Why Should Christians Know What a Chiasm Is in the Bible?
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Studying Scripture sometimes leads us to discover more in the text than we think, for example, when a book uses a chiasm.
The Bible is a unique collection of books—66 of them—written by approximately 40 different authors over roughly 1,500 years. It includes history, poetry, prophecy, letters, wisdom, and apocalyptic literature. The four Gospels combine theology and narrative around the person of Christ in ways no other literature about Christ accomplishes.
When reading the Bible, we must understand the role and purpose of different genres to properly interpret the message God desired to give the day’s audience and how to adapt the Word to our context.
To get specific, why should Christians know what a chiasm is in the Bible?
What Does the Word Chiasm Mean?
Chiasm (more properly, chiasmus) is a literary or rhetorical device with a symmetrical structure. It arranges things in a mirror-image pattern. The order of words or ideas in one section gets reversed or mirrored in another section. Chiasmus derives from the Greek letter chi, which resembles the shape of an X. This shape visually represents the crisscrossing or intersecting pattern. In many cases, this means the central idea in the passage is what appears in the middle—right before the earlier idea gets repeated.
Scholars call this pattern a chiastic structure.
Chiastic structures are great because they create balance and enhance the text’s impact and coherence. A chiasm emphasizes key themes, highlights contrasts, or creates a sense of unity and completeness. It is also versatile: various forms of literature (especially ancient ones) use chiastic structures, including poetry, prose, and speeches.
One of literature’s most famous examples of chiasmus is the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Mount. In the next section, we will discuss some other biblical examples.
However, chiastic structures don’t only appear in religious texts. For example, in Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, he employed chiasmus when he declared, “With malice toward none, with charity for all.” This statement presents a balanced, symmetrical structure: “malice” and “charity” are opposites connected by the sentence’s parallel structure.
In addition, chiasmus serves practical functions. Its structure can clarify meaning, create emphasis, and engage the reader. Chiastic structures draw attention to key concepts and encourage reflection on how these concepts relate to each other. The chiasm can also make the text more memorable and effective: the structure makes the ideas pleasing to the ear and easy to remember, enhancing how the ideas impact the audience.
Where Do We See the Bible Using Chiastic Structure?
In Mark 2:27, Jesus declares, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” This statement follows a chiastic structure, with the phrases “Sabbath” and “man” forming the outer elements, while the prepositional phrases “for man” and “for the Sabbath” serve as the mirrored inner elements. This chiasm reveals Jesus’ teaching on the Sabbath’s purpose—prioritizing human well-being over legalistic observance.
Another example of chiasm can be found in Matthew 7:6, where Jesus says, “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” This statement exhibits a chiastic structure, with the phrases “dogs” and “holy” mirrored by “pigs” and “pearls,” respectively. This chiasm emphasizes the contrast between the sacred and the profane, underscoring the need for discernment in sharing spiritual truths.
A great example of the crossing (X) type chiasm comes when Jesus says, “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). Christ teaches the proper path to exaltation, contrasting the two paths. Most humans attempt to exalt themselves. However, people should only worship God. Therefore, God will humble those who seek to make themselves famous. Jesus contrasts this with the proper way to be lifted up—humility. When someone chooses humility, the proper attitude, and position, God exalts that person.
Chiasms in Bible verses often serve as mnemonic devices, aiding memorization and communication. This structure contributes to study, allowing readers to explore the rich layers of meaning and connections between different elements. Using strong earthy images (like dogs and pigs) in contrast to what is holy or treasured (like pearls) meant Jesus could communicate a deep, important idea.
What Are Some Famous Biblical Examples of a Chiasm?
Chiastic structures are found throughout the Bible, and when we study how they affect passages, they always contribute depth and coherence.
The creation narrative includes a famous chiasm in Genesis 1. As readers, we see the orderly progression of God’s work unfolding in six days. Each day is followed by the Lord’s evaluation of his work as “good.” The pattern becomes evident when we see the separation of light from darkness, waters from waters, and land and sea on the first day. Next, God creates sea creatures, birds, land animals, and humanity. We also see that Genesis distinguishes the seventh day, the Sabbath, as the day of rest and blessing. The overarching theme of God's sovereignty and provision is mirrored in the chiastic structure of the narrative, emphasizing the harmony and completeness of His creation.
