Musing – How much poetry does the Old Testament contain?

Hebraic Musing – How much poetry does the Old Testament contain?

I heard that one third of the Old Testament was written as poetry.  I just learned that Hebrew poetry does not have metered rhymes as we expect in English poetry. The original Hebrew writings convey thoughts and message as couplets using a variety of forms, plus repetitions. Fortunately, some of the Hebraic poetry is evident in our English translations, if we know what to look for.

We know of the ‘poetic’ books -- Psalms, Proverbs, and Job. And in the Torah and history books we identify poems like Jacob’s blessing of his sons (Gen. 49), Moses’ songs (Ex.15 & Dt.32-33), Miriam’s song (Ex.15:21), the song of Deborah (Judg. 5), and the song of Hannah (1 Sam. 2).  Many of the prophetic writings are poetic in style, like almost the entire book of Isaiah. There are many different forms of Hebraic poetry in the OT. How many will you find after reading this?[1]

Today’s Sunday School lesson opened an explanation of Hebraic poetry called ‘Parallelism’:
(1) Synonymous, in which the second line repeats the idea expressed in the first - There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined. Job 28:1;
(2) ‘Contrasting’ or ‘Antithetic’, in which the second line contrasts with the first; as seen twice in - I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me. Job 30:20;
(3) ‘Emblematic’, in which a literal statement is contrasted with a metaphor or a simile in the second line - As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  (Ps. 42:1); and
(4) ‘Expanding’ or ‘Stair-like’, in which the second line builds on or expands on the first – Therefore I say; Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know. Job 32:10.

Hebrew also uses ‘Cognate Accusative’ - a verb and its related noun are used in the same sentence - Joseph dreamed a dream. Gen. 37:5 in KJV; other translations missed the original Hebrew poetry!

Hebrew likes to use ‘Repetition’ for emphasis - “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.” Isa.6:3.

Reading original Hebrew reveals frequent ‘Repetition of Sounds’ or ‘Alliteration’. In English we easily remember She sells sea shell by the sea shore.  However, alliterations in Hebrew writings do not survive translation, so this is another reason to learn to read Biblical Hebrew.

Have you heard of ‘Acrostics’ in the OT?  Since learning the Hebrew Aleph-Beit, I’ve enjoyed the acrostic in the long Psalm 119 in which every eighth verse starts with a sequential Hebrew character.  Also, a study of the symbolism of each Hebrew character carries into the nature of the eight verses that follow. How many more acrostics are you aware of in the OT?  Another reason to learn to….

‘Word pairs’ are a technique we see in Jacob & Israel, Father’s Son, heart & soul, heaven & earth and using two words instead of one - You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son. (Ps. 50:20)  These pairs make me explore the significance behind the unique choice of words.

Bottom line – The poetic nuances in the OT were not intended for artistic value, but for teaching and worshipping effectively. Repetition is a powerful memorization tool. Much of the Bible had to be carried from generation to generation orally. I remember songs, more readily than scripture verses. Do you?

Point to Ponder

How much poetry will you now identify as you read the OT?

Instead of seeing vain repetition, will His Word now sink in deeper?

May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. (Does this Aaronic blessing use Hebraic poetry?)

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                     July 2, 2013

Author of two books “Hebraic Insights” and  “Biblical Marriage”

And weekly e-mails “Hebraic Musings”  Yosef1@cox.net  or  www.InsightsByYosef.com

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[1] Inspired by Bob Crafton’s Sunday School lesson and Understanding Old Testament Poetry by Kevin Barney