Parallelism is the most important feature of Hebrew Poetry. It means that there are at least two parallel lines of a verse which complement each other in some way.(Usually parallelism in thought not in rhyme or sound.)

There are three types of parallelism in Hebrew Poetry:

• synonymous parallelism,
• antithetic parallelism,
• synthetic parallelism.

Synonymous parallelism involves a repetition of the same thought or a similar thought; that is the parallel lines basically reflect the same idea.

Example: The heavens declare the glory of God

and the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 91:1)

Antithetic Parallelism is two lines stand of poetry that stand in sharp contrast to each other; usually with the conjunction "but" provides the clue.

Example:

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish.

In synthetic parallelism, the second line normally completes the thought that the first line left incomplete. (The two lines stand in relationship to each other, but that relationship is not as clearly defined as in synonymous or antithetic parallelism.)

Example:

He is like a tree planted by the streams of water,

Which yields it's fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  (Psalm 1:3)

or

Cast your bread upon the waters

For after many days you will find it again (Ecc 11:1)

Chiasm is another literary feature of Hebrew Poetry. It occurs when successive lines of poetry reverse the order in which parallel themes appear "criss-crossing" each other. (The word Chiams comes from the Greek letter "chi," which is written like the letter "X".)

Example:

O Lord forgive me;

Blot out my sin, O God of my Salvation.

(The bold elements parallel each other and the italic elements parallel each other but notice how the two parts reverse themselves in the second line. 

(See page 284 and 285 for a more complete description.)

Acrostics are the alphabetic poems. Each line or each verse begins with a successive letter of the alphabet.

Example: Psalms 119, the first 8 verses begin with "aleph", the first letter of the Hebrew Alphabet.

Job's home was in the land of Uz. It was probably between Edom and nothern Arabia.  (298)

The doctrine which says that goodness results in prosperity and wickedness leads to suffering.

Theodicy is the deference of God's love and justice.

There are several classical approaches: 

1. Illusion Approach: States that evil is only a mirage or illusion.(Example: Mary Baker Eddy said that if sin, sickness and death were understood as nothingness they would disappear. This is the view of the Christian Scientists.)

2. Process Philosophy: Alfred North Whitehead a British philosopher said "God is not all powerful. He didn't create the universe so he can't eliminate evil.

3. The tragic vision approach: The human race are victims of a great cosmic tragedy. Voltair said "The real meaning of life lies in its fatality. The grave is the end of all existence."

4. The freewill approach (Most consistent with Scripture) Austine was an early advocate of this view. He said "God created angels and humans perfect but he also gave them free will."  (Not all tragedy can be connected with a specific sin.)

Likely the Behemoth was the Hippopotamus and Liviathan the Crocodile.

(According to Dr. King we are not sure what these creatures were but this is the most likely interpretation.) 

1. Job,
2. Proverbs,
3. Ecclesiates

1. Proverbial maxims stating, observations about life in general.(These tend to be instructional or didactic in nature and are usually optimistic about life.)

2. Sages of ancient Near East produced documents containing lengthy discourses or essays grappling with life's most difficult problems. These dialogues or monologues are frequently but not always pessimistic.

Ancient Near Eastern literature has many obvious parallels in both form and content in the Old Testament wisdom books. In fact, the book of Proverbs contains more direct parallels with ancient Near Eastern literature than any other book of the Bible. Some points of contact with the parallels are more direct than others such as Proverbs 22-24 and the Instruction of Ammenemope (an Egyptian document). Others parallel in maters of theme and emphasis such as Job and Ludlul belnemeqi (A Mesopotamian document)

Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiasties have some comparison with ancient near eastern writings but leave out the polytheistic elements found in pagan writings.  (See pages 299-289)

• Because Job offers sacrifices, his wealth is measured in flocks and servants, and his long life-span (140 years) many assume a pre-mosaic origin for the book.
• The linguistic evidence of Job is inconclusive as it contains both very old and relatively late Hebrew terms (But it could have had a long history of transmission and copying..) Scholarly debate plaes the date from the early 8th century (Contemporary to Isaiah) to the third century B. C. (second-temple Judah).
• Recent literatary comparisons between Job and Isaiah have led some to accept the eighth-century date as the most likely time for the date of Job's composition.

