Elamur Research⌕
☰
home / papers / 2022 / On the Binary Principle of Biblical Texts Interpretation

On the Binary Principle of Biblical Texts Interpretation

Paper · 2022 · Jolanta Szarlej

Summary

Szarlej asks how readers might recognise beauty in the Old Testament that is specifically Semitic, rather than judging it with categories borrowed from European literary studies. She adopts Roland Meynet's rhetorical analysis. Its core assumptions are that biblical texts are carefully composed wholes, that they follow Semitic rather than Greco-Roman rhetoric, and that they should be trusted on their own logic. Meynet treats parataxis, built on binary pairing, as the defining trait of this language. Szarlej applies the binary principle beyond textual blocks, down to phonemes, morphemes, lexemes and sentences. Binary here does not mean plain repetition: a doubled form carries content that is partly the same and partly new. Her case studies include sound patterning in Ezekiel and Jeremiah and recurring theophany motifs. These show that coordinated near-synonyms joined by waw build meaning through juxtaposition, not logical subordination. Polish and other European translations often lose these effects, especially the sound play. The study matters because it shows that form, sound and repetition carry meaning that interpretation and translation must account for.

Key points

  • The method rests on Meynet's three presuppositions and his levels of organisation: language/grammar, words/discourse, and the whole book. Bovati is cited for the idea that a repetition signals both likeness and novelty.
  • Ezk. 2:10 ends with the triad qînîm wāhegeh wāhî. The last two words alliterate and agree in gender and number. Semantically, the first two are closer. The author reads them as outward mourning set by custom, inner reflective grief, and a cry of terror.
  • In Jer. 34:17, God's ironic "liberty" (dĕrôr) for the oath-breaking Judeans is spelled out as sword, pestilence and famine, again chained paratactically with waw.
  • The Sinai theophany motifs (high mountain, cloud, fire, voice, radiance) recur in other texts. These include the Transfiguration (Matt. 17, Mark 9, Luke 9), the angel of Dan. 10 and God's chariot in Ezek. 1.
  • Sources used: Millennium Bible (Polish), Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, and the 21st Century King James Version. The research was first presented in 2012 and published in Polish in 2013.

Interesting ideas

  • I1. Treat a repeated pair as "same form, shifted content" rather than redundancy, so the difference between the two members becomes the signal to interpret.
  • I2. Meaning in paratactic text comes from juxtaposition joined by a bare "and," with no explicit connectors like "therefore." The reader must infer the logical relation.
  • I3. A list of near-synonyms can encode a progression, here from external custom to internal grief to an outcry.
  • I4. One ironic word ("liberty") is unpacked by the list that follows it (sword, pestilence, famine), which reverses its expected sense.
  • I5. Recurring motif templates (mountain, cloud, fire, voice, light) let distant texts be recognised as the same scene type despite different surface wording.

For Mova

How these ideas could serve Mova, our small open language model — its files, stages and tests:

  • I1 (frames): When two coordinated clauses or nouns nearly repeat each other, prag could compute what the second member adds (intensity, inner vs. outer aspect) instead of merging them as duplicates.
  • I2 (frames): Bare conj/cc:and chains in the UD tree could be flagged as places where a cause, consequence or escalation relation needs to be inferred, with the inference recorded as an explainable step.
  • I3 (world): Coordinated nouns could be ordered on an ontology scale (outer/inner, mild/strong), so the world model stores an escalation rather than an unordered set.
  • I4 (frames): Irony detection could check whether a positively valued noun gets apposed or expanded by negatively valued items, and mark the frame as ironic with that evidence.
  • I5 (world): A scene schema built from a small set of required motifs could match stories in fables and tales to known scene types through the knowledge graph, not through word overlap.

Our summary of the paper, in our own words — not its text. The work belongs to its authors; read it at the links above.

 Institutions

Also on the byline: University of Bielsko-Biała.

📚 Shelves 3The field of science this work belongs to (OpenAlex fields).Arts and Humanities · 9,296 worksLanguage and Linguistics · 9,206 worksReligious studies · 209 works

🧭 Topics 2Research subjects and languages the work is about.Semitic languages · 1,484 worksHebrew & Aramaic · 481 works

Cite

Cite as Jolanta Szarlej. 2022. On the Binary Principle of Biblical Texts Interpretation. Między Oryginałem a Przekładem 28.

