Questions tagged [hermeneutical-approaches]

For questions concerning the implementation or comparison of approaches to hermeneutics

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
0 votes
1 answer
139 views

Does anyone disagree that the following hermeneutic principles are important and if so, why?

This question is the result of numerous discussions with Biblical Unitarians who attempt to exegete the original languages on verses which otherwise prove the pre-human existence of God’s Son. Προς ...
user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
155 views

Understanding the Scripture [duplicate]

Does the Scripture, Holy Bible, have it’s own principles to interpret itself? If so, what are they and in which specific sections of the Scripture are they found?
1 vote
1 answer
2k views

In Luke 18:36-37, why does the blind man say "Son of David" instead of "Jesus of Nazareth"?

In Luke 18:36-37 [NASB]: Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he called out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have ...
1 vote
2 answers
115 views

Should οἰκοδομέω be interpreted literally or metaphorically?

οἰκοδομέω (oikodomeō), with the lexical entry STRONG NT 3618, is the Greek verb for "edify." In the gospels it often has the normal meaning of building a physical structure. But in Acts and the rest ...
3 votes
2 answers
588 views

What mountains is Isaiah 52:7 referring to?

I have read through Isaiah 52:7 time and again. I don’t seem to be coming to terms with how the feet of him that brings the good news are beautiful upon the mountains. “How beautiful upon the ...
6 votes
3 answers
2k views

Are "the treasures of darkness" in Isaiah 45:3 some forms of real blessings or apocalyptic coding?

Is the treasures of darkness, another reference to the hidden wealth of secret places in Isaiah 45:3. I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know ...
3 votes
3 answers
809 views

The seventy rooms (of pictures) in the temple in Ezekiel 8:11-13?

As I read through Ezekiel Chapter 8, I took notice of the "seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel" mentioned in verse 11 and what they were doing in the dark. "11 And before them stood ...
7 votes
1 answer
126 views

Did biblical authors intentionally use repeated words to connect passages within their writing?

In my study of the gospel of Mark, as I try to uncover Mark's intent in various passages, I rely heavily on the literary device of repeated words. Specifically, I assume that if a Greek word only ...
  • 211
2 votes
2 answers
227 views

When Jesus said to Peter” Satan hath desired to have you...” what did he mean (Lk 22:31-34)

The famous passage spoken by Jesus unto Peter reads: “Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, ...
4 votes
2 answers
260 views

In Genesis 27:19 what is the meaning of "that your soul may bless me"?

When Jacob responds to Isaac's call in Genesis 27:19 [NKJV], he says these words: “...I am Esau your firstborn; I have done just as you told me; please arise, sit and eat of my game, that your ...
  • 1,227
7 votes
2 answers
149 views

זֶרַע or זְרֹע in 1 Samuel 2:31

The MT 1 Samuel 2:31 reads: הִנֵּה, יָמִים בָּאִים, וְגָדַעְתִּי אֶת-זְרֹעֲךָ, וְאֶת-זְרֹעַ בֵּית אָבִיךָ--מִהְיוֹת זָקֵן, בְּבֵיתֶךָ. Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the ...
  • 7,085
2 votes
4 answers
205 views

What is an exegetical understanding of ἀντίχριστ- / anti-chist?

The phrase "anti-christ" is specific to the works of the apostle John in 1John 2:18, 1John 2:22; 1John 4:3 and 2John 1:7. These are the only places where the compound word and understanding of anti-...
  • 592
2 votes
0 answers
161 views

What are the major differences between Heidegger's, Gadamer's and Ricoeur's hermeneutics?

Where would Heidegger, Ricoeur, and Gadamer disagree most on hermeneutic methodology? I'm exploring this question or Quora and hoping to gather further insight and perspective.
2 votes
3 answers
2k views

Why does Paul misquote the OT

I've been reading through Romans and noticed Paul does the following: Romans 11:8 quotes Isaiah 29:10 and Deuteronomy 29:4. The same sentiment is found also in Isaiah 6:9-10. But this is not a word ...
  • 31
4 votes
3 answers
384 views

How do we decide if a biblical instruction is cultural or transcultural?

We ignore many instructions in the Bible, but keep some. For instance women do not stay silent in church or wear head coverings during prayer. How do we decide if a verse was written for the culture ...
  • 59
0 votes
1 answer
84 views

Did Paul think that Isaiah was about the exile of the 6th century BC or that Isaiah intended it to be about the destruction of 70ad? [closed]

The question It might (or might not) be useful to review this related question before tackling this one. In this excellent but imperfect paper the author points to the many instances where Paul ...
  • 14.2k
2 votes
6 answers
2k views

Are the 70 weeks of Daniel and Jeremiah prophecies about the Babylonian exile of the 6th century BC or about the age of the Messiah?

