How Does Recognizing “Chiasms” Help Me Understand Scripture?

The Bible is replete with a literary device called a “chiasm.” Readers who do not recognize this device can be easily confused or make wrong interpretations.

We typically expect to see linear trains of logic: A leads to B which leads to C therefore D. But chiasms work differently. Rather than:

A > B > C > D

Chiasms are:

A

B

B’

A’

The statements mirror, with A and A’ making parallel points and B and B’ making parallel points. The main point is the center of the chiasm, in this case the point being made by B and B’.

So if we are expecting the main point to be the last of the four points, “D” in a string of four, but the “D” is actually a mirror statement to “A,” then we will be confused, or worse, make an erroneous interpretation.

Therefore, it is highly useful for Bible students to recognize this device, and benefit from gaining understanding therefrom.

The following are some commentary passages in The Bible Says where a chiastic structure is identified and explained:

• Matthew 7:6 (Pigs and Dogs)
• Matthew 5:3 (The Beatitudes)
• Matthew 6:33 (Restatement of Beatitudes)
• Matthew 6:9-15 (The Lord’s Prayer)
• Romans 10:9-10 (Comment on Deuteronomy 30)
• 2 Timothy 2:8-13 (Gift and Prize)
• Amos 9:7-10 (Salvation of Israel and Destruction of Nations)
• Genesis 7:21-24 (Flood)
• Isaiah 53:7-8a (Lamb Led to Slaughter)

 

For those who wonder, the word “chiasm” comes from the Greek letter Chi, which looks like an X.

If you cut the X vertically down the middle, you are left with a > which is the form of the chiasm, with the primary point being at the point of the arrow >.

For example (primary point in bold):

A. Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

        B. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

                C. Give us this day our daily bread.

                         D. And forgive us our debts,

                         D'. as we also have forgiven our debtors.

               C'. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

         B'. For Yours is the kingdom

 A'. and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

 

As we see in Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus explains why the main point is praying that we be forgiven only as we forgive. That is because of the Mercy Principle, that God treats us like we treat others.

By learning to recognize the chiasm, the Bible student can gain added insight while avoiding confusion.