"Rightly dividing the word of truth" – 2 Timothy 2:15 By: Gordon Hayes
Introduction
Objective: Help believers understand the importance of essential tools and methods for understanding Scripture.
Key Idea: Responsible interpretation honors The Almighty One and avoids error.
Why It Matters: Misinterpretation leads to false doctrine and confusion.
Just like working on a project, the use of proper tools will allow us to do our duty to be good stewards of The Almighty's word.
By being a good student, we are pleasing to The Almighty.
What Is Hermeneutics?
Definition: The art and science of interpreting Scripture.
Biblical Foundation: 2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to YAH as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
New American Standard Bible: 1995 update (2 Ti 2:15). (1995). The Lockman Foundation (Name restored)
Two main ways of understanding scripture
Exegesis = Pulling out the meaning from the context Eisegesis = Reading our meaning into the text
Key Principles of Hermeneutics
Determining the intent of the author: Rather than asking what this passage means to me, it is better to ask what the author meant and the readers understood. THEN we can ask ourselves how a passage relates to me.
What is the historical context: Time, culture, and purpose of writing
What is the literary context: Genre and structure What is the grammatical context: Word meanings and sentence structure
How does a passage fit into the overall context?
Importance of Language Tools
Biblical Languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek
Some Essential Tools:
Lexicons (BDB, Thayer's, HALOT)
Interlinear Bibles
Strong’s Concordance
Grammar guides
Example:חֶסֶדChesed (Hebrew) = Loyal covenantal love It is more than simple mercy
Strong' Entry
H6153
עֶרֶבʻereḅ, eh'-rev; from H6150; dusk:— day, even(-ing, tide), night.
Hebrew
word
Translit
-eration
Pronun-
ciation
Root
Root
meaning
How it is used in a particular
translation.
Each Strong's word is given a number. Hebrew words start with the letter H. Greek words begin with the letter G. This system was so useful and universally recognized that many other lexical works use the Strong's numbering system. There are several versions of the STrong's Concordance which are for a particular translation such as the KJV, NKJV, NASB, etc.
Brown, Driver, and
Briggs entry forעֶרֶב
Notice how much more
indepth the definition is here
than in Strongs'.
Entry from Gesenius' Hebrew-
Chaldee Lexicon to the Old
Testament forעֶרֶב
Notice the different information given. Use of
various lexicons and biblical dictionaries will
give us an even broader understanding of the
word(s) used in the original language texts of
the scriptures.
Strong's entry
for Ἰησοῦς
Again, that which
comes after the colon
and dash are simply
listing the way this
word is translated in a
particular translation
for which this version
of Strong's is keyed. In
this example, the KJV.
It is a very brief
definition.
Thayer's entry for Ἰησοῦς
Here, Thayer has added the various
endings for this name. The base
is Ἰησ- The endings, -οῦς, -οῦ, and -
οῦν show the case of this name/noun.
The case of a noun in Koine Greek
determines how this noun/name is to be
understood. For example:
1)
Nominative Case: the simple name
2)
Genitive Case: of Iesous
3)
Dative Case: Indirect object-to/for
Iesous.
4)
Accusative Case: Direct Object-
Iesous is being acted upon.
5)
Vocative Case: Direct address-O
Iesous.
Understanding Authorial Intent
Some Key Questions:
Who wrote it?
Who was the audience?
What was the purpose?
Examples
The command to procreate
The command to build the Ark given to Noach
The command to Avram to get up and leave his country and go into a new land The command to Avraham to sacrifice Yitzchaq
The command to study the scriptures so that we can understand them properly Paul’s letters address specific congregational issues
Tools to Discern Authorial Intent
Study Bibles with intros and notes (be cautious of authorial bias) Bible Dictionaries and Encyclopedias Like:
Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic Dictionary
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Cultural Context Books (e.g., Manners & Customs of the Bible;
How to be a Jew)
Historical Commentaries
Lots of Online Help Resources
Dangers of Misinterpretation
Modern bias (anachronism--something placed in the wrong time period.)
