Something fun from the Bible and a refutation of the Documentary Hypothesis – I hope you’ll enjoy it. It’s a pattern known as a Chiasm. “Chiasm” comes from the Greek letter Chi which is shaped like our “X.” It’s a pattern which starts in one direction and then turns around and repeats itself in the opposite direction.
I found most of them in this list. Any not found by me are noted as such. I hope after you see these, that you will look for them yourself and share them with me if you find any. Remember, these have been right in plain sight – for up to 3500 years. What a joy it is to share it with others – we are the recipients of God’s favor!
These first two are actually one inside the next, showing great intricacy –
Genesis 3:5 – 3:22 – That Serpent of Old, called the Devil and Satan.
The Fall of Man (4/8/2008)
a 3:5 You will be like God, knowing good and evil
—–b 3:7 They made coverings of fig leaves
———-c 3:8 Wife as yet unnamed
—————-d 3:9 Adam questioned
——————–e 3:12-13a Eve accused and questioned
————————-x 3:13b Serpent accused
————————-x 3:14 Serpent’s curse
——————–e 3:16 Eve’s curse
—————-d 3:17-19 Adam’s curse
———-c 3:20 Wife is named Eve
—–b 3:21 The LORD God made them tunics of skin and clothed them.
a 3:22 Man is like one of Us, to know good and evil.
Genesis 3:6 – 3:22 – Where are you?
Hard Questions (4/8/2008)
a 3:6 She ate the fruit from the tree and then gave it to her husband.
—–b 3:7 They realized they were naked.
———-c 3:8 Adam and Eve hid themselves.
—————x 3:9 Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”
———-c 3:10 “I hid myself.”
—–b 3:11a “Who told you that you were naked?”
a 3:11b “Have you eaten from the tree?”
Genesis 19:10-16 (Sergio Voitenko, 3 January 2021
a Angels grabbed and saved Lot from the angry mod (v10-11)
—–b Angels inquire Lot about sons-in-law (v12)
———-c Destroy the place (v13)
—————x Because the outcry against it is so great (v13)
———-c Destroy it (v13)
—–b Lot begs sons in law to get up (v14)
a Angels grabbed them and saved them from destruction (v15-16)
Genesis 23:7-18 – Abraham Buries His Dead
A Purchase of Land (10/15/2012)
a (7) sons of Heth
—–b (9) the cave of Machpelah which he has, which is at the end of his field
———-c (10) in the presence of the sons of Heth, all who entered at the gate of his city
—————d (11) the field and the cave that is in it
——————–e (11) in the presence of the sons of my people
————————-f (11) Bury your dead!”
——————————g (12, 13) Abraham spoke to Ephron
———————————–x (13) “If you will give it, please hear me. I will give you
———————————–money for the field; take it from me and I will bury my dead there.”
——————————g (14) Ephron answered Abraham
————————-f (15) So bury your dead.”
——————–e (16) in the hearing of the sons of Heth
—————d (17) the field and the cave which was in it
———-c (18) in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who entered at the gate of his city
—–b (19) the cave of the field of Machpelah
a (20) sons of Heth
Genesis 23:17-20 – Abraham Buries Sarah
A Purchase of Land (10/16/2012)
a so the field of Machpelah… before Mamre…the field and the cave in it… were deeded to Abraham by the sons of Heth
—–x And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah
a so the field of Machpelah… before Mamre…the field and the cave in it… were deeded to Abraham by the sons of Heth
Genesis 37:5-8 – Joseph’s Dream
Israel Bows to the King (08/26/13)
a Concerning Joseph’s dream spoken to his brothers
—–b they hated him even more
———-c So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: (giving of the
———-dream)
—————x There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and
—————also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed
—————down to my sheaf.”
———-c And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you
———-indeed have dominion over us?” (explanation of the dream)
—–b they hated him even more
a Concerning his dreams and his words to his brothers
Genesis 50:22-26 – Joseph Made the Sons of Israel Swear
The years of Joseph (Found by Sergio Voitenko – 01/25/2017)
a Joseph stayed in Egypt (v22)
—–b Joseph lived 110 years and is about to die (v22-23)
———-c God will help his brothers to go to Israel (v24b)
—————x Joseph made sons of Israel swear (v25a)
———-c God will help his brothers take his bones to Israel (v25b)
—–b Joseph dies at 110 (v26a)
a Joseph placed in a coffin in Egypt (v26b)
What is special about this chiasm concerning Joseph is that the last words of Joseph’s life are not only recorded in the hall of fame of faith but they are also the center of the chiasm that ends the book of Genesis.
