INTRODUCTION TO THE POETIC BOOKS

I - The Poetry in the Bible

What is Poetry?
Poetry, in general sense, is a form of literature, oral or written, that emphasizes the composed rhythm.
There are various patterns of sounds or ideas in the manner that the composition of these words suggests some.
signification.
It is interesting that although in the West our concept of poetry is more inclined towards rhyme (rhythm)
phonetic) and the metric (the art of the structure of verses, the melody of syllables and the place of the accents), in the
Hebrew poetry emphasized poetic construction that was more inclined to play with sounds, and it is not based
both in rhyme and in meter. Of course, in the original idiom, the poetry also had a literary arrangement.
that guarded certain forms that gave beauty to those who listened to or read poetry, and this is lost
completely when it strays to any other language. However, as the emphasis is on poetry in the
The Bible played more with fonio than with form; it played more with the arrangement ie lasiieas rather than the form ie
to recircle it, to translate it, the essence remains practically intact.

The word poetry in Spanish comes from the Greek word Poesis, which means 'to make' or 'to create'; and the word
The word poet in Greek is poietes which means 'maker' or 'creator'. So if man is in the image of God, he is not ...
rare that a man has the ability to create poetry. As the American poet said.
Babete Deutsch (1895-1982), "The work of the poet, and afterwards his activity, consists in translating the poem into God."
words.
The ordinary way of speaking is prose, which is organized through sentences and paragraphs; poetry is
Organize into unities the verses that compose the stanzas of the poetry.
What do we call 'Poetic Books' and why are they classified as such?

The books called poetic are a set of books written in poetry that cannot be classified as
historical and prophetic: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs.
However, we must keep in mind that not all poems have been written 100% in poetry, nor have they.
Prose books have been written 100% in prose excluding poetry.
For example, books classified as Poetic, Job and Ecclesiastes contain quite a few sections in
prose, not poetry. While in the rest of the Bible we find books not classified as poetic,
that are written in prose, but also contain Hebrew poetry (Abijah, Micah, Nahum, and the prophet
Isaiah). The book of Lamentations of Jeremiah is a book written almost entirely in poetry, however it is not
It is considered a poetic text because it has been classified according to its content, which is eminently prophetic.
On the other hand, when reading the Scriptures, we will notice that there is poetry throughout the Bible. These examples are
quotes by Pablo Hoff as poetry in books classified outside of the poetic category:

Aian was the first Poet (Gen. 2:23)

The curses of Jehovah (Gen. 3:14-19)
 The song of the spear (Lamech) (Gn.4:23,24)
The blessings and curses of Noah (Gen. 9:25-27)
Prophecy about Rebecca (Gen. 25:23)

Isaac blesses Jacob and Esau (Gen. 27:27-29, 39, 40)

Jacob blesses Joseph (Genesis 48:15,16)

Jacob prophesied about his sons (Gn.49:2-27)

The triumphant song of Moses and Mary (Ex.15:1-18)

The priestly blessing (Num. 6:24-26)

The song of the well (Num. 21:17, 18)

The triumphant song is lost in the void (Num. 21:27-30)

Prophecies of Balaam (Num. 23:7-10, 18-24; 24:3-9, 15-24)

The final song of Moses (Dt. 32:1-43)

Moses blessed the tribes (Dt.33:2-29)
The Song of Deborah (Judges 5)
The riddle is Samson and the answer (Judges 14:14,18)
The song of Ana (1 Sam. 2:1-10)

The poem is Samuel (1 Samuel 15:22,23)

The elegy of David on Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:19-27)

A popular song (1R.12:16)

Prophecy of Isaiah (2 Kings 19:21-28)

The singing is a prophecy (1Chronicles 12:18)

