Week 4: Bridging the Language &

Grammatical Gap

Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics

Goals of Hermeneutics

Exegesis

Contextualization

Cultural

Grammatical

Literary

Language

Gaps to be Bridged

Goals of Hermeneutics

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

James 5:13-16

Bridging the Language Gap

Cultural

Grammatical

Literary

Language

Gaps to be Bridged

Goals of Hermeneutics

1. Meaning of words (Lexicology)2. Form of words (Morphology)3. Function of words (Parts of Speech)4. Relationship of words (Syntax)

Bridging the Grammatical Gap

Meaning of Words (Lexicology)How words are derived and developed

(Etymology)Discover its UsageDiscover any Synonyms and AntonymsConsider the Context

Bridging the Grammatical Gap

Meaning of Words (Lexicology)How words are derived and developed.

(Etymology)Ex. Gk word for “church”ekklesia from ek (“out of”) and kalein (“to call or

summon”)Discover its UsageDiscover any Synonyms and AntonymsConsider the Context

Bridging the Grammatical Gap

Meaning of Words (Lexicology)How words are derived and developed.

(Etymology)Discover its Usage

How we use “left”.“Sarx” has been translated: humanity (Rom. 3:20),

human body (2 Cor. 12:7), muscles (Luke 24:39), man’s sinful nature (Rom. 8:6-7)

Note the usage of the word by same writer in same or other books.

Discover any Synonyms and AntonymsConsider the Context

Bridging the Grammatical Gap

Meaning of Words (Lexicology)How words are derived and developed.

(Etymology)Discover its usageDiscover any Synonyms and Antonym

Finding words of similar or opposite in meaning.Ex. “never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in

the way of a brother.” (Rom. 14:13)stumbling block (skandalon)- serious kind of

offense.hindrance (proskomma)- slight, minor offense.Paul is covering a range of offense.

Consider the Context

Bridging the Grammatical Gap

Meaning of Words (Lexicology)How words are derived and developed.

(Etymology)Discover its UsageDiscover any Synonyms and AntonymsConsider the Context

Text without context is pretext!Need to consider its immediate and wider context.

In the context of the verse, paragraph, chapter and book.

Group Exercise

Bridging the Grammatical Gap

1. Meaning of words (Lexicology)2. Form of words (Morphology)3. Function of words (Parts of Speech)4. Relationship of words (Syntax)

Bridging the Grammatical Gap

Forms of Words (Morphology)Refers to the way words are put together.

i.e. prefix or suffixExample- “fuse”fuses (n.), refuse (verb), refusal (n.)

Functions of Words (Parts of Speech) Noun FamilyVerb Family

Examples:Eph. 2:20Rom. 3:23

Bridging the Grammatical Gap

Relationships of Words (Syntax)The way words are put together to form

phrases, clauses, or sentences.Ex.- Eph. 1:4-5

 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ…(NKJ)

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love (5) he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ… (ESV)

Bridging the Grammatical Gap

1. Meaning of words (Lexicology)2. Form of words (Morphology)3. Function of words (Parts of Speech)4. Relationship of words (Syntax)

Bridging the Grammatical Gap

Figures of SpeechA figure of speech is a word or phrase that is

used to communicate something other than its literal, natural meaning.

SimileA comparison in which 2 different things.Example:

He is like a tree planted by streams of water. (Ps. 1:3)

All flesh is like grass. (I Pet. 1:24)

Bridging the Grammatical Gap

MetaphorA comparison in which one thing is or acts like

or represents another. Uses one thing to mean another and makes comparison between the two.

Example:The Lord is my Shepherd. (Ps. 23:1)You are the salt of the Earth. (Mt. 5:13)

Bridging the Grammatical Gap

PersonificationThe ascribing of human characteristics or actions

to inanimate objects or ideas or to animals.Example:

The trees of the field will clap their hands. (Isa. 55:12)

AnthropomorphismThe ascribing of human characteristics or actions

to God.Example:

O Lord hear my voice, let your ears be attentive. (Ps. 130.2 )

Bridging the Grammatical Gap

AnthropopathismThe ascribing of human emotions to God.Example:

I am exceedingly zealous for Zion. (Zech. 8:1) Zoomorphism

The ascribing of animal characteristics to GodExample:

…under His wings you will find refuge. (Ps. 91:4)

Bridging the Grammatical Gap

EuphemismThe substituting of an inoffensive or mild

expression for an offensive personal one.Example:

He fell asleep. (Acts 7:60) Hyperbole

An exaggeration in which more is said than is literal; meant to add emphasis.

Example:Every night I flood my bed with tears. I drench

my couch with my weeping. (Ps. 6:6)

Bridging the Grammatical Gap

IronyThe underlying message of the speaker is

different than the literal meaning.

Example:Micah said to David “How the king of Israel has

distinguished himself today.” (2 Sam. 6:20) Elijah taunting the prophets of Baal, “Shout

louder…surely he is a god!” (I Kings 18:27)

Bridging the Grammatical Gap