Exodus 3:8 – 3:17 – I AM WHO I AM
The God Who Sees Promises Deliverance (8/22/2011) (Susan Garret and Charlie Garrett)
a 3:8(a) a land flowing with milk and honey
—–b 3:8(b) to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the
—–Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites.
———-c 3:9(a) the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me
—————d 3:9(b) I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.
——————–e 3:10 I will send you to Pharaoh
————————-f 3:12 this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you
——————————g 3:13(a) The God of your fathers has sent me to you,
———————————–h 3:13(b) What is His name?
—————————————-i 3:13(c) What shall I say to them
———————————————x 3:14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.”
—————————————-i 3:14(b) Thus you shall say to the children of Israel,
———————————–h 3:14(c) I AM has sent me to you.
——————————g 3:15(a) The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the
——————————God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.
————————-f 3:15(c) This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all
————————-generations.
——————–e 3:16(a) Go and gather the elders of Israel
—————d 3:16(b)I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt
———-c 3:17(a) I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt
—–b 3:17(b) to the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the
—–Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites
a 3:17(c) a land flowing with milk and honey
Exodus 6:1-11 – Words of Covenant Surety (Seven “I Wills)
A Promise of Redemption and Inheritance (1/5/2015)
a (vs 1) Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh. For with a strong hand he will let them go, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.”
—–b (vs 3) I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob,
———-c (vs 4) I have also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of
———-Canaan,
—————d (vs 5) The groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in
—————bondage,
——————–e (vs 6) ‘I am the Lord;
————————-f (vs 6) I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians,
————————-x (vs 6) I will rescue you from their bondage,
————————-x (vs 6) I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great
————————-judgments.
————————-f (vs 7) I will take you as My people, and I will be your God.
——————–e (vs 7) Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God
—————d (vs 7) The burdens of the Egyptians.
———-c (v 8) And I will bring you into the land
—–b (vs 8) I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage
a (vss 10, 11) And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Go in, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the children of Israel go out of his land.”
Exodus 6:12-30 – The Family of Moses and Aaron
A Foreshadowing of the Coming Prophet and Priest (1/12/2015)
a (vs 12) And Moses spoke before the Lord, saying, “The children of Israel have not heeded me. How then shall Pharaoh heed me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?”
—–b (vs 13) Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron … for Pharaoh king
—–of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.
———-c (vss 14-15) Families of Reuben and Simeon (rejected as leaders)
—————d (vss 16-19) Genealogies of Levi “according to their generations.”
——————–x. (vs 20) The family of Moses and Aaron
—————d (vss 21-25) Houses of Levi “according to their families.”
———-c (vss 26, 27) Moses and Aaron (selected as leaders)
—–b (vss 28, 29) The Lord spoke to Moses … “Speak to Pharaoh king of
—–Egypt all that I say to you.”
a (vs 30) But Moses said before the Lord, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh heed me?”
Exodus 9:33, 34 – A Heavenly Plague
Pharaoh Changes His Mind
a thunder
—–b hail
———-c rain
—————x Pharaoh
———-c rain
—–b hail
a thunder
Exodus 13:21-14:20 – In the Wilderness (4/23/08)
Miracles and Complaints
a 13:21, 22 The pillar of cloud/fire led the way.
—–b 14:4 Harden Pharaoh’s heart to gain honor over him.
———-c 14:9 Israel lifted their eyes and were very afraid.
—————d 14:11 …to die in the wilderness
——————–e 14:11 Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt?
————————-f 14:12 Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians
——————–e 14:12 It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians
—————d 14:12 … we should die in the wilderness.
———-c 14:13 Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD.
—–b 14:17 Harden Egyptians hearts to gain honor over Pharaoh and all his army.
a 14:19, 20 The pillar of cloud went behind them.
Exodus 14:21-31 – Stretch Out Your Hand Over the Sea (4/23/08)
The Great Miracle
a 14:21 LORD produced miracle through Moses.
—–b 14:22 Through sea on dry ground, the waters a wall to their right and left.
———-c 14:23-25 Army of Pharaoh troubled
—————d 14:26 “Stretch out your hand over the sea.”
——————–x The waters may come back upon the Egyptians, on their chariots,
—————and on their horsemen.
—————d 14:27 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea
———-c 14:28 Army of Pharaoh destroyed.
—–b 14:29 Through sea on dry ground, the waters a wall to their right and left.
a 14:30, 31 Israelites saw the miracle and feared the LORD and Moses.
Exodus 22:28-23:13 – Help your enemy if his donkey/ox is in trouble
“Love your neighbor as yourself” (01/30/13)
a 22:28 shall not revile God
—–b 22:30 oxen and your sheep shall be with its mother seven days
———-c 22:31 “you shall not eat meat torn by beasts in the field”
—————d 23:1 “You shall not circulate a false report.”
