Biblical Hermeneutics
A Brief Introduction to Biblical Interpretation
By Brandon Zeider
2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV): All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
Biblical hermeneutics is the study of the principles and methods of interpreting the Bible.
When we open the Bible, were encountering texts written thousands of years ago in ancient languages within and for cultures vastly different from our own. Biblical hermeneutics - the principles and methods we apply to this interpretive challenge - provides the bridge between these ancient texts and our modern understanding.
Sound Biblical interpretation begins with a fundamental principle: the Bible should be allowed to speak on its own terms, as the inspired text can only mean what it originally meant at the time it was inspired. This means approaching Scripture with humility, recognizing that our modern assumptions may differ from those of the original authors and audiences.
CORE PRINCIPLES OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION
There's a crucial distinction between simply reading the Bible and studying it. Bible reading familiarizes us with the text, but Bible study involves concentrated effort to understand what the text actually means, asking questions like: Who wrote this? To whom? Why? What was going on in the world at that time? How does this passage connect to the broader Biblical narrative?
Sound interpretation starts with the text itself, not with our preconceptions or traditions (see "Exegesis & Eisegesis" figure below). Begin by observing what the text says before deciding what it means. Note repeated words, transitions, and grammatical features. These observations can prove to be foundational.
The Bible is divinely inspired, but was written by man. God worked through authors' personalities, vocabularies, and cultural contexts. We respect its divine inspiration by taking its claims seriously, and its human dimension by paying attention to historical context and literary conventions.
EXEGESIS & EISEGESIS
"Exegesis" literally means "to draw out of." The opposite of exegesis is "eisegesis" which means "to lead into." Eisegesis is where we read something into the text, (because of assumptions, presuppositions, biases, etc.) that is not actually there. Exegesis is an attempt (as imperfect as it may be) to "draw out" the real meaning from the text without superimposing our own preconceptions.
Charles Simeon wrote, "My endeavor is to bring out of Scripture what is there, and not to thrust in what I think might be there."
Gary Burge in Interpreting the Gospel of John, wrote "When we interpret Scripture by focusing on our inner voice, we risk losing the original voice of Scripture, the historic anchor that has given the church its foundation and faith, and the uniqueness of a moment of historical revelation without parallel to anything we may experience."
So the question is not, how can I make this biblical text say what I want it to say, but, instead, how can I get my own ideas out of the way so that the Bible is allowed to speak for itself. Will I allow it to challenge me as it speaks (exegesis) or insist that it only confirm me (eisegesis)?
- Paul Bernard
CONTEXT AND LITERARY CONSIDERATIONS
The Bible's authors and original audiences lived in specific historical periods with their own cultural assumptions.
Many passages reference ancient Near Eastern concepts that would have been immediately recognizable to original readers, but may seem strange to us.
While not everyone can become an expert in Biblical languages, understanding something about Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek enhances our interpretation by revealing nuances that English translations might miss. Today, we are spoiled in this regard, as there are a number of free or low cost resources that allow the lay person to examine and interpret the original language in ways that were inaccessible to all but a few throughout much of church history.
Sound interpretation requires trying to hear the text as its original audience would have heard it. This doesn't mean the Bible has nothing to say to modern concerns, but its relevance flows from first understanding its original context.
The Bible contains many different literary genres, each following its own conventions. Misidentifying genre can lead to misinterpretation. We wouldn't read poetry the same way we'd read an instruction manual, and we shouldn't read Biblical poetry the same way we read historical narrative.
The Bible reveals meaning through patterns and connections, not just isolated verses. Often, Biblical authors develop themes gradually, returning to key ideas across what we think of as chapters and books. Sound interpretation looks for these patterns and how these concepts, images, and themes develop.
Chapter and verse divisions were added to the text much later and can also lead to interpretive challenges. To the modern reader, the end of a chapter often signifies the end of an idea or theme, and we tend to read the Bible the same way. However, this approach can lead to missing context supplied by the author (Romans is a great example). Biblical authors regularly use metaphors, similes, hyperbole, and other rhetorical devices to communicate effectively.
Recognizing figurative language isn't dismissing the text's truthfulness - it's engaging with the text as its authors intended. Understanding these contextual and literary elements allows us to avoid common interpretive pitfalls and recognize the cohesive message that spans the entire Bible.
AVOIDING MISTAKES AND RECOGNIZING BIBLICAL UNITY
Avoid reading through the filter of theological traditions that prevent you from hearing what the text actually says. sound interpretation requires awareness of our biases and willingness to let Scripture challenge them. Build doctrines on clear, consistent Biblical teaching, not stated or ambiguous texts. When dealing with difficult passages, interpret them considering clearer ones addressing the same subject.
Remember that the Bible wasn't written to satisfy modern scientific curiosity or resolve political debates. While Scripture contains timeless principles, we must be careful not to force it to address questions it never intended to answer.
Despite being written by dozens of authors over more than a thousand years, the Bible displays remarkable unity. Later Biblical authors were familiar with earlier Scriptures and often interpreted them for their own context, providing important clues for us the modern reader.
THE SUPERNATURAL DIMENSION AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION
When we read something in the Bible that seems strange, don't skip over it, because as the late Dr. Michael Heiser was fond of saying, "if it's weird, it's important." The Biblical authors operated within a worldview that recognized both visible and invisible realms as real and interconnected. Modern readers often filter out supernatural elements because they don't fit with contemporary ideas and assumptions.
Scripture presents human history within a larger cosmic narrative involving spiritual beings and heavenly realms. This cosmic dimension provides important context for understanding many Biblical passages and themes.
In addition to the amazing (and mostly free) resources that we have available to us today, consider investing in multiple Bible translations, a good concordance, and reputable commentaries focused on historical-grammatical interpretation.
When facing challenging texts:
Observe what the text says
Consider the context
Cross-reference related Scriptures
Consult reliable resources
Apply the passage's original meaning to contemporary situations
CONCLUSION
Interpreting the Bible well requires both effort and reverence, examining the Scriptures daily as the Bereans of Acts 17.
When we approach Scripture with sound hermeneutical principles, familiar texts disclose new meaning, and Scripture becomes what it was always intended to be - a unified, divinely inspired revelation that testifies to God's redemptive work throughout history.