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Resumen: Este estudio indaga sobre el trmino tamid y sus implicaciones lingstica.s y teolgicas. El
desarrollo de la imestigacin vq de la palabra a la expresin para captul el senido trinti"o y
pragmtico del vocab lo.
Summary: This paper is an extensive study with the use of the worcl tamil and its linguistic and
theological implications. The process corresponds with the structure
from the word to the iodism. It is
an approach to the genesis of the word and its meanings.
Esquema:
1.
lntroduccin
2.
4.
5.
3.
1.
a.
Introduccin.
g " Frecuentemente,
Danl2:]]
l'6
Lv. 24,2 Nm. 28,29, 2Re 25,30; Jr. 52,34. Con articulo 7nn,1
I; l2,I I;I1,31"7
fitQF)
La nocin de continuoenlaexgesisbblica
A. :TNR ENELPENTATEUCO.
El trmino no aoarece
en el Gnesis. En 8 ocasiones lo encontramos en
nn:1
'l?? E'i?
xodo 27:20
;11S! nr]
r1''? mPt1 )xlq: ''?-n
ilJ;rl-'i??]-r?i? uliril-b
:JTDFI
xodo 28.30
lulh-)*
nn:t
l'..
'.' r -t:
Et.]tN-nN
DEUit!]
.tT?:.r?-)! i'f'l EiQ-n'l
.'i?? ix:
Nr{,,1,1 ilJirl
I1$
I1$
i)-)y
bl-r?q:-'l? rippq-n
:-ItD[] ;rl;rl ,p?
xodo 28:38
nYn-hJ ;rlFr
Iiv-nN
I:N Nur)',l
trnN
| -:
r I
Y r:
I -r t)!
lulrrr
ulN
Erul-'tirn
'l:r-:
":
'rk:-
n;1
lil? '1.'1! inyp-bp
.,i??
:i.t.li.,
E,]?
obsequios sagrados.
continuamente sobre su
Estar
frente para
xodo 29:38
'lu'!l I1
;'lullrn
Erut!
nIDn-rl,
- " : ' ' T :
ilu-'ll
..:
TT
:-Ttr:l i'b
Dl)u:
'f
xodo 29.42
''BJ'ID-7;'1N
'TrD nlu
nnE Eltn]-I?
vuestras
:EP
xodo 30:8
Fl ribgl
Etttr;'] Mll-nN
.lnDll
.'iF?
ni:t'rt?l
. T nlicp
"i'
'.'
.
,
:E)rn']-'l) ''lr
Cuando encienda
las
lmParas al
De las ocho ocasiones en las que aparece, en seis es como adverbio (traducido
continuamente) y dos como adjetivo (continuo). En cinco ocasiones cierra un
parrafo como si de un-a expresin conclusiva se tratase. En slo una ocasin
encabeza una oracin ' y, curiosamente, es cuando el trmino es el adjetivo de
sacrificio ('olat).
'r?m
']iDII uix
[1ll-)v
'f
;If,)n
i En la sintaxis
Nb
El
fuego ha de
arder
permanentemente en el altar; no
se
apagar.
caso
Levitico 24'.2
,ll-n
Levitico 24'.3
inx
:r1 .'n i:
n?-r?? rrnP
blnt nli
;l:n )!
Levitico 24,4
nlBD Ei'l
'l?? :'r!l npts Ei''t
)xlp:-'l? n_{D rnDF l;rl
:o)iy n''l?
tabernculo
reunin,
continuamente desde el anochecer
hasta el amanecer. Esto es un estatuto
perpetuo, a travs de westras
generaciones.
Sobre
de
el
colocars
de
Jehov, de parte de los hijos de Israel
como pacto perpetuo.
Los cinco trminos son adverbios En dos ocasiones acaba prrafo y en otras
dos ocasiones contina a "delante de Jehov" (hfuei adonai). Sigue teniendo un
carcter conclusivo.I
'Inp! il:irl I
r,tl-;r-lDr
rP:l
J?lrll
:nb.)
I
Es interesante observar en Levtico 24:8 eltrmino "pacto perpetuo". Recordar que 'olam (aqur
traducido pr perpetuo) hace referencia a todos los das que dura una person4 cosa o evento y no al
concepto "por la eternidad".
Nmeros 28:3
,
E;1) tlrDNl
1il1' t}'1D1 :UN ;'I)Nn ;tI
'.'I
E'-rlu
f:
:-
)-r) ErufD
;Jtnn ;r)u ni'b
EDrDn
'
' I
f t
":
'T:
Nmeros 28:6
'liDF n)u
Una de las tres menciones es adverbio, las otras dos son adjetivos. Es
sintomtico observar que cuando aparece como adjetivo acompaa a sacrificio. En
una de esas dos ocasiones se antepone al verbo (28:6) y en otra cierra prrafo.
