Observation - Terms
	The better we understand the individual words used in biblical statements, the better we will be able to understand the total message of scripture. -R.C. Sproul

Excercise

Dots & Squares

Types

1. Routine - Words whose meaning is obvious and not significant. Articles are typically routine terms. An exception would be the use of the article "a" in the NWT of Jn. 1:1.
2. Non-routine - Less common words that may need some looking into (i.e. "sanctification"). Note this distinction is not to discourage thoroughness, but to encourage intelligent study.
   1. Difficult to understand words.
   2. Crucial or significant words.
3. Literal - Conforming or limited to the simplest, nonfigurative, or most obvious meaning of a word or words. (i.e. Gen. 1:12 or Matthew 6:6 "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.")
4. Figurative - Represented by a figure or resemblance; symbolic or emblematic. (i.e. Rom. 11:24 or John 10:7 "So Jesus said to them again, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.'")
   1. Simile - A figure of speech in which two essentially unlike things are compared, often in a phrase introduced by like or as. e.g. Psalms 1:3 He will be like a tree {firmly} planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
   2. Metaphor - A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison. e.g. Psalms 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. John 15:1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
   3. Allegory - The representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form. e.g. Judges 9:7-15
   4. Personification - A figure of speech in which inanimate objects or abstractions are endowed with human qualities or are represented as possessing human form. e.g. Genesis 4:10 He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground.
   5. Anthropomorphism - Attribution of human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to inanimate objects, beings, or natural phenomena.
      1. Physical: Psalms 130:2 Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications.
      2. Mental/emotional/spiritual: 1 Samuel 1:19 Then they arose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD, and returned again to their house in Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. 1 Samuel 15:11a I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not carried out My commands.
   6. Zoomorphism - Attribution of animal characteristics or qualities to a god. e.g. Psalms 63:7 For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.

   
   Note: For those who desire a deeper look, here is a more extended list of figures.

Inflection

Inflection is a pattern of change in words.

1. Case - Objective, subjective, posessive.
2. Tense - Past, present, future, past perfect, etc. Ex. 3:14, Jn. 8:58 or Jn. 14:2.
3. Number - Singular, plural. e.g. Gal. 3:16 (cf Gen. 22:18), Gen. 11:7
4. Gender - masculine, feminine, neuter. e.g. Eph. 2:8
5. Person - 1st, 2nd, 3rd (e.g. The Trinity from John 15:16-1)

Homework

1. Try to identify each of the words in Romans 6:1-7 as routine, non-routine, literal, or figurative.
2. Continue to use the reading and studying tips we have learned so far.