Lamentations i Jeremiah.
Poetry in the New Testament
Why do we not have so much poetry in the New Testament? Pablo Hoff mentions an argument that I...
It seems like I have to consider. He says that almost all the writers inspired by the New Testament were.
Jews who wrote in Greek, their second language, and that few people have the ability to make poetry.
in a language that is not their native tongue. And here he gives the example of Luke, the only writer of the New Testament.
Testament that was not Jewish, but Greek, and that records in its Gospel more poetry than any other author.
New Testament
The Magnificat of Mary (Luke 1:46-55); the Benedictus or prophecy of Zechariah (1:58-79); Gloria in excelsis of the
angels (2:14) and the Nunc Dimittis ie Simeon (when Simeon prayed ieiicanio to the child Jesus) (2:29-32).
But even in the rest of the New Testament, more poetic elements are observed than is usually recognized.
rich living images and poetic expressions that are loaded with emotion. The apostle Paul presents
Many church hymns are quoted in this way. On occasions, it cites hymns of the primitive church (Eph. 5:14 and 1 Tim. 3:16).
Romans 8:31-27 is an example of a sublime poetic expression. The book of Revelation also contains a
number ie songs ie victory that of course are written in poetry.
II- Importance of the study of Poetry Books
When considering the investment and time that it takes to expose ourselves to the systematic study of each one of the
Poetic books it is possible that some of us may wonder, "Is it worth dedicating ourselves to the study of the
Poetry in Israel in the Old Testament? How can it help us in our spiritual life?
so many resources for the study of these books, if we have the prose of the New Testament in a clear form and
explicit?”. In other words, why is it important to know about poetic books?
In the previous module (Introduction to the study of the AT) we had already mentioned several reasons why to study the
Old Testament, which we recommend reviewing.
However, on this occasion, we are going to focus on the specific importance of the poetic books, or
Well, the books cover Job up to Songs.
The study of poetic books and the AT is of vital importance for the following reasons:
A. Some of these books have prophetic content about the person of Jesus Christ.
When the Lord resurrected, the evangelist Luke says that he revealed to his disciples what the Scripture
He explained to them the things concerning the Messiah, passing through the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and "the Psalms" (Luke 24:27,44).

There is much prophecy specifically in the Psalms about Christ. For example, in Psalm 22 there are several
prophecies about the crucifixion of Christ, the fact that they would divide his garments, that it would be betrayal, etc.

B. As a section, the poets represent an important portion of the AT (33% of the AT).
So important to God is prayer, that the book that deals with prayer, the book of Psalms, is the
the most extensive book is the Scripture. For God, these books are important.
C. They contain the way to think the people. Poetry expresses better the feeling and the soul.

As part of the Canon of the Scriptures, these books help us understand the customs of the Israelites and the
the way the people think. Poetry lends itself much to expressing love and hatred; life and death; the
iuia and faith. We see this in a tangible way in these books.
As an example, I cite some text, like the book on poets:
Job, ask why the righteous man suffers.
"Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him" (Job 13:15). "I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth."
dust; and after this my skin, in my flesh I will see God; whom I will see for myself, and my eyes
they will see, and not another, Although my heart fails within me
2. The Psalms record the devotion of God and His people.
Perhaps a theologian could explain in prose that 'God made man with an inherent spiritual need.'
that only he can supply.” But the psalmist puts it in poetry: “As the deer pants for the streams of the
"As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God" (Psalm 42:1)
Proverbs focuses on wisdom and defines it as the fear of the Lord.
In its practical conclusions about wisdom, it says in Proverbs: 'He who loves instruction loves wisdom;'
But he who hates reproof is ignorant” (Pr.12:1)
4. Ecclesiastes focuses its perspective on life from a terrestrial point of view, with the optics of 'under the sun.'
sun", and does not find meaning in life outside of God.
"Vaniiai ie vaniiaies..." The final part of this discourse is "to fear God and to keep His commandments."
5. The Song of Songs poetically describes the holy and sublime nature of marriage.
I am dark... but comparable to the dark ones like Ceiar, like the short ones like Solomon. Do not notice that
I am dark-skinned because the sun looked at me.
Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man were to give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be despised.

