Literal sense of Bible, HELP!

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CCC 116 The literal sense is the meaning conveyed by the words of Scripture and discovered by exegesis, following the rules of sound interpretation: “All other senses of Sacred Scripture are based on the literal.”

Figurative language or literary devices have literal meanings.

Might there be a book that explains the literal understanding or interpretation for the New Testament and Old Testament?

When Herod is said to be a fox, Jesus did not mean Herod was a canine.

When Jacob says Issachar is a rawboned ***, what is the literal meaning (Genesis 49; 14)?

Are there books that deal with these kinds of figures?

THANKS!!!
 
I don’t believe there is A book that will give you a verse by verse analysis of the whole bible to tell you what images are literal and what are figurative. Commentaries can be helpful, as can be Bible dictionaries, concordances and other References, but none of them are all inclusive. Common sense comes into it, as well.
 
And God Said What?: An Introduction to Biblical Literary Forms

and

Scripture: Nourished by the Word

both by Margaret Nutting Ralph
 
This can be a little confusing. The literal sense of the Bible means the the intention the author meant to convey.

For example, when someone says, “It’s raining cats and dogs”, the literal sense would mean that it is raining very hard, not that Benji and Felix are falling from the sky.

When Jesus says, “I am the door”, the literal sense would mean that one must go hrough Jesus in the spiritual sense, not that Jesus has door knobs, and hinges.
 
mkarzon

Yes!

Herod is a fox.

What does that mean?

This is figurative.

Moving from the figurative to the literal, Herod is not a canine.

Herod is an evil person.

No dogs or canines in Heaven.

What I hoping to find is a neat list of the Biblical figures of speech explained literally.

Is there a saint that has done that?
 
Another book goes into this is Mark Shea’s Making Senses Out of Scripture
 
seamus, read what mkarzon said to you…

“The literal sense is the sense intended by the author”
This is not to be confused with the “literalist” sense…which Catholics dont use, try the Four Square Church of South Alabama if you want that.

eg. “The Lord touched my heart.”
The author of that statement intended you to understand that the grace of God spoke to my inner person. This is the literal sense.

A literalist sense would be that the Lord cut my chest open and tinkered with my ticker. The author never intended such a meaning, it is in fact a distortion of the true meaning.
 
Hi! i understand your enthusiasm in understanding in as fine a manner as possilbe, the meanings of some of the phrases and terminology in the Old and New Testament. It is fascinating to acquire knowledge of the times and meanings of the expressiions related to those times. I think the important thing to remember about the Bible is that this book is for all times and all people. If one cannot understand what God is trying to tell us in the scriptures then it is not useful. No matter what the subtle meanings of some of the scripture passages may be, the important thing to remember is that what is necesarry to develop and maintain a strong relationship with God is evident and point blank. When God tells us what He expects of us He does not hide these expectations so that only Scripture scholars can understand them and follow them. What we need to know to be saved is contained in the New Testament…the Gospels and Epistles but especially the Gospels, where Jesus gives us very understandable rules and commandments and by following these rule we prove our love for Him and our desire to belong to Him and be a part of His Kingdom. We find out what Jesus is like and thus the Father. We get to know Him. When we know Him we will Love Him because He is Good. When we love someone we want to serve them. “If you love me you will keep My commandments.” It is that simple. So go ahead and be a scripture scholar. It is fun. But don’t think that in order to understand the Scriptures so you can follow Jesus and be saved you must know the culture and times of the people at the time the particulat scripure passage was written. If one cannot understand the scriptures without being a scholar that would mean only the learned would be saved and we know that when Mary comes down to earth to visit her children in the apparitions approved by the Church she comes to those who are poor and frequently have little or no learning. Don’t become so intellectually involved that your head understands but not the heart. I think the best method of developing relationship with God is to pray without ceasing. it is a great habit to cultivate and my second favorite Apostle, Paul, advises us to “Pray without ceasing.” I wish everyone could experience the peace I have found through strong and eventually habitual efforts to stay in constant union with God. I pray as I watch TV. I now prefer prayer to TV. Good Luck. God Bless. Jacinta
 
Jacinta, with respect, I can appreciate you might have great faith, but the scriptures are not something we take home and decide our own meaning on. This is an effort of the entire Church, including the Scripture Scholars, the Mystics, the Patristics, the Magesterium, and so on. It is not in my view a Catholic position to simply read the scriptures in isolation from each other. The Holy Spirit doesnt give the scriptures to me, He gives them to the Church. And it is as a body of Christ that we uncover the inexhausible meanings that scripture has for us.