The paper itself, not this page. BibTeX from the library's record of the work. DOI 10.12797/moap.28.2022.58.08

@inproceedings{szarlej2022binary,
  title = {{On the Binary Principle of Biblical Texts Interpretation}},
  author = {Jolanta Szarlej},
  booktitle = {Między Oryginałem a Przekładem 28},
  year = {2022},
  doi = {10.12797/moap.28.2022.58.08},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.12797/moap.28.2022.58.08}
}

References

37 references, 0 of them with a card of ours. ↗ leads to the work, «find» searches for one we have no id for yet.

  1. Source Texts 21st Century King James Version of the Holy Bible (1994), Gary, South Dakota, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+2&version=KJ21 (1.04.2019), [CKJ]. ↗
  2. Biblia Jerozolimska [The Jerusalem Bible] (2006), 1st edition, Wydawnictwo Pallotinum, Poznań, [BJ]. find
  3. Hebraica Stuttgartensia Bible (1990), Karl Elliger, Wilhelm Rudolph, ed., 4th edition, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, [HBR]. find
  4. Hebrajsko-polski Stary Testament – Prorocy. Przekład interlinearny z kodami grama-tycznymi, transliteracją i indeksem słów hebrajskich [Hebrew-Polish Old Testament – Prophets. Interlinear Translation with Grammatical Codes, Transliteration, and Index of Hebrew Words] (2008), Anna Kuśmirek, ed., Oficyna Wydawnicza “Vocatio”, Warszawa, [PI]. find
  5. Pismo Święte Starego i Nowego Testamentu w przekładzie z języków oryginalnych (Biblia Tysiąclecia), [Holy Scripture of the Old and New Testaments in translation from the original languages (Millennium Bible)] (2000), 5th edition, Wydawnictwo Pallotinum, Poznań, [BTP]. The BibleWorks Program, version 5.0. find
  6. Lexicographical Aids Briks, P. (1999), Podręczny słownik hebrajsko-polski i aramejsko-polski Starego Testamentu [A Small Hebrew-Polish and Aramaic-Polish Dictionary of the Old Testament], Oficyna Wydawnicza “Vocatio”, Warszawa, [PSHP]. find
  7. Encyklopedia katolicka [Catholic Encyclopaedia] (1973-2013), Wydawnictwo Towarzystwa Naukowego Katolickiego Uniwersytetu Lubelskiego, Lublin, [EK]. find
  8. Koehler, L., Baumgartner, W., Stamm, J.J. (2008), Wielki słownik hebrajsko-polski i aramejsko-polski [Great Hebrew-Polish and Aramaic-Polish Dictionary], vol. 1-2, Oficyna Wydawnicza “Vocatio”, Warszawa, [WSHP]. find
  9. Praktyczny słownik biblijny [A Practical Biblical Dictionary] (1994), Anton Grabner-Haider, Tadeusz Mieszkowski, Paweł Pachciarek, eds., Instytut Wydawniczy PAX, Warszawa, [PSB]. find
  10. Słownik teologii biblijnej [Dictionary of Biblical Theology] (1990), Xavier Léon-Dufour, ed. (transl. Kazimierz Romaniuk), Wydawnictwo Pallotinum, Poznań, [STB]. find
  11. Słownik terminów literackich [Dictionary of Literary Terms], (1988), Janusz Sławiń-ski, ed., Wydwnictwo Ossolineum, Wrocław, [STL]. Essays and studies Boadt, L. (2001), “Księga Ezechiela [The Book of Ezekiel]”, [in:] Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, Roland E. Murphy, eds. Katolicki komentarz biblijny [New Jerome Biblical Commentary], Oficyna Wydawnicza “Vocatio”, Warszawa, 740-776. find
  12. Bovati, P. (2002), “Deuterosi e compimento”, Teologia. 27: 26. Cited after: Meynet, R. (2006), “Binarność, podstawowa cecha języka biblijnego [Binary, a Basic Feature of Biblical Language]” (transl. Tomasz Kot), [in:] Renata Komurka, ed. Język Biblii a język współczesny [The Language of the Bible and Contemporary Language], Wydawnictwo WAM, Kraków, 11-22. find
  13. Ceresko, A.R. (2001), “Księga Jonasza [The Book of Jonah]”, [in:] Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, Roland E. Murphy, eds. Katolicki komentarz biblijny [New Jerome Biblical Commentary], Oficyna Wydawnicza “Vocatio”, Warszawa, 837-843. find
