Bible Interpretation: How to Get it Wrong Every Time

The science of Bible interpretation is known as hermeneutics. While there are many different methods, the most important foundational principle is called exegesis. It’s easy to define this as being a “literal interpretation.” But that’s a terrible approach that creates really bad doctrine. I’ll prove it to you in less than 10 minutes.

We need to look at a method of biblical interpretation that dates back to the time of the New Testament and before. When you understand this method, the New Testament takes on a depth and richness like you’ve never seen. But it won’t work if you’re stuck on a literal interpretation of the Bible. You need to see Scripture as an orchard to be cultivated – not a document to be studied.

An Orchard

The Jewish sages teach that the Bible is an orchard to be cultivated. It requires different tools for different tasks. Using one tool and one tool only, greatly limits how that orchard grows. Today, the rabbis call this method of interpretation “PaRDeS.” It’s the Hebrew word for “orchard.” But it’s used as an acronym for the words “p’’shat,” “remez,” “d’rash” and “sod.” Each of these words is a deeper level of interpretation. The first of these words matches closely with Christian hermeneutics. Some define it as interpreting the Bible literally. But trust me, you don’t want to do this.

Good Bible Interpretation ISN’T Literal!

The Hebrew word “p’shat” means “simple.” When it comes to Bible interpretation, it means the text says what the text says. But that doesn’t mean we’re to read the Bible literally. Can you imagine reading verses like Zechariah 5:1-3 literally?

Then I turned to look, and there was a flying scroll! Someone asked me, “What do you see?” I replied, “I see a flying scroll 30 feet long and 15 feet wide.” The speaker went on to say, “This is a curse traveling across the whole earth. For example, according to the curse whoever steals will be removed from the community; or on the other hand (according to the curse) whoever swears falsely will suffer the same fate.” (Zechariah 5:1-3 NET)

There’s a Bible teacher who teaches that these verses mean that Zechariah saw a giant intercontinental ballistic missile carrying a nuclear warhead sent from Syria to destroy the modern State of Israel. That’s just not what’s going on here. It’s a symbolic vision. And that’s why we need good principles for interpreting the plain, simple meaning of Scripture. Some verses have to be seen as figurative, and not literal.

Three Instances to Interpret the Bible Figuratively

First, when an inanimate object is used to describe a living being, the statement is figurative. Isaiah gives us a perfect example of this when he describes Israel as a vineyard:

Indeed, Israel is the vineyard of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the people of Judah are the cultivated place in which he took delight. He waited for justice, but look what he got—disobedience! He waited for fairness, but look what he got—cries for help! (Isaiah 5:7 NET)

It’s silly to read this verse and conclude that Israel is a vineyard. If this is literal, why is YHWH looking in the vineyard for justice and fairness? Isaiah is using a metaphor to help the people understand that Israel belongs to YHWH and that He expects the people to live righteously.

Second, when life and action are attributed to an inanimate object the statement is figurative. This is the exact rule that should be applied to the scroll verses in Zechariah 5. Scrolls don’t fly. Something unusual is happening here. Therefore, these verses should be interpreted figuratively, not literally.

And third, when an expression is out of character with the thing described, the statement is figurative.

Protect me as you would protect the pupil of your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 17:8 NET)

The psalmist isn’t the pupil of YHWH’s eye. And he isn’t a duckling being protected by his mother’s wings. This is the simple meaning of the text, but it isn’t to be taken literally.

Bible Interpretation Should Start By Keeping it Simple

In the Talmud (Jewish commentary on the Hebrew Scriptures) Rabbi Kahana taught “A verse cannot depart from its plain meaning.” This is a good rule and we should obey it. But, the Bible is also a rich and complex collection of history, narrative stories, poetry, and apocalyptic literature. Interpreting it is not a simple process of “taking the Bible literally.”