Questions tagged [grammatical-historical]

The historical-grammatical interpretation method involves attempting to discover the author's intent in a biblical passage by studying its grammar, syntax, literary genre, and textual and historical context.

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What is the "Grammatical Historical Approach" to hermeneutics?

BH seems to be divided into several different approaches. What is the Grammatical Historical Approach and what are the primary ways that it differs from other modern approaches?
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What is the difference between historical-grammatical and historical criticism?

The historical-grammatical method and historical criticism are both hermeneutical approaches seeking to uncover the original meaning of the text. What is the difference between the two?
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In Exodus 20:7 what does it mean to "take the name of the Lord your God in vain"?

In Exodus 20:7 we read (what is commonly considered to be) the third Commandment: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His ...
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What evidence exists that supports the understanding of the Exodus as a deliverance metanarrative and not as a historical narrative?

Marcus Borg has proposed a "historical-metaphorical" reading of Exodus (particularly the narrative of the event itself) in which deliverance and salvation are established as key themes in a grand ...
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What is "Regula Fidei"?

What is "Regula Fidei" and is this principle of interpretation considered obsolete by those who practice the Grammatical Historical approach to hermeneutics or does it survive in some form?
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How do we reconcile John 17:22 with Isaiah 42:8?

We read: “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;” ‭‭John‬ ‭17:22‬ This was in the context of Eternal life being given to the elect^^^ ...
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Why does the singular form of שַׂעֲרָה appear in Job 4:15?

In the Book of Job, Eliphaz relates one palpable experience he had with a "רוּחַ" (translated spirit in the NASB), which had caused the hair of his body to stand on end. In Job 4:14-16 we read the ...
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What are the arguments used by literal interpreters of Ezekiel's temple (Ezek. 40-48)?

More detail about symbolic and apocalyptic interpretations of Ezekiel's temple were given in an answer to another question, but that answer left me wondering more about literal interpretations of ...
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What kind of image did "dragon" (δράκων) in Revelation give to John and first century Christians?

Question about the term δράκων in passages such as Revelation 12:3 and Revelation 13:4 and Revelation 16:13. (I am not asking about the symbolic meaning of whom or what the Dragon represented, as that ...
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Redaction criticism and grammatical-historical hermeneutics

It appears that redaction criticism can be viewed either positively or negatively by proponents of a grammatical-historical hermeneutic (see this article)? What are the primary arguments for and ...
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In the Peshitta, what is the difference between the original word translated "Sabbath" and that translated "week?"

In Matthew 28:1 of the Aramaic Peshitta text, the word translated "Sabbath" and the word translated "week" appear similar but with slight variation. Does anyone know what the significance is of the "...
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What is the justification for English translations capitalizing “Word” in John 1:1?

What is the justification for English translations capitalizing “Word” in John 1:1? ΕΝ ΑΡΧΗ ἦν ὁ λόγος, καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν, καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος. New International Version In the beginning ...
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More accurate rendering of 1 Timothy 1:19 “their faith/the faith”?

The NASB says: “keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1:19‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬ The NKJV says: “having faith and a ...
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Colossians 1:20 reconciling "things in heaven"

I am aware of the other question on this site regarding this verse, but this one is slightly different, see: What does "reconciling all things" mean in Colossians 1:20? Yet, I want to ...
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What does the grammatical tense of the verb "judged" in 1 Peter 4:6 tell us about the order of the events in the verse?

In the following verse: For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. (1 ...
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In John 1:36 what is the background of the term "Lamb of God"?

John 1:36 King James Version (KJV) 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! No one seems bewildered by this designation. Was it an idiom, a recognized concept in ...
Ted DeRose's user avatar
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Why did Jesus use the words “sons of the kingdom” in Matthew 8:12?

We read: “I tell you, many will come from the east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, but the sons of the kingdom will be thrown out into the outer ...
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Is John 7:38 a paraphrase of OT scripture?

Similar question: Where is the citation of John 7:38 taken from? Is it possible that Jesus paraphrased OT scripture in John 7:38? “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried ...
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What is the logic used in Romans 7:1-2 to help us know our relationship with the Law?

Romans 7:1-2 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the ...
Siju George's user avatar
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In Job 8:11-19 what ancient wisdom is Bildad quoting?

In Job chapter 8, Bildad the Shuhite, in an attempt to show that Job was a hypocrite, makes an appeal to ancient wisdom (verses 8-10). Job 8:11-19: For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and ...
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What is the relationship between the participles to the main verbs in Ephesians 6:10-20?

I am trying to prepare a talk on Ephesians and as part of my preparation/exegesis, I was attempting a grammatical diagram of Ephesians 6:10-6:20 using the UBS5 text. I am doing this in order to ...
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Does Hebrews 12:23 confirm that Mankind has an immaterial subsistence?

We read: "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn ...
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What is meant by “unwholesome words”?

“Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” ‭‭Ephesians‬...
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Does Isaiah 66:24 in Hebrew showcase the reality of the bodies of the Resurrected Unsaved?

Let’s lay out the Context of the future New Heavens & Earth: “For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the Lord, “So shall your descendants and ...
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What is the most accurate translation of “Christ is not a minister of sin”? Galatians 2:17

Q:What is the most accurate rendering/translation of the phrase “Christ is not a minister of sin” ? Q2: & what does that communicate to us? ““But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ...
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Hebrews 9:27 speaks of things "after" death?