Tlb
n.'lq
-ltDlj
El trmino es un adverbio.
Tema: Hace referencia a la tierra de Canan a la que Dios cuida
continuanente
Observaciones:
Es notable el hecho de que no aparezca ninguna vez en el libro del Gnesis.
puede
intuir que esto sea debido a que no exista en su forma concreta el
Se
santuario? Es tan slo una conjetura. El panorama general sera:
LIBRO
ADJETIVO
ADVERBIO
SIGNIFICADO
OTROS
SAN
TUA
OTROS
JI.-rNTO
'sacRlFIcIo
GENESIS
EXODO
LEVITICO
Nuenos
TJEUTF,RONOMIO
TOTAL
'Esta
es una concrecin
6
5
13
2
1
RIO
t6
B.
2 Samuel9:7
;lPI
rrJ ib lFN,l
En) ))Nr
!T?'flq,Il
:JrDR ':nb-h,
2 Samuel 9:10
rb fltY]
I'-'?} ilr il?lT-n
irlflrl
i):X: E[? I'ir1??
b:xi i.-l+ np:'!Di
.
;tr;t''l
nNf;'Tt
" .' :
Tf
i r
... f -:-
tus
fui
nufrDDt
xl;r -ltFtl
:1'?l 'aq
Los tres trminos son adverbios y se vinculan al verbo ?/
?S,
comer).
las
ocasiones:
Reyes 10:8
Tqi 'tP
2 Reyes 4:9
.?
Er;'N
'
r
rDrN
:lt[I'f
nur.x-)x :nNhl
rnJr-.lt N)-;t;l
' : -T
f
"
-"If,r, Nr:'t u,itp
t!
:.?y
2 Reyes 25'.29
r''???
aqu,
2 Reyes 25:30
nrll inFll
?p nxn rb-nl! I'F!
:11[ 'D]
vida.
]l
in:'
n]'-11:!
l;11)fl
7f
n].]Bsn
i
_:-
E1l;'1D;'1
TNrInTl
'-:
:n'iiln"]l
1 Crnicas 16:11
;1];1't tlD']:l
''rtlE tuirS
:JrD:i
. T
rr
l! -
''ltr'l
\
continuamente su rostro.
1 Crnicas 16.37
DUi-fIIIrl
,i15
'l?$? illnr-ni.] rr
IilS? 'rP? nlp?
"r?t
linir i'-.lf-lb'ItaF
hermanos, para
que
continuamente delante
sirviesen
del arca, e
I Crnicas l6:40
nibb
;rln''? nrly
?y? nllply
t:.-:.t-f:
Crnicas
"'
)l'.zt
b)'r
f:
2 Crnicas
9',7
;l'p?
Er.]Dlrn nbN
D.y?u,'!
''::tp
irlf,l,
t.'r-:":-: 'lu,R]
I'FJ
tl'lP?
Dichosos
estos
:inn)n-nN
2 Crnicas 24.14
nnib::r
y-,Itt;.11.1
ni)1 n:y
;'t''t;'T.'-nrfb
r?)l
n.lEl.]
.'
ntil-nrf ni)y n'?4n
E,lofl fnT
lr;.,I'r.'l
: 'll r r
r r
:Jr.i;1,' .'Dl
b! IrFII
Los siete trminos son adverbiosl. Solamente uno cierra prrafo (16:11).
Tema: Tenemos una mencin (16:11) a un salmo que hace referencia a la
bsqueda continuada del rostro de Dio{I. 2 de Crnicas 9:7 es un texto paralelo a 7
Reyes 10:8 y felicita a los valientes del rey. Las cinco restantes menciones se
asocian con el santuarto, y tres de ellos con los sacrificios.
El libro de Esdras slo hace una mencin al trmino pero es de gran utilidad
para desarrollar un concepto del trmino en perodo postexlico.
I
Una de las oraciones tienen una lectua distinta (se puede tomar tamid como adjetivo). I Crnicas
16:40 podra decir: "... a Jehov en el altar del holocousto cantinuo". Esto volvera avincu tamid
con sacrificio hacindonos pensar que se convirtieron en trminos asociados.
tr
El paralelisrno es sinttico y compara el poder de Dios con su faz, su manifestacin en la naturaleza y
en la vida.
Esdras 3:5
ntt,
t:Uia+)!r
J).,::rE]
n'urg?1 I'Ftl
lli,tQ b>h ErurJPn lnr
:'r1rt 'r:ll
El vocablo es un adjetivo.
