Literary Forms of Sacred Scriptures

The literary forms of the sacred Scriptures refer to any of the various modes of writings which the people of any particular time and place are accustomed to use for the expressions of their ideas. It is the form of expression which an author chooses to present his thoughts

Biblical senses Foundation of the scriptural

interpretation. Sense is the meaning of a word in a given context according to the intentions of the sacred writer.

Signification – is the other possible meaning or meanings of a term

Literal sensea. Literal Proper Sense – the sense

intended by the author (God and Man together) through the words themselves. Words are taken in their obvious ordinary meaning.

e.g. “he went up the mountain” “Simon carried the cross”

b. Literal figurative meaning – the words or entire passages are taken in metahporical meaning or transferred meaning. We have to distinguish the following1. the things that signify2. the things signified3. The relation between the thing that signifies and the thing signified, or a and b

e.g. In Luke 1:69 – He raised up a horn of salvation1. the thing that signify is the horn2. the things signified – horn stands for strength3. the relation – Bull with its horn is a strong animal , so also with the Savior who will be strong or Powerful

Spiritual sense An additional sense intended by God, who

through persons and things on a higher level.a. Typical Sense:

- The biblical sense which is intended by God, who through persons and things prefigure other persons and things on a higher level.

- the biblical sense whereby persons, events or things in the O.T. Serve as “types” or “figures”

These types are divinely interred prefigure of the N.T.This e.g. Adam is a type of Christ

David is a type of ChristThe Jewish Paschal lamb is a type of

Christmanna is the type of the type of the

Holy Eucharist

Fuller senseThe deeper meaning of scriptural

passages, intended by God, is not necessarily known by Human author, which is seen to exist in the full light of revelation. E.g. Genesis 3:15

I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and her seed, he will crush your head and you will lie in wait for his heel.”

The traditions

The Pentateuch is a combination of four distinct traditions. All of these begin with Moses and go back even earlier as regards the patriarchal narrative, but they continued to develop and were finalized later

1. Jahwistic Tradition - jIt uses the sacred name of Yahweh for the Lord. Its style is concrete, vivid and colorful and uses anthropomorphism. This tradition is said to be Judaean origin and took its final forms in the tenth century. It is profoundly theological and faces up to and answers the problems of life.

Elohistic tradition - eIt uses the name “Elohim” for God. It is not so colorful and vivid as the Jahwist, but like the Jahwist, it narrates the story from the life of the Patriarchs and Moses. It shows some anthromorphism and his little interest in laws. The chosen people are idealized and elevated. This was written most probably after the division of the kingdom of Israel about (800 – 750 B.C.) In the kingdom of the north

Deuteronomic tradition- DThough this tradition gives exclusively a collection of laws, its style is impressive and the contents are deeply religious. Its contents may be summarized in these words, “ the doctrine of the covenant” that is, it sees the Jews as the chosen people of God, who owe him complete love and fidelity.

Priestly tradition - pOne part is history and the other parts are laws. Interests lie in the organization of the sanctuary, in the sacrifices and feasts and in sacred personalities. The style is dry and stereotyped. This tradition us the work of priests who, during the years of the Babylonian Exile (587 – 538 B.C.)

We may say the Genesis, Exodus, and Numbers are a combination of the Jahwistic, Elohistic, and priestly traditions; Leviticus has the Priestly TraditionDeuteronomy – Deuteronomical Tradition