Jeremiah ostensibly predicted that Israel would be destroyed and be in captivity to Babylon for 70 years: [Jer 25:11 NLT] 11 This entire land will become a desolate wasteland. Israel and her ...
  • 14.2k
-2 votes
1 answer
47 views

In using a Koine lexicon, does only the first entry count? [closed]

It has been suggested on another site that only the first entry of a Koine lexicon "counts". In this example of neo-Platonism, the first lexeme matches the "Ideal Form" which in this case is an ...
  • 14.2k
-2 votes
2 answers
696 views

Do Greek and Hebrew words have only one meaning in scripture regardless of the context?

Is it a legitimate linguistic feature within scriptures that the words of scripture only have one meaning each? For example, the KJV translates Strong's G1242 in the following manner: covenant (20x), ...
  • 14.2k
0 votes
1 answer
326 views

Are the repetitions in Isaiah intended to reinforce the idea of "double retribution"?

In several places in Isaiah 43:11 to 52:11 (and I believe other places) he repeats phrases: [Isa 43:11, 25 CSB] 11 "I ​-- ​I am the LORD. Besides me, there is no Savior. ... 25 "I ​-- ​I ...
  • 14.2k
-1 votes
2 answers
59 views

What Hermeneutical attributes are most important (For new Bible Tool)? [closed]

I'm a software engineer and I've built a bible analytics tool specifically to analyze various doctrines across denominations, ranking applicable verse higher based largely on the hermeneutics. I'm ...
-1 votes
1 answer
76 views

Looking at scripture when do we receive the soul [closed]

When looking at scripture when does the soul enter the body
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

In 1 Corinthians 11:3-10 what does it mean that the head of the woman/wife is the husband/man?

What is the Biblical basis for male headship per 1 Corinthians 11:3-10? From what I have studied, the meaning of the word "head" back in the time Paul wrote it meant "source". The definition "leader" ...
  • 1,227
0 votes
3 answers
85 views

How to determine scope and applicability of a passage, with focus on John 6:32-51?

What is the scope of the bread of life discourse in John? I have always, along with most commentators I've read, thought it was universal because of terms "world" (33, 51), "he who" and "anyone" (35, ...
0 votes
6 answers
146 views

Eisegesis needed for correct exegeting of Scripture, with John 1:1-14 as question topic

So, I had asked a related question that was closed for it's lack of Scripture to apply a hermeneutically approach to, so I've re phrased to scripture which is very important to the Christian faith: ...
  • 592
-2 votes
1 answer
56 views

Hermeneutics...? [closed]

How old is the word hermeneutics? How do I convey the fact that I keep the first in terms of greatest Commandments and for that reason your eyes have not seen ears have not heard nor has it entered ...
4 votes
1 answer
129 views

Don't we need Biblically definitive eisegesis to Exegete properly?

I've been looking at some of the thoughts on eisegesis and it seems that the general tone is always negative when the term comes up. However, when we read the bible in an Exegetical way in order to ...
  • 592
2 votes
3 answers
6k views

Are the meanings of El and Elohe in Genesis 33:20 different or same? If different, how do they different?

Genesis 33:20 "ויצב שם מזבח ויקרא לו אל אלהי ישראל׃" The context of Genesis 33:20 is Genesis 33:18-20 "18After Jacob had come from Paddan-aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in the ...
3 votes
6 answers
1k views

Are the principalities and powers in Titus 3:1 the same as in Ephesians 6:12?

Why did Paul say we should wrestle against "principalities and powers" in Ephesians 6:12 and obey them in Titus 3:1? ESV Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against ...
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

What does Hosea 12:1 mean by "Ephraim feedeth on wind?"

It seems Hosea 12:1 was referring to the covenant that Ephraim made with the Assyrians. If that is what "feeding on wind" implies in the verse, then how does that relate to "carrying oil into Egypt"? ...
1 vote
3 answers
321 views

Interpreting Daniel's prophecy (most of which Daniel didn't understand)

"The best way to interpret a Bible passage is to understand it the way the original writer and recipients understood". Agreed. This principle is helpful. But what about texts like Daniel's ...
  • 73
3 votes
6 answers
3k views

In 1 Corinthians 10:4, in what sense was Christ the rock that followed the Jews and how did he/it follow?

Is Paul saying that the rock trailed behind the wandering Jews? And was the rock literally Christ in a different form? Or is he calling attention to its value as a metaphor for Christ? KJV 1Co_10:4 ...
  • 14.2k
6 votes
2 answers
173 views

Are there non-Rabbinical hermeneutics that recognize deliberate, non-chronological ordering of texts in the Pentateuch?

