Synthetic parallelism is a literary device commonly found in Hebrew poetry, especially in the Old Testament books like Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and the Prophets. It involves arranging successive lines or phrases in a parallel structure to express a complete thought.
In synthetic parallelism, the second line (or subsequent lines) builds upon or develops the idea presented in the first line. It does not merely repeat the same idea in different words like synonymous parallelism. Instead, it provides a supplementary, complementary, or even contrasting perspective to form a complete, unified whole.
For example, Psalm 19:1 states:
“The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
Here the second line adds to the first by specifying that it is particularly the sky that declares God’s glory and handiwork. The lines work together to convey the full meaning.
Some key features of synthetic parallelism:
– The lines are related and complementary, with the subsequent lines building upon the first line.
– There is a growth or development of thought across the lines.
– The lines form a unified whole in expressing the full idea.
– There may be grammatical similarities between the lines, like using the same sentence structure.
– But the vocabulary and concepts are not merely repeated or rephrased.
There are several sub-types of synthetic parallelism found in Hebrew poetry:
Complementary – The second line supplements the first by providing related information. E.g. Psalm 1:1 – “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.” Each line adds to the portrait of the righteous man by describing where he does not walk, stand, or sit.
Antithetical – The second line provides a contrast to the first. E.g. Proverbs 10:1 – “A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.” The antithesis highlights the difference between wisdom and folly.
Climactic – The lines build to a peak, with the last line being the climactic emphasis. E.g. Psalm 29:1 – “Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.” The focus builds to the climax of ascribing glory and strength to the Lord.
Informative – The subsequent lines provide explanatory details about the first line. E.g. 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.” The later lines give examples of animal knowledge to clarify Israel’s lack of knowledge.
So in summary, synthetic parallelism is an important Hebrew poetic technique for expressing a complete thought by building up ideas across multiple lines in a complementary manner. The sequential lines work together by developing, contrasting, clarifying, or expanding upon the initial idea. This provides a richness of thought and expression to Hebrew poetry.
Here are some further examples to illustrate synthetic parallelism:
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.
Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Isaiah 5:7
For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts
is the house of Israel,
and the men of Judah
are his pleasant planting;
and he looked for justice,
but behold, bloodshed;
for righteousness,
but behold, an outcry!
Job 28:12,20
But where shall wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
…
From where, then, does wisdom come?
And where is the place of understanding?
The cumulative development, contrast, and supplementation of thought across the lines embody the essence of synthetic parallelism. This structure not only shapes the expression of the verses but also the meaning itself. The full sense is completed and enriched through the parallel composition.
Understanding how synthetic parallelism works provides greater insight into the artistry and message of Hebrew poetry. Scholars analyze the precise relationship between the lines – whether complementing, advancing, detailing, climaxing – to elucidate the verse’s sentiment and theology. This device powerfully conveys shades of meaning through synthesis that might not be possible within just a single line.
Synthetic thinking extends beyond just adjacent verses. Entire Psalms are arranged concentrically, with the climax at the center, and the outer verses framing the inner ones. Recognizing this large-scale synthetic parallelism provides coherence to the overall theme and theology of the Psalm.
For example, many have identified a symmetrical structure centered on Psalm 73:17:
A – The prosperity of the wicked (v. 1-14)
B – The psalmist’s crisis and questioning (v. 15-16)
C – Perspective change in the sanctuary (v. 17)
B’ – The psalmist’s reaffirmed faith (v. 18-26)
A’ – The destruction of the wicked (v.27-28)
So verse 17 marks the turning point, framed by parallel sections that supplement each other through development and contrast. This informs one about the meaning and flow of the Psalm as addressing the age-old question of why evil people prosper, centered on realizing God’s justice in His sanctuary.
Synthetic parallelism operates both at the micro-level of individual verses, as well as the macro-level structure of entire poems. Identifying and analyzing its use in Hebrew poetry provides insight into the composed message. The synthesis of complementary lines reveals the inspired intent. As Psalms 19:8 declares regarding God’s Word, “making wise the simple.”