CHIASMUS
CHIASMUS
CHIASMUS, , decussata oratio, , has its name from the Greek letter X, which is as it were the type (mould), according to which the sentence or words seem to be arranged. It is a figurative mode of speaking, when two pairs of words or propositions are so arranged, as that the attentive reader may understand that a relation subsists between both words or propositions of the former pair, and both words or propositions of the latter pair.
I. CHIASMUS is observed as being either direct or inverted.
Direct CHIASMUS is, when the former word or proposition in the first pair ought to be referred to the former word or proposition in the second pair: and the latter word or proposition in the first pair is to be referred to the latter word or proposition in the second pair.
Inverted CHIASMUS is, when the former word or proposition in the first pair ought to be referred to the latter word or proposition in the second pair: and the latter word or proposition in the first pair ought to be referred to the former word or proposition in the second pair.
In a word: Let there be two pairs: A and B, C and D. If the relation is of the A to the C, and of the B to the D, there is a direct Chiasmus. If the relation is of the A to the D, and of the B to the C, it is inverted Chiasmus. If the relation is of the A to the B, and of the C to the D, then there IS NO Chiasmus, but the RELATION is IMMEDIATE. There are not found more than these three cases, which I will now make plain by as simple an Example as possible: In the Epistle to Phm 1:5, we have an inverted Chiasmus (Comp. the Gnom.),- A) B) , C) D) . A) is connected with D), love-to all the saints: B) is connected with C), the faith which thou hast in the Lord Jesus.
Let us imagine the direct Chiasmus: A) B) C) , D) A) is connected with C), and B) with D).
Now let the four members proceed in the order which is without Chiasmus:- A) B) C) D) .
This is the order in which the apostle himself has made the words to proceed, in writing to the Eph 1:15; – – A) B) , C) D) .-So A) is joined with B), and C) with D).
Another most clear example of inverted Chiasmus is Mat 12:22, A) B) C) D) .
II. Now let us see some other examples: Mat 5:44, A) – – B) – – C) – – D) . This is a direct Chiasmus; of which even a trace is still to be observed in Mat 5:46-47, – (salute). Therefore the four members are arranged in two pairs, of which this is the mutual relation: A) and C); then B) and. D). That the Chiasmus in this passage is not a mere work of the imagination, the relation of Luke attests, which makes the four first members advance in this order: A) -B) -C) – (the true order without Chiasmus).-Mat 7:27-28; with which comp. Mat 7:23, etc.-Joh 5:21-27 :
A) Joh 5:21. – – .
B) Joh 5:22. – – .
C) Joh 5:24. , – – .
D) Joh 5:25. . . . . – – .
There are four members: A) concerning quickening, B) concerning judging, C) concerning judgment or condemnation, D) concerning the resurrection. Therefore it is an instance of inverted Chiasmus. The Gnom. on the passage. Furthermore,
E) Joh 5:26. – .
F) Joh 5:27. – – .
G) Joh 5:28. – – .
H) Joh 5:29. – – .
Here again there are four members: E) concerning life, F) concerning judgment, G) concerning the resurrection, H) concerning judgment or condemnation. It is therefore a direct Chiasmus. Hence there results a double series pervading nine verses:
A-D-E-G, and B-C-F-H.
Act 20:21, A) B) , D) . The relation is between A) and D) and between B and C: Therefore it is an inverted Chiasmus, as above, Phm 1:5.-Rom 9:24, A) , B) . C) the clause concerning the Gentiles is treated of in Rom 9:25 : – – D) that concerning the Jews is treated of in Rom 9:27, -. It is an inverted Chiasmus: For the apostle names A) the Jews, B) the Gentiles; and then treats, in inverted order, C) concerning the Gentiles, D) concerning the Jews.-1Co 9:1, etc., is an inverted Chiasmus according to the view taken in the Gnomon on the passage. But the more received reading so arranges the two members in the first verse that there results a direct Chiasmus. Let us see both:
A) 1Co 9:1, ; B) ;
C) 1Co 9:2, concerning the Apostleship: -.
D) 1Co 9:4, concerning his freedom: – -.
The relation is between A) and C), and between B) and D); therefore it is a direct Chiasmus.
A) ; B) ;
C) – -D) – -.
The relation is between A) and D), and between B) and C); therefore it is inverted Chiasmus.
III. CHIASMUS, taken in a wide sense, exists also in the case of members which exceed the number four: for instance,-Rom 2:17; Rom 2:20, ,
A) ,
B) ,
C) ,
D) ,
E)
F) ,
G) ,
H) ,
I) ,
K) – -.
This is a direct Chiasmus of ten members, arranged in twice five clauses. It is shown universally, 1) what the Jew assumes to himself: A, B, C, D, E: 2) what more he arrogates to himself in relation to others: F, G, H, I, K. A and F specially correspond; B and G; C and H; D and I; in fine, E and K, which two at the same time denote the cause of the antecedent members. See a passage almost the counterpart of this, Rom 8:34; Rom 8:38-39; and Php 4:8-9. Comp. the Gnom.-See an inverted or retrograde Chiasmus of six members in the Gnom. on 1Co 13:5.
IV. Often there is the greatest use in the employment of this figure, and it is never without some use, viz. in perceiving the ornament, in observing the force of the language; in understanding the true and full sense; in making clear the sound Exegesis; in demonstrating the true and neat Analysis of the sacred text; as is everywhere shown in the Gnomon. See especially the Gnom. on Heb 1:4, , by so much, and Bengels Evang. Fingerzeig, Tom. vi. p. 2, Vorrede von dem Nutzen der gnomouischen Auslegungsart. 196, 197.
CHIASMUS is altogether worthy of being observed diligently, and is such that we hope by the knowledge of it hermeneutical studies will be still further assisted. This hope truly can hardly be snatched from us by those who so despise the name and province of Chiasmus, both direct and inverted [both of which are taught by Bengel], as to deny that it has any weight in investigations of the text: nor even by those who endeavour to accuse of strange novelty the doctrine concerning this class of Figures. For that CHIASMUS, whether inverted or direct, was both acknowledged and approved of long ago by the learned, I could without difficulty make plain, by the testimonies of Bochart, Crusius, Flaeius, Ickenius, Scapula, and others, were it not that I should thus have to transgress the brevity which I have thought desirable to impose on myself.