No-one believes that you need to be a scripture scholar to be saved, as implied by your post. In fact, for 1600 years the only people who could read were monks, and I certainly dont believe they were the only ones saved.

But the point is this…the thread is asking what the “literal” sense of scripture is. This is a technical term used in exegesis, and the question has recieved some good answers.
Maybe you dont feel inclined to understand scriptural exegesis, ok. But understand that some of us do.

Do I believe that to understand scripture better we should understand the literal sense of a particular passage? Certainly I do. But that is another conversation, I would be happy to discuss if you ask why.

Theologians do a great service for the Church, as I am sure in your way you do a great service for the Church. As a body, we discern the meaning of our faith, but that is as a community, as a Church. So as a Church we need to discuss these views and all move forward together.
 
The Holy Bible is filled with figures of speech.

Jesus is the Lamb of God.

He is not an animal with wool and four legs.

What is the literal meaning of: Jesus is the Lamb of God?
 
Seamus…good question!
Lets remember the literal sense is the “sense intended by the author”.
In this case I would say it is clear that scripture is pointing to Christ as the fulfillment of the lamb of Exodus ch.12, which I will give the verses for below.

Jesus is the lamb of God for the following reasons…
1)The lamb shall be without blemish (v5)…in Christs case, without sin
2)The lamb will be one year old(v5)…meaning that he will be in the prime of his life, as Christ was, roughly 30.
3)The lamb will be male.(v5)
4)The blood of the lamb shall save Israel.(v7)
5)The lamb shall be eaten to sustain Israel (v8)n.b. Eucharist
6)The lamb shall be completely destroyed(v10) The death of our Lord.

So, we might say that the Exodus lamb was ‘of the type’ of Christ.
Looking at Exodus, we first understand the literal sense, which as I will remind you is the sense intended by the author. That is, specific instruction of the observance of passover.
Then, and only then we can understand the spiritual sense. The spiritual sense is the “meaning expressed by the biblical texts when read, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, in the context of the paschal mystery of Christ and of the new life which flows from it”.
I would argue that we find the spiritual sense in Exodus 12.

As for John 1:36? I think the literal sense, the sense intended by the author, is pointing to Exodus 20. Now, how did we get this? The literal sense is arrived at “by means of a careful analysis of the text within its literary and historical context”.
 
cialovesyou said:
Jacinta, with respect, I can appreciate you might have great faith, but the scriptures are not something we take home and decide our own meaning on. This is an effort of the entire Church, including the Scripture Scholars, the Mystics, the Patristics, the Magesterium, and so on. It is not in my view a Catholic position to simply read the scriptures in isolation from each other. The Holy Spirit doesnt give the scriptures to me, He gives them to the Church. And it is as a body of Christ that we uncover the inexhausible meanings that scripture has for us.

No-one believes that you need to be a scripture scholar to be saved, as implied by your post. In fact, for 1600 years the only people who could read were monks, and I certainly dont believe they were the only ones saved.

But the point is this…the thread is asking what the “literal” sense of scripture is. This is a technical term used in exegesis, and the question has recieved some good answers.
Maybe you dont feel inclined to understand scriptural exegesis, ok. But understand that some of us do.

Do I believe that to understand scripture better we should understand the literal sense of a particular passage? Certainly I do. But that is another conversation, I would be happy to discuss if you ask why.

Theologians do a great service for the Church, as I am sure in your way you do a great service for the Church. As a body, we discern the meaning of our faith, but that is as a community, as a Church. So as a Church we need to discuss these views and all move forward together.
Click to expand...
 
cialovesyou said:
Jacinta, with respect, I can appreciate you might have great faith, but the scriptures are not something we take home and decide our own meaning on. This is an effort of the entire Church, including the Scripture Scholars, the Mystics, the Patristics, the Magesterium, and so on. It is not in my view a Catholic position to simply read the scriptures in isolation from each other. The Holy Spirit doesnt give the scriptures to me, He gives them to the Church. And it is as a body of Christ that we uncover the inexhausible meanings that scripture has for us.

