Hebrew Poetry

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary related to Hebrew Poetry, providing definitions and examples for review.

Hebrew Poetry

Uses figurative language and patterns, usually divided into two parallel lines.

Personification

Gives human characteristics to an inanimate object.

Example of Personification

The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.

Anthropomorphism

Gives human characteristics to a non-human being.

Example of Anthropomorphism

The LORD’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save.

Chiasm

A repetition of ideas/words in an ABCBA pattern.

Example of Chiasm

He who sheds the blood of man, By man his blood shall be shed.

Number Sequences

Stating a number, and then a greater number.

Example of Number Sequences

For three sins of Moab, even for four, I will not relent.

Merism

Two contrasting words that represent the whole.

Example of Merism

You know when I sit down and when I rise up.

Parallelism

Two lines that mean the same thing.

Example of Parallelism (Similar)

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline.

Parallelism (Opposite)

Two lines that mean opposite things.

Example of Parallelism (Opposite)

He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die.

Complete Parallelism

Two lines that build on each other.

Example of Complete Parallelism

The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable; how much more so when brought with evil intent.