——————–e 23:3 not to show partiality to a poor man in his dispute.
————————-x 23:4 enemy’s ox or donkey going astray, help him
————————-x 23:5 donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, help him
——————–e 23:6 not to pervert the judgment of your poor in his dispute.
—————d 23:7 “Keep yourself far from a false matter;”
———-c 23:11 “and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat.”
—–b 23:12 rest on seventh day, so ox and donkey may rest
a 23:13 no mention of the name of other gods
Exodus 23:24-33 – Covenant Promises and Expectations
Upon Entering the Land of Canaan (2/9/2016)
a v.24 You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works
—–b v.24 You shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred
—–pillars
———-c v.25 So you shall serve the Lord your God
—————d v.25&26 (Blessings of prosperity within the land)
——————–e v.27 I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all
——————–the people to whom you come, and will make all your enemies
——————–turn their backs to you
————————-x v.28 And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the
————————-Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before you
————————-x v.29 I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the
————————-land become desolate and the beasts of the field become too
————————-numerous for you
——————–e v.30 Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have
——————–increased, and you inherit the land
—————d v.31 (Blessing of boundaries of the land)
———-c v.32 You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods
—–b v.33 They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me
a v.33 For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you
Exodus 24:1-9 The Cutting of the Covenant
Israel’s Verbal Agreement to the Words of the Lord (2/9/2016)
a v.1 Now He said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel…”
—–b v.3 Moses submits the covenant for acceptance
———-c v.3 “All the words which the Lord has said we will do.”
—————d v.4 Wrote out the words of the Lord.
——————–e v.4 Built an altar
————————-x v.4 The twelve tribes of Israel
————————-x v.5 The children of Israel
——————–e v.6 Sanctified the altar
—————d v.7 Read the words of the Lord
———-c v.8 “All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.”
—–b v.8 Moses seals the covenant after acceptance
a v.9 Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel
Exodus 24:9-18 Moses Went Up
Designation of Aaron and Hur to Lead During Moses’ Absence (3/2/2016)
a 9 Then Moses went up
—–b 10 (Description of the Lord’s glory)
———-c 12 The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and be there;
—————d 13 Moses went up to the mountain of God.
——————–x 14 (instructions to the elders/designation of Aaron and Hur as leaders
—————d 15 Then Moses went up into the mountain,
———-c 16 And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud.
—–b 17 (Description of the Lord’s glory)
a 18 So Moses went into the midst of the cloud
Exodus 29:43-45 – Sanctified by My glory
I Will Dwell Among Them and be Their God (05/25/2016)
a And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and they shall be sanctified by My glory
—–x So I will consecrate the tabernacle of meeting and the altar
—–x I will also consecrate both Aaron and his sons to minister to Me as priests
a I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God
Exodus 31:13-17 – The Sabbath Rest
A Sign between the Lord and Israel (7/11/2016)
a Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep
—–b For it is a sign between Me and you
———-c Throughout your generations,
—————d You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you
——————–e Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death
————————-f For whoever does any work on it
————————-x Work shall be done for six days,
————————-but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord
————————-f Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day
——————–e He shall surely be put to death
—————d Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the
—————Sabbath
———-c Throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant
—–b It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel
a On the seventh day He rested and was refreshed
Exodus 32:1-34:17 – The Glory of the LORD (8/31/11)
A Call to Holiness
a 32:1-35 Example of idolatry.
—–b 33:2 And I will send My Angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanite and the
—–Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite.
———-c 33:3 for I will not go up in your midst, lest I consume you on the way, for you are
———-a stiff-necked people
—————d 33:7-11 Moses meets the Lord in the Tent of Meeting.
——————–e 33:12 You have said, “I know you by name.”
————————-f 33:12 You have also found grace in My sight
——————————g 33:13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight,
——————————show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may
——————————find grace in Your sight.
——————————h 33:13 And consider that this nation is Your people
—————————————-i 33:14 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will
—————————————-give you rest.”
———————————————x 33:15 If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring
———————————————us up from here.
—————————————-i 33:16 For how then will it be known that Your people and I
—————————————-have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us?
——————————h 33:16 So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the
——————————people who are upon the face of the earth.
——————————g 33:17 I will also do this thing that you have spoken
————————-f 33:17 You have found grace in My sight
——————–e 33:17 I know you by name
—————d 33:18-34:8 Moses meets the Lord on Mt. Sinai.
