The Writing Styles Of The Bible

Writing Styles Of The Bible

The Bible is written in three styles:

• Literal
• Symbolic
• Figurative

Literal writing

Literal writing says what it means and means what it says. This writing style demands a word-for-word, line for line, translation. Its meaning is plain and simple truth; precise, strict, exact, and unembellished.

Look at this scripture:

Revelation 2:12-16

12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my

faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou has there them that hold the doctrine of Balamm, who taught Balac to

cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols; and to commit fornication.

15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

*Some symbolic and figurative writing may be found inside of literal writing.

The church at Pergamos was a real church in existence at the time of this writing. Satan had a real seat in it. Antipas was the servant of the Lord and was indeed killed in the church. God did have some serious things against that church, and the call to repentance was real.

Figurative Writing

1. To compare one thing with another in quality to make the meaning more explicit.

2. In figurative writing, the meaning of a word or phrase is contained within the context of that scripture. Furthermore, the meaning is discerned by the way the word(s) is used.

Galatians 2:9

And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they

gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; That we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

The figurative word in this passage of scripture is pillars.

The author is describing their character as being strong in the church. We know the meaning of the word pillars by the way it is used. Therefore, the meaning is contained

within the context. The context implies that the meaning is determined by the way the word is used. Figurative writing is often found in the gospels. The parables give examples of this style of writing. It is also found in Bible prophecy.

SYMBOLIC WRITING

In symbolic language, a word, a phrase, place, or an event is actually given a new meaning. The original meaning is changed to become representative of something else.

The meaning of the word, phrase, place, or event, is found in the immediate content of that scripture or elsewhere in the scriptures. The meaning is not necessarily determined by the way the word is used.

St Luke 12:1

In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all,

Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Revelation 12:1-5

1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown

of twelve stars:

2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her

child as soon as it was born.

5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

THE MYSTERY OF THE WOMAN REVEALED

Genesis 37:9-10

And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars

made obeisance to me. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou has dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth