LANGUAGE OF THE BIBLE. Now the question arises as to the
improbable to one, may be regarded as perfectly simple and selfconsistent by another.
c. The most important means to determine whether a word is used literally or figuratively in a certain connection is found in the internal helps to which we have already referred. The interpreter should have strict regard to the immediate context, to the adjuncts of a word, to the character of the subject and the predicates ascribed to it, to the parallelism, if it is present, and to the parallel passages.
3. PRINCIPLES USEFUL IN INTERPRETING FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE OF THE BIBLE. Now the question arises as to the interpretation of the figurative language of the Bible. While the interpreter must employ the regular internal helps that were just mentioned, there are certain special points which he should not fail to observe.
a. It is of the greatest importance that the interpreter have a clear conception of the things on which the figures are based, or from which they are borrowed, since the tropical use of words is founded on certain resemblances or relations. The figurative language of the Bible is derived especially from (1) the physical features of the Holy Land, (2) the religious institutions of Israel, (3) the history of God's ancient people, and (4) the daily life and customs of the various peoples that occupy a prominent place in the Bible. Therefore, these must be understood, in order to interpret the figures that are derived from them. In Ps. 92:12 we read: "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon." The expositor cannot hope to interpret this passage unless he is acquainted with the characteristics of the palm tree and the cedar. If he desires to explain Ps. 51:9: "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean," he must have some knowledge of the method of ceremonial purification among Israel.
b. The interpreter should make it a point to discover the principal idea, the tertium comparationis, without placing too much
importance on the details. When the Biblical authors employed such figures as metaphors, they generally had some specific point or points of agreement in mind. And even if the interpreter can find still more points of agreement, he must limit himself to those intended by the author. In Rom. 8:17, Paul says, in a transport of assurance: "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ." It is perfectly evident that he refers to the blessings which believers receive with Christ from their common Father. The metaphor contained in the word "heir" would be pressed too far, if it were made to imply the death of the Father as the testator. How dangerous it would be to apply a figure in all particulars appears very clearly from a passage like Rev. 16:15, where we read: "Behold, I come as a thief." The connection will generally determine in each particular case how far a figure should be applied.
c. In connection with the figurative language that refers to God and the eternal order of things, the interpreter should bear in mind that it generally offers but a very inadequate expression of the perfect reality. God is called a Light, a Rock, a Fortress, a high Tower, a Sun and a Shield. All these figures convey some idea of what God is for his people; but not a single one of them, nor taken together, give a complete representation of God. And when the Bible pictures the redeemed as clad in the garments of salvation, robed in the robe of righteousness, crowned with the crown of life, and bearing the palms of victory, the figures do indeed give us some, but only a very imperfect idea of their future glory.
d. To a certain extent, one can test one's insight into the figures of the Bible by attempting to express the thoughts which they convey in literal language. But it is necessary to bear in mind that a great deal of the figurative language of the Bible defies all such efforts. This applies particularly to the language in which the Bible speaks of God and eternal things. Diligent and careful study of the Bible will help us more than anything else to understand the figurative language of the Bible.