Biblical Parallels

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Parallels – same event or different events.

Biblical stories often bear resemblance to each other, and comparing similar stories is frequently a fruitful method of arriving at a deeper understanding of each individual text. One may distinguish between two types of parallels and what each conveys about authorial intent:

• Content parallels – similarities in plot are frequently a function of history and circumstance, and do not necessarily imply that the Biblical author intended for one story to allude to or be compared to the other. Nonetheless, a parallel story can serve as a useful foil, affording the reader an opportunity to notice patterns and account for similarities and differences, which might otherwise have been overlooked. When multiple narratives share a common story line, the elements of each story can be compared to the entire set.
• Language parallels – similarities in language, on the other hand, when they are unique and of critical mass, may also reveal authorial intent and perspective.

Both content and language parallels are also important for appreciation of Rabbinic exegesis, as Midrashim frequently reflect a sensitivity to similarities between stories and fill in gaps by transferring elements from one event to another.