Three Grammar Elements to Look for When Studying the Bible
One of the most powerful tools to study Scripture is grammar. More specifically, the grammatical structure found in the Bible helps us pinpoint the meaning behind verses, paragraphs, and the arguments presented in its books. But what grammatical elements should we look for? How can we identify them, and how will they help us in our quest for meaning?
“Structure is the doorway to understanding an author’s purpose,” write Howard and William Hendricks, authors of Living by the Book. I believe identifying grammatical structure is not only key to unlocking meaning but also to increasing our appetite for God's Word.
I will use Joshua 1:8 as an example of three grammar elements you should look for as you read the Word.
1. Connectives
We see the transition word “but” so often that we tend to forget its power to redirect a sentence. Consider how it is used in Joshua. Moses, God’s servant who had led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the Wilderness, had just died. It was time to pass the torch, and Joshua was up! God was making some wonderful promises to Joshua about his presence (v.9), his provision of the land (v.2), and his protection (v.5).
But there was something Joshua needed to do first. The first part of the verse states that this Book of the Law (the Mosaic Law) should not depart from his mouth, but he should meditate on it day and night.
When we see the word but in Scripture, it means a change in direction. God had just told Joshua that he should observe all that was written in the law (v.7). In the first part of the verse, the Lord tells Joshua how not to do this. Then, positively, he reorients his focus to the meditation of Scripture—the method by which he could observe the Lord’s commandments. “But” is just an example of a connective in Scripture. You should also look out for and, therefore, so, and any other transition word you spot in the Word. Make a note of them and ask yourself, “how does it connect to the first part of the sentence, and what is it telling me?”
2. Verbs
Verbs tell us what is happening in the sentence. In this case, it tells us what should be happening. Defining verbs and general terms that we are unsure of will aid our comprehension. In this case, the verb mediate jumps out to me as an unusual verb. A good starting point for defining a term in the Bible is looking at other verses with the same word.
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:2, NKJV)
“I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.” (Psalm 77:12, ESV)
What do you notice about these verses? The first thing I see is the similarity in how meditation should be done. Both verses echo two important modifiers to the verb in Joshua 1:8: day and night & Book of the Law. We see that meditation should be a continual practice that fills our minds with the truth.
Looking up the original Hebrew or Greek gives us a more accurate definition of the word that aligns with its original context. I recommend using Step Bible to do your vocabulary research. The Hebrew word for mediate (hagah) means to mutter, and it refers to the custom of muttering to oneself while reflecting on something. This is what God meant when he said that this book should not depart from your mouth: it should not depart from Joshua’s contemplation and savoring of the Word. As we do when we savor our favorite foods, we should engage our mouths, emotions, and mind to fully experience the delight lodged in each word. Contrary to Eastern philosophies teachings that say we should empty our minds to meditate, God’s Word tells us we should fill it. We should fill it so it percolates through our being, recalibrating our minds to be in sync with Christ’s and allowing the Spirit to transform our whole beings to honor the Lord (Psalm 19:14).
3. Cause/Effect
Cause and effect relationships occur when one event causes another; cause and effect saturate the Holy Scriptures, especially concerning God’s promises. In Joshua, we actually see two cause-effect relationships. Can you spot them?
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night,
that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.
For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
When Joshua meditates on the law continually, he will be able to act up on everything it says. Then, because of his obedience, he will have prosperity and good success. Yet another awe-inspiring promise from the Lord! God was faithful to provide all Joshua needed to take possession of the land, but Joshua also needed to do his part to experience success.
An organized way to keep track of cause-and-effect relationships is by drawing an arrow from the effect to the cause and labeling cause/effect on your Bible.
Like the meditation described in Joshua 1:8, the studying of Scripture demands our entire being—mind, heart, soul, strength—so we must give ourselves entirely to these grammatical structures that are often overlooked. Slowing down to note these three grammar elements will take you one step further in your delight of the Word.