house for this love, ie true it

D. By knowing the characteristics of Hebrew POETRY, we better understand many biblical passages.
For example, when we read Pr.10:1 'A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings sadness to his mother'...
When we understand how Hebrew poetry works, we will know that it is about an antithetical parallelism that
The wise son is the joy of his parents, but the foolish one is the...
anguish and his parents. Note that the text beautifully contrasts the foolish with the wise, and
alternating between the father (with the wise son) and the mother with the foolish son. Now, does this mean that the wise son does not
Does the mother rejoice? Does this mean that the foolish son does not affect the father? In no way, the wise man brings joy to
Both, just like the fool, saddens both. Poetry contrasts ecstasies and alternates the pairs.
positive or negative impacts just to play with the ideas and present them beautifully.
There are many other more complex texts, that if one does not know how Hebrew poetry works, we...
We will pray for some blessings at the time of your reading.
III. Characteristics of the poetry of the Old Testament.

It is eminently theocentric.
It is a poem whose main theme is God. Although there is also secular poetry, such as in Genesis 24:60.
or the case of David that enchants in poetry the death of Saul and Jonathan (2nd Sam. 1:17-27) or also the case of
Songs of Solomon, which focuses on romantic love and marriage (although this of course...
comes from God, since marriage was instituted in Eden.
B. As religious poetry, it has distinctive characteristics:

1. Lyric Poetry (the Psalms). The essence of lyric poetry is a faithful expression of internal emotions.
and subjects. Lyric poetry gets its name from the fact that it was normally a type of song to be
accompanied by instruments, such as the lyre.

2. Proverbial (Proverbs and part of Ecclesiastes). They bring teachings through phrases of wisdom.
3. Drama (Job and Songs). They contain elements of a Drama although they are not necessarily one.
rhythm.
4. Elegies (Lamentations and some enclosures). An Elegy is a poetic composition that addresses matters
sad.
It is Historical and Verdant.
The poetry of the Bible is not mythical like that of other nations. Despite the beauty of its form, its essence is
totally true and is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Obviously, there are portions of Scripture that clarify
When one speaks of a "parable" or a proverb, it does not necessarily refer to something that happened, but it is used anyway.
Figure to illustrate a veriai. But these cases are the exception. The job experience was real, just like
the experiences, that is, the psalmist verses.

D. It uses parallelism in a particular way.

Parallelism is the most significant characteristic of the Hebrew style, although it was also used in Egypt.
Mesopotamia and Canaan.
1. Definition of parallelism. It is the use of two or more consecutive phrases in which the expressed ideas have
some time correspondence between them. It fell poetic line can be lived in them, and the second half is the line or
reinforces the line or opposes the first one.

Our Western poetry has a harmonious rhyme and rhythm, sounds that combine and please the ear. But in the
Hebrew parallelism has rhyme, that is, thoughts, ideas, not necessarily dreams.
From there we learn that content is more important than form. If the greatness is Hebrew poetry.
raiicara in its form, would have lost its charm in translation. But as its functioning is
yes, not the form, but translating it keeps intact the truth that you want to convey.
2. Types of parallelism. There are existing types of parallelism, and the others are variations of these that we are going to
mention.
a) Parallelism Synonym: The same idea is repeated one or more times but expressed with different words.
Express the same concept in different verses. For example, Psalm 24:1 "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and those who live in it."

they inhabit.
b) Antithetical Parallelism: Consecutive contrasting ideas. It is an excellent rhetorical device because it
I say what is not and what is. Example Prov. 15:1 'A gentle answer calms anger; but a harsh word stirs it up.'
fury.
Proverbs 28:13 "He who covers his sins will not prosper; but whoever confesses and turns away will find mercy."
mercy
c) Synthetic or Progressive: The second verse completes the thought and the first verse completes the line.
abunianio plus its explanation. Ex. Sal.148:7-12 'Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and'
all the abysses; the fire and the hail, the snow and the vapor, the wind and the tempest that executes its word; the
mountains and the collaios, the tree and its fruit, the animals, reptiles and birds; the kings
And the earth, all the towns, the princes, and all the judges of the earth; the young people and also the young women.
the elderly and the children.

