TIP OF THE DAY 95: Ambiguity in wordplay and figurative language part 2

MJ. Smith

I am adding these posts to the previous tip list L/V 10 Tip of the Day 

QUESTION: With respect to New Testament word play and figurative language, give some examples of ambiguity based on intentional double meaning.

ANSWER: From Perplexity

Based on the search results and the query, here are some examples of ambiguity in the New Testament due to intentional double meaning:

1. John 3:3 - ἄνωθεν (anōthen)

Jesus uses this word when speaking to Nicodemus, which can mean both "again" and "from above". This leads to confusion as Nicodemus interprets it as "again", while Jesus likely meant "from above".

2. John 1:5 - κατέλαβεν (katelaben)

This word can mean both "overcome" and "comprehend/understand". Different translations render it differently:

"the darkness has not overcome it" (ESV)

"the darkness did not comprehend it" (NASB)

"the darkness has not understood it" (NIV)

3. Revelation 1:1 - "The revelation of Jesus Christ"

This phrase could mean both "the revelation from Jesus Christ" and "the revelation about Jesus Christ". Both meanings are likely intended.

4. Mark 2 - Sabbath controversies

Jesus uses wordplay regarding "work" on the Sabbath, intentionally introducing multiple layers of meaning.

5. John 4:32 - "I have food you don't know about"

Jesus uses everyday language about food to explain a deeper spiritual reality, intentionally creating confusion among his disciples.

6. John 6 - "Eat my flesh"

Jesus uses language that can be taken both literally and figuratively, leading to misunderstanding.

7. John 2:19 - "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up"

Jesus intentionally uses ambiguous language about the "temple", referring both to the physical temple and his own body.

8. John 11:11 - "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep"

Jesus uses "sleep" as a metaphor for death, intentionally creating initial misunderstanding.

These examples demonstrate how New Testament authors, especially John, frequently employed intentional double meanings and wordplay to create layers of meaning and provoke deeper reflection on spiritual truths.1

QUESTION: With respect to New Testament word play and figurative language, give some examples of ambiguity based on metaphorical ambiguity.

ANSWER: From Perplexity

Based on the search results and the query, here are some examples of ambiguity in the New Testament due to metaphorical ambiguity:

1. John 3:8 - Wind/Spirit metaphor

"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

The Greek word "pneuma" can mean both "wind" and "spirit", creating a metaphorical ambiguity that Jesus uses to explain spiritual rebirth.

2. John 4:10-14 - Living water

Jesus uses the metaphor of "living water" when speaking to the Samaritan woman:

"If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water."

The ambiguity lies in the dual meaning of "living water" as both physical flowing water and spiritual nourishment.

3. John 6:51-58 - Eating flesh and drinking blood

Jesus says, "Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life."

This metaphorical language creates intentional ambiguity, leading to confusion among his listeners about whether he meant it literally or figuratively.

4. John 2:19 - Destroying and raising the temple

"Jesus answered them, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.'"

Jesus uses the metaphor of the temple to refer to his body, creating ambiguity that his listeners misunderstand.

5. Matthew 16:18 - Building on the rock

"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church."

The metaphorical use of "rock" creates ambiguity about whether Jesus is referring to Peter himself or to Peter's confession of faith.

These examples demonstrate how the New Testament authors, particularly John, use metaphorical language to create intentional ambiguity. This ambiguity often serves to provoke deeper reflection on spiritual truths and to distinguish between those who understand spiritual matters and those who interpret things only on a literal level.2

QUESTION: With respect to New Testament word play and figurative language, give some examples of ambiguity based on referential ambiguity.

ANSWER: From Perplexity

Based on the search results and the query, I can provide some examples of referential ambiguity in the New Testament:

1. John 1:5 - "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

The Greek word "κατέλαβεν" (katelaben) can mean both "overcome" and "comprehend/understand". This creates referential ambiguity as to whether the darkness did not overcome the light or did not understand it.

2. John 3:3 - "Unless one is born ἄνωθεν (anōthen), he cannot see the kingdom of God."

The word "ἄνωθεν" (anōthen) can mean both "again" and "from above". This leads to confusion as Nicodemus interprets it as "again", while Jesus likely meant "from above".

3. Revelation 1:1 - "The revelation of Jesus Christ"

This phrase could refer to either "the revelation from Jesus Christ" or "the revelation about Jesus Christ". Both meanings are likely intended, creating referential ambiguity.

4. 1 Corinthians 7:36 - "If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward his virgin..."

The Greek word "παρθένος" (parthenos) typically means "virgin" but can also mean "unmarried daughter". This leads to different interpretations of Paul's advice, as it's unclear whether he's referring to a man's fiancée or a father's daughter.

5. Pronouns with multiple possible antecedents

In passages where multiple people or objects are mentioned, it may not be clear which specific entity a pronoun is referring back to. This type of referential ambiguity requires careful analysis of the context to determine the most likely antecedent.

These examples demonstrate how referential ambiguity in the New Testament can lead to multiple possible interpretations, requiring careful analysis of context and sometimes leaving room for intentional double meanings.3

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3 and and and https://www.biblicaltraining.org/learn/academy/nt110-biblical-hermeneutics-and-exegesis/nt110-03-four-key-principles-of-exegesis https://www.gbcounseling.org/blog/Puns-in-John-Overcome-Comprehend-ch1-v5 https://spiritandtruthonline.org/examples-of-figure-of-speech-used-in-the-bible/ https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/new-testament-studies/article/abs/ambiguity-ancient-semantics-and-faith/D27684D098D9EE1EDC39F094621FA5FD https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/new-testament-studies/article/abs/expressions-of-double-meaning-and-their-function-in-the-gospel-of-john/8B13D128DED6C3F8AD22923CEF69952B https://www.biblicaltraining.org/learn/academy/nt110-biblical-hermeneutics-and-exegesis/nt110-03-four-key-principles-of-exegesis https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/oral-tradition-in-the-new-testament https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/new-testament-studies/article/abs/ambiguity-ancient-semantics-and-faith/D27684D098D9EE1EDC39F094621FA5FD https://www.peace.org.au/double-language-in-scripture.html https://www.electrummagazine.com/2015/02/word-plays-in-ancient-literature/ https://community.logos.com/forums/p/226720/1324778.aspx https://community.logos.com/forums/p/226720/1324778.aspxhttps://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/new-testament-studies/article/abs/expressions-of-double-meaning-and-their-function-in-the-gospel-of-john/8B13D128DED6C3F8AD22923CEF69952B