Parallelisms: Teaching About the Lord Jesus Christ Through Poetry

Poetic parallelisms are regularly attested forms of poetry in the Old Testament (see Proverbs, Psalms, Isaiah, Joel, and other books). James L. Kugel points out that poetic parallelism is “the basic feature of biblical songs—and, for that matter, of most of the sayings, proverbs, laws, laments, blessings, curses, prayers, and speeches found in the Hebrew Bible.”[1] Examples of parallelisms number in the thousands in poetic works, with more than one thousand in Isaiah alone. In some cases, entire chapters are two-lined poetic parallelisms, such as chapters in Proverbs and Isaiah.

Poetic parallelism, similar to larger poetic units, features symbols, metaphors, similes, personification, colorful images, and creative expressions that serve to teach about God and His commandments. That is to say, prophets and poets created parallelisms to teach significant doctrines regarding the lord; His character; His divine attributes and qualities; His workings with individuals, families, peoples, and nations; and more.

What are poetic parallelisms? As Kugel explained, “In poetic parallelism, the prophet makes a statement in a line, a phrase, or a sentence and then restates it, so that the second line, phrase, or sentence echoes or mirrors the first.”[2] Both lines in a parallelism are equally important. The second line, explained Kugel, was “not expected to be (or regarded as) a mere restatement” of the first half but was meant to “add to it, often particularizing, defining, or expanding the meaning, and yet hearken back” [3] to it.

Each of the two lines has features or expressions that parallel or correspond with the other, hence the name parallelism. For example, in the parallelism “Hear O heavens and give ear O earth,” “hear” in line 1 parallels “give ear” in line 2, and “earth” in line 1 parallels “heavens” in line 2. The prophet/psalmist sets forth line 1, then restates, reinforces, and/or reconfigures it in line 2. This reconfiguration may serve to emphasize the words of line 1, to broaden, to punctuate, or to add further knowledge or light. Understanding this form of poetry makes Isaiah and other passages more understandable and meaningful.

Parallelisms are presented in a variety of configurations; the chart presents seventeen configurations (synonymous, antithetical, etc.), although there are no doubt more that could be presented.