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58 Structure and the Book ofZechariah
the arrangements that are not chiastic may still be regarded as regular.
With this ingenuity available, it is impossible to produce a passage that
is not 'regular'.
3. It often arises in a passage of several verses (say about ten or
more) that there are several repeated words, phrases, or ideas (as was
the case with 'Isaiah 67'). We have seen that careful selection of those
that we deem to be significant makes it possible to argue for a regular
structure. We may also note that it is possible to claim two or more
superimposed structures, thus giving the impression of a greater concern
for structure, rather than regarding it as confused or conflicting
evidence. I cannot attempt to produce a comprehensive theory concerning
the probability that a supposed structure was intended to be
regular, but it is possible to demonstrate that regular structures may
be seen where none were intended. Here are some examples of
random sequences (again pulled from a hat):
1. dceabdbacae. This may be regarded as ce + abdba + ce
(ignore d or note that it corresponds to the centre) or xbdbx
(where x is a complex idea containing a, c and e).
2. ddabcaaeecb. Ignore the first part, 1 and we have a beautiful,
ready-made chiasmus with a centre formed by two parallel
pairs: bcaaeecb.
3. cbecdeaaadb —> chiasmus bdaaadb with a very powerful
centre, plus cece superimposed over the first half (before the
centre).
4. adbcaadbcee —> a + xaax + ee (where x = dbc).
I should draw at least four conclusions from this brief experiment and
investigation.
1. Great care must be taken in characterizing the elements that
we label a, b, etc. If we are keen to find a structure, there are
many ways of ensuring that we do.
2. Structures that are 'nearly regular' must be treated with a
great deal of reserve. This means that 'partial' and 'splitmember'
chiastic structures outlined by Watson 2 must be
treated with much greater scepticism.
1. If we adhered to the units as given we should avoid this particular mistake.
2. 'Chiastic Patterns', pp. 124-25.