We need to read the scriptures in their historical context Then we can adapt them as needed, without destroying their original meaning, to our present day situation(s) Proof-texting
Ignoring language and context
Result: Doctrinal error and division
Case Study Example
Romans 10:4: "Christ is the end of the law..."
Common Misreading: Torah is abolished
Correct Understanding: "Telos" = goal or purpose
Lesson: Use tools to understand original intent
A Method for Sound Bible Study
Read multiple translations
Look up key words in original languages
Look for unusual words being used
Greek word for saint = chagios (chag keeper?)
Rule of first use
Study historical-cultural context
Identify genre and structure
Ask what it meant originally
Apply its meaning for today
Recommended Resources
Books:
Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith by Marvin R.
Wilson
Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus: New Insights From a Hebraic Perspective by David Bivin and Roy Blizzard MISREADING SCRIPTURE WITH WƎSTERN EYES - E. Randolf Richards & Brandon J. O’Brien
Brown, Driver, & Briggs Lexicon
Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament HALOT (Hebrew-Aramaic Lexicon to the Old Testament
Computer, Online, and Smartphone Bible
Helps
• Sefaria.org (online)
• Blue Letter Bible (online)
• Step Bible (online)
• HALOT Hebrew Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (online version with free subscription)
• Logos (online, desktop, and phone)
• Accordance (online, desktop, and phone)
• e-Sword (desktop and phone)
• theWord (desktop and portable USB)
• Holy Bible (phone)
Conclusion
Studying Scripture accurately honors Elohim.
Using proper tools protects truth and builds sound doctrine.
Proverbs 25:2: "The glory of Elohim is to conceal a matter, but it is the glory of kings to search it out."
IF we do not use the proper tools and the proper hermeneutic rules, translational and interpretive errors WILL occur.
Biblical Literary Genres
Genre
Purpose
Examples
How to Recognize It
Narrative
To tell a story with theological or moral
significance
Genesis, Exodus, 1 & 2 Samuel, Acts
Characters, plot, setting, conflict, divine intervention Law
To instruct God’s people in righteous living
Exodus 20–23, Leviticus,
Deuteronomy
“You shall…” or “If… then…” commands and legal case scenarios
Poetry
To express emotion, worship, lament, or praise
Psalms, Song of Songs,
Lamentations
Parallelism, metaphor, vivid imagery, rhythm
Wisdom Literature
To teach life principles, moral behavior, or
philosophical insight
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job
Short sayings (Proverbs), reflections on meaning
(Ecclesiastes), dialogues (Job)
Prophecy
To call people to repentance and proclaim
future hope or judgment
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos
“Thus says the LORD…”, oracles, warnings, future
promises
Parable
To teach a moral or spiritual lesson through
story
Luke 15 (Prodigal Son), Matthew 13
Short story, real-life scenario with a twist or deeper meaning
Apocalyptic
To reveal God’s cosmic plan, often through
visions
Daniel 7–12, Revelation
Symbolism (beasts, horns), angels, heavenly visions, time-specific phrases
Genre
Purpose
Examples
How to Recognize It
Epistle (Letter)
To teach and guide early believers
Romans, 1 Corinthians, James
Greeting, body of teaching, exhortations, personal closing
Genealogy
To show heritage, identity, or fulfillment of
prophecy
Genesis 5, Matthew 1, Luke 3
Lists of names, usually “X begat Y” or “X was the father of Y”
Song/Hymn
To worship, celebrate victories, or pray
Exodus 15, Luke 1:46–55, many
Psalms
Poetic structure, praise language, often starts with “Sing to the LORD…”
Hyperbole
To emphasize a point through exaggeration
Matthew 5:29–30, Luke 14:26
Statements clearly not meant to be literal, but used to stress urgency or severity
Allegory
To teach spiritual truth through symbolic
representation
Galatians 4:21–31, Ezekiel 23
Characters or events represent larger spiritual truths;
layers of meaning
Lament
To cry out to God in sorrow or crisis
Psalm 22, Lamentations
Complaint, plea for help, expressions of grief or abandonment
Blessing & Curse
To proclaim future conditions based on
obedience or sin
Deuteronomy 28, Genesis 49
Formal pronouncements of reward or punishment, often poetic or prophetic in style
Biblical Literary Genres
