A parable in Greek-Roman, Old Testament and rabbinic literature
Joanna Jaromin2014
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Abstract
One of the aspects that biblical hermeneutics deals with is the question of literary genres present in the Holy Scriptures. A parable is certainly a distinctive genre of biblical literature. We find it most frequently in the Gospels because Jesus used this genre in his teaching very often. Why? Not without a reason was Jesus called the Teacher. He was the Teacher in the full meaning of the word and he was aware of that his listeners – often very simple people – on more than one occasion might have difficulty understanding remarkable secrets he preached to them. That is why he applied different methods in accordance with the principles of rhetoric in order to impact the widest audience. Due to parables – short stories that convey a comparison of some known life situations or pictures – he could certainly easier influence a significant number of listeners and impart them in a simple way sublime contents of the kingdom of God, God’s love, mercy and salvation. Countless publications of ...
Key takeaways
- The aim of fallowing considerations will be to reveal the genre ל ׁשָ מָ present in the Old Testament and rabbinic literature as the next step of shaping the New Testament parable.
- We find ל ׁשָ מָ in a form of allegories especially in the prophet Ezekiel.
- A similar meaning has ל ׁשָ מָ in Ps 49.5 (Ps 49.4 -in the English Bible): 'I will incline my ear to a proverb ל) ׁשָ ;)מָ I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre' .
- e) Contents and nature of the Old Testament ל ׁשָ מָ A metaphor in the Old Testament (and a parable in the New Testament) appears mostly in dialogues.
- More like the evangelical parable is rabbinic ל ׁשָ .מָ Many such examples we can find in Rabbi Akiba, Yochanan ben Zakkai and Hillel.