———-c 34:9 O Lord, let my Lord, I pray, go among us, even though we are a stiff-necked
———-people
—–b 34:11 Behold, I am driving out from before you the Amorite and the Canaanite and
—–the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite.
a 34:12-17 Warning against idolatry.
Leviticus 6:9-13 – Handling of the burnt offering and its ashes (5/13/08)
The Burnt Offering
a 6:9 The fire shall be kept burning
—–b 6:10 The fire shall be kept burning/the ashes of the burnt offer shall be taken up
———-x 6:11 Carry the ashes outside the camp to a clean place.
—–b 6:12 The fire shall be kept burning; and the burnt offering shall be lain on it
a 6:13 The fire shall be kept burning; it shall never go out
Numbers 9:18-23, Traveling by the Cloud;
A chiasm of obedience.
a At the command of the LORD the people would camp (18).
—–b The people would not journey as long as the cloud continued (19).
———-x So it was, they would remain and they would journey by the cloud (20).
———-x So it was, they would remain and they would journey by the cloud (21).
—–b The people would not journey as long as thc cloud continued (22).
a At the command of the LORD the people remained encamped (23).
Vince found this one.
Numbers 9:18-23 (The Charge of the Lord)
Should we stay, or should we go?
a at the command of the Lord
—–b v. 19 Israel kept the charge of the Lord
———-c v. 20 according to the command of the Lord they would remain encamped, and
———-according to the command of the Lord they would journey
—————d v. 21 when the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they would journey;
——————–x v.22 Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained
——————–above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remain encamped and not
——————–journey
—————d v. 22 but when it was taken up, they would journey
———-c v. 23 At the command of the Lord they remained encamped, and at the command of
———-the Lord they journeyed
—–b v. 23 they kept the charge of the Lord
a at the command of the Lord
Deuteronomy 3:18-20 – Much Livestock
A Chiasm of Contrasts (23 March 2020)
a “Then I commanded you at that time, saying (Moses’ command)
—–b ‘The Lord your God has given you this land to possess (east of Jordan)
———-c All you men of valor shall cross over armed before your brethren,
———-the children of Israel (prepared for battle)
—————d But your wives, your little ones, and your livestock (needing security)
——————–x (I know that you have much livestock)
—————d shall stay in your cities which I have given you (given security)
———-c until the Lord has given rest to your brethren as to you (given rest)
—–b and they also possess the land which the Lord your God is giving them
—–beyond the Jordan (west of Jordan)
a Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you
(Moses’ command)
Deuteronomy 3:25-4:22 – Call upon Him.
Israel’s Instruction (11/07)
a 3:25 Moses wants to cross Jordan
—–b 3:26 Lord angry with Moses
———-c 3:27 “Lift your eyes toward the west, the north, the south, and the east.”
—————d 4:2-4 Example of apostasy (idolatry)
——————–e 4:5 Taught statutes and judgments
————————-f 4:6 Be careful to observe them (judgments)
——————————g 4:7 Great nation
———————————–x 4:7 Call upon Him
——————————g 4:8 Great nation
————————-f 4:9 Diligently keep yourself (judgments)
——————–e 4:10-14 Taught statutes and judgments.
—————d 4:15-18 Warning of apostasy (idolatry)
———-c 4:19 “Lift your eyes to heaven.”
—–b 4:21 Lord angry with Moses
a 4:22 Moses must not cross over the Jordan
Deuteronomy 5:23-5:27 – A Consuming Fire
When God Speaks with Man (06/22/20)
a “So it was, when you heard (shama) the voice from the midst of the darkness,
—–b while the mountain was burning with fire, that you came near to me (qarav)
———-c His voice from the midst of the fire. We have seen this day that God speaks with man;
———-yet he still lives.
—————d Now therefore, why should we die?
——————–e For this great fire will consume us;
—————d then we shall die
———-c the voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?
—–b You go near (qarav) and hear all that the Lord our God may say,
a and tell us all that the Lord our God says to you, and we will hear (shama) and do it.’
Deuteronomy 6:17-25 – What is the Meaning?
To Keep is to Observe (17/8/2020)
a You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, His testimonies, and His statutes
—–b That it may be well with you
———-c Possess the good land of which the Lord swore to your fathers
—————d To cast out all your enemies from before you (The Lord’s action)
——————–e When your son asks
————————-x What is the meaning of the testimonies, the statutes, and the
————————-judgments which the Lord our God has commanded you?’
——————–e Then you shall say to your son
—————d He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in (The Lord’s action)
———-c To give us the land of which He swore to our fathers.