While we’ve discussed chiasmus within a verse, they can also be found in larger narrative arcs. After the chiasm within the story of Babylon, Genesis gives us the main cycles in the ancestral and covenantal narrative: the Abrahamic cycle, the shorter Isaac cycle, the Jacob story, and the story of Joseph. Patterns emerge within them, especially the giving or confirmation of the covenant and calling away to a greater purpose.
As already mentioned, Jesus employed chiasmus within the Sermon on the Mount. First, the Beatitudes follow a repetition of “blessed are the …” with a response, “for they will …” Through this famous introduction, Jesus reveals the basis of the Kingdom and heavenly culture, which he brought to earth.
Another example of a chiasm within the Sermon on the Mount happens in Matthew 5:21-44, where Jesus discusses the Law. “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. You have heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
The first mirrored part happens when Jesus says, “You have heard it was said,” and speaks of an Old Testament law. The first two especially come from the Ten Commandments. Jesus follows each Old Testament commandment with his moral standard: an inner one. As a theme of the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus’ teachings, sin comes from the heart. Internal corruption and desires influence outward behavior. In each case, Jesus’ moral instruction deals with the thought and intent, repeating, “But I tell you …”
Through this passage, Jesus uses a chiasm to reinforce the need to change the heart, leading to righteous living. Christ provides this through the New Covenant.
Why Is It Important We Know What a Chiasm Is Today?
We should understand chiasm for several reasons, from enhanced Bible interpretation to better communication.
- Enhanced Bible Interpretation. Learning about chiasm helps us interpret the Bible more effectively by recognizing and appreciating intricate structural patterns. When reading passages, identifying chiasms can reveal underlying themes, emphasize key points, and provide insights into the author’s intentions. We can grasp the interconnectedness of ideas across a passage or even all of Scripture.
- Appreciation of Biblical Complexity. The presence of chiasmus highlights the sophisticated literary techniques employed by biblical authors. Recognizing these structures encourages us to recognize the richness of the Bible as a literary work. The Scriptures are not merely a collection of disjointed stories and teachings but a cohesive and intricately crafted narrative with layers of meaning waiting to be discovered.
- Deepened Spiritual Understanding. Chiasmus often underscores important theological themes and principles. By discerning these structural patterns, we can gain a deeper understanding of foundational doctrines such as redemption, covenant, and the nature of God. Chiasmus invites us to explore the profound truths embedded within the text and facilitates a more meaningful engagement with Scripture, leading to spiritual growth and enrichment.
- Contextual Awareness. Recognizing chiasms helps us understand the context in which biblical texts were written. Many chiasms reflect the cultural and literary conventions of the ancient Near Eastern world, providing valuable insights into the biblical authors’ mindset and worldview and their original audience. This aids in interpreting the Bible accurately and applying its teachings effectively to our lives.
- Appreciation of Literary Genres. Chiasmus is just one example of the diverse biblical literary genres. By studying chiasms, we better appreciate the various literary forms in Scripture, including narrative, poetry, prophecy, and epistle. Understanding the unique characteristics of each genre enhances our ability to interpret and appreciate the different types of literature found in the Bible.
- Greater Communication of Truth. Analyzing chiasmus encourages us to recognize different ways to express the Gospel and truth in our day and age. Beyond the Bible, great historical speeches and speakers employ chiasmus to communicate with their audience, and so can we. Further, exploring the validity of different genres within the whole (whether poetry, wisdom, apocalyptic, etc) helps us to appreciate the diverse arts and literary devices we can use today to reveal the absolute truth of Christ.
Knowing the value of a chiasm is crucial for us today. Through understanding this literary device, we unlock profound truths and complexities of Scripture, leading to a deeper appreciation for the Word of God and a more intimate relationship with the God of the Word.
Peace.
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