This document provides an overview of principles for interpreting different genres in the Old Testament, including historical narrative, poetry, prophets, and wisdom literature. Some key points discussed are: - Interpreting OT passages in light of their original historical context and meaning to the original audience - Understanding features of Hebrew poetry like parallelism that influence interpretation - Recognizing that most OT prophecies addressed contemporary issues rather than future events - Interpreting wisdom books like Job and Ecclesiastes as a whole and in consideration of their overall message - Applying genres appropriately rather than imposing modern meanings not intended by the original authors

1. Understanding the Bible
Session 5: Interpreting the
Old Testament
Mark E. Hardgrove, PhD, DMin, MDiv
2019
Grace Baptist Church

2. OT Interpretation
• Always approach the text with the question: What
does this passage mean?
• NOT: What do I think it means?
• OR: This is what it means to me.
• We start with the correct interpretation so that we
can make the proper application.

3. OT Interpretation
• The same rules of interpretation that we’ve already
discussed apply to the OT as well:
• Authorial intent
• What it meant to the original audience
• Historical context
• Grammatical context
• Word studies
• Big picture

4. OT Interpretation
• Why should we study the OT?
• Didn’t Jesus fulfill the Law (Matt. 5:17)?
• Isn’t all the Law and Prophets contained in two
commands - love God and love others (Matt. 22:40)?
• Isn’t the NT a “new covenant” (Luke 22:0), a “better
covenant” (Heb. 7:22; 8:6), and an “everlasting
covenant” (Heb. 13:20)?
• So why should we study the Old Testament (Covenant)?

5. The Importance of the OT
• The OT prepares us for the NT.
• The OT prophesies of the coming Messiah.
• The OT is filled with types and shadows of Jesus.
• The OT was the Bible for Jesus and the apostles.
• Our understanding of the NT would be incomplete
without the OT.
• There are timeless principles in the OT.
• Much of the NT comes right from the OT.

7. Approximate dates for early history
• 4000 B.C. Creation
• 2400 B.C. Flood
• 2100 B.C. Abraham
• 1875 B.C. Descent into Egypt
• 1445 B.C. Exodus
• 1000 B.C. David
• 450 B.C. Last book of the OT (Malachi) is written
A thorough treatment of the subject is available at:
Chronology of the OT: A Return to Basics, by F. N. Jones
Collins, J. J. (2004). Introduction to the Hebrew Bible. Fortress Press.

8. OT Division
• The way the OT is divided differs between the
Jewish Bible and the Christian Bible. They have the
exact same books, but they are categorized and
listed differently.
• Because we will be working with the Christian Bible,
let’s focus on how the OT books are arranged in our
Bibles.

9. OT Division
The Pentateuch (Hebrew – Torah) 5 Books of Moses
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Main themes: promise, election, deliverance, covenant,
law, and land.
La Sor, W. S., Hubbard, D. A., & Bush, F. W. (1982). Old Testament Survey. Eerdmans.

10. OT Division
History (12 Books)
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Covers the conquest of
Canaan to the exile and
return to the promised land
La Sor, W. S., Hubbard, D. A., & Bush, F. W. (1982). Old Testament Survey. Eerdmans.

11. OT Division
Poetry – Wisdom Books
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Theology of . . .
Suffering
Godly Worship
Practical Living
Godly Life
Love
Barnett, J. (2014, July 22). How to Interpret the Bible Corectly – The Bridge of Old Testament History.
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YMHxftn4uY

12. OT Division
Major Prophets (5 Books)
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
La Sor, W. S., Hubbard, D. A., & Bush, F. W. (1982). Old Testament Survey. Eerdmans.

13. OT Division
Minor Prophets (12 Books)
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
La Sor, W. S., Hubbard, D. A., & Bush, F. W. (1982). Old Testament Survey. Eerdmans.

14. OT Interpretation of Genres
Historical Narrative
As we discussed with the Book of Acts, historical
narrative is the straightforward account of historical
events as they unfolded.
However, in Scripture they are arranged, and specific
accounts included, with a “big picture” perspective.
Often with allusions to Christ throughout.
Two main ways of interpreting Scripture are:
Christological and Principalization

15. OT Interpretation of Genres
Historical Narrative
The Pentateuch is a combination of historical narrative
and law.
We are no longer under the law, but there remain
timeless truths and principles that we can benefit from.
There is a balance between trying to reinstitute
elements of the law, or dismissing the OT altogether.