—–b For our good always, that He might preserve us alive
a If we are careful to observe all these commandments before the Lord our God
Deuteronomy 7:9-12 – The Covenant and the Mercy
A Promise and a Warning (08/31/2020)
a He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy
—–b For a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His
—–commandments
———-c And He repays those who hate Him to their face
—————x He will not be slack with him who hates Him
———-c He will repay him to his face
—–b Therefore you shall keep the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments
—–which I command you today, to observe them
a That the Lord your God will keep with you the covenant and the mercy
Deuteronomy 8:3-16 – Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God
In Abundance, Keep his Commandments, Judgments and Statutes (Discovered by Sergio Voitenko – 03/09/2016)
a 3 “humbled you.. And fed you with manna.. Nor did your fathers know”
—–b 4 garments did not wear out, foot didn’t swell for 40 years
———-c 6 “Keep the commandments of the Lord, walk His ways, fear Him”
—————d 7-9 you will lack nothing
——————–e 10 “when you have eaten and are full”
————————-x 11 “beware that you do not forget the LORD your God”
——————–e 12 “lest when you have eaten and are full”
—————d 13 when in abundance of everything
———-c 14 “when you forget the Lord your God”
—–b 15 the Lord who led you through the great and terrible wilderness
a 16 “who fed you in the wilderness with manna which your fathers did not know.. And Humbled you”
Deuteronomy 9:6-13 – Breaking the Covenant
While Moses was on the mountain of God (6/3/2008 – refined in 2020)
a 9:6 You are a stiff-necked people
—–b 9:7, 8 You who came out of Egypt provoked the LORD to wrath
———-c 9:9, 10 I received two tablets of stone when on the mountain 40 days and nights
—————x 9:10 the words which the LORD had spoken to you on the mountain from the
—————midst of the fire
———-c 9:11 At the end of 40 days and nights, the LORD gave me the two tablets of stone
—–b 9:12 The people who came out of Egypt acted corruptly and disobeyed the LORD
a 9:13: Indeed, they are a stiff-necked people
Deuteronomy 11:1-8 (The Acts of the Lord)
From Egypt to the Bank of the Jordan (11/9/2020)
a “Therefore you shall love the Lord your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments,
and His commandments always
—–b And you have known today … His greatness and His mighty hand and His
—–outstretched arm—His signs and His acts which He did
———-c in the midst of Egypt
—————d to Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to all his land; what He did to the army of
—————Egypt, to their horses and their chariots: how He made the waters of the
—————Red Sea overflow them as they pursued you, and how the Lord has
—————destroyed them to this day (judgment on Egypt via the waters)
——————–x what He did for you in the wilderness until you came to this place
—————d and what He did to Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, the son of
—————Reuben: how the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, their
—————households, their tents, and all the substance that was in their
—————possession (judgment on Israel via the earth)
———-c in the midst of all Israel
—–b but your eyes have seen every great act of the Lord which He did
a “Therefore you shall keep every commandment which I command you today
Deuteronomy 11:17-21 (Instruction of the Word)
Truth or Consequences (11/16/2020)
a and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain
—–b and the land (ha’adamah) yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good
—–land which the Lord is giving you
———-c “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul,
———-and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between
———-your eyes.
—————x You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your
—————house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up
———-c And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,
—–b that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land
—–(ha’adamah) of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them
a like the days of the heavens above the earth
Deuteronomy 12:12-18 (Rejoicing Before the Lord)
Allowances and Prohibitions (12/7/2020)
a And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God.
—–b You and your sons and your daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levite
—–who is within your gates.
———-c In the place which the Lord chooses, in one of your tribes, there you shall offer
———-your burnt offerings.
—————d And there you shall do all that I command you.
——————–e “However, you may slaughter and eat meat within all your gates, whatever
——————–your heart desires.
————————-x The unclean and the clean may eat of it.
——————–e Of the gazelle and the deer alike. Only you shall not eat the blood; you shall
——————–pour it on the earth like water.
—————d (Commands) You may not eat within your gates the tithe of your grain or your
—————new wine or your oil, of the firstborn of your herd or your flock, of any of your
—————offerings which you vow, of your freewill offerings, or of the heave offering of your
—————hand.
———-c But you must eat them before the Lord your God in the place which the Lord your ———-God chooses.
—–b You and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the
—–Levite who is within your gates.
a And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 13:2-5 – You Shall Walk After the Lord Your God
Contrasts and Confirmations (12/21/2020)
a he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us walk after other gods’
—–b which you have not known (unknown)
———-c you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams
—————d for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord
—————your God with all your heart and with all your soul
——————–x You shall walk after the Lord your God
—————d fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve
—————Him and hold fast to Him
———-c But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death
—–b the Lord your God (known)
a to entice you from the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk
Joshua 22:10-34 – The LORD, God of gods.
