OF A WORD. This applies especially to synonymous and antithetical
which may also signify, to become foolish (cf. Rom. 1:22), is determined by the subject, salt. In Rom. 8:19–23, the meaning of the subject, creature, is limited by the various predicates. The good angels are excluded by verse 20; the bad, by verses 19–21. The same verses make it impossible to include the wicked among men, while the 23rd verse also excludes the children of God. The idea is limited, therefore, to the irrational and inanimate creation.
3. PARALLELISM MAY AID IN DETERMINING THE MEANING OF A WORD. This applies especially to synonymous and antithetical parallelism. In Ps. 7:13 we read: "He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death," which is explained by the following member: "He ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors." In Isa. 46:11, the Lord says of himself that He is "calling a ravenous bird from the East," and this finds its explanation in the parallelism: "the man that executeth my counsel from a far country." Again, in 2 Tim. 2:13, Paul affirms respecting God that "He abideth faithful. He cannot deny himself." The first expression explains the second, which in Luke 9:23 means to sacrifice personal interests and pleasures. In Prov. 8:35, we read: "For whoso findeth me findeth life"; and in the antithetical member of the parallelism in the following verse: "But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul." The first explains the second, and clearly shows that the verb chata' is here used in its original sense, viz., to miss the mark. We might read therefore: "But he that misses me …"
4. PARALLEL PASSAGES ALSO CONSTITUTE AN IMPORTANT HELP. These are divided into two classes, viz., verbal and real. "When the same word occurs in similar connections, or in reference to the same general subject, the parallel is called verbal … Real parallels are those similar passages in which the likeness or identity consists, not in words or phrases, but in facts, subjects, sentiments or doctrines" (Terry, Biblical Hermeneutics, p. 121). Verbal parallels establish points of linguistic usage, while real parallels serve to explain points of historical, ethical, or dogmatical interest. For the present, we are concerned only with verbal parallels, which may