38. Ii. THE PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE STRUCTURE OF SCRIPTURE
Having said thus much on the History and Importance of the Structure of Scripture, it is necessary that we should present an account and description of it in some kind of order more or less complete.
We do not propose to wade through all the Divisions and Subdivisions which have been suggested or laid down in connection with Parallelism as it relates to Lines. Our general object is to understand the Word of truth; and our special object is to consider how we may, by its means, arrive at the scope or subject of a particular passage. The laws which govern this Parallelism of lines we will re-state as briefly as may be consistent with clearness. The main principles are as follows:—
Parallel Lines are:—
(1) COGNATE or GRADATIONAL, where the same thought is expressed in different or progressive terms:—
"Seek ye Jehovah, while He may be found;
Call ye upon Him, while He is near."—(Isa. lv. 6.)
1 Sermons and Remains of Robert Lowth, D.D., p. 78.
2 This is Bishop Jebb's improvement of Bishop Lowth's word "synonymous, as including different as well as practically equivalent terms.
(2) ANTITHETIC or OPPOSITE, where the terms or subjects are set in contrast:
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy."
-(Prov. xxvii. 6.)
(3) SYNTHETIC, or CONSTRUCTIVE, where the terms or subjects correspond in a similar form of construction, either as equivalent or opposite. (As in Ps. xix. 7-10. Isa. xliv. 26-28.) It discriminates and differentiates between the thoughts, as well as the words; building up truth by layers, as it were, placing one on the other. "O the happiness of that man,
Who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly;
And hath not stood in the way of sinners;
And hath not sat in the seat of the scornful."
-(Ps. i. 1.)
(4) INTROVERTED, where, whatever be the number of lines, the first line is parallel with the last; the second with the penultimate (or next to the last); the third with the antepenultimate (or next but one to the last); and so throughout, until we come to the two corresponding lines in the middle. This was the discovery of Bishop Jebb; and could not be seen until a larger number of consecutive lines were examined.
"Make the heart of this people fat,
And make their ears heavy,
And shut their eyes:
Lest they see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears
And understand with their heart."-(Isa. vi. 10.)
Here, the correspondence is manifest.
It was, however, as we have said, reserved for Thomas Boys to lift the whole study out of the sphere of words and lines; and see the Law of Correspondence between subjects and subject-matter. Instead of occupying us with lines he bade us look at what he designated members. These members consisted of verses, and whole paragraphs. ii. PRINCIPLES GOVERNING STRUCTURE
And the larger paragraphs were soon seen to have their own peculiar structure¹ or expansions.
This brings us to the consideration of what we have called the Structure of Scripture.
Most of our readers will be acquainted with the practice of marking their Bibles by ruling lines connecting the same word or words as they recur on the same or the adjoining page. The words recur, because the subject recurs; and the Law of Correspondences not only explains the practice of such Bible markings, but shows why it can be done. The principles and phenomena of the Laws of Correspondence are exceedingly simple, however perplexing they may appear to the eye at first sight. A little attention will soon make all clear to the mind as well as to the eye.
There are practically only two ways in which the subject is repeated:—
1. By Alternation.
2. By Introversion.
1. Alternation.
This is where two (or more) subjects are repeated alternately.
(a) We call it Simple Alternation where there are only two subjects each of which is repeated in alternate lines. Thus:—
Here, the letters are used quite arbitrarily, and merely for the convenience of reference. Thus, the subject in the passage marked with an Italic letter (A) is the same as the subject in the passage marked with the corresponding Roman letter (A); while the B subject is the same as the B subject, the similar Roman and Italic letters indicating their similar, opposite and contrasted, or common subject. ¹ The reader will find further elucidation on this subject in Figures of Speech, by the same author and publisher, pp. 319-393.
(b) Where the two subjects are repeated more than once we call it *Repeated Alternation*, and indicate it thus:—
$$
\begin{array}{r}
\mathrm{A}^{1} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\mathrm{B}^{1} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\mathrm{A}^{2} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\mathrm{B}^{2} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\mathrm{A}^{3} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\mathrm{B}^{3} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\end{array}
$$
And so on: all the members marked A corresponding in subject; and the members marked B corresponding in like manner. There is no limit to this repetition.
(c) Where there are more than two subjects alternating then we call it *Extended Alternation*; and there will be as many pairs, or sets of members, as there are subjects (unless, of course, these are repeated, when it would be a *Repeated Extended Alternation*):— $$
\begin{array}{r}
\mathrm{A} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\mathrm{B} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\mathrm{C} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\mathrm{A} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\mathrm{B} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\mathrm{C} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\end{array}
$$
2. Introversion.
This is where the subjects are repeated, not in alternation, but in introversion; *i.e.* from opposite ends. In this case there will be as many subjects as there are pairs of introverted members. Suppose we have an example of four subjects. This will give us eight members, in which the 1st will correspond with the 8th; the 2nd with the 7th; the 3rd with the 6th; and the 4th with the 5th. Thus:— $$
\begin{array}{r}
\mathrm{A} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\mathrm{B} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\mathrm{C} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\mathrm{D} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\mathrm{D} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\mathrm{C} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\mathrm{B} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\mathrm{A} | \quad \cdots \cdots \cdots \\
\end{array}
$$ ii. PRINCIPLES GOVERNING STRUCTURE
Now, with these few simple facts and phenomena, it is possible to have a very great variety. For they are practically unlimited, and can be combined in so many ways, and in such varying numbers, that there seems no end to the variety. But, all conform to the above simple laws, in which there is no exception. iii. EXAMPLES OF EACH PRINCIPLE.
We will give an example of each kind: premising (1) that 1- indicates the first part of a verse, -1 the latter part, and -1- a middle part; (2) that all the larger members have their own special Structures, in which the Correspondences of each may be expanded and exhibited. We give the examples from the Psalms because they are not encumbered with the human chapter divisions.
Simple Alternation.
Psalm xix.
A | 1-4. The Heavens.
B | 4, 6. In them (בָּהֶם) "The Sun."
A | 7-10. The Scriptures.
B | 11-14. In them (בָּהֶם) "Thy Servant."