3. Importance of knowing the types of parallelism: It helps us to have a correct interpretation. It avoids us
Thinking that there are different statements when in reality the same thing is being repeated many times.
E. Occasionally use the Acrostic.
The word acrostic comes from the Greek akros, which means 'at the end, or first'; and the word stichos, which...
means 'a row'). An acrostic is a group of phrases, words, or verses in which the first letter of each
fall towards forming a word or has a meaning. Each phrase begins with a letter, which when joined together,
They encapsulate a concept. For example, Psalm 119, each stanza or section of the Psalm begins with a letter.
the Hebrew Alphabet, until completing with the last letter.

IV. Lessons Learned from this approach to the poetic literature of the OT.
A. We must interpret poetry as poetry and prose as prose.
Then, we will see some of the techniques used in Hebrew poetry when interpreting a poetic text.
We must remember that it should not be interpreted literally as in prose, but rather it must be treated.
The heavens declare the glory of God.
the glory is God, and the firmament announces the work of his hands", obviously the text does not intend to say that
the heavens declare in a human language the glory of God, but when contemplating the heavens, it is evident that
glory. Likewise, when one speaks of the "hand of God" or that "his eye is attentive to prayers" it is a
anthropomorphic language; God does not have a physical form, He is spirit, and therefore does not have a physical hand or a
But it certainly "touches" us and "listens" to us. This poetic language helps us understand better.
the truth, although not the same as it happens is not literally as written in these examples. Another
An example is the song of Deborah in Judges 5:20 "The heavens fought, the stars fought; they took their paths."
"they fought against Sisera." This does not mean that there was a literal war of the stars, but rather that in the battle of
Deborah, God sent a heavy rain that hindered Sisera. This poetic form is precious, but we should not read it.
literally, without taking the truth that wants to be communicated. Another similar example is Psalm 114:3-4.
B. Let's learn that our God is an infinitely creative being, and how He has communicated this to His children.
I have the ability to make art, to write not only in prose, but also in poetry, to express the feeling of my soul.
Regarding the mysterious work that the Spirit performs in each believer.
I finish with a quote from ie Lasor/Hubbari/Bush, in the book 'Panorama of the Old Testament'.
When we try to talk about God, we can use the methods of negation and analogy. Since God is
infinite (without limits) is impossible to define (to put limits on it). One can only say what it is not. It is 'infinite' (not...
finite), "immaterial" (not material), "eternal" (not subject to the categories of time and space), "immutable"
(no change), etc. This method is derived from Western rationalism formed in large part by methods
Greek philosophical. The other approach is to compare God with something known in our system of time and
space. Here we enter into the images and symbolism of the biblical world. Although we find this approach
Throughout the Bible, nowhere is it made evident like in poetry. What has not been seen can...
to know oneself through comparisons with what is visible. Ultimately, God can be known more.
fully in the image embodied by His Son. In many ways, the biblical approach is superior to
philosophical (without undermining the value that it undoubtedly has the philosophical approach), because people learn
much more and better through the senses than through speculation. Biblical poetry exerts a
universal attraction. Its structure and the images it uses are not lost in translation. It speaks to 'everyone'
nation, kinship, people, and language.
Likewise, there is no better way to express faith in God and devotion to Him than through song. A good
Part of the poetry in the Old Testament began just like this. Instead of claiming to be a source of
the theological doctrines, simply communicated the faith and the singer, asked to communicate it to the believer who could
to join the song that expressed his faith and devotion. Even so, it continues to be not only a way to know God,
rather, even more so, a way to praise the only divine being that is praised.