Poetry is a creative form of writing. Poetry deviates from normal, everyday, language; it can break normal rules of grammar and it often contains figurative language that suggests its underlying meaning. Poetry can be rhythmic and musical, it can be condensed and ambiguous, and it can be difficult for many to interpret.
There are many different forms of poetry spanning all nations, cultures, and time periods. Different forms of poetry encompass different structures, styles, elements, and common themes. The English and Italian sonnets make use of rhyming. The Japanese waka and haiku focus on syllable structure rather than rhyme scheme. Ancient Hebrew poetry is formed on ideas rather than rhyme scheme or syllable structure. Understanding the culture, style, and structure of a poem is important for accurately interpreting it.
Large portions of the Bible are written in poetry. Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and Lamentations are entirely poetic. The book of Job is largely poetic. Much prophecy is written in poetic form. Exodus contains poems including Moses’ and Miriam’s songs after crossing the Sea of Reeds, and Deuteronomy contains Moses’ song of instruction before his death. With such a significant portion of the Bible being written in poetry, it is essential to understand how to interpret poetry before one can truly understand the scriptures.
Characteristics of Hebrew Poetry in the Bible
Ancient Hebrew poetry is structured on thoughts rather than rhyming or syllabic schemes. The structure of ancient Hebrew poetry follows a model of parallelism where a thought is initially presented; then, the thought is emphasized, contrasted, expounded, or summarized in the succeeding lines. The final product of the poem presents a central idea the reader can readily identify for spiritual instruction, praise, or worship.
Parallelism has a few types:
Synonymous Parallelism
In synonymous parallelism, an idea is initially presented then the same idea is restated in a different way in the following part of the poem. The restated idea is the same as the first, but its repetition creates emphasis to add weight to the central idea.
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
and one who waters will himself be watered. (Proverbs 11:25, ESV)
The central theme of this proverb is the benefits of selflessly serving and helping others. Both parts of Proverbs 11:25 essentially say the same thing. First, one who blesses others will be blessed. Then in the second part, one who nourishes others will be nourished. When read in whole, the poem generates the spiritual concept that in serving and helping others we also will be served and fulfilled.
When interpreting poems of synonymous parallelism, we first look for the central thought to the poem. What idea is being presented? Then, we look for the key words or phrases in each part that parallel one another. How is the idea being applied and emphasized? When we understand the thought, the parallel language, and the emphasis of the poem we are ready to accurately interpret the text.
Antithetic Parallelism
Antithetic parallelism centers on a single concept but expresses it with contrasting ideas. The first part of the poem will state an idea then the second part will state an opposing aspect of the idea. The contrasting statement of the second part serves to underscore the concept of the first idea or present its alternative. Antithetic parallelism often teaches lessons in a “this or that” manner, where the reader is presented with the benefits of the positive versus the penalty of the negative.
The way of YHWH is a stronghold to the blameless,
but destruction to evildoers. (Proverbs 10:29)
The central theme of this proverb is the way of YHWH and how one relates to it. In the first line we are told YHWH’s way is a fortress, a safehouse, to His blameless children. The second line contrasts the first by stating YHWH’s way (His Torah) is destruction (because it will convict and condemn) for the wicked. The contrasting form of the poem gives readers a clear understanding of the dual application of YHWH’s way: To support and protect the righteous, who walk with YHWH, or to condemn and destroy the wicked, who rebel against Him.
Like interpreting synonymous parallelism, we interpret antithetic parallelism by first identifying the central thought of the poem. What idea is being presented? Then we look for the contrasting words or phrases to understand the full concept of the message.
Synthetic Parallelism
Synthetic parallelism expounds on an idea. The central idea is given in the first part of the poem. Then, the next part of the poem adds additional information to the first. All parts center on the main concept of the poem, but they do so by expanding the concept throughout the poem.
