Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "narrative" refers to the storytelling aspect of the Scriptures, encompassing the historical accounts, parables, and other account forms found throughout the biblical text. The Bible is rich with narratives that convey theological truths, moral lessons, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for humanity. These narratives are not merely historical records but are divinely inspired accounts that reveal God's character, His interactions with humanity, and His sovereign purposes.
Old Testament NarrativesThe Old Testament is replete with narratives that form the backbone of Israel's history and identity. The Book of Genesis, for example, begins with the creation narrative, detailing God's creation of the world and humanity (Genesis 1-2). This foundational account sets the stage for the subsequent narratives of the Fall (Genesis 3), the Flood (Genesis 6-9), and the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11), each illustrating the consequences of sin and God's judgment and mercy.
The patriarchal narratives, including the accounts of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, are central to the Book of Genesis. These accounts highlight God's covenant promises and His faithfulness to His chosen people. For instance, the narrative of Abraham's call and his journey of faith (Genesis 12-25) underscores themes of obedience, trust, and divine promise.
The Exodus narrative, found in the Book of Exodus, recounts the deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. This account is pivotal, as it not only demonstrates God's power and faithfulness but also establishes the foundation for Israel's identity as God's covenant people. The giving of the Law at Sinai (Exodus 19-24) and the subsequent wanderings in the wilderness (Numbers) further develop the narrative of God's relationship with Israel.
The historical books, such as Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings, continue the narrative of Israel's history, chronicling the conquest of Canaan, the era of the judges, the establishment of the monarchy, and the eventual exile. These narratives reveal the cyclical pattern of Israel's faithfulness and rebellion, God's judgment, and His enduring mercy.
New Testament NarrativesThe New Testament begins with the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—which present the narrative of Jesus Christ's life, ministry, death, and resurrection. These accounts are central to the Christian faith, as they reveal the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the inauguration of the New Covenant. The Gospel narratives emphasize Jesus' teachings, miracles, and His role as the Savior of the world.
The Book of Acts continues the narrative of the early Church, detailing the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. Acts highlights the work of the Holy Spirit, the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul, and the challenges faced by the early Christian community.
Parables and Other Narrative FormsIn addition to historical narratives, the Bible contains parables, particularly in the teachings of Jesus. Parables are short, allegorical accounts that convey spiritual truths. For example, the Parable of the Good Samaritan (
Luke 10:25-37) teaches about love and compassion, while the Parable of the Prodigal Son (
Luke 15:11-32) illustrates God's grace and forgiveness.
The Bible also includes apocalyptic narratives, such as those found in the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation. These narratives use symbolic language to convey visions of future events and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.
Theological SignificanceBiblical narratives are not merely stories; they are theological constructs that communicate God's nature, His purposes, and His relationship with humanity. They invite readers to engage with the text, to see themselves within the account, and to respond to God's call. As the Apostle Paul writes, "For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope" (
Romans 15:4).
Through the narratives of the Bible, believers are reminded of God's sovereignty, His faithfulness, and His redemptive work throughout history. These accounts continue to inspire, instruct, and transform the lives of those who read and believe.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An account of the particulars of an event or transaction.
2. (a.) Apt or inclined to relate stories, or to tell particulars of events; story-telling; garrulous.
3. (n.) That which is narrated; the recital of a story; a continuous account of the particulars of an event or transaction; a story.
Greek
1335. diegesis -- anarrative... a
narrative. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: diegesis Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-ayg'-es-is) Short Definition: a
narrative Definition: a
narrative.
...3793. ochlos -- a crowd, multitude, the common people
... When is subsequently referred to innarrative or by some speaker, the reference
is always in the plural, whether verb or pronoun , etc., except Rev 7:9 where...
3850. parabole -- to expose oneself to danger
... From paraballo; a similitude ("parable"), ie (symbolic) fictitiousnarrative (of
common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage -- comparison, figure...
Library
Interpretation of the Details in theNarrative. Application...
... Book XI. 6. Interpretation of the Details in theNarrative. Application
Thereof to All Disciples. And then the disciples "having...
