READING TIME: 3-6 MINUTES
March 13, 2020
What is the meaning of “literary genre” and how do I interpret figures of speech?
What Type of Literary Genre Is the Particular Text?
“Genre,” or literary type, in literature is “a group of texts that bear one or more traits in common with each other.” It is important to ascertain what type of literary form the author is using because different forms of literature are governed by different rules. We have to realize that the inspired authors of Scripture willingly submitted themselves to the norms of language governing those literary forms. We should ask ourselves if the passage in question is found in a proverb, in poetry, in a discourse, in an epistle, in biblical or prose narrative, or is an idiom, a hyperbole, a parable, a prophecy (major & minor prophets), or is apocalyptic literature (Daniel & Revelation) (Fee’s and Stuart’s book, How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth, Stein’s Playing by the Rules, Zuck’s Basic Bible Interpretation, and Ryken’s How To Read the Bible As Literature are all excellent for giving many tips on how to interpret the different types of genre).
Interpretation of Figures of Speech
What is a Figure of Speech — A figure of speech is a word or phrase that is used to communicate something other than its literal, natural meaning. It is a colorful vehicle for presenting literal truth. Behind every figure of speech is a literal meaning. An example of a figure of speech in English would be to say, “It is raining cats and dogs,” as opposed to just saying, “It is raining hard.” The aforementioned figure of speech conveys the same idea but is an unusual, picturesque, out-of-the-ordinary, more colorful, vivid and more interesting way of expressing it. Some other examples of figures of speech: “That argument doesn’t hold water.” “I was tickled to death” (Zuck, 143-144, 147).
Why Are Figures of Speech Used?
(1) To Attract Attention — Phil. 3:2 – “Watch out for those dogs;” James 3:6 – “The tongue also is a fire.”
(2) It makes Abstract or Intellectual Ideas More Concrete and it is useful for clarifying. Whenever the author wishes to speak of things not perceived by the senses, he may be forced to use nonliteral language (C.S. Lewis, Miracles, 88-89).
(3) They Aid in Retention and They Make Indelible Impressions — Hosea 4:16 – “The Israelites are . . . like a stubborn heifer.”
(4) They Abbreviate an Idea – they are graphic so there is no need for an elaborate description — Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my Shepherd.”
(5) They Encourage Reflection — Psalm 52:8 – “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God;” Isaiah 1:8 – “the Daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a field of melons, like a city under siege.”
(6) To Emphasize a Point — Luke 13:32 – “Tell that fox” is considerably more forceful than to say, “Tell the king.”
(7) To Move One to Action – “Behold I stand at the door and knock,” gives an emotional impact far beyond the impact of saying, “I am waiting for you to respond.”
(8) Is Effective in Illustrating – John 6:48 — “I am the bread of life.” An illustration of His relationship with those who believe in Him; He spiritually satisfies and nourishes (Zuck, 144-145; McQuilkin, 136-140).
Grammatical-Historical and Figures of Speech – The grammatical-historical method does not rule out or deny figures of speech, symbols, parables, allegories, and types. The very existence of any meaning for a figure of speech depends on the reality of the literal/customary/normal meaning of the terms involved (Ryrie, 87). One of the most extensive and best works we have on figures of speech was done by the dispensational literalist E. W. Bullinger in 1898, called Figures of Speech Used in the Bible: Explained and Illustrated.
Unknown Known — Figures of speech are used as a means of revealing “literal” truth in a concise, creative, and graphic way. What is true in a known area is transferred to an unknown area to teach us some particular truth in that unfamiliar area. Quite often the only way that God could communicate and convey truth in an area not understood by us is to make a parallel from the area of which we are familiar. Sometimes this unknown truth can be conveyed more clearly and creatively by using figurative language.
Automotive Repair Manual vs. Love Letter! — A good example of interpreting different types of writing differently is, interpreting an automotive repair manual as opposed to seeking to understand a love letter. More than likely a repair manual would be devoid of figures of speech but a love letter is to be interpreted figuratively and metaphorically. As you all know we would get into trouble if we interpreted repair manuals figuratively and love letters “literally.” If this were done, a definite lack of communication would result.
Appealing to the mind vs. appealing to the heart — This example shows that there are two different kinds of language: referential and commissive language. Referential language – its main goal is to pass on information, to describe, is nonemotional, it seeks to pass on facts, and it appeals to the “mind.” Commissive language – has as its main goal to evoke decisions, to convey emotion, to elicit feelings and to arouse our emotion, and it appeals to the “heart.” A repair manual would, of course, be an example of referential language and a love letter, commissive language. A different set of rules must be used to interpret each type of language. A description of a “0.016-inch gap” for a spark plug would be interpreted differently than a description of missing your sweetheart so much that your heartaches, that you cannot sleep, or telling your wife that her hair is like a flock of goats which descend from Mount Gilead (Song of Songs 4:1). The latter is a metaphor, a special type of metaphor which gains much of its meaning from the emotional feelings one associates with it. So, the emotional associations of the metaphor are a clue to its overall meaning. The Shulammite’s hair was long, flowing and had a captivating effect on Solomon (Stein, 73-74; Glickman, 13-15).
Sources Used
Glickman, S. Craig. A Song for Lovers. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1976.
McQuilkin, J. Robertson. Understanding and Applying the Bible. Chicago: Moody, 1999.
Ryrie, Charles C. Dispensationalism Today. Chicago: Moody, 1965.
Stein, Robert H. Playing by The Rules: A Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994.
Zuck, Roy B. Basic Bible Interpretation: A Practical Guide to Discovering Biblical Truth. Wheaton, IL: Victor, 1991.