Some psalms are hymns of praise. Writers praised the Lord and offered him thanksgiving for who he was and what he had done. The hymns they wrote sometimes featured individual praise and at other times corporate praise.

• Hymns (Psalm 146-150) Often includes Hallelujah
• Penitential
• Wisdom (Similar to Proverbs)
• Royal
• Messianic
• Imprecatory (Psalm 69:24-Psalm 137:8 and 9)
• Lament/Complaint
• Dr. King adds to the list taken from the book.
  

• Torah Psalms 19, 119
• Songs of trust and confidence (Psalm 23, 11, 16)
• Thanksgiving Psalms (Psalm 30 for Individual and Psalm 124 for Group)

Confess sorrow for sin, appeal to God for grace and forgiveness

General observations on life, especially God and our relationship to him.

Focus on the king as son of David and as God's chosen man to rule his people.

Call for God's judgment against God's enemies and/or his people's enemies

Lament one's condition; usually include statment of lament, statement of trust in God and affirmation of praise to him.

Positive elements of Imprecatory Psalms according to Dr. King

1. The rejection of personal revenge. He lets God take care of revenge.

2. A deep concern for God's honor and justice.

3. A desire for God's justice to be revealed by bringing sin and the unrepentant sinners to an end.

• King David exerted a major influence on the book of Psalms. 73 psalms begin with the expression of "A psalm of David" Indeed while some may have been written to David, we should assume that David wrote all or most of those with this title.
• Asaph was appointed by David as chief musician and Psalms 50 and 73-83 are attributed to him.
• The sons of Korah are probably a guild of temple singers and those psalms reflect the time of the Babylonian exile or later.
• Other authors such as Moses and Solomon.

• A psalm of "x" usually means that "x" wrote that psalm though it is possible someone wrote it to them.
• All ancient copies of the psalms contain these headings so we should treat them as reliable.
• Psalm titles also sometimes feature musical notationssuch as "to the choir master" which suggests that people sang them in public worship. Other terms like "selah, miskal, shiggaion, and maskil" remain a mystery.

A proverb is a succinct and persuasive saying proven true by experience.

1. Solomon is mentioned 3 times in Proverbs as "The proverbs of Solomon...")

Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs of Solomon that officials of King Hezekiah copied

2. Chapter 30 was written by Agur and 31 by King Lemuel 

• A proverb is not a promise. They are statements of general truth, not hard-and-fast promises
• Proverbs are not commands.
• Take them as general observations about how life works.

Proverbs is an example of instructional or didactic wisdom literature which is usually optimistic in life. It has close parallels with Egyptian instructional wisdom though Mesopotamia has examples as well.

I King 4:32 says he wrote 3,000 proverbs and composed over 1,000 songs. These may have been kept in a royal archive.

What is the relationship between Proverbs and Instruction of Amenemope?

There are 30 sayings of wise men in Proverbs 22  have much in common with the Egyptian document known as the instruction of Amenemope which has a prologue and thirty chapters of instructions for well-being". The relationship between the Egyptian proverbs and this section of the biblical book is too close to be coincidental. Most scholars agree that the Hebrew proverbs were modeled on an Egyptian original but they tend to clarify ti's Egyptian counterparts in places. It is now virtually certain that the Instruction of Amenemop came from around 1200 BC over 200 years before Solomon.

• Proverbs 26:11 Like a dog who returns to his vomit so a fool returns to his folly
• Proverbs 17:10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
• Proverbs 7:6 - about the simpleton who gets enticed by a woman to sleep with her when her husband is not home.

