While some scholars categorize and put many Latin and Greek names on different figures of speech they find in English Bibles, there is actually one great figure within the Scriptures themselves. In Greek it is parabole, and means to place beside. In the OT Greek Septuagint, the book of Proverbs is the book of Parabole.
The prophets and the Lord Jesus took things from the physical realm and put them beside things in the spiritual realm for understanding. Thus, we have: rivers, streams, wells and fountains of living water; bread of life; tree of life; and tree of knowledge of good and evil. In Genesis the devil is parabole'd as a serpent because of its subtlety, but in Peter's first epistle it's parabole'd as a roaring lion, because it can be ferocious. Christ was a lamb without spot or blemish, but his return would be in, with and on the clouds, according to the OT prophets.
The OT prophets spoke in serious paraboles, but we are far removed from them in time, language and culture. Thus, when their language was used in the unveiling of the Day of the Lord's judgement coming again very soon to Israel, it is difficult for us to understand. I'm referring to the Book of Revelation.
Similarly, when the Lord Jesus and James used the valley of Hinnom (Gehenna in Greek), their Jewish listeners would have understood the judgment inferred. However, when Paul traveled among and wrote to the Gentiles, he NEVER used Gehenna, because it meant nothing to them. Since he was an apostle (emissary) to the nations, sent by the Lord Jesus himself, I believe he knew what he was doing.
Good observation.
Interesting how people need to be on the same page to agree what the words are saying. Would seem to be why the use of the parabole so the concepts talked about are not clearly grasped by outsiders- or people on a different wave length.
Max,
I just wanted to say that I am enjoying your posts, and glad you are here.
Pat
Good to have you Max ! :dsunny:
Thanks for sharing what is in your heart with us :HeartThrob:
parabole like a parable Jesus was comparing Spiritual things earthly things ''by nature '' to one another . and natures teach us by Holy Spirit witness .
I love metaphors :HeartThrob: It is a poetic language .
Reminds me of hyperbole exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
I think this may be where a tiny spark becomes such a huge HELL FIRE in the minds
James 3 ;6 says our tongue is a fire and sets the course of hell / gehenna
6The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body.
It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
I can see this as a lake of fire myself .
But this is the struggle with language and the interpretations meant and missed ...
God bless you , Rose
Quote from: maxmammon on February 26, 2018, 11:08:00 PM
when Paul traveled among and wrote to the Gentiles, he NEVER used Gehenna, because it meant nothing to them..
:thumbsup: :Chinscratch: Now that makes
perfect sense! And I for one absolutely love how the Lord and the bible uses natural things / nature to communicate truth. Of course part of the reason it works so well is because God's works
are truth (as opposed to man's built atop God's creation, which in most part is untruth and error/crooked ways, as opposed to straight).
I always notice how Jesus spoke using natural illustrations.. Which yes, many couldn't hear, but all will hear and such natural illustrations are "down to earth".. Practical - which these days, in some quarters, I swear the christians sound like they're on drugs! Which of course gives the faith a bad name in a world that already thinks we're irrational.
Quote from: rosered on February 27, 2018, 11:56:42 AM
hyperbole exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
I think this may be where a tiny spark becomes such a huge HELL FIRE in the minds
James 3 ;6 says our tongue is a fire
"spark" - quite the pun! the tiny spark - gehenna, running with it, and it became an eternal fiery torment, instead of fiery judgment (consequence?) which falls (but not "for ever"!!)
:thumbsup:
Having survived the raucous contentions of other bulletin boards in years past, this place is a pleasant haven. Thank you for your kind words; to the moderators for keeping the peace; and to Gary Amirault for his part. If you want to discuss other "off-topic" subjects, feel free to email me. Meditating and writing on things of the earth inevitably depresses me; but when thinking on things above, the woes of this present life grow strangely dim.
Quote from: maxmammon on February 28, 2018, 03:50:07 AM
but when thinking on things above, the woes of this present life grow strangely dim.
Would indeed be why we are told not to be conformed to this age, and to focus on the things above- the things seen are temporary.
Quote from: maxmammon on February 26, 2018, 11:08:00 PMwhen the Lord Jesus and James used the valley of Hinnom (Gehenna in Greek), their Jewish listeners would have understood the judgment inferred. However, when Paul traveled among and wrote to the Gentiles, he NEVER used Gehenna
The NT was originally in Aramaic, not Greek. The original Aramaic doesn't have 'Gehenna' at James 3:6, merely 'consumed by fire.' Paul used "Sheol" in Romans 10:7 and 1Cor 15:55.