In Hebrews 9:27 (the strongs concordance numbers listed below) the Greek word "meta" is translated using the concept of "after" in most versions of the Bible. Heb 9:27 And <...
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Is 'darkness upon' in Genesis 1:2 cosmic, rather than merely terrestrial, despite that the central subject and Biblical grammar suggests the latter?

Is 'darkness upon' in Genesis 1:2 cosmic, rather than merely terrestrial, despite that the central subject (Earth) and Biblical Hebrew grammar (ex:Luke 23:44, Exodus 14:20, Deuteronomy 4:11, Joshua ...
Daniel Pech's user avatar
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4 answers
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During exegesis, should we consider the original language in which Jesus spoke?

When we do exegesis of Jesus's words for example should we take into consideration the original language in which he spoke? For example: Many try to argue that Jesus made a reference to Exodus 3:14-...
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Should Philippians 2:11b read "to the glory of God" or "[is] in the glory of God"?

The Vulgate version of Philippians 2:11 reads: VUL et omnis lingua confiteátur, quia Dóminus Jesus Christus in glória est Dei Patris. Translation and every tongue confess that the Lord Jesus Christ ...
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Isaiah 45:11 two persons speaking or one?

Is there a plurality of two persons speaking in this verse? I’m not certain but here is the text: Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: “Ask Me about the things to come ...
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What does "justified in the Spirit" refer to in 1 Timothy 3:16?

What does justified in the Spirit refer to in 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, ...
Siju George's user avatar
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1 answer
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What is the "gospel of the Glory of Christ" in 2 Corinthians 4:4?

What is the gospel of the Glory of Christ in 2 Corinthians 4:4 ? 2 Corinthians 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light ...
Siju George's user avatar
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2 answers
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Hebrews 11:23 “By faith Moses, when he was born”?

Let’s lay out the context: “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.” ‭‭...
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Ezk 8 and The Contextualization of the Gospel in Native American / First Nations cultures; What is the proper Biblical interpretation? [closed]

I need help understanding the proper grammatical-historical interpretation of Ezekiel 8 and how that can be applied to contextualizing the gospel in Native American Christian culture. In Ezk 8, ...
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5 answers
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Did Jesus use a reference to Herod Archelaus in the Parable of the Ten Minas?

The Parable of the Ten Minas (Luke 19:11-27) is nearly identical to the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). Perhaps the most surprising variation of the Ten Minas is that it references the ...
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Galatians 5:4 “fallen from grace/failed to grasp grace” Greek roots

I heard a Pastor through a teaching sermon on Galatians make mention that Galatians 5:4 is spoken from Paul in terms of “failing to grasp grace” rather than “falling from grace” as if justified ...
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Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them” forgive or tolerate? Hermeneutics and Atonement

The text at hand: “Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭34‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Many English translations still ...
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In Matthew 10:25, who is Beelzebub/Beelzeboul?

[Mat 10:25 NASB] (25) "It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more [will they ...
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What is Sarah's "pleasure" in Genesis 18:12?

In Genesis 18:12, Sarah says the following (NKJV, emphasis added): “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” What does Sarah mean by having pleasure? Most directly, ...
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1st John 1:1 “Word of Life” is this “Jesus” or the “Scripture”?

We read: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was ...
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What is the more accurate rendering of 2 Thessalonians 1:9 “ruin” or “destruction”?

We read two different translations: “These will pay the penalty of eternal ruin, separated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power,” ‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭(NABRE‬‬) Vs “...
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What is Peter speaking about in 1 Peter 5:10?

Applying the historical-grammatical method in our exegesis, looking at the Greek text as well, how can I understand what Peter is saying in 1 Peter 5:8-11, specifically verse 10? I have a few ...
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If Luke 1:17 was quoting the LXX version of Malachi 4:6, Why was ἐπιστρέφω used for “to turn” instead of copying ἀποκαθίστημι?

Should historians think Luke’s author used an available copy of LXX to reference Malachi 4:6, if the LXX-Malachi uses the Greek word “ἀποκαθίστημι” instead of “ἐπιστρέφω” in Luke 1:17? [LXX Malachi 4:...
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Woman behavior according to 1 Timothy 2.9-15 - historical context

I am meditating in the pastoral letters of Paul, trying to understand deeply his advice. However due to my lack of historical context knowledge, I couldn't really understand what he really meant on 1 ...
Leonardo Alves Machado's user avatar
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What does it mean that the Lord stirs someone up? 1 Chronicles 5:26

We read: So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, that is, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria. He carried the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh into ...
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(Romans 8:26) "What" to pray And/Or "How" to pray of a specific prayer

I do Not have any comprehension and/or fluency in the Greek language(s). However, I wanted to get a better understanding of Romans 8:26 which is related to prayer. I might just be nit-picking. As I ...
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Matthew 7:12, Our Savior starts the statement with a therefore, to connect to the previous verses. What is the connection?

Matthew 7:7-12 (KJV) 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to ...
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What sort of "slave" is Paul referring to in 1 Corinthians 7:21-23?

Paul writes the following in his first letter to the Corinthian church: Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. For he who was ...
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Is the speaker in Psalm 22:1 forsaken literally or poetically?

The well-known Psalm 22 begins with the following as the first verse (KJV): My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? It is ...
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What does Paul mean in 1 Corinthians 9:14?

Paul writes: Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:14 Q: What does he mean here?
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