parallelism in biblical poetry

S E A V E R C O L L E G E R E L I G I O N D I V I S I O N

PARALLELISM IN BIBLICAL

POETRY

by Dr. Chris Heard

Just like modern poetry, poetry in the Hebrew Bible exhibits certain formal patterns that appear again and again.

Many of those formal features come across even in translation.

Unlike much modern poetry, biblical poetry doesn’t emphasize rhyming sounds.

Instead, it emphasizes repeated ideas.

The most basic formal feature of biblical poetry is called parallelism.

The most basic building block of a biblical poem is a parallelistic couplet, two lines that go together as a unit.

Robert Lowth (1710–87) helped modern scholars understand biblical parallelism.

Lowth’s 1753 Lectures on the Sacred Poetry of the Hebrews identified three basic types of parallelism.

In synonymous parallelism, the couplet’s second line echoes the first line.

Why do the nations rant?Why do the peoples rave

uselessly?— Psalm 2:1, CEB

The echo might employ a metaphor.

Just like a deer that craves streams of water,

my whole being craves you, God.

— Psalm 42:1, CEB

In antithetical parallelism, the couplet’s second line states the “flip side” of the first line.

The way of the righteous leads to life,

but the detestable path leads to death.— Proverbs 12:28, CEB

The parallel words and phrases don’t have to occur in the same order in both lines.

No harm happens to the righteous,

but the wicked receive their fill of trouble.— Proverbs 12:21, CEB

Lowth called his third category synthetic parallelism, but complementary parallelism might be a better term.

In synthetic or complementary parallelism, the second line completes the thought begun in the first line …

… or answers a question implicit in the first line.

The well-loved Psalm 23 is full of complementary parallelism.

The LORD is my shepherd.[Therefore,] I lack nothing.

— Psalm 23:1, CEB

He guides me in proper paths[—why?—] for the sake of his

good name.— Psalm 23:3, CEB

Your rod and your staff—[do what?—] they protect me.

— Psalm 23:4, CEB

You set a table for me[—where?—] right in

front of my enemies.— Psalm 23:5, CEB

Complementary parallelism isn’t just “neither of the above” when you don’t see synonymity or antithesis. Look for the logical connection.

Remember that these three patterns are just the basics. Poets can get creative.

The patterns can vary a lot, and can sometimes get pretty complex.

But if you can recognize the three basic forms of parallelism …

… you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of the literary artistry in biblical poetry.

For Further Study

Robert AlterThe Art of Biblical Poetry New York: Basic Books, 2011

Adele BerlinThe Dynamics of Biblical ParallelismGrand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008

Credits

“King David Playing the Harp” by Peter Paul Rubens and Jan Boeckhorst, c. 1616. Oil on panel. Städel Museum, Frankfurt. Public domain due to age.

Bishop Robert Lowth. Engraving following a portrait by L.E. Pine. Published in Dr. Johnson: His Friends and His Critics by G.B. Hill, 1809. Obtained from Wikimedia Commons. Public domain (age).

Slideshow by Dr. Chris Heard of Pepperdine University. Supported by a Faculty Innovation in Technology and Learning Grant, 2009–10.