A great misunderstanding. (11/22/07)
a 22:10 Impressive Altar
—–b 22:12 Preparation for war against tribes across Jordan.
———-c 22:13 Phinehas sent.
—————d 22:16-18 Turn away from following the LORD; He will be angry with us.
——————–e 22:18 Discussion of rebellion.
————————-f 22:19 The land is defiled by an unauthorized altar.
——————————g 22:20 Wrath on Israel because of Aachan’s trespass.
———————————–x 22:22 – The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods.
——————————g 22:23 “If because of trespass, let God require it of us.”
————————-f 22:26-28 The land is not defiled; it is not an altar for sacrifice.
——————–e 22:29 Denial of rebellion against the LORD.
—————d 22:31 The LORD is among us; we are delivered from His hand.
———-c 22:32 Phinehas returns.
—–b 22:33 Cancellation of war preparation against tribes across Jordan.
a 22:34 – Altar called “Witness”
Judges 1 – So the LORD was with Judah.
A Chiasm of Contrasts – Judah Prevails (11/26/2007)
a Judah/Simeon overcome Canaan’s inhabitants.
—–b 1:6 Adoni-Bezek has thumbs and toes cut off.
———-c 1:8 Jerusalem taken by Judah.
—————d 1:10 Sheshai, Ahiman, Talmai killed.
——————–e 1:15 Caleb’s daughter given land in the South.
——————————f 1:15 Upper springs/lower springs.
———————————–x 1:19 So the Lord was with Judah.
——————————f 1:19 Mountains/lowland.
——————–e 1:20 Caleb given Hebron
—————d 1:20 Three sons of Anak killed.
———-c 1:21 Jebusites in Jerusalem not driven out by Benjamin.
—–b 1:24 Man shown mercy at destruction of Beth’el.
a 7 other tribes fail to overcome Canaan’s inhabitants.
1 Samuel 18:11–19:1 – David – Saul’s Son in Law.
The price of obtaining a bride. (12/12/07)
a 18:11 Saul tries to kill David
—–b 18:14 David behaved wisely
———-c 18:15 Saul afraid of David
—————d 18:16 All Judah and Israel loved David
——————–e 18:17a Saul Promises Merab, his daughter, to David
————————-f 18:17b Saul sets David against Philistines
——————————g 18:18 David questioned right to be son-in-law
——————————h 18:21 Saul sets David against the Philistines
—————————————-i 18:22a Saul commands his servants
———————————————x 18:22 David told to become Saul’s son-in-law
———————————————x 18:23 David questions right to be son-in law
—————————————-i 18:24 Saul’s servants respond to him
——————————h 18:25 Saul sets David against the Philistines
——————————g 18:26 David pledged to become Saul’s son-in-law
————————-f 18:27a David fights the Philistines
——————–e 18:27b Saul gives Michal, his daughter to David
—————d 18:28 Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David
———-c 18:29 Saul afraid of David
—–b 18:30 David behaved wisely
a 19:1 Saul instructs that David be killed.
2 Samuel 7:19-29 – Prayer for the Davidic House
King David’s Prayer of Thanksgiving (04/03/2011)
a 7:19 “You have spoken about your servant’s house in the distant future”
—–b 7:21 You have revealed all these great things to your servant.
———-x 7:24 God establishes the people Israel
———-x 7:26 God establishes the House of David
—–b 7:28 “Your words are true and you have promised grace to Your servant.
a 7:29 “You have spoken and Your servant’s house will be blessed forever.
1 Kings 1:10-19 – Awaiting the king’s decision.
Adonijah’s attempt to usurp the throne. (12/17/05)
a 1:10 Strategic guests not invited to Adonijah’s party, including Solomon.
—–b 1:11 Nathan tells Bathsheba Adonijah has become king and David doesn’t know it.
———-c 1:13 Bathsheba told to remind king that Solomon was to reign after David.
—————x 1:15 Bathsheba appears before the king.
—————-x 1:16 Bathsheba pays homage to the king.
———-c 1:17 Bathsheba reminds the king that Solomon was to reign after David.
—–b 1:18 Bathsheba tells David Adonijah has become king and David doesn’t know it.
a 1:19 Strategic guests invited to Adonijah’s party, but not Solomon.
2 Kings 2:2-25 – …and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
Elisha assumes Elijah’s position. (12/22/07)
a 2:2 Elijah and Elisha go from Gilgal to Bethel (SE – NW)
—–b 2:4 Elijah and Elisha go from Bethel to Jericho.
———-c 2:4 Elijah and Elisha came to Jericho.
—————d 2:7 Sons of the prophets stood facing Elijah and Elisha.