16. OT Interpretation of Genres
Historical Narrative
As the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew and Luke
illustrate, the entire OT is a ticking clock, an historical
progressive revelation of God that culminates in “the
fullness of time” (Gal. 4:4-5) with the birth of the
Messiah. (Progressive Revelation)
The OT shows that Jesus was born to the right parents,
in the right place, at the right time, which confirms Him
as Messiah.

17. Interpretation of Genres
Hebrew Poetry
About one-third of the OT is poetic in form.
Psalms, of course, but also Job, Proverbs, Song of
Solomon, Lamentations, Amos, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum,
Habakkuk, and Zephaniah.
With the prominence of poetry in the OT, it is important
to understand Hebrew poetry as it relates to
interpretation.
Audirsch, J. (2016, Fall). Interpreting Hebrew Poetry. Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry, 13(2),

18. Interpretation of Genres
Hebrew Poetry – Guiding Principles for Interpretation
Features of Hebrew Poetry:
1. It is terse, compact and concentrated.
2. Uses parallelism, repetition of words/phrases,
emphasis on phronology (how it sounds, through the
use of alliteration, rhyme, etc.).
3. Contains a heightened use of figurative language
such as hyperbole, irony, allusion, symbols, etc.
Audirsch, J. (2016, Fall). Interpreting Hebrew Poetry. Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry, 13(2),

19. Interpretation of Genres
Hebrew Poetry – Guiding Principles for Interpretation
Parallelism is when a word or phrase form a grammatical
construction in which one line corresponds to another
by why of:
•Synonym – repeats the same thing with different words
•Antithesis – states the opposite in the following line
•Synthetic - thoughts are brought together to emphasize
similarities, contrasts, or other correlations
Audirsch, J. (2016, Fall). Interpreting Hebrew Poetry. Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry, 13(2),

20. Interpretation of Genres
Hebrew Poetry – Guiding Principles for Interpretation
One type of synthetic parallelism simply classifies certain
behaviors or traits. For example, Proverbs 21:4 classifies
three characteristics of a wicked heart:
“Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
the lamp of the wicked, are sin!”
What is Synthetic Parallelism? (2019). Retrieved from https://www.gotquestions.org/synthetic-parallelism.html

21. Interpretation of Genres
Hebrew Poetry – Guiding Principles for Interpretation
Another type of synthetic parallelism presents an action
side by side with another action of greater (or lesser)
consequence. Proverbs 21:27 is an example:
“The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable –
how much more so when brought with evil intent!”
This verse takes one sinful action—offering a sacrifice with a
wicked heart—and compares it to an even greater sin—
offering the sacrifice for the express purpose of sinning!
What is Synthetic Parallelism? (2019). Retrieved from https://www.gotquestions.org/synthetic-parallelism.html

22. Interpretation of Genres
Hebrew Poetry – Guiding Principles for Interpretation
Another type of synthetic parallelism involves the formula
“better this than that.” For example, Ecclesiastes 7:5
“It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke
than to listen to the song of fools.”
Proper guidance is valuable; no amount of entertainment
can compensate for bad advice.
What is Synthetic Parallelism? (2019). Retrieved from https://www.gotquestions.org/synthetic-parallelism.html

23. Interpretation of Genres
Hebrew Poetry – Guiding Principles for Interpretation
1. Identify a self-contained literary unit, for example,
David’s repentance in Psalm 51.
2. Read it over and over in a variety of translations.
3. Identify parallelisms in the text.
4. Identify major themes, theological points or events.
5. Identify the historical background of the text.
Audirsch, J. (2016, Fall). Interpreting Hebrew Poetry. Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry, 13(2),

24. Interpretation of Genres
Hebrew Poetry – Guiding Principles for Interpretation
6. Identify figurative and cultural-specific language.
7. Identify the main purpose of the text: Is it trying to
elicit a response? What response – praise, lament,
repentance, return to the law, etc.?
8. Identify any timeless truths or godly principles that
are applicable for the contemporary reader.
9. Reflect on how this text impacts you. Are you
praising, living right, honoring God?
Audirsch, J. (2016, Fall). Interpreting Hebrew Poetry. Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry, 13(2),

25. Interpretation of Genres
The Prophets
Contrary to what we might think, according to OT
scholars Fee and Stuart, less than 2 percent of OT
prophecy is messianic, and less than 5 percent deals
with the new age that is coming.
Most of OT prophecy deals with the situation of the
nation (Judah or Israel) contemporaneous to the
prophet – e.g., rebellion, idolatry, disregard for God’s
law, outward worship but inward apostacy, etc.
Duvall, J. S. & Hays, J. D. (2012). Grasping God’s Word. Zondervan.

