A Brief Introduction to “Antithetical Parallelism.”
Prov 27.17
This style of Proverbs occur with two are contrasted with one another. Often the two ideas are connected with a conjunction translated “but.” In some cases this is omitted by the writer for emphasis or just to make the reader think. Continue to note conjunction use, it’s non-use, and when it’s supplied by the translator (usually put in italics – As we’ve noted before, you want a translation which consistently lets you know what words it adds for readability. Now that you’re assaying these “jewels” of words, you most certainly want to know what you have and don’t have!) Conjunctions often provide valuable insight into the Proverb’s meaning and message. Also, as with Synonymous Parallelism, sometimes the contrast is with the ideas more than the words.
Prov 19.16
16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
But he who is careless of conduct will die.
Line one advises how to keep alive. Line two advises what will cause loss of life. A few Proverbs will use the conjunction “and” even though the parallelism is antithetical.
Prov 14.17
17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of evil devices is hated.
The actions of an ill-tempered man are not devised at all, they’re spontaneous and unconsidered. Foolish people are pitied or avoided. A man who coolly, calmly, and carefully devises earns not pity but enmity. The fool is laughed at and teased. The evil man is hated. One harms himself, the other invites attack.
Some Proverbs are so crafted that their parallelism is deliberately obscure, hereby causing the reader to ponder. By learning the more obvious and common antithetical and synonymous parallelism, you increase your skills for clarifying the more obscure ones. Never fail to “test” the form of parallelism in your English translation, especially noting the added conjunctions (italicized). Solomon’s Proverbs reveal their secrets to the diligent student after careful reflection.
Now, let’s look at Prov 10.4-5. Each Proverb can stand on its own, yet, when placed together, they qualify, sharpen, amplify one another and the impact of their combined meaning.
Take time to read, re-read, ponder, the Proverb. Here, note in Prov 10.4 that the first word in “poor” and the last word is “rich.” These words stretch us to the extremes of the impact on life from this wisdom!
Also note, our word “son” doesn’t speak of a child but of a “covenant community member.”
Parallelism Examined |
|||
A – 4a |
B – 4b |
B’ – 5a |
A’ – 5b |
| poor | rich | he who gathers | he who sleeps |
| in summer | in harvest | ||
| is he who works | makes | is a son | is a son |
| with a negligent hand | with a diligent hand | who acts wisely | who acts shamefully |
Always consider the part, asking “What does it say?” You’ll never know what the Bible says if you open the Bible and ask “What does it mean?” Always start with “What does it say?” So, let’s consider what is said here.
What do you think when you consider:
negligent – someone slack, lose. Take a look at Ex 20.9. Here’s one of the key commandments, which we typically focus on “not working” on the Sabbath, but, six days of labor is just as much a commandment as no labor on the 7th day of “rest.”
diligent – the root of this word means “cut,” often associated with things like contracts, i.e., something “cut” isn’t altered. Can mean “sharp, threshing instrument, pointed.”
wisely – insightful, understandingly, sound judgment, cf. Prov 1.3; 3.4 (where it’s translated “repute” meaning understanding, insight, knowledge; Prov 16.20, insight into the Word.
shamefully – act shamefully, cause same, not our English “to be ashamed” as some inner attitude. This direction is to come to shame in public disgrace, fall in disgrace. In the Isa 42.17 passage noted later, this shame comes from trusting idols!
Some additional observations: Prov 10.4 shows us the “achievement” of character. Prov 10.5 shows us the moral attribute of character, here honorably or foolishly living.
References to consider:
Prov 16.20; 14.35; 17.2; Isa 42.17; Psalm 25.3; Prov 12.24
Some sharpening for my life:
“Shame” has virtually disappeared from our present culture. The reason is that there is no “standard” for life, anything, unfortunately in a literal sense, goes! Lack of “shame” is the mark of a culture built on relativism. Biblical life is not built on relativism! There is most definitely a standard, the Word of God.
In modern culture, things pass before us in song lyrics, movies, television and we never “gasp” when it happens! There’s no sense of “shame,” disgrace, failure before a standard, as the Word of God is far from the standard for modern life. Ask yourself how much you’ve lost your sense of “shame.”
“Shame” is a wonderful quality of someone who values something greater than their own way, their own standard. Our value of God’s Word, or our community, or our family helps us set a course for life which brings honor to these areas. Are there any “course changes” you need to make?
Have you been sleeping in the harvest of the Lord’s things? This Proverb is about far more than material wealth, although it’s applicable there. Consider places where you’ve been “sleeping in the harvest” time and need to turn to some diligent effort.
Consider where you might need to “cut” something so it’s not altered! Are there places you need to be “diligent” with the important things, not just the convenient things or popular things or personal things? What have I neglected that needs my full attention so I can honor what the Lord wants to do in me and through me?