TheNarrative of Joseph of Arimath??a
TheNarrative of Joseph of Arimath??a. <. TheNarrative of Joseph of Arimath??a
Unknown. Alexander Walker, Esq. (Translator) Table of Contents....
Exposition of the Details in theNarrative.
... Book XI. 17. Exposition of the Details in theNarrative. Now bring together
from the Gospels those who call Him Son of David, as...
Narrative of Events at Alexandria in the Time of Lucius the Arian...
... Book IV. Chapter XIX."Narrative of events at Alexandria in the time of Lucius
the Arian, taken from a letter of Petrus, Bishop of Alexandria....
Here Gregory Interweaves theNarrative of his Former Life. His...
... Argument V."Here Gregory Interweaves theNarrative of His Former Life.
His Birth of Heathen Parents is Stated. In the Fourteenth...
Objections to theNarrative Drawn from the Subsequent Dispositions...
... Objections to theNarrative drawn from the subsequent Dispositions of Christ's
Relatives, answered (1) from the nature of the case; (2) from the name Jesus....
TheNarrative of Zosimus
TheNarrative of Zosimus. <. TheNarrative of Zosimus Unknown. WA
Craigie, MA, BA (Translator) Table of Contents. Title Page....
Way-Marks in John'sNarrative.
... III The Lover Wooing (John i. 19-xii. 50) Way-marks in John'sNarrative.
Out of this simple running account several things sift...
Concerning the Seven Loaves. TheNarrative of the Feeding of the...
... Book XI. 19. Concerning the Seven Loaves. TheNarrative of the Feeding of
the Four Thousand Compared with that of the Five Thousand....
Narrative Concerning the Prince of the Edessenes.
... Book I. Chapter XIII."Narrative concerning the Prince of the Edessenes.... [220]
In the greatly embellishednarrative of Cedrenus (Hist....
Thesaurus
Narrative (2 Occurrences)...Narrative (2 Occurrences).
... Acts 1:1 My former
narrative, Theophilus, dealt with all
that Jesus did and taught as a beginning, down to the day on which, (WEY).
...Apocrypha
... article, and read uniformly "the man" up to 4:25, where the absence of the article
may be taken as an indication that "the man" of the previousnarrative is to...
Innocents (2 Occurrences)
... ANALYSIS OFNARRATIVE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MOTIVE 1. Focus ofNarrative-Residence
at Nazareth 2. Corollaries from Above Facts 3. Marks of Historicity I...
Massacre (1 Occurrence)
... ANALYSIS OFNARRATIVE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MOTIVE 1. Focus ofNarrative-Residence
at Nazareth 2. Corollaries from Above Facts 3. Marks of Historicity I...
Cain (18 Occurrences)
... get," "acquire," Genesis 4:1 the Revised Version, margin, but not necessarily derived
from that root; Septuagint Kain): 1. The ScriptureNarrative: (1) In...
Thessalonians (6 Occurrences)
... CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH 1. Luke'sNarrative in Acts
2. Confirmation of Luke'sNarrative in the Epistle III....
Confusion (71 Occurrences)
... tungz: 1. TheNarrative: According to Genesis 11:1-9, at some time not very long
after the Flood, "the whole earth was of one language and of one speech....
Prisoner (87 Occurrences)
... the rendering for mishmar): 2. In Early Times: The earliest occurrence of the word
"prison" in the King James Version is found in thenarrative of Joseph's...
Prophet (315 Occurrences)
... (nabhi' 'echadh zaqen, "an old prophet" (1 Kings 13:11), ha-nabhi' ha-zaqen, "the
old prophet" (1 Kings 13:29)): 1. TheNarrative: Thenarrative of 1 Kings 13...
Sheba (36 Occurrences)
... 2. TheNarrative: Thenarrative tells of the queen of Sheba, on hearing of Solomon's
great wisdom, coming to test him with perplexing questions or riddles...
Resources
What is narrative criticism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is narrative theology? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a metanarrative? | GotQuestions.orgNarrative: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