  14. Couturier, G.P. (2001), “Księga Jeremiasza [The Book of Jeremiah]”, [in:] Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, Roland E. Murphy, eds. Katolicki komentarz biblijny [New Jerome Biblical Commentary], Oficyna Wydawnicza “Vocatio”, Warszawa, 677-725. find
  15. Daniélou, J. (1953), Essai sur le mystère de l’histoire [Essay on the Mystery of History], Éditions du Seuil, Paris. find
  16. Heisenberg, W. (1987), Część i całość. Rozmowy o fizyce atomu [Physics and Beyond: Encounters and Conversation] (transl. Kazimierz Napiórkowski), Państwowy Instytut Wydawniczy, Warszawa. find
  17. Homerski, J. (1998), Księga Ezechiela. Pismo Święte Starego i Nowego Testamentu w przekładzie z języków oryginalnych (Biblia Lubelska) [The Book of Ezekiel: The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments Translated from Original Languages (Lublin Bible)], Wydawnictwo Pallotinum, Lublin. find
  18. Jensen, J.J., Irwin, W.H. (2001), “Księga Izajasza. Proto Izajasz (Iz 1-39) [The Book of Isaiah: Proto Isaiah (Isa. 1-39)]”, [in:] Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, Roland E. Murphy, eds. Katolicki komentarz biblijny [New Jerome Biblical Commentary], Oficyna Wydawnicza “Vocatio”, Warszawa, 614-676. find
  19. Komentarz historyczno-kulturowy do Biblii Hebrajskiej [The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament] (2005), John H. Walton, Victor H. Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas, eds., Oficyna Wydawnicza “Vocatio”, Warszawa. find
  20. Kowalska, D. (2013), Sztuka słowa Mikołaja Reja. Studium stylistycznojęzykowe „Psałterza Dawidowego” [The Art of the Word by Mikołaj Rej: A Study of the Style and Language in “David’s Psalter”], Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego, Łódź. find
  21. Meynet, R. (2001), Wprowadzenie do hebrajskiej retoryki biblijnej [An Introduction to Hebrew Biblical Rhetoric] (transl. Tomasz Kot), Wydawnictwo WAM, Kraków. find
  22. Meynet, R. (2006), “Binarność, podstawowa cecha języka biblijnego [Binary, a Basic Feature of Biblical Language]” (transl. Tomasz Kot), [in:] Renata Komurka, ed. Język Biblii a język współczesny [The Language of the Bible and Contemporary Language], Wydawnictwo WAM, Kraków, 11-22. find
  23. Otto, R. (1968), Świętość. Elementy irracjonalne w pojęciu bóstwa i ich stosunek do elementów racjonalnych [The Idea of the Holy: An Inquiry into the Non-Rational Factor in the Idea of the Divine and its Relation to the Rational] (transl. Bogdan Kupis), Książka i Wiedza, Warszawa. find
  24. Pius XII (1943a), Encyklika “Divino afflante Spiritu” o właściwym rozwoju studiów biblijnych, EB 553;RSS, 94; Polish transl.: Aby lepiej słyszeć słowo Pana 2. Biblia w dokumentach Kościoła [To Better Hear the Word of the Lord 2. The Bible in the Documents of the Church] (1997), Rajmund Pietkiewicz, ed., Wydawnictwo Haleeis, Wrocław. English translation: http://www.papalencyclicals.net/pius12/p12divin.htm, IX (1.04.2019). ↗
  25. Pius XII (1943b), Encyklika “Divino afflante Spiritu” o właściwym rozwoju studiów biblijnych, [in:] Breviarium Fidei. Kodeks doktrynalnych wypowiedzi Kościoła [Breviarium Fidei. The Code of Doctrinal Statements of the Church] (1998), Stanisław Głowa, Ignacy Bieda, eds., Księgarnia św. Wojciecha, Poznań. find
  26. Potocki, S. (1990), “Księgi mądrościowe Starego Testamentu [The Old Testament Books of Wisdom]”, [in:] Lech Stachowiak, ed., Wstęp do Starego Testamentu [Introduction to the Old Testament], Wydawnictwo Pallotinum, Poznań, 383-489. find