In Rabbinic Literature there is a principle of Biblical interpretation known as אין מוקדם ומאוחר בתורה (Ein Mukdam U'me'uhar B'Torah), which postulates that the Pentateuch does not (necessarily) ...
  • 783
5 votes
2 answers
415 views

Other than as a memory aid what is the alleged hermeneutical significance of chiastic structure?

Whether or not chiasmus is something intended by an author or whether it is simply serendipity is a question about which there is no settled opinion. People disagree. Some see it everywhere and are ...
  • 14.2k
4 votes
2 answers
3k views

In Genesis 9:20-24 why is Ham, the second born, referred to as the "younger son"?

Genesis 9:20-24 NKJV And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the ...
  • 2,625
0 votes
3 answers
133 views

Is Jesus' "gospel of the kingdom" obsolete? [closed]

Jesus proclaimed and taught "the gospel of the kingdom" as mentioned in Matthew 24:14: Mat_24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; ...
  • 14.2k
0 votes
1 answer
85 views

"Unbiased" Intro to Old Testament [closed]

I teach Intro to Old Testament at a community college. I am looking for something that may be a unicorn.But, I am going to ask anyway. Does anyone know of an Intro to Old Testament that does not ...
3 votes
2 answers
181 views

The proper reading of Exodus 31:17

This is a follow up question to a question i've asked a few months ago. In the linked question (and until recently) i have assumed that Exodus 31:17 is to be taken as a complete sentence, It ...
  • 7,085
-1 votes
1 answer
219 views

How does the NKJV apply 2 Samuel 7:14 to 2 Corinthians 6:18?

2 Samuel 7:14 New King James Version (NKJV) 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 2 ...
3 votes
4 answers
502 views

How to read Joshua 5:14?

The Hebrew in Joshua 5:14 reads וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא כִּי אֲנִי שַׂר צְבָא יְדוָד עַתָּה בָאתִי A literal translation of the text would render this: And he replied "No. For i am the commander of the ...
  • 7,085
3 votes
4 answers
3k views

Fulfillment of Jacob's request regarding the inheritance of the land (Genesis 48)?

In Genesis 48:5-6 Jacob transfers the firstborn right from Reuben to Joseph (see 1 chronicles 5:1), and adopts his sons Ephraim and Menasseh as his own, and gives them prioritized standing in ...
  • 7,085
2 votes
3 answers
3k views

Proverbs 11:15 - "put up security for a stranger" and "striking hands in pledge"

Proverbs 11:15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure. I don't really understand 2 phrases: "put up security for a ...
1 vote
3 answers
153 views

In/for what intention the Angels declared peace on earth?

When someone is dying how can we greet peace on them? So many children were killed when Jesus was born, and many people went through lament/mourning. In that situation how the Angels declared peace on ...
2 votes
3 answers
3k views

What does "branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire" mean in John 15:6?

What does "branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire" mean? John 15:6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown out like a branch, and dries up; and such branches are gathered ...
3 votes
2 answers
962 views

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 ...
0 votes
1 answer
2k views

What is the "Last trumpet" that Paul was referring to in 1-cor 15:52 [closed]

Trumpets are mentioned in apocalypse and "Day of the LORD" prophecies. E.g Psalm 47:5 (God goes up with the sound of a trumpet) Isaiah 27:13 (God saves his people after a trumpet blast) ...
  • 2,625
6 votes
3 answers
2k views

How can a sparrow nest on the altars of God according to Psalm 84:3

The sparrow finds home a while the swallow finds a nest. Both birds find homes and nests on the LORD'S Altars (plural), not altar. Psalm:84.3 Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest ...
  • 2,625
3 votes
1 answer
158 views

Is it Paul or Luke that is speaking in Acts 19:5?

Is it Paul or Luke that is speaking in Acts 19:5? ἀκούσαντες δὲ ἐβαπτίσθησαν εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ. [Acts 19:5, SBL Edition] John Gill would say it's Paul: these are the words of the ...
0 votes
3 answers
74 views

bible ownership [closed]

Apart from the Ethiopian, whom Philip meets Acts 8;29, is there any evidence for the private ownership of any works of Scripture before about 400 A.D.? Otherwise, what is the earliest evidence that ...
3 votes
3 answers
2k views

Did Jesus hide himself or was he hidden in John 8:59?

In John 8:59 (and in John 12:36) the voice of the verb κρύπτω is passive which I understand to mean that the subject (Jesus) is receiving the action of the verb as opposed to doing the action of the ...