10
Nuevamente se asocia
a sacrificio ('olat)
para
Er *ret"dr. et
del trmino en los libros ms vinculados con la crnica que
"so
con los relatos narrativos. El uso es variado y parece, sobre todo en los libros
posteriores, que el trmino lleg a emplearse en asociacin con sacrificio. Es como si
sacrificio continuo fuese una expresin fija.
LIBRO
ADJETIVO
ADYERBIO
SIGNIFICADO
OTROS
SAN
TUA
OTROS
Rto
SAMUEL
REYES
CRONICAS
4
5
7'r
ESDRAS
TOTAL
13
,,
]I]NTO A
,SACRIFICIO
Salmos.
]n: rIlq
-ltQ! .IU?
'J'D'Q '?
:riirlN-b!
'Esta
es una concrecin
1t
Salmos 25:15
,'
;'t't;'tr-r
frDIJ
npID Nrgir-N: rt
r.'?:
Salmos 35'.27
.IDn
'
r T'
tnnu,t'1 :ll]
t.lDNrt tr-lB rsDn
....-:
:
l.
:.
50:8
'Ijl?
.rrsb .'?
Salmos 71:3
F'ts
algrense
;1.1-b xb
;1.'!bilr1 t1'?ix
.
:-'ltDJ
-l'D! xi:!
'Jisnr''y?p-'p
;l,I
liup
.'ly'qi;r?
:irF
Salmos 71:6
.tl?D?l
1 'iil
=t'?P
:-1'D! 'n?.,
Por
ti
el
Salmos 7L:14
JrDFI
.Y'.i.
.'x
,Tl?-)?-bg,tppi;''n bn:
Salmos 72.1,5
tb-lIl'l
't..t''l
La nocin de continuoenlaexgesisbiblica
12
,: ir"ii#J,J:Jff[H: il',lliu**'*o
Salmos 73'.23
:ipp 'T'D!
.rJrDr-r.tl
FF
Salmos 74'.23
)ip nun-bx
:-ltQ! nly l,Qp JiNU li.'ils
Salmos 105:4
Salmos 109:15
nlr-''ll.
lrl
tnpn :liff'
fi?? )-'i!
Fy:
Salmos 119.44
;l]?tIS]
:1t'1 E?ir?
1'D!
Salmos 119:109
=trllin
lF??
:'!F?P xb :1n'rin1
.q?l
-ltp!
Ju
ramas'
Salmos 119:ll7
llI?
:-]nD! lrP[? irp,]
;tlrtsl]
Los diecisis trminos son adverbios. Cinco de ellos cierran prrafo y slo uno
(50:8) parece estar vinculado con los sacrificios. Parece que existe un juego de
palabras en el 74:23 ("constantemente sube el tumulto de los que se levantan contrq
ti" parece hacer referencia al sacrificio de los malvados que como Can elevan su
pecado al cielo). 1 Crnicas 16:1i se repite en el 105:4.
13
Tems: La mayor parte de las citas hacen referencia al apoyo constante que
se encuentra en Dios.
ErfN n)'x
nI+?? ;1jtl ,
1n n?l.!
'lr
Proverbios 6:21
t)-b
Dtp?
14
E-.rN
enlzalos en
a tu corazn, Y
cuello.
tu
E''y:
rrur*
Bienaventurado
':1t:
:b-:ior
:-1'DI;1 ;rqD
Proverbios 28
.,g
talos siempre
Trpr
el
hombre que
que
endurece su
pero
el
siempre teme,
corazbncaer6enel mal.
:;tp:?
De la cuatro menciones tres son adverbios y una adjetivo. Dos de ellas acaban
prrafo.
Tema: Dos de lss citas hacen referencia al atnor, una a la alegra y la otra
al respeto hacia Dios.
Observaciones:
El significado es disperso,
disfrute de la vida.
LIBRO
ADJETIICI
ADVERBIO
Dios y
SIGNIFICADO
OTROS
SAN
TUA
OTROS
JUNTO A
SACRIFICIO
15
RIO
SALMOS
16
PRO\E,RBIOS
TOTAL
t9
4
1
t9
14
Isaas 21:8
;1].''l NIP::
:ni)'bn-)
f
f,l
f
'
Isaas 49.16
D]!I-b! ]
:-1'D!
'Iji
:l::in
:j'':lir[
;1,1;-,tr
n!u,nl
mis
manos te tengo grabada; tus murallas
estn siempre delante de m.
