Biblical Hermeneutics

Biblical Hermeneutics is the study of the principles and methods of interpreting the text of the Bible. Second Timothy 2:15 commands Believers to be involved in Hermeneutics, “Do your best to present yourself to God/Yahweh as one approved, a worker who . . . correctly handles the word of truth.”

By reading Scripture in its context, we avoid reading from our own post-New Testament and cultural perspectives. The purpose of Biblical Hermeneutics is to protect us from misapplying Scripture or allowing bias to color our understanding of God/Yahweh's truth.

Hermeneutics (Interpretation)101: Context is King. The New Testament/Messianic Writings must be understood through the eyes (perspective), of the Judaism of the First Century. That is "What did those who wrote it understand?" and "What those who read it comprehend?". Maximally understanding the Scripture includes gaining a grasp of its Ancient Near Eastern context.

Three important Hermeneutical Rules:

1. The Scripture says what it means and means what it says.

2. Scripture must be interpreted historically, grammatically and contextually.

3. Scripture is the best interpreter of Scripture. The First Testament is the dictionary for the Second.