genres of the bible
You might have heard or read statements like, "The Bible contains contradictions." Or, "the Bible is filled with fictional stories." Or some may doubt the Bible contains accurate information.
Such judgments are made without any attempt to study the original context and specifically the genres of the Bible-- which is an important place to start when analyzing the content of the various Books in Scripture.
British writer and theologian, C.S. Lewis stated in A Preface to Paradise Lost, “The first qualification for judging any piece of workmanship from a corkscrew to a cathedral is to know what it is—what it was intended to do and how it is meant to be used."
Below is a list of genres of the Bible. Books, passages, and even specific verses belong to a certain genre. As you read Bible verses for encouragement, you’ll find additional insight by looking over this material. Before getting into the list, let’s start with a definition:
What are biblical genres?
Genre is a type of literature that has certain expectations for the readers.
For example, readers expect much emotional language, similes, and metaphors in poetry. The person who reads a press release, however, notices a series of hard facts about an event.
Therefore, the type of literature determines interpretation.
With that distinction, let’s take a look at the genres of the Bible:
7 major genres of the bible
1. Biblical Works of History
In the Old Testament, you’ll easily find the genre of history writing. Works of history, broadly speaking, cover the first 17 Books of the Bible…
• Genesis
• Exodus
• Leviticus
• Numbers
• Deuteronomy
• Joshua
• Judges
• Ruth
• 1 Samuel
• 11 Samuel
• 1 Kings
• 11 Kings
• 1 Chronicles
• 11 Chronicles
• Ezra
• Nehemiah
• Esther
Though the Bible Books listed above are broadly defined as history writing, scholars point out nuances in the term. Nuances include…
• Theological history
• Prophetic history
• Instructional history
Encouragement from Reading the Genre of History in the Bible
As you read Bible verses within the genre of history, how might you find encouragement?
Take, for instance, this verse from Deuteronomy 8:2:
Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
Reading and meditating on this verse can help strengthen your faith. We often question why we go through certain situations. Deuteronomy 8:2 sheds some light on what God’s purpose might be in a certain process or sequence of events in our lives.
For example, I wonder what the reason is behind this continual waiting after I pray for certain needs and desires.
According to Deuteronomy 8:2, the Lord led the Israelites through a period of testing to reveal their hearts and work on their character.
Through historical events recorded in the Bible, we can learn from how God worked at that time.
We can draw applications to our own lives.
A great way to do this is through journaling. Reflecting on how God worked in your life in the past is a great way to keep moving forward in faith.
You can also reflect on the deeper meanings and applications found in poetic language…
2. BIBLICAL BOOKS OF POETRY
Photo by Nicolas Messifet on Unsplash
What immediately comes to mind when you think of poetry? You might say, “emotion.” Another accurate description would be visual imagery. Poetry includes a vast array of similes and metaphors.
When you read the words of the Psalms, you can relate to the emotions of the authors. They endured human struggles. They expressed a wide range of feelings. The Psalms are like journals in which the authors poured out their hearts to the Lord.
Books of Poetry include…
• Job
• Psalms
• Proverbs
• Ecclesiastes
• Song of Solomon
Encouragement From the Genre of Poetry
How can one find encouragement from reading the poetic language of the Psalms, for example?
Consider this passage from Psalm 18:1-2:
I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
This passage includes metaphorical images regarding the Lord. This language makes clear His strength and power in our lives if we take refuge in Him.
3. books of prophecy
Two characteristics of Prophetic Bible Books and their definitions from Introduction to Biblical Interpretation by William W. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard Jr. are as follows:
The prophets' proclamation often produced:
1. Foretelling--predictions about the future
2. Forthtelling--"its main staple", which involved "announcements of divine judgment in the present or near future."
Books in the genre of prophecy include:
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Lamentations
- Ezekiel
- Daniel
The above list includes the major prophets. Minor prophets comprise these Bible Books:
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
Within the overall genre of prophecy, you see the following specific types:
- Prophecy of Disaster
- Prophecy of Salvation
- Woe Speech
- Prophetic Dirge
- Prophetic Hymn
- Prophetic Liturgy
- Prophetic Disputation
- Prophetic Lawsuit
- Prophecy Against Foreign Nations
- Prophetic Vision Report
- Prophetic Narratives
Encouragement from the Genre of Prophecy
Even though the prophetic genre contains gloom and doom like apocalyptic literature described below, the two overall encouraging messages about God is that He desires a relationship with His people, and He offers grace and salvation.