Isaas 51:13
l)]
11
-l'n| ;rlt
=14i1
tfl)'-Nb
Isaas 60:11
:il:Iu,
rnFPl
abiertas
continuamente. No se cerrarn ni de
da ni de noche, para que sean tradas a
ti las riquezas de las naciones, y te sean
conducidos sus reyes.
Isaas 62:6
::rrhrn-by
l5
Isaas 65:3
E'9''!?D EI'T
rl-h, .tni
Ernfi 'Trnf
.T
De los siete adverbios slo uno cierra prrafo. En Isaas 62.6 no se traduce el
texto.
Tema: El vocablo se emplea para hacer referencia a la vigilancia y vnculo
con Dios. Isaas 65:3 expresa el concepto de sacrificio abominable ul Seor.
Tres son las citas en Jeremas:
Jeremas 6:7
F:l?) r''PT?
;nlr"l
i'nPn
1!
trDrn
r''n!l
T Tr
fl'"
l"
r
'.'
'lP-bp ;? rDqt
rul
D?tr
:;']!DillU -l'DF
violencia y
destruccin;
heridas en
mi
presencia.
Jeremas 52:33
i'r!u,]
T':
n:rrs in;il
nN
.'
r.'??!
Jeremas s2"34
Tema: Uno de los versculos hace mencin a la maldad continua y los dos
restantes vuelven a hacer referencia a la alimentacin constante que reciba
Joaqun.
El libro de Ezequiel hace referencia atamid en cuatro ocasiones:
16
Ezequiel33:8
n'l:l
EiD?Q
nBl)
:E)E
Ezequiel 39
:luttl
14
1'n!
'ul]
E"]PQ n$+ E,']?r, b"i?:
Er: n'l -n
lr'l-n(
;'rPn lnrg? n? 't?-bu
:ilPril EtuJiJ-;]Yt)
E r'''l f,
De aqu a
muchos das
sers
sobre
purificarla. A1 cabo de siete
meses
harn el reconocimiento.
Ezequiel 46 14
u,lrn ;rnlD
Ezequiel 46:15
nu,lrrt
(:iJlr'l)
n)Eil-n] u,:!;r-nN
n?iu 'rp
rp
lpg-n51
:.1rFl
los
Abdas i:16
rl
'''lu,D
r':rrlll
rufr
'
'.'-:-
rnrg1
I'FF
E''ir-b?
:r';r xib
r'i
17
Nahum 3:19
I$q
"'YFU
il?qt
T?-I'
), In?n n?ri
ADJETIVO
ADVERBIO
SIGNIFICADO
OTROS
SAN
TUA
OTROS
JI.INTO
ISAIAS
JEREMIAS
3
a
./-
EZEQLIIEL
MENORES
TOTAL
t4
SACRIFICIO
RIO
l4
LIBRO
ADJETIVO
ADVERBIO
SIGNITICADO
OTROS
SAN
TUA
OTROS
PENTATEUCO
slstnlcos
potlcos
JLINTO
t6
l9
2
25
t4
43
11
PROFETICOS
TOTAL
4
59
SACRIFICIO
RIO
gEE
e
E
B
HEE
l8
SANTUARIO
trSANTUARIO SOTROS
.'ITD;''I
EN EL ANTIGUO TESTAMENTO.
En el Pentateuco, con artculo, slo aparece en el libro de Nmeros' Son 17 las
menciones en este libro:
Nmeros 4:7
Despus extendern un pao azul sobre
bul
la mesa de la Presencia Y Pondrn
uJ"]Dt
Dnll
'r :: ' ErlD;'l
T:
sobre l los platos, las cucharas, las
nop-nl n+,i?-nl 1''?P
fuentes y las vasijas para la libacin. Y
el pan que est continuamente en la
:1?1 niuP nN] ni,i?ll-n!l]
E.
u?q
n))n ll
:;11t l'?P
Nmeros 4'.16
:'t:?
trr.f?l
-riY? nlP?'r
28:10
nu n?,,
IrDnil
n)y-b.r itu
'T---:
:;??l,J
Nmeros 28:15
n)y-)y ;'nil)
E.!tl, '''[]rl:
nxonb lnx
f_:f'.'
'I"DRil
:i>o:l
;tuul
- T rf "
:.i
19
Nmeros 28'.23
-ilnnil
n?u 'rtbD
nbvb ux
:bx-nx
l:lt I
t. -
continuo.
IUI,F]
Nmeros 28.24
bx
.rl
;'tulR En)
ErDr nlrlu E.]r?
T'.'
urD
...
