Ever heard of a chiasmus or chiastic structure? In Scripture, it refers to passages that, if diagrammed, connect contrasting or similar concepts in the form of the Greek letter “Chi” which looks like our X. Genesis 9:6 is a perfect example of this. First, let’s diagram the verse like this to make it easier to see:
(A) Whoever sheds
(B) the blood
(C) of man
(C’) by man
(B’) shall his blood
(A’) be shed
Now, if we lay out the pieces of the verse like this, connect the dots A to A’ and C to C’, we can see the chiastic structure.
A B C
C’ B’ A’
In a sense, we could say “X marks the spot.” A chiasmus can be used in different ways, but generally speaking it is a way of comparing, contrasting and focusing the reader on certain concepts.
This is different from a “palindrome” in literature, which is a word, or series of words spelled the same forward and backwards, like “civic” or “racecar”. A chiastic structure can be simple or very complex and some have even linked it with “Eastern” thinking as opposed to “Western” linear thinking.
I also can’t help but notice that the Greek “chi” or X was considered shorthand for “Christ” by the early Church. So, in a sense, even this often unnoticed literary technique in the Scriptures is drawing our attention to the Word of God, Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!
Once you are aware of this literary technique employed by some of the writers of the scriptures, you can start to identify it in many places in the Bible. In fact, some Bible scholars have identified a complex chiastic structure in the first sermon preached by Peter in the second chapter of the book of Acts. Dr. Craig Keener in his commentary on the book of Acts, p. 159 notes the following;
A This one ... you crucified and killed (2:23)
B But God raised him up ... (2:24)
C David says + Psalm 16 quote involving right hand (2:25–28) a. Men, brothers, b. it is necessary to speak c. to you boldly (2:29)
D the patriarch David died ... (2:29)
E Being therefore a prophet, and knowing (2:30)
F that God had sworn an oath to him (2:30)
G that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne (2:30)
H he foresaw and spoke (2:31)
I of the resurrection of Christ (2:31)
J that he was not abandoned to Hades (2:31)
J’ nor did his flesh see corruption (2:31)
I’ This Jesus God raised up (2:32)
H’ of that we are all witnesses (2:32)
G’ Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God (2:33)
F’ having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit (2:33)
E’ he has poured out this [phenomenon] which you see and hear (2:33)
D’ For David did not ascend into the heavens (2:34)
C’ But he himself says + Psalm 110 quote involving right hand (2:34–35) c. Assuredly therefore b. let it be known to a. all the house of Israel (2:36)
B’ that God has made him Lord and Christ (2:36)
A’ this Jesus, whom you crucified (2:36)
All through the Bible, “Chi” marks the spot, so to speak. Jesus IS the Word of God and the Word of God IS all about Jesus. There are so many ways that the Scriptures lead us to Jesus Christ and this is just one of those ways.
PRN: Father, I thank you for your Word. I thank you for the revelation of your Son Jesus Christ. I thank you that a revelation of Him is a revelation of You, as He said; “He that has seen me has seen the Father.” So help me to know Jesus better as I read through the book of Acts, and thank you that you are helping me to find new treasures in the Scriptures that are literally marked with “an X”. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Comments