  27. Sobczykowa, J. (2012), O naukowej polszczyźnie humanistycznej złotego wieku: Wujek – Budny – Murzynowski [On the Scientific Polish Humanities of the Golden Age: Wujek – Budny – Murzynowski], Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego, Katowice. find
  28. Stachowiak, L. (1997), Księga Jeremiasza. Pismo Święte Starego i Nowego Testamentu w przekładzie z języków oryginalnych (Biblia Lubelska) [The Book of Jeremiah: The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments Translated from Original Languages (Lublin Bible)], Wydawnictwo Pallotinum, Lublin. find
  29. Szarlej, J. (2002), Epifanie biblijne [Biblical Epiphanies], Wydawnictwo “Śląsk”, Katowice. find
  30. Szarlej, J. (2005), “Związki Starego Testamentu z Nowym – jako podstawa budowy biblijnych znaczeń” [“The Relationship Between the Old and New Testaments As a Basis for Building Biblical Meanings”], [in:] Anna Węgrzyniak, Michał Kopczyk, eds. Więzy tradycji [The Bonds of Tradition], Wydawnictwo Naukowe Akademii Techniczno-Humanistycznej, Bielsko-Biała, 23-33. find
  31. Szarlej, J. (2007), “Myśl – słowo – działanie w przysłowiach europejskich i semickich [“Thought-Word-Action in European and Semitic proverbs”], [in:] Parémie národů slovanských III, Ostravská univerzita v stravě. Filozofická fakulta, Ostrava, 151-161. find
  32. Szarlej, J. (2009), “Dabar – lógos – verbum – słowo. Odmienne sposoby wyrażania myśli w językach semickich i europejskich” [“Dabar – Lógos – Verbum – Word: Different Ways of Expressing Thoughts in Semitic and European Languages”], [in:] Stanisław Koziara, Wiesław Przyczyna, eds., Polszczyzna biblijna – między tradycją a współczesnością [The Biblical Polish: Between Tradition and Modernity], Wydawnictwo Diecezji Tarnowskiej Biblos, Tarnów, 107-123. find
  33. Szarlej, J. (2013), Językowy obraz człowieka w profetycznych księgach Starego Testamentu [The Linguistic Picture of Man in the Prophetic Books of the Old Testament], Wydawnictwo Naukowe Akademii Techniczno-Humanistycznej, Bielsko-Biała. find
  34. Szarlej, J. (2019), “Semantyka frazemów określających relacje międzyludzkie (na hebrajskim materiale ksiąg prorockich)” [“Semantics of phrasemes defining human relations (on the Hebrew material of the Books of Prophets)”], [in:] Marta Zając, Ireneusz Kida, eds., Studia hebraica. Księga pamiątkowa Seminarium Wiedzy o Hebrajszczyźnie Biblijnej dedykowana Pani Profesor Kamilli Termińskiej [Hebraica Studies. Commemorative Book: Biblical Hebrew Knowledge Seminar Dedicated to Professor Kamilla Termińska], Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego, Katowice, 273-293. find
  35. Termińska, K. (2003), “O tekście, tłumaczeniu i początku świata (Gn 1, 1) [On Text, Translation and the Beginning of the World (Gn 1, 1)]”, [in:] Bożena Tokarz ed. Z zagadnień literatury, kultury i języka. Studia ofiarowane Profesorowi Edwardowi Możejce [On Issues Regarding Literature, Culture, and Language: A Tribute to Professor Edward Możejko], Wydawnictwo “Śląsk”, Katowice, 223-231. find
  36. Tronina, A. (1989), Bóg przybywa ze Synaju. Staroizraelskie formuły teofanijne a początki religii Izraela [God Is Coming from Sinai: Old Israeli Theophanic Formulas and Origins of Israeli Religion], Redakcja Wydawnictw KUL, Lublin. find
  37. “Wstęp do ksiąg prorockich” [“Introduction to the Books of Prophets”], [in:] Biblia Jerozolimska [The Jerusalem Bible] (2006), 1st edition, Wydawnictwo Pallotinum, Poznań, 1011-1032. find

Updated

↑ back to top

This page in Markdown → https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/papers/szarlej-2022-binary-principle-biblical-texts-interpretation/