"
_f
Jehovah;
se
ofrecer aParte
del
Nmeros 2831
ED'IIR
n?u -llbn
tu,iF inFlQr 'T'DF
:E'??ll o:!-r'1
Nmeros 29:6
nlv -l:?n
i"
Nmeros
-:
29:ll
E'rIlr-"luu,
-Tf>D
NNDN
NNBN -INN
,
t"',nii
;:rnn:Dt'ltnnn'
nby
I T:'
:
:Eil''?91'j
Nmeros 29.16
ErIlr-'ltlrull
Nmeros 29:19
Erllr-'1.'Jru,l
20
Nmeros 29.22
n90'xP]yuilmachocabrocomosacrificio
:;-r??1]
r[tl
;ltlTlQt
fl:il"-*"0"#o,:o'T, '.i
ofrenda vegetal y su libacin-
Nmeros 29:25
El.lr-']tJqt
-rqr :i"i,:fj";,'*1ff",".i"#rut
libacin
:;1??l] ;lmp -l'n!,l
n?u r;?D nN,ror
Nmeros 29:28
r.D!
. T _
nPil.Ipyunmachocabrocomosacrificio
'u?D
n?u
.
fl:il",:',,""'.fn?nu:"T, ',..]
tT
-:
r:rs
:illOll ;1nn)Dt
Nmeros 2931
nNP[].'Iqlyunmachocabrocomosacrificio
o"'.11onu:'"11',
'T'D? nlu 'r?D
flh",,,"
rrs
:i'??lt ;tlflQ
Nmeros 29:34
"i
nPD]'ygryunmachocabrocomosacrificiopor
'r'DF[
nLP[-.]'v?ryunmachocabrocomosacrificiopor
n?p :rh:
:i,,f,:'f";,'I1?i",,,?.l,"JT'l;
:;:'lDo:'l
]r
;nn:D:l
libacin.
21
Nehemas 10:33
ETT?
tr'plpll
n.''rr:n! tr.'pJll
'.
"t:'.'::
)'1
:rurJpQ
Daniel 8:12
n?
Ipll
I!1lr N?S1
uu?l -T'F!il-bu
derribado.
Daniel 8:13
-rFN rDNil
'rtlQ
irl:qrj
urrrP-Tl
rllil'i?p!
uri-rp
la
rebelin desoladora,
sern
Daniel 11:31
tln Eru']l
riupir u,lpp rb?n: r'rnl
r:irP nt'1 J't:{r
l''r'Di:r'l
:EDiIDD
22
Daniel 12:11
Dr;1 nlrDt
DtDr EDID rtirp nn?]
-ltFF
rn''Ign1 EliN?
!h!
Tema: Es proftico.
Una visin general nos hace deducir que este trmino tiene que encontrarse
vinculado con el sistema sacrificial.
LIBRO
ADJETIVO
ADI/ERBIO
SIGNIFICADO
OTROS
SAN
TUA
RIO
NUMEROS
16
NEHEMIAS
DANIEI,
TOTAL
18
OTROS
JLNTO A
SACRIFICIO
17
15
t9t
17
242
23
NOTAS
1 Methods of Bible Study
At the
1986 Annual Council meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, church leaders representing all the
worldfields approved the report of the General Conference's 'Methods of Bible Study Committee
(GCC4) This carefully worded document was published in the Adventi Review (January 22, 1987),
pages I8-2A. Generally, all Bible-believingAdventists embrace this report as reflective of the
principles ofinterpretation that have been historically accepted by Seventh-day Adventists. The
following is the enlire text of the 'Methods of Bible Studyu as it was approved at No.
l.
Preamble
This statement is addressed to all members of the Swenth-day Adventist Church wi the prpose of
proding guidelines on how to study the Bible, both the ained biblical scholar and others.
Seventhday Adventists recognize and appreciate the contributions of those biblical scholars
throughout history who have dweloped useful and reliable methods of Bible study consistent wi the
claims and teachings of Scripture. Advensts are committed to the acceptance of biblical truth and ae
willing to follow it, using all methods of interpretation consistent with what Scri$ure says of itself,
These are outlined in the presuppositions detailedbelow,
In recent decdes the most prominant method in biblicat studies has been lnown as the historicalcrical method. Scholars who use this metho4 as classically formulate4 opete on the basis of
presuppositions whict prior to studying the biblical tex[ reject the reability of accounts of miacles
and other supernatural events narrated in the Bible. Even a modied use of this method that rdains the
principle of criticism which subordinates the Bible to human reason is unacceptable to Adventists.
commandments. In addition, because such a method decmphasizes the divine element in the Bible as
an inspiredbook (including its resultant unity) and depreciates or misunderstands apocalyptic prophery
and the eschatological portions of the Bible, we urge Adventisl Bible students to avoid relying on the
use of the presuppositions and the resultant deductions associated with the historical-crical method.
