Literary Forms in the Bible & Exegesis

Law

Rules of moral behavior and principles established by God. God gave the first law called the Torah.

History

Stories of the past usually in chronological order

Letter

A written message usually personal in nature on a specific topic.

List

Itemised series of names or objects usually recorded in specific order.

Parable

Short dramatic stories using comparison to teach a lesson.

From Greek “parabole”

Prophecy

Message from God to human kind through a prophet, especially messages that judge a certain present situation

Proverb

A short saying of wisdom that expresses a well known practical truth or fact.

Psalm

A sacred song used or poem used to praise and thank God, seek forgiveness or make a request.

Sermon

A serious and long religious speech.

Innerant

Although written by humans, has no error. God gives assurance that their writings teach his saving truth without error.

Literalist

Read at face value and take everything as its literal meaning

Contextualist

read between the lines, see context ( author, purpose, audience, history, culture)

exegesis

• careful investigation of original meaning within historical and literary context

• comes from Greek for interpret