It is to find meaning according to the times of the author and the circumstances of the reader.
So we have to find out the meaning of an archaic word and modern people who don't know an archaic word.
3) Grammatical interpretation
When we understand the Bible, we must fully understand and interpret the grammar in the Bible.
The grammatical study of the original language is absolutely necessary.
The background of life, religious background, ideas, and poetic sentiment may be different.
So it is absolutely necessary to have the right grammar and knowledge of words.
4) Historical interpretation
Proper grammatical interpretation requires knowing the historical context in which the language is used.
This is because God always used the language of the time when the revelation was written.
The historical method of interpretation begins based on the following facts:
1. The word of God was given to us by historical way.
2. The content of some words must know the spirit that God breathed upon the author when the recorder wrote them.
3. The historical background at the time of the author's writing cannot be ignored.
4. The place, time, environment, etc. affect the written text.
5) Canonical interpretation
1. This method was based on the divine origin of the Bible and unity of the Bible.
And this method has reasons the Bible is the word of God and God himself is the Bible interpreter.
2. This method thought the 66 books of the Bible are the final and the best authority is given to 66 books of canon.
3. This method acknowledges the gradual progress of the revelation.
4. This method recognizes that there are parts of the 66 books of the Bible written in various literary genres.
6) Summary of principle of Bible interpretation
1. Think the importance of context.
2. Learn the vocabulary and grammar of origin language.
3. You should try to find the meaning of the original author of the Bible
4. The background at the time the Bible was written should be referenced in the interpretation of the Bible.
5. The Bible should be interpreted as the Bible.
2. Special Interpretation
1) Brief language expressions
1. Expressing that emphasizes comparison.
* Simile
“~like", “~as”
Ex) Matt. 10:16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Jeremiah 23:29 "Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?
* Metaphor
This method is not the same as simile, so it is expressed by hiding the object. Jesus described Herod Antipas as a fox.
And he called himself the bread of life.
Ex) Lk 13:31, 32 at that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you."
He replied, "Go tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.'
John 6:48 I am the bread of life.
2. Method that indirectly expresses.
* Euphemism
Rather than direct expression, it is a way of expressing surroundings so as not to hurt the other person's heart.
Ex) Act1:25 which Judas left to go where he belongs.
In fact, It means the expression “has gone to a place of pain and evil.”
* Litotes or Meiosis
It is a method used to express positive truth by using negative statements.
For example, the expression “pretty good”
It is expressed as 'not bad'.
Ex) Act1:5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
‘in a few days’ ‘not long afterward’
3 Expressions that enhance the effect
* Hyperbole
It is an intentional exaggeration of expression to emphasize a point(fact).
There are principles that must be followed when using hyperbole.
그것은:
It is:
a. It should only be used if it is actually true.
b. It is used when you need to consider more than usual.
c. It must be stated in the form of Proverbs.
d. It should be explained by the relationship between a point of similarity and a point of difference.
Ex) Jhn21:25; Heb11:12; Matt7:3; Mk10:25; Ex10:15 etc.
* Irony
It is a way to emphasize his meaning by expressing it contrary to what the author intended.
In order to understand the expressions of the ironic method, context is essential.
Only then you can know and understand the context of the context.
Ex) Job12: 2; “You people really know everything, don’t you? And when you die, wisdom will die with you! (NLT)
Matt23: 29; “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you build tombs for the prophets your ancestors killed, and you decorate the monuments of the godly people your ancestors destroyed.
4. Expressions that emphasize personality
* Personification
It is a way of expressing that inanimate objects possess life and personality.
Ex) Num16:32 “Land opens a mouth”
Joshua24:27 “this stone heard it”
Luke 19: 40 “The stones would immediately cry out.”
* Apostrophe
Calling the name of an object or a person in a speech or text in a suddenly furious tone. (Emotional loud voice)
Ex) 삼하18: 33;
2Sam 18: 33: “Absalom my son Absalom my son”
2) Interpretation of a Parable and an Allegory
1 Parable비유
A parable is an extended form of simile.
The parable is not allegory or fable.
Allegory explains spiritual truths using practical or non-real experiences.
The fable is decorated with irrational creatures capable of rational action or speech. (Animal talk by animals, Animated cartoon)
Parable, allegory, and fable are all extensions of simile.
Parables and allegories represent spiritual truth.
And the fable emphasizes social morality.
The parable is not earthly, but spiritual and heavenly.
<Parable analysis of Jesus >
a The parable has the advantage of expressing the truth in detail.
b Parable can eliminate a prejudice.
c Parables are used to show or hide the truth.
d The parable also has a theological foundation.
<Principle of parable interpret >
a Parables teach us an important discipline or the truth.
b The parable knows what is compared.
c The parable should not be separated from the context.
There is a key in the context before and after.
d The central truth of the parable should be related to Jesus' lesson.
e The content of the parable should not be separated from Christ.
f You need to know why you did this parable.
2 Allegory
Interpretation of allegory seems to have a unique meaning hidden in the text, and the interpreter seeks the hidden meaning.
It is not recommended to use this method.
3) The meaning of typology
The meaning of representation and gradual fullness can be approached correctly when we believe the whole Bible as the word of God and acknowledge the progress of redemptive history.
1. Typology
a. What is a typology?
There are many ways to represent future events.
It can suggest or explain events that will emerge in the future through prophecy, symbols, and lessons of parables.
However, typography can give us a deeper meaning than these methods.
This interpretation is an interpretation method that looks at past events and thinks that they will be achieved in the future and emphasizes historical correlations.
b. Basic elements in all typologies
1. Typology itself should be real history.
Ex) Egypt, Jerusalem, Babylon etc
2. There should be a futuristic element in a typology.
Typology is a real historical and prophetical.