By contrast to the historical+rical method and presuppositions, we believe it to be helpful to set forth
the principles of Bible study that are consistent with the teachings of the Scripures themselves, that
preserve their unity, and are based upon the premise that tlrc Bible is the word of God. Such an
approach will lead us into a satisfying and rewarding experience with God.
2. hesuppositions
a.Gigrn
1) The Bible is the word of God and is the pnmary and authoritative means by which He reveals
Himself to human beings.
2)The Holy Spirit inspired the Bible writers with thouglrts, ideas, and objective information; in firn
they expressed these in eir own words. Therefore the Scriptures are an indivisible union of human
and dine elements, neither of which should be emphasized to the neglect of the other (zPeter l:21;
cf. The Great Controversy, pp. v, vi).
3) All Scripture is inspired by God and came through the work of the Holy Spirit. However, it did not
come in a continuous chain of unbroken revelations. As e Holy Spirit communicated truth to the
Bible writer, each wrote as he was moved by the Holy Spirit emphasizing the aspect of the tnth which
24
any
he was led to stress. For this reason the student of the Bible will gain a rounded cnmprehension on
a
it
depicts
subject by recognizing that the Bible is its own best interpretrand yhe studied as a whole
yp'19,
The
20
1,
corxisteng harmonious truth (2 Tim. 3:16; Heb. l:1, 2; cf . Selected Messages, book
Great Controversy, Pp. v, vi).
4) Although it wis'given t ose who lived in an ancient Near Eastemllvleditelranean context, the
Bible transcends its cultural backgrounds to serve as God's word for all cultural, racial, and situational
contexts in all ages.
. Authority
l) The 66 hoks of the Old and New Testaments are the clear, infallible revelation of God's will and
Iiis salvation. The Bible is the word of God, and it alone is the standad by which all teaching and
2) Scripture is an authenc, reable record of history and God's acts in history' tt provides
normative theological interpretation of those acts. The supernatural acts revealed in Scriure
the
are
its message.
4) Human reason is subject to the Bible, not equal to or above it. Presuppositions regarding the
(1
Scriptures must be in harinony with the claims of tne Scriptures and zubject to crrection by them
and
context
the
within
but
extent,
ita
futlest
to
Cor. Z:t-O. God intends that human rerson be used
under the authority of His Word rather than independent of it.
5) The revelation of God in all natue, when properly understood, is in harmony with the Written
who seeks to hear what the iUt" ir saying They must be willing to submit all presuppositions,
opinions and the conclusions of reason t the juAgnent and correction of the Word itself. With this
,ititoA. the Bible shrdent may come directly to the Wor4 and with careful study may come to an
The
understanding of ttre essentials of salvatio, apa.t from any human explanationg however helpfirl.
person.
a
biblical message becomes meaningfrrl to such
d. The investi[ation of Scripture ust be chaaterized by a sincere desire to discover and obey God's
will and word rather than to seek support or evidence for preconceived ideas.
4. Methods of Bible Study
a. select a Sibte version'for study that is faithrl to the meaning contained in languages in which the
Bible originally was written, gri"g preference to translations done by a broad group of scholars and
publishe,by a-general publiitier ave translations sponsoredby a particular denomination or narrowly
focused group.
Exercise cafe not to build major doctrinal points on one Bible translation or version. Trained biblical
scholars will use the Greek and Hebrew texts, enabling them to examine variant readings of ancient
Bible manuscripts, as well.
. Choose a denite plan of study, avoiding haphazad and aimless appoaches. Shrdy plans such as the
25
5) Word study.
6) Biographical study.
c. Seek to grasp the simple, most obvious rneaning of the biblical passage being studied.
d Seek to discover the underlying major themes of Scri$ure as found in individual texts, passages, and
books. Two basic, related themes nrn throughout Scripture: (1) the person and work of Jesus Christ;
and (2) the great controversy perspective involng the authority of God's Word, the Fall of mar the
f,rst and second advents of Christ, the exoneration of God and His law, and the restoration of the divine
plan for the universe. These themes are to be drawn from the totality of Scripture and not imposed on
it.
e. Recognize that the Bible is its own interpreter and ut the meaning of words, texts, and passages is
best determined by diligently comparing scripture with scripture.
