Biblical Hermeneutics

PRINCIPLES OF BIBLICAL HERMENETICS ; M. M. NINAN
Binyan ab mikathub echad and Binyab ab mishene kethubim are especially useful in
identifying biblical principles and applying them to real life situations. In this way Scripture is
recontextualized so that it remains relevant for all generations.
5. Kelal uferat (The general and the particular)
A general principle may be restricted by a particularization of it in another verse – or,
conversely, a particular rule may be extended into a general principle.
A Tenach example: Genesis 1:27 makes the general statement that God created man.
Genesis 2:7, 21 particularizes this by giving the details of the creation of Adam and Chava
(Eve). Other examples would be verses detailing with how to perform sacrifices or how to
keep the feasts.
In the Gospels, the principle of divorce being allowed for "uncleanliness," is particularized to
mean for sexual immorality only.
Jesus restricts the principle of resting on the Sabbath so that it does not prevent showing
mercy by noting that David was allowed to eat the Bread of the Presence and that the priests
continue their ministry of intercession for Israel even on the Sabbath (Mat. 12:1-7).
For an example of the latter, Yeshua expanded love for one’s neighbor to include even one’s
enemies in numerous instances, including the Sermon on the Mount and the Parable of the
Good Samaritan.
6. Kayotze bo mimekom akhar (Analogy made from another passage)
Two passages may seem to conflict until compared with a third, which has points of general
though not necessarily verbal similarity.
Tenach examples:
• Leviticus 1:1 "out of the tent of meeting" and Exodus 25:22 "from above the ark of
the covenant between the chrubim" seem to disagree until we examine Num. 7:89 where we
learn that Moses entered the tent of meeting to hear YHWH speaking from between the
cherubim.
• 1 Chronicles 27:1 explained the numerical disagreement between 2 Samuel 24:9 and
1 Chronicles 21:5.
• Exodus 19:20 "YHWH came down upon Mount Sinai" seems to disagree with
Deuteronomy 4:36, "Out of Heaven He let you hear His voice." Exodus 20:19 (20:22 in some
editions) reconciles the two by telling us that God brought the heavens down to the mount
and spoke. (m.Sifra 1:7)
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