The Lord is a personal God who wants a personal relationship and does not like it when His people turn to other gods-- similar to spouses getting upset when one cheats on the other.
As mentioned in Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, Jeremiah 28:2-4, Isaiah 2:1-5, and Amos 9:11-15 all make note of God's statement of salvation: "This is what the LORD almighty, the God of Israel says:
'I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.'
'I will bring back to this place...' (articles of the Lord's House that the king of Babylon removed & exiles from Judah, etc).
For a deeper study on the prophetic genre (and other genres as well), see the above resource mentioned: Introduction to Biblical Interpretation.
4. Ancient Biography
An ancient biography focused on the life of one prominent person. In the case of the Gospels, scholars generally agree that Matthew, Mark, and John fall into this category.
Some scholars consider Luke to be an ancient biography, while others label the Gospel an ancient historical monograph.
How Ancient Biography Encourages Your Faith
First, ancient biographies, unlike novels, were always written about a real, historical person.
Secondly, the ancients believed that how a person died revealed the true character of the person.
The death of the central character was a major focus. Honor was the number one value back in that time period and culture. So, it’s hard to imagine the Gospels as made-up stories.
No one would start a religion based on the dishonorable and humiliating concept of crucifixion. The idea of Jesus suffering to that degree was not in any way honorable by that culture’s (and by human) standards.
5. Ancient Historical Monograph (Luke-Acts)
From a faith standpoint, you likely believe the Bible is the Word of God. From an ancient literature standpoint, you might have had questions go through your mind about historical accuracy of the reports by authors such as Luke.
Luke and Acts contain elements of biography as well as that of an ancient historical monograph.
Contrary to what some might believe about the Bible, the audience of such books did expect historical accuracy, and many authors took the presentation of factual information seriously.
The first few verses of the Gospel of Luke show us this:
Since many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting to me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in an orderly sequence, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.
In addition to Luke, other ancient writers in and around that time period who valued accurate historical information included…
• Polybius
• Thucydides
• Herodotus
• Tacitus
• Josephus
Some ancient writers did embellish accounts, but it’s important to know that Luke fits in to the list of names above.
For more information on the historical reporting in the ancient world, see this article by A.W. Mosely:
Historical reporting in the Ancient World1 | New Testament Studies | Cambridge Core
6. Ancient Letters (Epistles)
Ancient letters or epistles, as found in the New Testament, followed a rhetorical structure. Basically, the author included an introduction with thanksgiving, the arguments within the body of the letter, as well as the closing.
How can short letters encourage one’s faith? The Apostle Paul’s epistles were written either to an individual or to a church or group of churches.
The Apostle Paul was trying to:
1. encourage the recipients about their progress in the faith or…
2. solve a problem.
By considering the purpose of each letter, we can analyze our own lives. Do similar problems need to be corrected? What progress has been made in my faith journey that can encourage me going forward?
For in-depth study on the topic of rhetoric, see Dr. Ben Witherington’s New Testament Rhetoric...
7. Apocalyptic Literature
As another one of the genres of the Bible, apocalyptic literature involves revelation from God about the future.
If you read apocalyptic literature, you’ll see:
• Highly visual descriptions
• Symbols
• Numbers
• Coded language
How might apocalyptic literature encourage you in your faith?
You might look at the state of the world and wonder, “where’s the justice?”
In apocalyptic literature, one might look at descriptions of the future and say, “I know in the end, God and His people will be victorious.”
For example, in Revelation 21:3-6, we read about the effects of God's victory over evil and the bright future that lies ahead:
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
In the present, as the world goes through tough times, apocalyptic literature and the language from the verses above can help you endure.
I hope this overview of the genres of the Bible helps as you seek to gain a better understanding of God's message.
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To learn the benefits of studying the Bible in context, visit my page:
How to Study the Bible in Context | Encouragement Scriptures
For an overview of the entire Bible, which helps you see and understand its message as a whole, see my page:
What is the Bible? (encouragementscriptures.com)
Focusing on the historical background of the Bible, in the following page...
How the Historical Context of the Bible can Encourage your Faith (encouragementscriptures.com)
I mention how the author of the Gospel of John records a historical statement that affirms one's faith in Christ.