——————–e 2:8 Elijah took his mantle and struck the water.
————————-f 2:10 …if you see me when I am taken from you…
——————————g 2:11 …a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire.
———————————–x 2:11 …and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
——————————g 2:12…the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!
————————-f 2:12 So he saw him no more.
——————–e 2:14 Elisha took the mantle and struck the water.
—————d 2:15 Sons of the prophets came to meet Elisha.
———-c 2:18 Elisha stayed in Jericho.
—–b 2:23 Elisha went up from Jericho to Bethel.
a 2:25 Elisha goes from Bethel to Mount Carmel (SE-NW)
For these next two, one is actually inside the other just like the two from Genesis 3 above. This is really exciting! Plus the second one spans 9 chapters of the Bible!
2 Chronicles 5:12-7:6 – The Dedication of the Temple. (12/31/07)
Solomon’s Prayer
a 5:12 Levites with instruments and sounding of trumpets, etc.
—–b 5:13 For He is good, For His mercy endures forever
———-c 5:14 The priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the
———-glory of the LORD filled the house of God.
—————d 6:1, 2 Solomon makes poetic introduction to his speech.
——————–x 6:3-6-40 Solomon’s prayer for the dedication of the Temple
—————d 6:41, 42 Solomon makes poetic closing to his speech.
———-c 7:2 And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of
———-the LORD had filled the LORD’s house.
—–b 7:3 For He is good, For His mercy endures forever
a 7:6 Levites with instruments and sounds of trumpets, etc.
2 Chronicles 1:1 – 9:31 – the Life of Solomon, King of Israel.
The Builder of the Temple (1/1/8)
a 1:1 Solomon’s rule introduced.
—–b 1:14-16 Solomon’s wealth displayed – chariots, horsemen, silver and gold in
—–Jerusalem as abundant as stones, cedars as abundant as sycamores, horses
—–imported from Egypt and elsewhere.
———-c 2:11 Hiram says, “Because the LORD loves his people, he has made you their
———-king.”
—————d 2:17, 18 Aliens in the land conscripted.
——————–e 3:1 Solomon begins work on the Temple then his house.
————————-x3:2-5:1 Temple Construction.
————————-x 5:2-7:1 Temple Dedication.
——————–e 8:1 Solomon completes work on the Temple and his house.
—————d 8:7, 8 Aliens in the land conscripted.
———-c 9:18 Queen of Sheba says, “Because of the love of your God for Israel and
———-his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them…”
—–b 9:25-28 Solomon’s wealth displayed – chariots, horsemen, silver and gold in
—–Jerusalem as abundant as stones, cedars as abundant as sycamores, horses
—–imported from Egypt and elsewhere.
a 9:31 Solomon’s rule completed.
Jonah 1:3 – Fleeing from the Face of the Lord
Rebellion carries a high cost (11/14/2016)
a from the presence of the LORD
—–b and he went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish
———-x so he paid the fare
—–b and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish
a from the presence of the LORD
Of all of them I’ve found, the one from Deuteronomy 3:25 and the next one are two of my favorites. This next one is simply a song of love – clear and simple!
Hosea 1:9-2:23 – “But Me she forgot,” says the LORD.
A Chiasm of Contrasts – Our Unfaithfulness and God’s Unlimited Mercy (11/23/07)
a 1:9 You are not my people, I will not be your God.
—–b 1:10 Jezreel (God will sow.)
———-c 2:3 Dry Land, thirst.
—————d 2:5 Wife departs from her husband.
——————–e 2:7 Wife returns to her husband.
————————-f 2:9 Take away the new wine.
——————————g 2:10-12 God punishes Israel.
——————————h 2:13 God will punish her.
———————————–x 2:13 “But Me she forgot,” says the LORD
——————————h 2:14a God will allure her.
——————————g 2:14b God comforts Israel.
————————-f 2:15 Give vineyards.
——————–e 2:16 LORD says, “That you will call me ‘My Husband.’”
—————d 2:19 Husband betroths wife.
———-c 2:21, 22 Grain, new wine, oil.
—–b 2:22 Jezreel (God will sow.)
a 2:23 You are my people; You are my God.
You won’t find this next one in a Bible based on the critical text. It will only be apparent in one based on the Textus Receptus.
1 Corinthians 11:27-29 – Each man should examine himself when taking sacraments
A short chiasm on The Lord’s Supper (5/13/08)
a 11:27 Eating and drinking in an unworthy manner brings guilt.
—–x 11:28 – Each man should examine himself when taking sacraments
a 11:29 Eating and drinking in an unworthy manner brings judgment.
