The Scripture is written in human language. There are different types of written communication, and understanding that Scripture is composed of different types and styles of writing is necessary for properly understanding the content. Understanding the figurative language of poetry can be quite different than understanding legal code.

Literary

Different Genres have different special interpretation needs and methodologies. When looking at different genres, it is important to understand the type of literature you are reading and to interpret it according to the special features that it exhibits.

Context is always important as well, and with each passage, parable, book, or song, it is important to ask ‘how does this relate?’ What is the historical and cultural backgrounds of this literature?

Some general guidelines to approaching literature:

1. Determine the occasion of the literature.

   • Why and when was it written? What is its historical context?

2. Begin by looking at the book as a literary document.

3. Read every verse and paragraph within its context.

4. Read each book as a theological document.

5. Recognize the authority of the book as the word of God.
   

Each genre will have special interpretive needs. You will need to learn about the genre you are interpreting to understand how to interpret it properly.

For more information:

• Klein, Blomberg, and Hubbard. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. “Part III: Understanding Literature,” 155-257.

• Kaiser, Walter C. and Silva, Moises, An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics. “Part 2: Understanding the Text: Meaning in Literary Genres,” 69-162.

• Leland Ryken, How to Read the Bible as Literature (Grand Rapids, Mich. Zondervan, 1984).

• Lee, Paul Tan, The Interpretation of Prophecy (Dallas, Tx. Bible Communications, Inc. 1974).

• Duvall, J. Scott, and J. Daniel Hays, "The Literary Context" in Grasping God's Word (Grand Rapids, Mich. Zondervan, 2001).

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