Synonymous parallelism is a common literary device used in Hebrew poetry, especially in the Old Testament books like Psalms and Proverbs. It involves restating an idea using different words and phrases that have the same or similar meaning. The repetition of the thought with slightly different wording creates a poetic rhythm and emphasizes the point being made.
Some key things to understand about synonymous parallelism:
Definition
Synonymous parallelism is when two lines (or half-lines) of poetry say essentially the same thing using different words. The second line echoes or restates the first line, reinforcing the initial idea or imagery. For example:
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)
“The Lord is my shepherd” is paralleled by “I shall not want.” Both lines convey the idea of God’s provision and care.
Function
– Reinforces the point through repetition
– Provides clarity through restatement
– Creates rhythm and structure in the poetry
– Makes the imagery more vivid and memorable
Examples from Psalms
Synonymous parallelism can take several forms:
Complete parallelism – Both lines say essentially the same thing:
“For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.” (Psalm 1:6)
Partial parallelism – The second line extends or develops the first:
“He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.” (Psalm 2:4)
Antithetical parallelism – The second line contrasts the first:
“For the wicked boast of the desires of their heart,
but the righteous boast in the Lord.” (Psalm 94:3)
Emblematic parallelism – One line is figurative, the other line literal:
“As the deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.” (Psalm 42:1)
Prevalence in Biblical poetry
Synonymous parallelism is the most common form of parallelism found in Biblical poetry, especially in Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and the Prophets. Some scholars estimate it occurs in around 50% of the poetic lines in the Old Testament. This repetition and restatement served both a poetic and didactic purpose – making the images memorable while driving home the point.
Comparison to English poetry
This poetic device is much more pervasive in Hebrew poetry than English poetry. Repetition of this kind would feel cumbersome and redundant in English literature. But it was an essential part of the Hebrew literary style, used skillfully to highlight important themes. The repetition also aided in the oral transmission of texts like Psalms before they were written down.
Word pairs
Certain specific pairs of synonymous words are very common in Hebrew poetry. These include:
– Good // righteousness
– Evil // wickedness
– Faithful // steadfast
– Truth // faithfulness
– Light // salvation
When we see these paired words, it’s a clue that synonymous parallelism is being employed. The Hebrew poets had a toolbox of stock words and phrases they would weave together in creative ways.
Translation challenges
It can be difficult to fully convey synonymous parallelism from Hebrew to modern languages like English. Translators must strike a balance between being literal and capturing the sense of repetition. Often some of the literary flourish gets lost, as translators choose words that communicate meaning over replicating the poetic structure.
Interpretation principles
Some principles to keep in mind when analyzing synonymous parallelism:
– Focus on how the parallel lines work together to reinforce the overall message
– Look for the emphasis or details added through the restatement
– Think about how the specific word choices highlight key themes
– Consider how the parallelism contributes to the tone or emotional impact
– Be cautious not to read too much doctrinal significance into minor word variations
– Appreciate how form and content work together in Hebrew poetry
Purpose
Understanding synonymous parallelism is key to interpreting biblical poetry well. The repetition and restatement serve to drive home key theological truths and make them memorable. By focusing on the message and movement of the parallel lines, we can better grasp the purpose and meaning of passages like Psalms, Proverbs, and prophetic oracles.
Parallelism reveals how Hebrew poets and prophets crafted their messages with skill. By creatively echoing and building upon earlier lines, they underscored critical themes like God’s justice, mercy, sovereignty, and faithfulness. Grasping parallelism helps us see the beauty, artistry and significance of these influential writings.
Prominent examples from Psalms
Psalm 19:7-9
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Each line highlights attributes of God’s law using synonymous parallelism. Ideas like restoration, wisdom, joy and enlightenment are repeated using different terms. The overall effect is to elevate and praise God’s perfect commands.
Psalm 103:8
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
God’s mercy and graciousness are reinforced through parallel descriptions of patience and covenant loyalty. This verse became a foundational statement about God’s compassionate character.
Psalm 145:18
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
The second line intensifies the first by specifying God’s nearness is to the faithful and sincere. This verse emphasizes God’s personal concern for those who seek him.
Examples from Proverbs
Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The contrasting lines illustrate the divergent effects of speech – pacifying or provoking. Kind, gentle responses diffuse wrath, while harsh words escalate anger.
Proverbs 17:22
A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
The positive effects of cheerfulness are heightened by contrasting them with the corrosive effects of depression. As body and soul are interlinked, each profoundly impacts the other.
Proverbs 18:8
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
Gossip is temptingly tasty, but ends up corrupting one’s inmost being. The parallelism vividly conveys how seemingly harmless chatter in fact causes great harm.
Prophetic examples
Isaiah 1:3
The ox knows its owner,
and the donkey its master’s crib,
but Israel does not know,
my people do not understand.
Even barnyard animals recognize their providers, unlike ungrateful Israel. The prophetic rebuke is heightened using animal contrasts.
Jeremiah 23:29
Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord,
and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
God’s word has purifying and pulverizing power. The similes of fire and hammer reinforce each other through parallel imagery.
Malachi 3:17
They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts,
in the day when I make up my treasured possession,
and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.
The treasured status of the faithful is intensified through the father-son analogy. Protection and care will belong to those who are God’s own.
Poetic impact
When used skillfully, synonymous parallelism promotes:
– Clarity – by restating the main thought with different words
– Emphasis – by doubling the force of the idea through repetition
– Lyricism – by establishing a rhythm through the parallel phrases
– Comprehension – by reinforcing the point through repackaging it
– Memorability – by virture of repetition and patterning
So by employing this technique, the biblical writers could craft lines that were easy to remember, aesthetically pleasing, ritually recitable, and full of theological significance. The pairing of lines, phrases, and ideas is the engine driving much of the Old Testament’s most elevated and carefully composed artistry. Masterful use of parallelism contributes greatly to the timeless eloquence of these ancient texts.
Conclusion
In summary, synonymous parallelism is a defining feature of biblical poetry, especially in the books of Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and the Prophets. By restating an idea in a second poetic line using different vocabulary, the biblical writers could strengthen the emotion, theology, imagery, and memorability of their compositions. Grasping the nature and use of parallelism is essential to understanding the full depth and impact of these treasured texts. Through skillful coupling of lines and phrases, Scripture’s authors crafted beautiful praises, wise sayings, laments, and oracles that continue to shape faith and culture today.