I did a chiasm search on the next one and found that the entire book of Ephesians is laid out in a chiastic structure and that there are chiasms that run through the entire book. It is an amazing thing to see and I noticed that this chiasm had already been isolated, but it wasn’t well defined. As I noticed it and defined it, I am including it here, but the site that I checked should be noted as having found it first.
Ephesians 2:12-19 – Nothing but the Blood
Once without Hope, Now Saints of God.
a at that time you were without Christ
—–b being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers
———-c having no hope and without God in the world
—————d But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near
——————–e by the blood of Christ
————————-f For He Himself is our peace
——————————g made both one
——————————h broken down the middle wall of separation
———————————–x having abolished in His flesh the enmity
——————————h the law of commandments contained in ordinances
——————————g one new man from the two
————————-f thus making peace
——————–e through the cross
—————d And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who
—————were near
———-c For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father
—–b Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners
a but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God
Jude 1:5 – 1:8 – Likewise Also These Dreamers
The Just Punishment of the Unrighteous (7/14/2020)
a the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe (v. 5)
—–b And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode (v. 6)
———-c given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh (v.7)
—————x Likewise also these dreamers (v. 8)
———-c defile the flesh (v. 8a)
—–b reject authority (v. 8b)
a speak evil of dignitaries (v. 8c)
Revelation 2:2, 3 – Testing the church.
The Lord knows His own
a works
—–b labor
———-c patience
—————x tested the claims of the liars
———-c patience
—–b labor
a haven’t become weary (works)
Revelation 21:23-27, The Gates of New Jerusalem
There shall be no night there. (11/22/2012)
a The glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.
—–b And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light,
———-c And the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.
—————x Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).
———-c And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.
—–b But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie,
a But only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Here is another I didn’t find. Rather, it’s from the book Before Abraham Was, by Isaac M. Kikawada and Arthur Quinn. This one spans the beloved Noah account from Genesis 6:10 – 9:19. You’ve certainly read this account, but now look at it in a whole new way:
The Flood of Noah
A Noah (6:10a)
B Shem, Ham and Japheth (6:10b)
C Ark to be built (6:14-16)
D Flood announced (6:17)
E Covenant with Noah (6:18-20)
F Food in the Ark(6:21)
G Command to enter the Ark(7:1-3)
H 7 days waiting for flood (7:4-5)
I 7 days waiting for flood (7:7-10)
J Entry to ark (7:11-15)
K Yahweh shuts Noah in (7:16)
L 40 days flood (7:17a)
M Waters increase (7:17b-18)
N Mountains covered (7:18-20)
O 150 days waters prevail (7:21-24)
P God Remembers Noah (8:1)
O’ 150 days waters abate (8:3)
N’ Mountain tops become visible (8:4-5)
M’ Waters abate (8:6)
L’ 40 days (end of) (8:6a)
K’ Noah opens window of ark(8:6b)
J’ Raven and dove leave ark (8:7-9)
I’ 7 days waiting for waters to subside (8:10-11)
H’ 7 days waiting for waters to subside (8:12-13)
G’ Command to leave the ark (8:15-17)
F’ Food outside the ark(9:1-4)
E’ Covenant with all flesh(9:8-10)
D’ No flood in future(9:11-17)
C’ Ark (9:18a)
B’ Shem, Ham, Japheth (9:18b)
A’ Noah (9:19)
Think about this….these things prove the single authorship of the account each comes from. Some people deny that Moses, for example, was responsible for the first five books of the Bible and that instead many people worked on it over the centuries. However, this is certainly not the case. Instead, God selected Moses to transmit His own words with all these fun patterns tucked away for us to find. Don’t be a doubter, be a believer and cherish God’s holy Word!
Note: Grammatical structure can also be used to determine meaning via a chiasm. Here is the structure of Acts 2:38, which clearly indicates what is being related and why when taken in the original Greek. Baptism is not required for salvation. I didn’t find this one.
a Repent [second person plural]
—–x be baptized [third person singular]
—–x each [third person singular] of you
a for the remission of your [second person plural] sins.
Romans10:9-10 (I didn’t find this one)
Confess, mouth, believe, heart – SAVED – heart, believe, mouth, confess
I Didn’t Find This One
a having seated around about us such a cloud of witnesses,
—–b setting aside every weight and every clinging sin . . .
———-c with patient endurance . . .
—————d let us run the race that is set before us
——————–e keeping our eyes on Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of the faith,
—————d who for the joy that was set before Him . . .
———-c patiently endured the cross . . .
—–b despising shame . . .
a and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”[1]
This structure focuses attention on the central element, Jesus, rather than on the first element, us.[2]