Literary Genre In King Cyrus's Interpreting The Bible

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It is important to learn to study and interpret the Bible the way the Scriptures are written. Fortunately, the Bible appears to have every form of literary approach ever described that includes parables, poems, prose, history, genealogies, letters, laws, biographies, and prophesy. There are many different literary forms or literary genre in which the word of God is written. In his book, “Interpreting the Bible”, W. Randolph Tate, defines a genre as “a term for grouping of literary works according to shared form and literary technique”. This grouping of literary works is important as there are various literary genres that range from large, (an entire book), or to a chapter, or a paragraph that may be found within a larger genre. The essential …show more content…

First and foremost, is the narrator’s introduction of what is occurring with King Cyrus, the report of his vision, and the emphasis on the transition of the events in this story reflect are all examples of the making of a narrative genre. King Cyrus issues the decree within the first year of his reign as King, “in order that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished”. The historical aspect of this action is based on cries of Jeremiah the prophet, who served as a voice fo the Lord to steer His people to obey Him. King Cyrus obviously heard and accepted what the Lord God was telling him to do, and using the vision he received from God, “the Lord stirred up the spirt of King Cyrus of Persia”, who had served the pagan god Marduk, but he took heed to Jeremiah’s warnings of God’s wrath and love. He used his authority as king, “so that he sent a herald through all his kingdom”. A herald is one who announces messages on behalf of another, and this action is followed up with a written decree, “and also in a written edict declared:” As King Cyrus acknowledges all that the God of heaven had given him as he accepted the charge to authorize the rebuilding of the tabernacle in