No-one believes that you need to be a scripture scholar to be saved, as implied by your post. In fact, for 1600 years the only people who could read were monks, and I certainly dont believe they were the only ones saved.

But the point is this…the thread is asking what the “literal” sense of scripture is. This is a technical term used in exegesis, and the question has recieved some good answers.
Maybe you dont feel inclined to understand scriptural exegesis, ok. But understand that some of us do.

Do I believe that to understand scripture better we should understand the literal sense of a particular passage? Certainly I do. But that is another conversation, I would be happy to discuss if you ask why.

Theologians do a great service for the Church, as I am sure in your way you do a great service for the Church. As a body, we discern the meaning of our faith, but that is as a community, as a Church. So as a Church we need to discuss these views and all move forward together.
Click to expand...
 
To Fides quaeren intellectum: Thank you for that reply. As to my great faith? None of us know how great our Faith is as perhaps we have not been tested to our limit yet. Peter vowed he would bewith Christ til the end and even die with him, yet he denied Him. Thanks to the Mercy of God (and Wisdom of God) Peter became the first Pope. This fall of Peter’s and restoration have frequently given me courage to return to Jesus after a fall. But I will state here that Faith is no small virtue as Jesus often required a person to profess their Faith before they were healed. How often He has said in the Scriptures, “Your Faith has saved you!” What I profess is my CATHOLIC Faith, based on the Word of God and Tradition. I allow the Catholic Church to interpret the Scriptures for me, thank you. And you completely overlooked the fact that I encouraged all study of the Scripture and said that being a Scripture Scholar was a GOOD thing…just not necessary for salvation. And after all isn’t that what the Scriptures are solely meant for. And I feel that a sincere and worthy Scripture Scholar would agree with me. Of course, study the Scriptures and all the various and sundry meanings. I think Bishop Sheen was a great Scripture Scholar and gave me many insights into the Greatness of God as revealed in His Son, Jesus Christ. I also never said to read the Scriptures in isolation. Where did you ever get such and idea?. I listen to the Scriptures at Mass every Sunday!!! Is that isolation.??? I frequently discuss the Scriptures with family and friends. Is that isolation?? You made several criticisms of my remarks that had no foundation in my thread. AS for theologians (I had to look at your thread to spell it, you see I don’t know how) many have contributed to the work of the Holy Spriit in spreading the Faith. Many however have done just the opposite. I have heard all sorts of nonsense from theologians based on their own limited view of life ,God, and their own personal problems. How dare I??? Someone had better dare. I have seen more damage done to people by off base theologians than by heretics…which some of them are. The Scribes and Pharasees were great studiers of Scripture. They tied up yokes too difficult for the common folk to bear. Studing the Scripture in detail will not get you to heaven . Practicing it Will!!! You sound like you want to argue for the sake of arguing. If you can prove me wrong, please do so. Someone recently asked me if I was legally blind. I responded, “No. Just legally stupid!” I truly feel that if I ever do enter the Kingdom of God it will not be because I am Good but because I am so very stupid!! God, I am hoping, will feel sorry for me, and since pity moved Him to do so many kind things for others I am only hoping for the same good fortune on Judgement Day. To ensure that,I do my best to forgive others. That is all. I encourage you to read and study in as great a depth as possibe. Everything that is imperfect will pass away, as Saint Paul said. All that remains is love. When I pray I feel close to God and am now able to love those I could not tolerate before, though not all. I have a long way to go and will not put down the Cross until I die. I just recommended constant prayer as a great vehicle for attaining a strong relationship with God as it has worked wonders for me and St. Paul, who I love to no end, highly recommended the practice. But you see I wouldn’t have known that without reading the scriptures, as interpreted by The CHURCH!!! May God Bless you, the Holy Virgin Protect you and the Holy Spirit guide you in you study of Scripture. Bye! Jacinta
 
Seamus_Sully said:
CCC 116 The literal sense is the meaning conveyed by the words of Scripture and discovered by exegesis, following the rules of sound interpretation: “All other senses of Sacred Scripture are based on the literal.”

