Inductive Reasoning

Inductive reasoning is the last resort method and should be used sparingly because the definitions are most often found plainly somewhere in the Bible.

• Use all the facts to prove the meaning. A general conclusion based on the agreement of all the facts of the texts.
• Inductive reasoning can bring you to a conclusion but remember it is the Bible that should supply the actual meaning. The facts of the texts are what will actually supply the meaning.

Parallelism

Don’t pass this method by lightly, Parallelism is one of the main methods used to find Symbolic definitions. Parallelism is a technique of redundancy, to enforce the meaning of the text. By repeating something the message stresses. When repeating the message the author will use words that have similar meaning but different words to get their idea across. Usually, the most important part of the message will be stressed with parallelism. Even in modern language parallelism is used to help us to help us express a word.

What to Look For:

• Watch for a text where an idea is repeated using different words. Psalm 119:130; Daniel 9:16.

Correlative Terms.

The didactic (teaching, or intending to teach, a moral lesson) methodology of Proverbs is displayed by its frequent use of words that are found together either as synonyms or antonyms. These are sometimes referred to as fixed pairs or Word Pairs. “Wisdom” (חָכְמָה, chokhmah) is often paired with “understanding” (תְּבוּנָה, tevunah) or similar ideas (e.g., “knowledge” [דַּ֫עַת, da’ath] or “discipline” [מוּסָר, musar]). Other words that are frequently found together are “fool” (כְּסִיל, kesil), “simple ones” (פֶּ֫תִי, pethiy), and “scoffers” (לֵץ, lets). This parallelism reinforces an action or attitude.  – BRICKER, D. P., “Proverbs, Book of, Critical Issues”, The Lexham Bible Dictionary.

Parallelism is a wide topic and can get complicated, but what is necessary is to know its role in the Bible. It is used widely to emphasize a thought or action by repeating a word, or a similar word the second time. When looking for the meanings of symbols it is helpful to recognize that when you see something repeated in other terms you should pay attention to see if one line is defining the Symbol in another line. Below I have listed the main forms of parallelism so that you will be aware of it. You may study it to your benefit.

Parallelism—Is an element of Hebrew poetry that places similar ideas side-by-side for emphasis. By mentioning Sodom, a Bible may refer to the city of Sodom, but mentioning Gomorrah in parallel to Sodom infers wickedness and moral corruption. Jeremiah 23:14

In Old Testament poetry, the Bible often uses two different words in parallel to bring attention to the word being described. (Hos Jeremiah 5:8; Psalms 98:6).

• Often the second line of the parallel couplet (Word Pair) does not merely restate the first line but builds on it (i.e. “A, and what is more, B”) .
• Parallelism can be seen in the Synoptic Gospels, saying the same thing with different words. Reinforcing and supporting what the other Gospels said.
• Parallelism reinforces an action or attitude.

Forms of Parallelism:

Here is where it gets a bit complicated. The important thing to know is that these forms exist and how they work. This will serve to help you recognize Symbolic definitions. I have tried to break it down as simply as I can. The bold text after the bullet point are the formal label for the method, the words in the parenthesis are the common use label of the method.

• Synonymous Parallelism, (Repeating Parallelism) meaning that the two phrases of the verse basically state the same thing, Same thought repeated in different terms. Psalm 13:1; Psalm 24:1; Job 38:28
• Antithetic Parallelism, (Contrasting Parallelism) presents two lines in contrast to one another. Parallel statements are placed opposition to one another. Proverbs 10:27-28; Psalm 1:6; 2 Peter 2:1, 17
• Complete Parallelism (antithetic), When a poet uses complete parallelism, he repeats the exact idea or the opposite idea of the first line in the next line.
• Climactic Parallelism, (Staircase, or Progressive Parallelism), one of the most interesting forms of parallelism was “staircase” or climactic parallelism.

• Synthetic Parallelisms, (Complimentary Parallelism)—formations in which a series of cola (lines) are composed of generally separate but complementary ideas.
  In some cases, the synthetic relationship can be described as an intensification of the first statement. Ps 100:3; Prov 15:3; Ps 1:1
• Incomplete Parallelism, If the Hebrew poet used incomplete parallelism, he would not repeat the entire idea of his first line in the second line of his poem.
• Chiastic Parallelism, clearly avoids expressing the same idea (thoughts) twice. It rather aims at a sequence of thought which brings out the essence of the point more fully and sharply.
  • 3 Chiastic Patterns – ABBA (our letter”X” in Greek is chi)

* Chiastic Parallelism, clearly avoids expressing the same idea (thoughts) twice. It rather aims at a sequence of thought which brings out the essence of the point more fully and sharply

GUGLIOTTO

, L. J., Handbook for Bible study: a guide to understanding, teaching, and preaching the word of God (Hagerstown, MD 2000). see Figure 11
* 3 Chiastic Patterns – ABBA (chi, the letter X in Greek)

Next: How to Use and Apply Bible Symbols