INTRODUCTION TO

BIBLICAL

INTERPRETATION

THIRD EDITION

WILLIAM W. KLEIN

CRAIG L. BLOMBERG

ROBERT L. HUBBARD, JR.

ZONDERVAN

Introduction to Biblical Interpretation

Copyright © 1993, 2004, 2017 by William W. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard, Jr.

This title is also available as a Zondervan ebook.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Klein, William W. (William Wade), author | Blomberg, Craig L., 1955- author. | Hubbard, Robert L., Jr., 1943- author.

Title: Introduction to biblical interpretation / William W. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg, Robert L. Hubbard, Jr.

Description: Third edition. | Grand Rapids, MI : Zondervan, [2016] | Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016039056 | ISBN 9780310524175 (hardcover)

Subjects: LCSH: Bible—Hermeneutics.

Classification: LCC BS476 .K545 2016 | DDC 220.601—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016039056

The Bible versions quoted in this book are listed on pp. 16–17, which therefore becomes a part of this copyright page.

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Cover design: Rick Szuecs Design

Cover image: Valentin de Boulogne

Interior imagery: © Rashad Ashurov/Shutterstock

Dedicated to our esteemed mentors:

Donald W. Burdick (†)

D. A. Carson

David A. Hubbard (†)

And to our beloved wives:

Phyllis Klein

Fran Blomberg

Pam Hubbard

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abbreviations

Preface to Third Edition

Preface to Second Edition

Introduction

PART I—THE TASK OF INTERPRETATION

CHAPTER 1—THE NEED FOR INTERPRETATION

Why Hermeneutics?

Hermeneutics Defined

The Art and Science of Interpretation

The Role of the Interpreter

The Meaning of the Message

The Text

The Author and the Audience

Some Challenges of Bible Interpretation

Distance of Time

Cultural Distance

Geographical Distance

Distance of Language

Eternal Relevance—The Divine Factor

The Goal of Hermeneutics

Conclusion

CHAPTER 2—THE HISTORY OF INTERPRETATION

Jewish Interpretation

Inner-Biblical Allusion

Post-Biblical Interpretation: The Transition

Hellenistic Judaism

The Qumran Community

Rabbinic Judaism

The Apostolic Period (ca. AD 30–100)

The Patristic Period (ca. AD 100–590)

The Apostolic Fathers (ca. AD 100–150)

The Alexandrian School (ca. AD 150–400)

Church Councils (ca. AD 400–590)

The Middle Ages (ca. AD 590–1500)

The Reformation (ca. AD 1500–1650)

The Post-Reformation Period ...