1. Brief in form and concise

2. Simple yet profound

3. Often used metaphor or similes (Such as Proverbs 19:13 a wife's nagging is like the continual dripping of rain.)

It is on the importance of finding a good wife. It emphasizes the role of the virtuous wife and mother as the one most able to build up character of wisdom in the family. This great woman's family will rise up and call her blessed.

• The Jewish Scholars see it as an allegory of the love between Yahweh and Israel
• Christian scholars have often accepted the book as praising the love between Christ and the church
• It is best to take the book at face value inasmuch as no evidence indicates the book is symbolic. The book celebrates the sexual love between husband and wife.

It is the sensual side of human nature as part of God's wonderful creation. It is the love in an exclusive relationship between husband and wife.

1. Parallelism  = phrases or concepts that compliment each other in some way.

2. Acrostic: When the first letter of consecutive verses follow the order of the Hebrew Alphabet

1. Synonymous Parallelism: Two lines saying the same thing using synonymns. Example: The heavens declare the glories of God and the fermament shows his handiwork.

2.Antithetic Parallelism:  usually has the word "but". It denotes a contrast but not necesarily a contradiction.

Example: Prov 10:1 A wise child makes his father happy but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.

3. Synthetic Parallelism: Second line further develops the thought. Example: Psalm 1:3

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water

that brings fruit in its season whose leave also shall not wither.

Words that compare such as Psalms 22:16 Dogs are all around me (is a metaphor for enemies). Prov. 11:22 Like a gold ring in a pig snout is a beautiful woman without good sense.

According to Dr. King, what are various aspects of Bibilcal Wisdom Literature?

Wisdom literature has themes. The most common ones are:

1. Fear of the Lord: To fear him = to honor, to obey, to be in awe of etc.

2. Ethical living: Tells us the difference between right and wrong.

3. Theodicy: Justifying or defending God's omnipotence and goodness in a world that is filled with evil.

4. The experiences of life: These are based on observations of life, not on a "thus saith the Lord" type of writing.

5. Instruction of the next generation: For instance: My son listen to the instruction of your father and do not grieve your mother.

1. Job is mentioned in the other places in the Bible including Ezekiel "Even if only Noah, Daniel and Job were in it..they would deliver themselves by their righteousness.

James 5:11 You have heard of the endurance of Job.

2. His lifestyle is consistent with people during that era. His wealth was measured in flocks servants, he lived the length of time that people were living after the flood but was written early on. it does not mention a temple in Jerusalem as there was no temple at that time etc.

1. Illusion Approach: States that evil is only a marriage or illusion (Christian Scientist Mary Baker Eddy said "If sin, sickness and death were understood as nothingness they would disappear."

2. Process Philosophy: Alfred North Whitehead British Philosopher said "God is not all powerful not able to fix and he didn't create the universe so how then can he eliminate evil?"

3. The tragic vision approach: The human race are victims of a great cosmic tragedy. Voltair said "The real meaning of life lies in its fatality" The grave is the end of all existence.

4. Freewill approach: (The most consistent with scripture)

Augustine was an early advocate. He said "God created angels and humans perfect but he also gave them free will (not all tragedy can be connected with a specific sin.)

Job 1 and 2 Pros/Intro

Job 23 he wants an audience with God

Job 42 Conclusion

Job 1 and 2 prologue There are 5 sections:

1. Piety and prosperity went hand in hand. He even ofers "just-in-case my children have sinned" offerings.

2. Satan attacks Job's character. The question is: Is there anyone who serves God for the right reasons with no alterior motives? Satan's point is that Job views God as the rewarder of good and punisher of evil.

3. Terrible series of tragedies: Satan doesn't know the future because he said that Job would curse God and die, but Job worshiped the Lord.

4. Satan goes back to the divine assemply place and said that if he is allowed to touch job's personal body then he will curse God and die. Actually Job's wife mimics satan as she tells Job to curse God and die but Job does not.