O YHWH, how long shall I cry for help,
and you will not hear?Or cry to you “Violence!”
and you will not save?Why do you make me see iniquity,
and why do you idly look at wrong? (Habakkuk 1:1-3)
Here we have a three-part poem. The entire section encompasses the central thought that YHWH appears unresponsive to evil and injustice in the world. The first part expresses the idea of Habakkuk crying for help (line 1) but seemingly receiving no response (line 2). The second part adds additional details that Habakkuk cries out at the violence around him (line 3) but seemingly receives no aid (line 4). Finally, the third part adds the idea that Habakkuk must see sinful behavior (line 5) while YHWH seems to remain idle (line 6). When put together, the entire text centers on the question of why YHWH appears unresponsive to evil and injustice; the thought is posed as a successive set of lines adding additional information to the main idea.
If you look up Habakkuk 1:1-3 you will see I cut off the third verse and didn’t fully present it above. This was done intentionally, because the first six lines of the poem encompass a single thought. The remaining verses 3 – 4 is a second six-line poem expressing a second thought. I used the verse numbering of the ESV translation, which fuses together two distinct poems in verse 3. We should be mindful that chapter and verse numbering does not appear in the original manuscripts but was added later for ease of referencing the scriptures. In my opinion, I would have ended verse 3 at the sixth line of the poem because this is the end of the poem. For the sake of maintaining fullness and complete presentation of the verses, I will present the remainder of verses 3 and 4:
Destruction and violence are before me;
strife and contention arise.So the law is paralyzed,
and justice never goes forth.For the wicked surround the righteous;
so justice goes forth perverted. (Habakkuk 1:3-4)
This six-line poem encompasses the central idea of YHWH’s Torah being nullified and rendered weak by its seeming lack of enforcement and justice. The first two lines present the idea of destruction, violence, strife, and contention (all acts of the sinful flesh) being commonplace. The third and fourth lines add the additional information that the Torah is paralyzed by the apparent lack of justice. The final lines further expounds the idea by stating how the wicked outnumber the righteous and pervert justice.
The opening four verses of Habakkuk comprise two distinct six-line poems, each expressing individual ideas in parallelism form. The two poems then blend together to form a single twelve-line synthetic parallelism poem. Interpreted together, verses 1 – 3 present the idea of YHWH seeming unresponsive to sin and suffering. Then, verses 3 – 4 add the idea that YHWH’s seeming unresponsiveness causes a perversion of justice. This understanding helps us to interpret the text in fullness. We can see how one portion of the text presents an idea in the form of a parallelism poem. Then, we see how the second portion connects with the first (even though the second portion could stand alone as a poem unto itself). This interconnectedness of poems across chapters is an awesomeness in the form and structure of YHWH’s word.
As in all types of parallelism, we interpret synthetic parallelism by first identifying the central idea of the poem. Then, we look for the words or phrases that progressively build on the concept. Having identified the central idea and its progressive buildup, we are able to interpret the meaning of the text.
Climactic Parallelism
Climactic parallelism is characterized by a building of a thought or idea over multiple lines, followed by a conclusive statement. This form of parallelism introduces the main idea then continues to build on the idea progressively over a number of lines. Then, the climactic parallelism finishes by arriving at a climactic statement or summary.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them. (Psalms 115:4-8, ESV)
In this selection from Psalm 115, the poem begins by introducing the idea that idols (statues of false gods) are merely objects made by human hands. The next several lines of the poem progressively build on the idea that idols are mere objects by illustrating their lack of life, senses, and abilities. Finally, the poem concludes with a summation that all who make and trust in idols will themselves become lifeless and without sense or ability.
We interpret the climactic parallelism by first identifying the opening statement, which contains the main thought or idea. Then, we note the progressive building of the thought and pay attention to the interrelatedness of the successive lines. Finally, we examine the climax or summary and how it is logically arrived from the premises of the building lines. When we examine the climactic parallelism poem in full, we see the poem has a logical flow of premises reaching an ultimate conclusion regarding a single thought or idea.