Study the contexl of the passage under consideration by relating it to the sentences and paragraphs
,f
immediately preceding and following it. Try to relate the ideas of the passage to the line of thought of
the entire biblical book.
g. As far as possible ascertain the historical circumstrnces in which the passage was written by the
biblical writer under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
/l. Determine the literary type the author is using. Some biblical material is composed of parables,
proverbs, allegories, psalms, and apocalyptic prophecies. Since many biblical writers presented much
of their material as poetry, it is helpful to use a version of the Bible that presents this material in poetic
style, for passges employing imagery are not to be interpreted in the same manner as prose.
l. Recognize that a given biblical text may not conform in every detail to present-day literary
categories. Be cautious not to force these categories in interpreting the meaning of the biblical texl' It is
a human tendency to find what one is looking for, even when the author [witer] did not intend such.
7. Take note of grammar and sentence construction in order to discover the author's [write/s] meaning.
Study the key words of the passage by comparing their use in other parts of the Bible by means of a
concordance and with the help ofbiblical lexicons and dictionaries.
k In connection with the study of the biblical text, explore the historical and cultural factors.
Archaeology, anthropology, and history may contribute to understanding the meaning of the text.
/. Seventh-day Adventists betieve that God inspired Ellen G. White. Therefore, her expositions on any
given biblical passage offer an inspired guide to the meaning of texts without exhausng their meaning
or preempting the task of exegesis (for example, e Evangelism, p.256', The Great Controversy,
pp.l93, 595; Testimonies, vo1.5,pp.665,682,707,708; Counsels to Writers and Editors, pp.33-35).
m. After, studying as outlined above, tum to various commentaries and secondary helps such as
scholarly works to see how others have dealt with the passage. Then carefully evaluate e diflerent
viewpoints expressed from the standpoint of Scripure as a whole.
r. In interpreting prophecy keep in mind that:
l) The Bible claims Go'd's power to predict the futwe (Isa. 46:10).
2) Prophecy has a moral purpose. It was not written merely to satisf curiosity about the future. Some
of the purposes of prophecy are to strengthen faith (John 14:29) and to promote holy ling and
readiness for the Advent (Matt.24:44;Rev.22:7, 10, 11).
3) The focus of much prophecy is on Christ (both His rst and second advents), the chuch, and the
end-time.
4) The norms for interpreting prophecy are found within the Bible itself:
The Bible notes time prophecies and their historical fulfillments, the New Testament cites specific
fulfillments of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, and the Old Testament itself presents
individuals and events as t),pes of the Messiah.
5) In the New Testament application of Old Testament prophecies, some literal names becorne
spiritual: e.g., Israel represents the church; Babylon, apostate religion; etc.
6) There are two general pes of prophec writings: nonapocalyptic prophecy, as found in Isaiah and
Jeremiah, and apocalyptic prophecy, as found in Daniel and the Re!'elation. These differing types have
di fferent characteristics
aJ Nonapocallptic prophecy addresses God's people; apocallptic prophecy is more universal in scope.
/ Nonapocalyptic prophecy often is conditional in nature, setting forth to God's people the alternatives
of blessing for obedience and curses for disobeence; apocallptic emphas2es the sovereignty of God
and His control over history.
:
c-) Nonapocalyptic prophecy often leaps from the local crisis to the end-time day of the Lord;
apocalyptic prophecy presents the course of history from the time of the prophet to the end of the
world.
26
d) Timeprophecies in nonapocallptic prophecy generally are long, e.g., 400 years of Israel's servitude
(Jer. 25:12). Time prophecies_inapocalyptic
(Gn. li:fj) and 70 yeari of Babyionian
"upiuity
10
days (Rev. 2:10) or 42 mons (Rev' 13:5)'
e.g.,
terms,
generally
in
slrcrt
arephrased
irophecy
Apocalyptic time periods stand symbolically for longer periods of actual time.
7i Apo;;typtic piophecy is ftighly symboiic and should be interpreted accordingly. In interpreting
symbols, the following methods may be used:
i) toot. for interpretions (explicit or implicit) within the passage itsetf (e.g., Dan' 8:20,21; Rev'
l:20).
) Look for interpretations elsewhere in the book or in other writings by the same author [writerJ.
c) Using a concordance, study the use of symbols in other parts of Scripnre.
d A study of ancient Near Eastem documents may tluow light on the meaning of symbols, although
scriptural use may alter those meanings.
a; ihe literary siructure of a book ften is an aid to interpreting
ir
prophecies is an example.
b. partet accounts in Scripture sometimes present differences in detail and emphasis (for example,
What
compare Maft.2t:334a; Mirk ll:l-l\and iute 20:9-18, or 2 Kings 18-20 with 2 Chron. 32).
referring
are
parallels
actually
the
that
to
be
sure
carefully
studying such passages, first examine them
to the same historical event. For example, many of Jesus' parables may have been given on different
occasions to fferent audiences and with different wording.
