Line Upon Line | Part 2

Parallelisms, Pegs, and Exemplary Verses

Preface

In Part 1 of the present series, “Line Upon Line”, we introduced the King James Bible as having its very own built-in dictionary—a knowledge which must be the foundation of Bible-believing interpretation. This way, it is not we who interpret the Bible, but rather, we rightly permit the Bible to interpret itself. We also discussed parallelisms, most particularly synonymous parallelisms.

Herein this second part, we will learn about parallelisms, how to find them using pegs, and walk through some examples together.

What are Parallelisms?

Parallelisms can be understood, at least partially, in terms of correspondence and comparison. Although they are perhaps most apparent in the “Wisdom Books” of the Old Testament (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon), parallelisms can be found throughout the entire Bible.

Parallelism is well known to be the chief characteristic of Hebrew poetry. When we find that two or more lines correspond closely with one another to make a point, we have found a parallelism. But there are various types of parallelism exhibited throughout the Bible, and so, the best way to understand them is by learning about those different types.

Types of Parallelisms

Please note that there are other types of parallelisms which are not mentioned below. The types exemplified are those most pertinent to our study in learning to define biblical words and phrases in-context, line upon line.

Synonymous

The heavens declare the glory of God…
the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Psalm 19:1

A synonym is any word or phrase that holds exactly or nearly the same meaning as another word or phrase. A synonymous parallelism, therefore, occurs when successive lines employ different words that import equal values—that is, convey the same meaning. In fact, you just read one — “import equal values” is made synonymous with “convey the same meaning.”

Synthetic

Let the words of my mouth,
and the meditation of my heart,
be acceptable in thy sight, O [JEHOVAH],
my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

The word “synthetic” should not be presumed to mean artificial, but rather that which involves synthesis. A synthetic parallelism, then, is a synthesis (i.e. combining or joining) of two or more words or phrases which are brought together to form a fuller, shared meaning. The succeeding line (or lines) adds to that which was first stated by the line preceding it. The different words, when brought together (synthesized), impart a more whole and coherent sense than the individual words themselves could express.

Antithetic

They are brought down, and fallen…
but we are risen, and stand up right.
Psalm 20:8

In terms of antithesis or opposition, an antithetic parallelism refers to such words or phrases that are directly, unequivocally opposite or opposed to one another in meaning. The succeeding line (or lines) contrast the meaning represented by the words of the preceding line, thus revealing their antonymous dispositions (i.e., their oppositions in nature, character, etc). Therefore, an antithetic parallelism draws out antonyms rather than synonyms.

Locating the Pegs

There is a key identifying marker—which we will call pegs, (as in a device used to fasten, fix, or attach objects; [or] that from which an object hangs—i.e., a “hanger”),—that is vital to becoming proficient in the use of God’s built-in dictionary. Learning to locate pegs will not only equip us to more readily identify the plethora of parallels within the lines of scripture, but secure for ourselves a fuller confidence in the words of truth.

What are Pegs?

Pegs are repeated words or phrases that indicate the immediate presence of a parallelism. The context must be read word by word and line upon line to identify the reoccurrence of any words or phrases. In some cases, as will be exemplified in the following study, there may be various recurrences of many words or phrases within a given context. Said context may also contain words which hold the opposite meaning to any given word in question (that is, an antonym).

Furthermore, as will be shown, word order is also highly significant to finding pegs and parallelisms.

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Exemplary Verses

Italics = Pegs

For the purpose of this study, italicized words will not identify any words supplied by the King James Translators, but rather they will mark the pegs.

Bold = Parallelisms

Bold words, on the other hand, will mark the parallelisms.

In our verses below, our primary focus will be on synonymous parallelisms, as it is these from which our definitions are most commonly derived.

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1 John 1

Verse 1

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
1 John 1:1

Herein verse one, the pegs are the words “which we have” onto which our synonyms are fastened. The phrase “seen with our eyes” is synonymous with “looked upon”.

The word “heard” has been excluded only because there are purer synonyms present in this verse which are more pertinent to the purpose of this study. But for the sake of example, we will point out that to hear and to see may rightly be understood as to perceive,¹ in which case “heard” should be included as a near synonym (but not identical). See also the relationship between seen & heard² and eye & ear.³

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Verse 2

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
1 John 1:2

The pegs in the second verse are the word “unto” of which there is a double occurrence. In the first mention of unto, the word “shew” precedes it, and in the second mention, the word “manifested” also precedes it. Shew is synonymous with manifested, and means the same as “reveal”.⁴

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Verses 3 & 4

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
1 John 1:3-4

In this example, the pegs are spread out between two verses—they are the words “we unto you” to which the words “declare” and “write” are attached. The words seen and heard, when brought together, form what’s called a synthetic parallelism—which is the synthesis of two different words (although, as mentioned above, they are also near synonyms) to form a greater shared meaning.