Figurative language or literary devices have literal meanings.

Might there be a book that explains the literal understanding or interpretation for the New Testament and Old Testament?

When Herod is said to be a fox, Jesus did not mean Herod was a canine.

When Jacob says Issachar is a rawboned ***, what is the literal meaning (Genesis 49; 14)?

Are there books that deal with these kinds of figures?

THANKS!!!
Click to expand...
As patg mentioned,
I cannot help but to recommend further the following books for a better understanding of OT writings

Available from Barnes and Noble., Amazon, Paulist Press etc.

**And God Said What?: **
An Introduction to Biblical Literary Forms

Discovering Old Testament Origins
The Books of Genesis, Exodus, and Samuel

**Discovering Prophecy and Wisdom: **
The Books of Isaiah, Job, Proverbs and Psalms

Author:
*Margaret Nutting Ralph *is secretary of educational ministries for the Roman Catholic diocese of Lexington, Kentucky, and director of the masters degree programs for Roman Catholics at Lexington Theological Seminary. She is the author of books on Scripture and has given workshops on Scripture throughout the U.S. and in Canada.
 
Jacinta said:
To Fides quaeren intellectum: Thank you for that reply. As to my great faith? None of us know how great our Faith is as perhaps we have not been tested to our limit yet. Peter vowed he would bewith Christ til the end and even die with him, yet he denied Him. Thanks to the Mercy of God (and Wisdom of God) Peter became the first Pope. This fall of Peter’s and restoration have frequently given me courage to return to Jesus after a fall. But I will state here that Faith is no small virtue as Jesus often required a person to profess their Faith before they were healed. How often He has said in the Scriptures, “Your Faith has saved you!” What I profess is my CATHOLIC Faith, based on the Word of God and Tradition. I allow the Catholic Church to interpret the Scriptures for me, thank you. And you completely overlooked the fact that I encouraged all study of the Scripture and said that being a Scripture Scholar was a GOOD thing…just not necessary for salvation. And after all isn’t that what the Scriptures are solely meant for. And I feel that a sincere and worthy Scripture Scholar would agree with me. Of course, study the Scriptures and all the various and sundry meanings. I think Bishop Sheen was a great Scripture Scholar and gave me many insights into the Greatness of God as revealed in His Son, Jesus Christ. I also never said to read the Scriptures in isolation. Where did you ever get such and idea?. I listen to the Scriptures at Mass every Sunday!!! Is that isolation.??? I frequently discuss the Scriptures with family and friends. Is that isolation?? You made several criticisms of my remarks that had no foundation in my thread. AS for theologians (I had to look at your thread to spell it, you see I don’t know how) many have contributed to the work of the Holy Spriit in spreading the Faith. Many however have done just the opposite. I have heard all sorts of nonsense from theologians based on their own limited view of life ,God, and their own personal problems. How dare I??? Someone had better dare. I have seen more damage done to people by off base theologians than by heretics…which some of them are. The Scribes and Pharasees were great studiers of Scripture. They tied up yokes too difficult for the common folk to bear. Studing the Scripture in detail will not get you to heaven . Practicing it Will!!! You sound like you want to argue for the sake of arguing. If you can prove me wrong, please do so. Someone recently asked me if I was legally blind. I responded, “No. Just legally stupid!” I truly feel that if I ever do enter the Kingdom of God it will not be because I am Good but because I am so very stupid!! God, I am hoping, will feel sorry for me, and since pity moved Him to do so many kind things for others I am only hoping for the same good fortune on Judgement Day. To ensure that,I do my best to forgive others. That is all. I encourage you to read and study in as great a depth as possibe. Everything that is imperfect will pass away, as Saint Paul said. All that remains is love. When I pray I feel close to God and am now able to love those I could not tolerate before, though not all. I have a long way to go and will not put down the Cross until I die. I just recommended constant prayer as a great vehicle for attaining a strong relationship with God as it has worked wonders for me and St. Paul, who I love to no end, highly recommended the practice. But you see I wouldn’t have known that without reading the scriptures, as interpreted by The CHURCH!!! May God Bless you, the Holy Virgin Protect you and the Holy Spirit guide you in you study of Scripture. Bye! Jacinta
Click to expand...
 
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