A chiasm (also called a chiastic structure) is a literary device used in biblical Hebrew poetry and other ancient literatures to add emphasis, highlight contrasts, and bring out deeper meaning. The term comes from the Greek letter chi (X) which is used to describe the crossing pattern of words and themes in a chiasm.
In a chiasm, the verses or passages are structured in an X-shaped, mirror pattern rather than a linear sequence. The passages first focus on one theme, then move to a second theme, and then come back and revisit the first theme. This creates a symmetry which focuses the reader’s attention on the main idea being conveyed.
Some key features of chiasms in the Bible:
– There is a pivot point or stressed middle component which is the focal point of the chiasm. This may contrast with the outer parts of the chiasm or connect back to the beginning and end.
– There are parallels between the first sections and the last sections which reflect each other in content and length. The beginnings and endings act as bookends.
– The themes build up to and away from the midpoint like ascending and descending stair steps to highlight the main theme or teaching.
– Contrasting ideas are often used to emphasize differences. Comparisons and reversals also create interesting patterns.
– Repetition of words, phrases or ideas link sections together into an integrated whole. There may also be multiple chiasms embedded within each other.
Chiasms range from compact two element (A-B-B-A) structures to elaborate patterns spanning entire books. Here are some examples demonstrating the various ways chiasms are constructed in the Bible:
1. Simple chiasm emphasizing contrast:
“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)
A – Whoever exalts himself
B – Will be humbled
B – Whoever humbles himself
A – Will be exalted
2. Chiastic pattern repeating words/ideas:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
A – Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden
B – I will give you rest
C – Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me
D – I am gentle and lowly in heart
C – You will find rest for your souls
B – My yoke is easy
A – My burden is light
3. Extended chiasm contrasting two leaders:
A – Moses spoke and God answered him by a voice (Exodus 19:19)
B – Moses told the words of the people to God (Exodus 19:25)
C – God commands Moses: go down, warn the people not to go up the mountain (Exodus 19:21-23)
D – The people stay away from the mountain (Exodus 19:23)
C – Moses alone shall come near God (Exodus 24:2)
B – Moses came and told the people all the words of God (Exodus 24:3)
A – God answered Moses by a voice (Exodus 19:19)
4. Chiastic book structure seen in Ephesians:
A – Unity of all things in Christ (Eph 1-3)
B – Unity of the church (Eph 4:1-16)
C – Ethical admonitions for unity (Eph 4:17-32)
D – Unity of community: husband/wife, parent/child, master/slave (Eph 5:22-33)
C – Ethical admonitions for unity (Eph 5:1-21)
B – Unity of the church (Eph 5:19-33)
A – Unity of all things in Christ (Eph 6:10-20)
These are just a few examples of the creative way chiasms are embedded throughout Scripture. The chiastic structure often highlights important themes, makes contrasts, emphasizes central concepts, and helps breakdown larger passages into memorable chunks. Paying attention to chiasms can aid in textual analysis and provide a deeper appreciation for the literary artistry of biblical writings.
Some key benefits and purposes of chiasms in the Bible include:
– Drawing attention to main point or core message
– Enhancing memorability through repetition and symmetry
– Comparing and contrasting theological concepts
– Focusing on theme reversal or sudden shifts
– Building to a central climax and highlighting turning point
– Providing structure for long form poems/passages
– Adding literary flourish with creative arrangements
– Developing tightly integrated compositions
– Creating ring patterns to tie beginning and end together
Here is a breakdown of some major examples of chiasms in various books of the Bible:
Genesis – The Joseph story in Genesis 37-50 has an overall chiastic structure emphasizing Joseph’s reversal of fortunes. Details like twos of dreams and silver cups tie the beginning and end together.
Exodus – After the golden calf incident, Moses chiastically intercedes for Israel appealing to God’s honor over the people’s sins.
Leviticus – Leviticus 24:13-23 alternates case laws (A-B-B-A) to contrast intentional and unintentional sins.
Numbers – Balaam’s prophecies in Numbers 24 feature interlocking chiasms rhetorically building his blessings for Israel.
Deuteronomy – The chiasm of Deuteronomy 28 praises the blessings of obeying God’s laws then warns of escalating curses for disobedience.
Judges – The story of Gideon’s battle against the Midianites is arranged as a chiasm climaxing with the surprise victory.
1 Samuel – Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving for a son in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 forms a chiastic poem with the focus on God’s sovereignty.
Psalms – Many psalms have chiastic patterns. A good example is Psalm 1 contrasting the blessings on the righteous with the destruction of the wicked.
Isaiah – Isaiah’s commission in Isaiah 6 is symmetrically structured emphasizing his cleansing and call to prophesy despite Israel’s rejection.
Ezekiel – Ezekiel 20 reviews Israel’s history of rebelling interspersed with God holding back punishment for the sake of His name.
Daniel – Belshazzar sees the handwriting on the wall spelling out his doom in a chiasm at the feast reusing Nebuchadnezzar’s stolen cups.
Jonah – The prayer of repentance in Jonah 2 has a chiastic form with the focus on salvation belonging to the Lord.
Nahum – The lion metaphor in Nahum 2 poetically foretells the impending destruction of Nineveh in a tight chiasm.
Mark – Several chiastic passages like the calming of the storm in Mark 4:35-41 highlight Jesus’ divine identity and power.
Luke – The parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 culminates with the forgiving father at the center of its chiastic structure.
John – The seven miraculous signs in the Gospel of John form a chiasm centered on Jesus as the giver of life.
Romans – Paul’s dense explanation of Israel’s fate in Romans 9-11 is knit together by many interlocking chiasms.
1 Corinthians – The love poem in 1 Corinthians 13 stands out with its chiastic form elevating love above all spiritual gifts.
Galatians – Paul chiastically structures his argument against circumcision in Galatians 2:11-21 to emphasize justification by faith.
Hebrews – Hebrews 11’s chiastic “Faith Hall of Fame” places Jesus at the center as the perfecter and author of faith.
1 Peter – 1 Peter displays large scale chiastic patterns which continue into each section. One example contrasts submission to authority with submission to God.
Revelation – The book’s macrostructure forms a large chiasm highlighting the final judgment and return of Christ at the midpoint.
These many instances demonstrate how chiasms were an integral part of the biblical writers’ literary toolbox. The prevalence of chiasms in both the Old and New Testaments reveal the technique was diffused throughout ancient Jewish culture and authorship.
While some chiasms stand out, many others blend seamlessly into the text and would only be noticed during deep analysis. The flexibility of chiasms allows extensive creativity in structure, length, content, phrasing and placement. This accounts for the diverse examples found across different genres and authors of the Bible.
Some key tips for identifying chiasms while studying Scripture include:
– Watching for mirrored ideas or reversed wording on either side of a potential pivot point
– Following repetitive words, phrases or themes that link sets of verses together
– Noticing contrasting concepts that are set in parallel
– Looking for central focal points or abrupt shifts that stand out
– Seeing if ring patterns join the beginning and end of a passage
– Analyzing how the literary units balance and correspond to each other
– Considering the meaning highlighted by the structure and symmetry
There are also resources like commentaries, diagrams and scholarly works to further explain the chiastic structures present throughout the Bible. Advanced analysis can reveal even more elaborate patterns woven into the biblical texts.
In summary, chiasms are poetic devices which creatively order passages in the Bible to emphasize key messages. The crossover mirroring of themes grabs the reader’s attention and aids in committing the teachings to memory. This demonstrates the artistry and meticulous composition of the Scriptures. Careful observation of chiastic structures yields richer theological understanding as they underscore profound meanings at the very heart of the biblical texts.