Notice also the identical word order between the parallels:

1. declare we unto you, that ye

2. write we unto you, that your

The word order may not always be as exact as it is in this instance, but will nonetheless be apparent to those who look for such recurrences. When we take notice of it, we see that John has drawn a synthetic relationship between “that ye also may have fellowship with us” and “that your joy may be full.”

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Verses 7-10

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 John 1:7-10

This is such an example as we referred to earlier in which there are various recurrences of many words within a single context. There are a few different pegs and synonyms to identify.

Let's break it down.

The pegs in these verses are threefold:

1. “us” and “us from all”

2. “we have no” and “we have not”

3. “is not in us”

And our synonyms are threefold also:

1. “cleanse” is synonymous with “forgive”

2. “sin” is synonymous with “unrighteousness”

3. “truth” is synonymous with “word”

Let’s isolate these examples to see how the pegs relate to their corresponding synonyms:

Example A

7 …the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
9 …he [Jesus Christ] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Example B

8 If we say that we have no sin…
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned…

Example C

8 …and the truth is not in us.
10 …and his word is not in us.

There are two more synonyms present in our text:

1. “faithful” is synonymous with “just” (see verse 8)

2. “deceive” is synonymous with “liar” (compare verses 8 and 10)

These synonyms are a little more difficult to identify because they don’t have directly associated pegs attached. However, while the pegs “we have no” and “we have not” are foremost related to the word sin/sinned, they are, in fact, the pegs from which the words “deceive” and “liar” are fastened to. This is a perfect example of a peg that is not situated immediately next to its parallel, but is within the same verse(s).

Notice also the opening words of verses 8, 9, and 10:

1. If we say that we have no sin…

2. If we confess…

3. If we say that we have not sinned…

The word order in verses 8 and 10 are essentially identical. Between them in verse 9, we have the word “confess”, which contextually, the Bible defines as to “say that we have sin” (present tense)—or, to “say that we have sinned” (past tense).

Additionally, the phrases “If we say that we have no sin” and “If we say that we have not sinned” are antithetical to “if we confess our sins.”

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Luke 1

Verses 1-4

Like the previous example in 1 John 7-10, the first four verses of Luke’s gospel also house within it various recurrences of many words:

Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
Luke 1:1-4

The pegs in these verses are fourfold:

1. “as”

2. “to” + “in order”

3. “of those things”

4. “from the”

And our synonyms are fourfold also:

1. “forasmuch” is synonymous with “even”

2. “set forth” or “taken in hand to set forth” are synonymous with “write” or “to write”

3. “which” is synonymous with “wherein”

4. “beginning” is synonymous with “very first”

Once again, let’s isolate our examples to see the relations between our pegs and parallels:

Example A

1 Forasmuch as many…
2 Even as they…

Example B

1 …taken in hand to set forth in order…
3 … to write unto thee in order…

Example C

1 …declaration of those things which…
4 …certainty of those things, wherein…

Example D

2 …which from the beginning…
3 …of all things from the very first…

We also have one more synonym drawn from verses 1 and 4 in association with the peg, “of those things”—

1 …a declaration of those things which are most surely believed…
4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things…

The synonymous relationship between “most surely” and “certainty” is revealed through their mutual association with the phrase “of those things”.

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Closing thoughts

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:12-16

What are those spiritual things which are to be compared with spiritual? They are the things of the Spirit of God, which are freely given to us. Such are not the words taught by man’s wisdom, but the words taught by the Holy Ghost—the very mind of Christ Himself. The wisdom of God is spiritually discerned, thus the natural mind cannot know it, nor receive it. But we have received it, because we have the mind of Christ.

Inspired men (who articulate in earthly expression the divine thoughts of God), ought never to be compared with the vain wisdom of man. Man’s wisdom can neither interpret, nor clarify, nor expound the Bible, but it is the Holy Ghost who does all these things. For thus saith JEHOVAH, “my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts.”⁵

There is certainly much more that may be discussed and elaborated upon in our learning of how the Bible defines its own words in-context. Most assuredly, we will revisit this subject in future additions to this series. Until then, these examples have been given in order that the Bible believer might gain an ever greater confidence in JEHOVAH’s holy book.

God bless,
Brandon

Scripture Index

1. Jdg 6:22; 1Sa 12:17; Job 9:11; Isa 64:4; Jer 23:18

2. Psa 48:8; Isa 64:4; Joh 3:32, 5:37; Act 4:20, 22:15; Rev 22:8

3. Job 13:1; Psa 94:9; 1Cor 2:9

4. Jer 33:3,6; Luk 2:26, 4:5; Rom 1:17-19; 1Co 3:13; 2Th 2:3-4; 1Pe 1:5,20

5. Isa 55:8–9