Scripture Study Techniques:
Comprehending Culture
The Barrier of Culture
Lifestyle Differences Understanding the culture of those who are mentioned in Scripture can be one of the most difficult of barriers to cross. The differences between industrial and agricultural societies, city dwelling and nomadic lifestyles, or of the various types of modern government (democracy, monarchy, and dictatorship) to a theocratic society are tremendous. The habits and customs of a people or nation build up and change over time. Even within Scripture, the nation of Israel under its own rule in the Promised Land was very different from the Tribe of Judah under Roman rule centuries later. In Scripture, we are presented with a patriarchal society, times when cattle are used for money, and the lives of entire nations depending upon a successful harvest of crops. Some or all of these can be unfamiliar to people who live in a modern city, get their food from a local grocery store, and possess little knowledge of the seasons and their effect on crops and livestock.
Hebrew and Greek forms of Thinking
How do you describe a bed? The Greek and Roman description would include nouns and adjectives which describe the size, shape, color, and materials from which it is made. The Hebrew description would start with a verb or action such as 'it is for sleeping'.
Hebrew and Greek Example
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Many nations of the world have come from the background and history of the Greek and Roman empires. The Greek and Roman styles of thinking will typically not give a proper interpretation of a middle eastern or Hebrew text because of the differences in how each culture thinks. The Hebrew style of thinking will usually focus on an action, the five senses, or in some way be a matter of the heart. The Greek and Roman form of thinking will usually focus on descriptions, abstract concepts, and matters of the intellect. There are many examples in Scripture: the Hebrew speaks of a stiff-necked people that is often translated as stubborn and of a burning nose (as in flaring of nostrils) which is translated as fierce anger. In the Hebrew mind set, it is often a matter of action and what a person does that is important. In the Greek mind set, it is often a matter of knowing information or what a person believes.
Faith and Logic The Hebrew culture is a culture of faith while many nations today prefer the use of logic. A faith based view of life accepts that we do not know everything and that we should accept what the Almighty gives us through His Scriptures even when it does not make sense or even when it seems contradictory to itself. Ultimately, it is accepted that it all works together somehow and would make sense if all the details and variables were known. Logic is very linear and needs to understand every little detail and make everything fit together neatly. This is one reason why the flesh (logic and reasoning) fights against the spirit (faith). Here is an example of faith and logic interpreting some information. The first piece of information is that a man is standing outside. The second piece of information is that it is raining. By logic we would assume that the man is getting wet. This means there is confusion when the third piece of information is added stating that the man is not getting wet. This confusion is settled by a missing piece of information which is that the man is holding an umbrella.
The Benefits of Knowing Culture
Understanding the Situation After we have gained insight into the daily life with its rewards and difficulties, we can more deeply appreciate what is happening. Just what were the challenges facing Abraham when he left His father's house? How bold were the men and women that were sick in their approaching the Messiah to be healed? What nuances of understanding come from knowing the Hebrew wedding customs when we see the parables and prophecies about the great marriage of the Lamb? Without the knowledge of how people in those time periods would understand these ideas, we may miss much of the intended meaning.
Learning about Culture The barrier of culture is one that can usually be overcome with just a little research. There are many resources available through books and the world wide web for learning about other cultures. By learning about such jobs as farming, fishing, shepherding, or village crafts we can gain great insight into the life of these people. We can also learn of social customs such as marriage, how matters of life and death are handled, education, and the administering of law. Besides books written specifically about such topics, we can look at dictionaries, encyclopedias, history books, and artwork. Many of the Christian commentaries or study bibles come with such information already included as part of their teaching.
Blessing and Cursing on Mounts Gerizim and Ebal
Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; {27} A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: {28} And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. {29} And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal.
Deuteronomy 11:26-29 (KJV)
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The Example The ongoing example being used in this Scripture Study series starts with Deuteronomy 11:26-32 where the Israelites are first instructed to place the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal. This event can raise many questions. The two most prominent might be "Why were they commanded to do this?" and "What impact did it have on their lives?". Through the Scripture Study Technique series, we will attempt to answer these and other questions.
The Samaritans Many times in Scripture, other cultures surrounding the Israelites have an impact on the passage which is being studied. A good example of this is the Samaritan culture. After the northern tribes of Israel were removed from Northern Israel, the Assyrians replaced them with a different people in the land which then became known as Samaria. The Samaritans learned some of the ways of the Israelites and eventually created their own version or understanding of the books of Moses. This understanding included the sacrifice of Isaac being upon Mount Gerizim and led to building their own Temple and altar which was located on Mount Gerizim. This was and still is their area of focus in worship. The area surrounding Gerizim still contains about 90 percent of the world's Samaritan population.
Samaria and Judea The building of a Temple created a rivalry with the Jewish people in the south. This rivalry and dislike went to such a degree that the Jewish people state that the Samaritans were involved in the Jewish persecution when trying to rebuild the Temple after the Babylonian captivity. It went so far that the Jewish people had the Samaritan Temple destroyed during the time of Alexander the Great. The dislike became an intense hatred at some points in their history.
The Woman at the Well
He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. {4} And he must needs go through Samaria. {5} Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. {6} Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. {7} There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
John 4:3-7 (KJV)
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In the book of John chapter four we read of the Messiah's encounter with a Samaritan woman near the town of Sychar. There are many things regarding the cultures of Israel and Samaria that add meaning to the discussion. The walk from Judea to Galilee would take about three days taking the short route through Samaria. Due to the intense hatred of Jews for Samaritans at the time, many Jewish people would not take the short route when making this journey, but would go a longer route just to avoid the Samritan area. It is also highly unexpected that someone would ask anything of a Samaritan or even talk with them. However, the Messiah is different.
There are several things to take note of during the discussion. First, this woman is coming to the well to get water during the heat of the day. This is unusual and suggests that this woman was an outcast, a prostitute, or in some way shunned by other people that is further evidenced by the listing of her husbands and the one she now lives with. The discussion about the living water comes up because this was the area of Jacob's well. Wells were important because they were fed by a spring and had moving fresh water that was in contrast to a cistern which would be stored and sometimes become stagnant water. The discussion turns to where and what true worship is because this is near the location of the Samaritan temple. Knowing these background details adds to the depth and meaning of the Messiah's message.
Summary
Understanding the culture of those who are mentioned in Scripture can be one of the most difficult of barriers to cross. However, the barrier of culture is one that can usually be overcome with just a little research into the daily life or customs of a nation. This will help us understand topics like the challenges faced in a patriarchal society, of nations depending on a successful harvest to sustain them, or of cattle being used for money. Also, one must approach what is written in Scripture with the viewpoint of the faith the Hebrew people had in the Almighty rather than through the logic that is so common in modern society. The Greek and Roman styles of thinking will not give a proper interpretation of a middle eastern or Hebrew text. The knowledge of how people in those time periods understand ideas and concepts will allow the intended meaning of Scripture to come through.
Todd Elder is a believer in the Messiah who wants to help people understand Scripture and know the message of Salvation. For more information from the Scripture Study Techniques series, please visit my website http://www.exploringsalvation.info and look under 'Scripture'.
Additional Information
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