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Biblical hermeneutics

Read Bible passages in context and discuss what they mean with care

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Who it's for

  • Members of Bible study groups
  • College students studying the Bible
  • Readers curious about biblical interpretation

What you'll be able to do

  • Find a passage and read its surrounding text
  • Use history and translation notes to weigh meanings
  • Read stories, poems, laws, and letters in context
  • Connect passages and apply them thoughtfully

Course outline

13 chapters · 83 lessons written so far

Biblical hermeneutics is the practice of reading the Bible with attention to a passage’s wording, setting, and place in the larger story. This course covers stories, laws, poetry, wisdom, prophecy, the Gospels, Acts, and letters, then shows how to connect passages and consider their use today.

BeginnerBiblical books and reading context · Observation and historical context · ESV translation and notes13 chapters
  1. 1

    Biblical books and reading context

    Bible references and divisions · Biblical collections and canons · Biblical genres · Passage boundaries · Literary context in the Bible · Challenge: Biblical books and reading context

  2. 2

    Observation and historical context

    Repetition and contrast · Speakers and audiences · Historical and cultural context · Evidence and historical inference · Testing an interpretation · Challenge: Observation and historical context

  3. 3

    ESV translation and notes

    Biblical languages and translation · The ESV translation approach · Alternative renderings in ESV notes · Manuscript readings in ESV notes · Comparing translations in context · Challenge: ESV translation and notes

  4. 4

    Biblical storyline and covenant

    The biblical storyline · Biblical covenants · Exile and restoration · Jewish and Christian reading contexts · Challenge: Biblical storyline and covenant

  5. 5

    Biblical narrative

    Narrative plot and scenes · Narrators and characters · Description and prescription · Narrative emphasis · Scenes and larger narratives · Challenge: Biblical narrative

  6. 6

    Biblical law

    Recipients of biblical law · Commands and case laws · Literary context of biblical law · Purposes of biblical law · Biblical law and present-day application · Challenge: Biblical law

Show 7 more chapters
  1. 7

    Biblical poetry

    Parallelism in biblical poetry · Metaphor and simile · Repetition and poetic structure · Voice and movement in psalms · Poetry and literal description · Challenge: Biblical poetry

  2. 8

    Poetic forms and settings

    Poetry in Bible translation · Psalm headings · Hebrew acrostic poems · Hymns of praise · Psalms of lament · Thanksgiving psalms · Psalms of trust · Royal psalms · Imprecatory psalms · Songs within biblical narratives · Challenge: Poetic forms and settings

  3. 9

    Biblical wisdom literature

    Proverbs and general patterns · Proverbs and context · Wisdom dialogue · Wisdom and life's limits · Challenge: Biblical wisdom literature

  4. 10

    Prophecy and apocalyptic literature

    Prophetic audiences and settings · Prophetic judgment and hope · Apocalyptic visions and symbols · Interpreting apocalyptic symbols · Apocalyptic hope and endurance · Prophecy and fulfillment · Challenge: Prophecy and apocalyptic literature

  5. 11

    The Gospels and Acts

    The Gospels as narratives · Parallel Gospel accounts · Parables · Miracle narratives · Narrative and practice in Acts · Challenge: The Gospels and Acts

  6. 12

    Biblical letters

    Authors and audiences of biblical letters · Occasion of a biblical letter · Arguments in biblical letters · Instructions and reasoning · Letters and present-day readers · Challenge: Biblical letters

  7. 13

    Connecting texts and applying interpretations

    Quotations and echoes · Themes across biblical books · Interpretation and application · Testing an application · Study notes and commentaries · Checking AI-generated interpretations · Challenge: Connecting texts and applying interpretations

IntermediateNot written yet. Zoonk writes its chapters as learners reach it.
AdvancedNot written yet. Zoonk writes its chapters as learners reach it.

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