26. Interpretation of Genres
The Prophets
It is important to understand the historical context in
which the prophet spoke.
The Basic Prophetic Message
1. You have broken the covenant; you must repent!
2. No repentance? Then judgement!
3. Yet, there is hope beyond judgment for a glorious
future restoration.
Duvall, J. S. & Hays, J. D. (2012). Grasping God’s Word. Zondervan.

27. Interpretation of Genres
The Prophets
The prophets indict Israel on the charges of idolatry,
social injustice, and religious ritualism.
The prophets use the image of the unfaithful wife to
underscore the pain God feels when His people are
unfaithful.
A proper relationship with God requires proper
relationship with people (social justice).
Duvall, J. S. & Hays, J. D. (2012). Grasping God’s Word. Zondervan.

28. Interpretation of Genres
The Prophets
Israel become more interested in formalized ritualistic
religion than they were in their relationship with God.
The common theme is that judgment is coming, but God
would rather receive their contrition and repentance so
that the relationship can be restored.
The promise is that there will be restoration after
judgment, and it will be better.
Duvall, J. S. & Hays, J. D. (2012). Grasping God’s Word. Zondervan.

29. Interpretation of Genres
The Prophets
Moving into the New Testament, we find that
forgiveness and restoration find their ultimate
expression in Jesus Christ.
There are predictive passages, things yet to be fulfilled.
Sometimes they use “prophetic foreshortening” which
essentially hits the highpoints of things to come, but
which can obscure the passage of time between the
events.
Duvall, J. S. & Hays, J. D. (2012). Grasping God’s Word. Zondervan.

30. Interpretation of Genres
The Wisdom Literature
Job speaks to how we are to live in times of trouble, but
does not reveal why we face times of trouble.
Ultimately, the message is that God is sovereign and our
response to the struggles of life, while honest and
human, must always yield to the sovereignty of God and
trust Him to balance the books in the end.
Parsons, G. W. (1994). Guidelines for Interpreting and Proclaiming Job. Bibliotheca Sacra, 151, 393-413. Retrieved from
https://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/ted_hildebrandt/otesources/18-job/text/articles/parsons-understandingjob-bs.pdf

31. Interpretation of Genres
The Wisdom Literature
“The wisdom literature of the Old Testament such as
Ecclesiastes and Job are characterized by their use of
proverbs. Proverbs are commonly found in poetic literature
(Ps 119:105). Jesus also uses proverbs (Mark 12:17). The
Epistle of James also contains many proverbs. The proverb
is a common literary form used in the Bible.”
Proverbs gives guidance for life, addressing situations that
are normally true.
McCabe, R. V. (n.d.) Interpreting Proverbs. Old Testament Studies. Retrieved from
http://www.oldtestamentstudies.org/my-papers/other-papers/wisdom-literature/interpreting-proverbs/

32. Interpretation of Genres
The Wisdom Literature
Ecclesiastes must be interpreted as a whole. You must
have the big picture and hear the conclusion of the
matter before trying to interpret the individual passages
in the text.
The “teacher” discovers that a rational approach to life
alone, or seeking pleasure alone, are all empty
approaches. In the end, one should begin with God.
Duvall, J. S. & Hays, J. D. (2012). Grasping God’s Word. Zondervan.

33. Interpretation of Genres
The Wisdom Literature
The Song of Solomon is filled with literary symbolism
related to human sexuality. It is collection of love poems
between a young man and young woman.
Some have seen it as an allegory for the relationship
between Christ and the church, but would the early
readers have seen this?
Duvall, J. S. & Hays, J. D. (2012). Grasping God’s Word. Zondervan.

34. Interpretation of Genres
The Wisdom Literature
More recently, biblical interpreters have embraced the
sexual nature of the text as a healthy relationship
between a husband and wife.
Human sexuality and the desire for intimacy between
husband and wife were as much a reality then, as they
are now.
Duvall, J. S. & Hays, J. D. (2012). Grasping God’s Word. Zondervan.

35. In Conclusion
The Bible is “the Word of God,” and through it He is still
speaking to His people.
The question is, Do we hear His voice?
We must never impose upon the God’s word, meaning
that is not there. Let God speak for Himself, even when
it is uncomfortable and challenging.
Do not merely be students of the Word, but endeavor to
be disciples of Christ, obeying His Word.
In Hebrew, the words “obey” and “hear” are the same.