Hermeneutics

Methodology of Finding the Author’s Intended Meaning

Historical
Who wrote the book?
Why was the book written?
Major Themes Surrounding the Book?
When was the book written?
Who was the book directed to (people) and for what reason?

Contextual
Themes of the message in the text?
How the text is put together?

Syntactic Analysis
The using of the original language to purvey thoughts and backdrops, these explain the principles and points of the text. The usage of words that defines meaning.

Linguistic
Linguistic analysis of the text with due regard for the historical vocabulary, grammar, idiom, usage and pronunciation in use at the time of writing.

Cultural
Customs which would have special meaning to the people of the time of writing.
Technological practices of the time
Beliefs of the people at the time, influences of religion.

Genre of the Literature
Poetry a genre of writing distinguished from prose by heightened use of vocabulary and turns of phrase.
Prophetic the prophets spoke of things that took place in their own time that are similar to a vision they had that would take place at a future date. Or a vision of future events.
Proverb to be interpreted as a pithy statement of generality.
Hymn a euphoric expression of love, which is generalised.
Instructions are time bound principles that relate to topics in the time when the people lived.
Commands unchangeable, everlasting instructions that sometimes are beyond understanding and so are absolutes.
Historical the recording of straight data without assessment.

Exegesis versus Eisegesis
Exegesis is taking the meaning from Scripture, the author’s intended meaning, which are based on the hermeneutical principles. Eisegesis is where people apply systematic theology to interpret Scripture but really they are imparting meanings into Scripture, which the author did not intend. Examples of eisegesis are; replacement theory, types of dispensationalism, ('rightly dividing the word', is really dividing the Body Of the WORD-Yeshua) .

Types and Antitypes
There is no antitype without a type, that is just allegory. An allegorical interpretation is just another word for opinion. In the Tanach contained, in the Berith explained would be a good guidance for types and antitypes, Therefore, scripture is the best explainer of scripture. Things are contained in their continuity and are not divisive.

Sensus Plenua
Hidden or double meanings in the verse that the author was not aware of. Although these are used in the Berith Chadashah, in the hermeneutics of the first century AD, this does not give a licence for allegorical abuse.

Helpful Warnings

1. No part of Scripture is to be dispensationalised but read in the context of the whole of the message. The subject of the message is to be understood in the light of the whole body of scripture not in isolation. The Word is one! Do not get into dividing the Body!
2. The whole Bible is accepted in its original writings.
3. Higher Criticism is where Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible are mixed and matched together for the purpose of historical debate. Stay away from this area; this is not helpful for faith. Do not do away with the Greek texts because they where in Greek, Hellanisation was not about speaking Greek! It was a Herodian replacement of the King, High Priests and mens traditions.
   The history of Higher Criticism has never produced anything but opinions and dissention among people.
4. Incorruptible seed versus corruptible seed
   God’s revelation versus man’s opinions, Scripture is absolute, people are fallible. The opinions about Rhema verses Logos are erroneous. Both should agree not be treated separately. Every personal Word should fit into the Gospel as a whole and not be contradictory.
5. Look to the Judaism of the First Century, Yeshua’s model. Seek the Customs of the Fathers not the Traditions of the Rabbinical Elders.
6. The heart of the Gospel is Kingdom; the heart of the Kingdom is the King. Watch for hobbyhorses that subtract from this! Torah and Yisrael are one, as Yeshua and Torah are one, so Yeshua and Yisrael are therefore one! (Yisrael here is the people of the Torah)
7. Religion verses belief, religion is always conforming behaviour of man trying to impress HaShem instead of Belief which is you responding to what HaShem has already done. Our self righteousness does not impress HaShem.
8. All Mitzvot are valid in principle, all believers are to apply as best they can. With understanding of the Whole Word apply the principles. Capital punishment and Governmental issues wait for Yeshua.

More Information

Four Levels of Understanding - James Trimm

Recommended Reading

Hermeneutics: Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpretation. This is the best book we have found on this subject. It is a resource for both beginners and experts.