5. Job opened his mouth and cursed the day he was born. (chapter 3)

1. A righteous person may suffer

2. Reminds us that God is in ultimate control which disputes the view of eternal dualism (2 powers of light and darkness waging war for eternity)

3. The book of Job contradicts a simplistic understanding of the doctrine of double retribution.

4. Reveals that it is possible to serve God faithfully regardless of the circumstances.

5. Offers suggestions to us as we wrestle with the problem of theodicy.

a. We need to remember that the problem with human suffering is a divine mystery. "Sin is an intruder for whose presence is inexcusable." Great Controversy

b. There is a great controversy going on between good an devil. We wrestle not against flesh and blood.

c. God is able to bring good out of bad that occurs

d. A relationship with God is more important than the necessity of finding completely logical reasons for what has happened.

e. Ultimately God is the agent of restoration.

Eliphaz

Bildad

Zophar

Basic Message:

1. Eliphaz said: Job must be sinning because he was suffering. Eliphaz saw God as both the instigator and reliever of suffering. God's oppressions was the result of Job's many sins so once he admitted his sins God would then heal Job and prosperity would return.

2. Bildad: frankly told Job that hew as evil and that he must repent so that God would bring back his laughter, joy and peace. According to the principle of retribution/recompense Job deserved to be punished because Job refused to accept this principle.

3. Zophar claimed to have superior understanding of God and His wisdom. He said Job was too superficial to understand the deeper things of God. He said that God had even overlooked some of Job's sins

Elihu: was a fellow sufferer not an observer. He helped Job realize that a relationship with God is not founded on nor maintained by his insistence on loyalty, purity, or righteousness but is wholly of God's grace. Elihu did not see the primary basis of Job's suffering as a sin, though he did not minimize Job's move towards in the dialogue. He said that God rewards the righteous in grace not because of some human action seeking a deserved response.

Ways of interpreting Ecclesiastes not necessarily mutually exclusive. (Interpretations of 3,4,5 have more credibility.)

1. Pessimistic Skeptic says that the Qoheleth believes that God is distant and far from us (Especially since Eccl. 12:13 says "Fear God and Keep His Commandments for This is the Whole Duty of Man.)

2. Preacher of Joy: Since life has unresolved problems then don't worry be happy. Eccl. 3:12 "I know there is nothing better than to live and enjoy themselves."

3. Apologist for faith in God (Apologist is classically understood to mean "reasoned defense of faith." ) He is making a case for faith in god because of the ultimate end of someone without God.

4. Original Existentialist (Why do we exist?) Example was given of Sisyphus and the rock rolling it uphill over and over only to have it roll back down. It is wrestling with the meaning and value of our existence.)

5. Reflections for the wise: Principles hold true in the midst of most circumstances but not in all cases. Even if things go well it is no guarantee of future success. Not every statement out of context reflects God's view of life.  Eccl. 4:2 is an example of "I thought being dead was more fortunate than being alive." He is saying how he feels not necessarily what is truth.

1. Vanity of vanities is used 38 times in ECC and only 73 times in all of the OT. It means futility, nothingness, emptiness and a lack of value.

2. At the end of the book it ends with the phrase "under the sun". This is used 30 times. It means to be without the "son" to have no ultimate meaning. Chapter 2:11 says "I have considered all my hands have done and it is a chasing after the wind."

Basically he was saying there are problems with life

1. It's transitory

2. It is unfair

3. Life has no lasting purpose apart from God.

1. It's morally good (God said it was good. He didn't talk about sex in hushed tones)

2. It was pleasurable: It is OK as it is wholesome and is given to us by God.

3. It was to be between a man and a woman. Every sexual relationship God approves of includes three elements: Man, woman, and marriage. If any aspect of that is missing it is not OK. We are called to leave behind a life of sin. We must speak the truth in love.