In cases where there appear to be difierences in parallel accounts, one should recognize that the total
which the
message of the Bible ii ihe synthesis of all its parts. Each book or writer communicates that
and
diversity,
richness,
Spirit-has led him to write. Each makes his own special contribution to the
to
Bible
writer
each
(lhe Great Controttersy, pp. v, vi). The reader must allow
variety of Scripture
and be hear4 rvhile at lhe same time recognizing the basic unity of the divine selfdisclosure.
When parallel passages seem to indicate disciepanry or contradictioq look for the underlying
lrarmony. Keep in *io tt at dissimilarities may be due to minor errors of copyists (Selected Messages,
book i, p. l6t or my be the result of differing emphases and choice of materials of various aulhors
for different audiences under
[writers] uo wrote under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit
different circumstances (ibid., pp.21,22'. The Great Controversy, p. v1).
It may prove impossible to recncile minor dissimilarities in detail rvhich tnay be inelevant to the main
an tar *e5ge of the passage. In some cases judgment may have to be suspended until more
information and better edence are available to resolve a seeming discrepanry.
p. The Scripures were written for the practical purpose of revealing the will of God to the human
.*".g.
iamrty However, in order for one not to misconstrue certain londs of statements, it is important to
recognize tlut they were addressed to peoples of Eastern cultues and expressed in their thought
patterns.
such as "The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh" @x. 9:12) or "an evil spirit from God"
bxpressions
-Sam.
(1
16:15), the imprecatory psalms, and the "three days and fhee nights" of Jonah as compared
with Christ's death (Mait. 12:40) iommonly are misunderstood because they are interpreted today from
a different viewpoint.
A background knowledge ofNear Eastem culture is indispensable for understanding such expressions.
For example, Hebrew coltor" attributed responsibility to an individual for acts he did not commit but
that he allowed to happen. Therefore the inspired writers of the Scriptures commonly credit God with
doing actively that which in Western thought we would say He permits or does not prwent from
(Mau. 19:4-6,8).
'ihe spirit of the Scriptures is one of restoration. God works patiently to elevate fallen humanity from
the depths of sin to tt . dil ir. ideal. Consequently we must not accpt as models the actions of sinftl
men as recorded in the Bible.
27
The Scriptures represent e unfolding of God's revelaon to man. Jesus' sermon on the mount, for
example, enlarges and expands on certain Old Testament concepts. Chist Himself is the ultimate
revelation of God's character to humani (Heb. 1:1-3).
While there is an overarching unity in the Bible from Genesis to Revelatio& and while all Scri$ure is
equally inspird God chose to reveal Himself to and through human indiduals and to meet them
where they were in terms of sprritual and intellectual endowments. God Himself does not change, but
He progressively unfolded His revelation to men as they were able to grasp it (John 16:12; The SDA
Bible Commentary, vol.7, p. 945;Selected Messages, book t, p.2l). Every erperience or statement of
Scripture is a divinely inspired record" but not every statement or experience is necessarily normative
for Chrisan behaor today. Both the spirit and the letter of Scripture must be understood (l Cor. 10:613
g. As the final goal, make application of the texl. Ask such questions as "What is the message and
purpose God intends to convsy through Scriure? What meaning does this text have for me? How
does it aply to my situation and circumstances today? In doing so, recognize that although many
biblical passages had local signi"ficance, nonetheless they contain timeless principles appcable to
every age and cultue.
5, Conchsion
'
Libros
Arche Gleason L., Jr. uThe Aramaic of the Genesis Apocryphon
Compared with e Aamaic of Daniel." In New Perspectives on
the Old Testament pp. 160{9. Edited b5, J. Barton Payne.
Waco: WordBoots, Publisher, 1970.
"Daniel." Expositor's Bible Commentary pp. l-157. Vol.
7. Edited by Frarik E, Gaebelein. Grand Rapids: Regency
Reference Library, 1985.
La nocin
& continuoenla
Luclq
Woo{
exgesisbblica
28
29
Artculos
Gooding D. W. "The Literary Structure of the Book of Daniel."
Tyndale Bulletin 32 (1981): 43-79.
Heater, Homer, Jr. "Notes on the Book of Daniel." Unpublished
class notes in 375 Seminar in Old Testament Historical
Literature. Dallas Theological Seminary, Spring 1990.
Martir\ John
the Mede in
Jounal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Daniel6.'
3
(1988):
279-86.
2t.
3
'
Vctor Armenteros
1.02.98