Friday, May 15, 2015

Proverbs 6.16-19: A Possible Chiastic Structure


There are six things which the Lord hates,
yes, seven which are an abomination to him:
Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil,
a false witness who utters lies,
and one who spreads strife among brothers.
Proverbs 6.16-19

Here is a possible chiastic structure for Proverbs 6.16-19:

A  Haughty eyes

            B  a lying tongue

                        C  and hands that shed innocent blood

                                    D  a heart that devises wicked plans

                        C1  feet that run rapidly to evil

            B1  a false witness who utters lies

A1  and one who spreads strife among brothers


Notes:

1.     A and A1 are seemingly the least connected.  But if the structure holds then A1 may be informed by A.  In other words, the strife among brothers may be due to haughty eyes—pride produces strife.

2.     B and B1 both concern lying and lies.

3.     C and C1 correlate hands with feet and innocent blood with evil.

4.     At the center (D) of the structure is what is at the center of the person—the heart.