Chapter 3 Wedding procession

Chapter 4: 5,6 Solomon's bride

Chapter 4:12 Virginity as a fountain that is sealed or a garden  that is locked.

Chapter 5:1 locked garden no more (their marriage was consummated)

Chapter 7:10 I belong to my lover and my lover belongs to me.

4. To be reserved for the marriage relationship. Some say the book of Song of Solomon has a chiastic structure and the marriage is the apex of the book.

5. It is Egalitarian (She says more than he does) The man shouldn't alway have to take the initiative. A return to the garden of Eden means they are both equal.

6. Chapter 8:6 seal upon the wrist or neck claiming something as a possession for Love is a permanent as death. Verse 7 "Many waters can not quench love".

Chapter 3 wedding procession

4,5,6, about Solomon's bride

4:12 about virginity (a fountain that is sealed and a garden that is locked)

5:1 intimacy as garden isn't locked any more

7:10 I belong to my lover and I belong to him. (It is an exclusive relationship.)

• Parents have responsibility to discipline children in love (Prov. 13:24)
• Children should respect their parents (Proverbs 4:1,2)
• Sexual immorality destroys the family (Prov. 5:3, 8-11)

Qoheleth: speaker, teacher, preacher of an assembly

He is not mentioned by name (As compared to other books in the OT that are associated with Solomon)

• Eccl. 1:1,12 verse 12 notes how the author as king of divided Israel (Only one son of David was a king of a divided Israel)
• Eccl. 2:4-8 seems to describe Solomon's reign i.e. massive building programs, wealth and prestige for the nation, spiritual decline etc (Compare with I Kings 10:14, 26; 11:1,3; Deut 17:16,17)

1. In historical books, David is described as a skilled musician.

2. Jesus attributes authorship (of Psalm 110 in particular) to David (in Matthew 22:43)

Peter and the Apostles attribute certain Psalms to David (Acts 4:25)

3. 73 Titles out of 150 identify it as the Psalm of David and are in the earliest manuscripts

The titles and superscriptions of the Psalms were concerned with:

1. Authorship

2. Historical Occasion

3. Function of Psalm

4. Musical References

5. Type of Psalm (For instance Psalm 92 was a song for the Sabbath. Psalm 30 was a song at the dedication of the temple. Psalm 22 to be sung to the tune of the dow of the morning

Anointed One

(Chosen by God to bring salvation and deliverance to the world.)

To be filled or full of meaning

to illuminate or shed light.

1. Direct messianic Prophecy...an explicit prediction on  a coming deliverer and has a clear reference to the future.

2. Typical Messianic Prophecy: persons, events and institutions that were divinely designated to give a preview of a coming messiah and they have a point of reference for their own day but also foreshadow the future.  Examples: Tabernacle..God wanted to dwell in it and later when Jesus came he dwelt among us.

Ecclesiastes: Qoheleth

Song of Solomon: is Song of Songs or Canticles

Main theme: Life lived by purely earthly values without faith in God is futile, empty, and ultimately meaningless.

Key Term:

Vanity of Vanities

Under the Sun

• Acts 2:36 God has made Jesus both Lord and Messiah
• John 20:30,31 Jesus was Messiah
• Jesus journeyed with the men on the road to Emmanus and he opened the scriptues to them, maybe Psalm 22, Isaiah 9, Isaiah 53 about the Messiah.
• Many times in the NT we see that it says "This was to fulfill) Matthew 2:15 out of Egypt I have called my son.
• Prophecies regarding the temple were also regarding Jesus. "Jesus tabernacled or pictched his tent with us and he dwelt among us.
• Israel passed through the red sea nd JEsus through the Jordan.
• Jesus was in the wilderness and Israel was in the wilderness
• Jesus gave the sermon on the mount and then the 10 commandments were given on a mountain.
• Ezekiel 34:23 I will establish one shepherd over them and he will feed them.