How does the "context" of a passage assist in biblical interpretation?

Question

this is on my old testament test.
any tips?

Answer 1

THERE IS a very good example of the context explaining the idea of creation by God & his maintainance of the the universe, AND the strengthing of those serving him:

(Isaiah 40:12-15) “12 Who has measured the waters in the mere hollow of his hand, and taken the proportions of the heavens themselves with a mere span and included in a measure the dust of the earth, or weighed with an indicator the mountains, and the hills in the scales? 13 Who has taken the proportions of the spirit of Jehovah, and who as his man of counsel can make him know anything?.... 15 Look! The nations are as a drop from a bucket; and as the film of dust on the scales they have been accounted. Look! He lifts the islands themselves as mere fine [dust].”......Do YOU people not know? Do YOU not hear? Has it not been told to YOU from the outset? Have YOU not applied understanding from the foundations of the earth? 22 There is One who is dwelling above the circle of the earth, the dwellers in which are as grasshoppers, the One who is stretching out the heavens just as a fine gauze, who spreads them out like a tent in which to dwell, 23 the One who is reducing high officials to nothing, who has made the very judges of the earth as a mere unreality.......
....25 “But to whom can YOU people liken me so that I should be made his equal?” says the Holy One.

....26 “Raise YOUR eyes high up and see. Who has created these things? It is the One who is bringing forth the army of them even by number, all of whom he calls even by name. Due to the abundance of dynamic energy, he also being vigorous in power, not one [of them] is missing.....
...28 Have you not come to know or have you not heard? Jehovah, the Creator of the extremities of the earth, is a God to time indefinite. He does not tire out or grow weary. There is no searching out of his understanding.
....29 He is giving to the tired one power; and to the one without dynamic energy he makes full might abound. 30 Boys will both tire out and grow weary, and young men themselves will without fail stumble,
...31 but those who are hoping in Jehovah will regain power. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not tire out.”

****SO THEN for the sake of arguement lets assume that God truly created the universe and also maintains it, as verse 26, makes reference to his "dynamic energy" the context is carried on to the strengthening of his servants in verse 28,29, & 31 not necessarily miraculously but in reasonable support, to help them endure or continue in a righteous course!

STILL ANOTHER EXAMPLE:

--ON THE IDEA of how the Bible and its context, cross-references can indeed bring enlightment & benefits as is stated:

(2 Timothy 3:16-17) “. . .All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.”

--NOW AGAIN ASSUMING that it really is the word of God for arguements sake, please note the application and how the context shows that Timothys mother & grandmother used the Bible teachings to help raise young Timothy to the ways of uprightness:

--THE APOSTLE PAUL makes reference to how Timothy was helped as an infant with Bible principles:
(2 Timothy 1:3-5) “3 I am grateful to God, to whom I am rendering sacred service as my forefathers did and with a clean conscience, that I never leave off remembering you in my supplications, night and day 4 longing to see you, as I remember your tears, that I may get filled with joy. 5 FOR I RECOLLECT (my caps) the faith which is in you without any hypocrisy, and which dwelt first in your grandmother Lo′is and your mother Eu′nice, but which I am confident is also in you. . .”

(2 Timothy 3:14-15) “14 You, however, continue in the things that you learned and were persuaded to believe, knowing from what persons you learned them 15 and that from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through the faith in connection with Christ Jesus.”

--There are many examples in Bible history of knowing the context can ideed help in understanding doctrines, teachings, and application of its presentations!

--IF YOU WISH for more or different examples please post your request!

Answer 2

It helps you to follow the 5 W's: Who, What, When, Where, and Why's of the topic being discussed.

Answer 3

"you shall not boil a kid in it's mother's milk"
This passage occurs in I believe Exodus 23:19.

In normal American English this means, don't take a child (goat or human) and put it in a hot pot full of milk from its mother's breast. But that's completely irrational, why is it even in there?

In the context of ancient Hebrew it means, don't partake in the cult that does that to small goats.

The context clears up terms, reveals implications, and informs the reading of a small segment of a body of work.

Answer 4

Any sentence you use whether in any book don't mean much by itself. It has to come from a context! You need a story in order to understand what those 3 words really mean.
Good luck!

Answer 5

Why has philosophy become the dumping ground for every question - try R&S

The Bible is not a work of philosophy but a book of mythology

Answer 6

The Bible is symbolical and literal meanings have no value.