Ex) Egypt --- bondage of Satan
Jerusalem --- New Jerusalem
Babylon --- Power of Satan
But symbol should continually appear in coming generation.
Candlesticks in the temple are symbols, not typologies.
Because it continues to appear under the same name.
3. There should be similarity between a typology and an antitype.
Ex) Red Sea—Baptism
the Serpent's lift up—Christ's lift up
Melchizedek—Christ, etc.
4. Typology should be planned by God.
5. There is a distinction between typology and antitype.
c. Division of typology.
1. These characters have a historically special position in God's covenant.
Ex) Adam is typology of Christ.
Melchizedek is typology of High priest of Christ.
2. Institutions:
tent—tabernacle,
alter—service,
sabbath day---passover feast
3 offices:
Prophet position, priest position, king position
Ex) prophet Moses was the symbol of Christ.
Melchizedek was the typology of high priest of Christ. (Gen 14:18)
4. events:
Egyptian bondage and salvation in Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, the march of the wilderness, the entry into Canaan, etc.
5 actions:
▶ What Isaiah does for three years with naked body and bare feet (Isa 20: 1-6)
Jesus' three-year public ministry
▶ Hosea marries a prostitute and gives birth to a prostitute
Jesus Becomes One with People
4) Interpretation of symbol
1. What is a symbol?
All languages are symbolic.
Words and phrases convey ideas in a symbolic way.
Typology and symbols are thought to have similar meanings, but symbolic symbols are generally used more widely.
1) Symbol itself is literal thing.
Boiling vessel,
Male goat
2) Symbol is for delivering vessel of message.
2. Relationship between a symbol and a typology
A symbol and a typology are closely related.
First time, it was expressed as a symbol. But day by day, year by year it was shown to real history. Then we can say it is a typology.
Ex) The Old Testament refers to the tabernacle as a symbol, and when it becomes the New Testament, it becomes known that it is the real Christ.
3. Division of symbol
The symbol is spiritual and represents the reality of heaven.
It is a terrestrial sign.
1) Symbolical objects
Candlestick, Bread, Fire, Wine, Sun, Moon,
Stars, Tabernacle, Tent, Ox, Lion,
Eagle etc
2) Symbolical vision
The symbol is a spiritual and earthly sign that represents the reality of heaven.
(1) Symbolical objects: Candlestick, Bread, Fire, Wine, Sun, Moon, Stars, Tabernacle, Tent, Ox, Lion and Eagle etc
(2) Symbolical vision
King Nebuchadnezzar had seen a stature (Dan 2: 31 – 35)
Vision that Ezekiel eats a scroll (Eze 3: 1~3)
Visions in the book of revelation (Ex: White horse, Red horse, Black horse etc. Rev. 6: 1~8: 5)
(3) Symbolical acts
Ezekiel's symbolic act of sharpening his hair and beard with a sharp knife and weighing it on the scale (Eze 5:1~17)
(4) Symbolical character and Symbolical name
* Symbolical Number
(1) numbers, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 12 and related numbers and other numbers are used symbolically.
The 1 represents God's unity and simplicity.
The 3 is representing God's trinity. (Isa 6:3)
The 4 is symbolizing the extent and fullness of the creative world on earth. (Revelation 7:1; 20:8)
The 6 is symbolizing the created world of historical progress (labor) on earth.
The 7 is composed of 3+4 and 6+1.
3+4 symbolizes the covenant of God, the communication between God and the created world.
And 6+1 symbolizes the completed kingdom of God 7
The 10 is symbolizing completeness and fullness of God's will.
The 12 is symbolizing completeness and fullness of God's work
As a result, 12 patriarchs, 12 apostles, 24 elders, and 144000 are the result of God's sovereign choice.
(2) colors
White: innocence, righteousness, victory, Holiness
Red: Anger, violence, war, revolution
Black: Hunger, famine
Pale: Death
(3) Pattern, form, dimension
The form and dimension of the tabernacle are the symbolic.
The dimensions of the tabernacle of Exodus chapter 26 ultimately symbolize the heavenly Jerusalem of Revelation chapter 21.
(4) name
Sodom and Gomora have a literal meaning, but also a symbolic meaning.
Literally meaning: a city of pleasure and corruption
Symbolic meaning: Jerusalem on earth (corrupted city)
4. Principle of symbolic interpretation in the Bible?
1). The Bible itself must interpret the symbol. Otherwise, it falls into an allegorical interpretation.
2). The symbol itself must be something that can be understood with common sense.
Ex) The white does not symbolize sin.
3). We must find the meaning that applies in common by finding and comparing all the scriptures in which the symbol appears.
Ex) The horn of an animal (Dan 8:6), The horn of David (Ps 132: 17), The horn of the altar (Lev 8:15), The horn of the beast of Revelation (Rev 13: 11).
5) Interpretation of prophecy
Prophets can tell events of the past, present, and future.
However, it is most often the case of future events.
1. Wrong view of prophecy
It is wrong to think of the prophecy in the Bible as the history recorded after the occurrence of the historical event, or that it was recorded before the historical event.
2. A prophecy and redemptive history
Prophecy is what the sovereign God will happen in the future through his prophet refer to what was shown in advance.
Prophecy allows us to see the development of Heaven and the climax of Heaven as the future realization through special revelation that reveals God's will.
3. A principle of prophecy interpretation
1) The nature of heavenly expansion (Evangelism) in the world is gradual.
2) A prophecy and history were connected with the kingdom of God.
3) Consider the nature of the typology in the prophecies.
4) There is an element that the prophet himself may not know.