What is hermeneutics? How can I better understand the Holy Bible using proper hermeneutics?
Hermeneutics (/ˌhɜːrməˈnjuːtɪks/) is the theory and methodology of interpretation, especially the interpretation of biblical texts, wisdom literature, as well as philosophical texts. (Wikipedia)
Understanding Biblical hermeneutics requires knowledge of sentence structure, context, time, geography, and slang. To illustrate this point, I’ll provide a sentence where the word “can” is used in various forms.
Various uses of the word “can.”
“When I visited my grandma last summer, I watched her carefully can ripe peaches from her own orchard. The peaches were delicately placed into a can for preservation. At lunchtime, my uncle Joe, who was known for stirring up trouble, opened a metaphorical can of worms by suggesting that the family business wasn’t doing well. This led to a heated argument, and finally, my grandfather had to can him from his managerial role. Joe, shocked and dismayed, went to the can to compose himself. When he returned, Grandpa suggested that we all can the discussion for now and focus on enjoying our family meal together.” Grandpa can be a voice of reason.
Here’s the use of the word “can” in each sentence:
- “When I visited my grandma last summer, I watched her carefully can ripe peaches from her own orchard.”
- Here, “can” is used as a verb meaning to preserve food in a can.
- “The peaches were delicately placed into a can for preservation.”
- In this sentence, “can” is used as a noun referring to a container used for preserving food.
- “At lunchtime, my uncle Joe, who was known for stirring up trouble, opened a metaphorical can of worms by suggesting that the family business wasn’t doing well.”
- Here, “can” is part of the idiom “can of worms,” meaning a complex, troublesome situation.
- “This led to a heated argument, and finally, my grandfather had to can him from his managerial role.”
- In this context, “can” is used as a verb in informal North American English, meaning to dismiss someone from a job.
- “Joe, shocked and dismayed, went to the can to compose himself.”
- Here, “can” is used as slang for the toilet or restroom.
- “When he returned, Grandpa suggested that we all can the discussion for now and focus on enjoying our family meal together.”
- In this sentence, “can” is used as a verb in informal English, meaning to stop or cease something.
- “Grandpa can be a voice of reason.”
- In this sentence, “can” is used as a modal auxiliary verb. It expresses the possibility or potential of Grandpa being a voice of reason. Modal auxiliary verbs are used to express ability, possibility, permission, or obligation. In this case, “can” indicates the potential or possibility.
Mining the Holy Bible for all its worth can mean understanding word definitions, the context of the sentence and surrounding verses, cross-referencing other passages with similar themes and word usages, the time of writing, the group or individual the writer is speaking to, and other essential factors. Don’t just take a word from the Holy Bible and “run with it.” That’s lazy and dangerous. Use tools to help you better understand passages.
