Welcome back to the Know and Do podcast, where we equip you to know God deeply and live in a way that brings Him glory. This episode is part of our study series on hermeneutics—interpreting the Bible. This episode revisits one of those tools as we explore the art of observing on a textual level. We’ll look closely at words, sentences, and structures to uncover the rich layers of meaning in the text.
Key Topics Covered:
• Individual Words
• Sentences/Phrases
• People
• General Theme
• Macro-structure
Chiasm Example
· If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
a. Fail
b.Plan
b’. Plan
a’. Fail
· “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”—Mark 2:27
a. Sabbath
b. Man
b’. Man
a’. Sabbath
· Daniel
1. ch1—siege/ destruction
a. ch 2 – Vision of the statue in four sections
b. ch 3 – Daniel’s friends thrown into the fiery furnace
c. ch 4 – King Nebuchadnezzar learns humility
c’. ch 5 – King Belshazzar fails to learn humility
b’. ch 6– Daniel thrown into the lion’s den
a’. ch 7 – Vision of the four beasts
a. ch 8 – Persia and Greece
b. 9:1–24 – intercessory prayer
c. 9:25– decree to rebuild Jerusalem
d. 9:26– Messiah will be “cut off”
c’. 9:27—decree that Jerusalem/temple destroyed
b’. ch 10– intercessory prayer
a’. ch 11:1–35 – Persia and Greece
1’. ch 11:36–12:13— siege/ destruction
And that’s how we observe Scripture on a textual level! Check below for additional resources, including a sample passage and practice questions to help you hone these skills. Don’t forget to like, follow, and share the podcast. Grace and peace!