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Rhetoric
Within Pattern Analysis, rhetoric is the persuasive portion of a literary unit based on its structure. Certain locations within each literary unit are potentially persuasive–they are presented below for the sake of analysis. Normally, many of the potential locations can be persuasive, but often not all. The student is encouraged to listen to what the Holy Spirit seems to be emphasizing.
A step-like symmetry such as A-B-C-A'-B'-C' or A-B-C-X-A'-B'-C' structure where the themes are repeated in the same direction. A continuing structure is also possible such as A-B-C-A'-B'-C'-A''-B''-C'' (consider the ten plagues of Moses). Other names for this device are extended alternation, forward symmetry, panel construction, step parallelism, and in certain contexts simply named "parallelism." The most common locations for emphasis are in the last/last position and the X center point. Lesser common locations are the first/first position and the various corresponding elements.
A summarization that appears near the beginning portion of a structure. For example, SUM-A-B-C-A'-B'-C'. It is similar to a closing summary which is also represented by a SUM. The opening summary should be considered emphatic.
In a parallel symmetry, these are the two A elements, A-B-C-A'-B'-C'. Sometimes these are a place of emphasis.
In a parallel symmetry, this is oftentimes a place of emphasis. For example, in an A-B-C-D-A'-B'-C'-D' structure, the two D elements are in the last/last position.
In a chiasm, these are the two A elements: A-B-C-C'-B'-A'. Oftentimes an emphasis may be found in these locations.
An emphasis or turning point that is at the logical center of a structure. It is either an X in the middle of a chiasm, parallel symmetry, immediate repetition, or list is a center point, or if two elements appear at the center of a chiasm rather than an X, those two elements are the center point. For example, X is the center point of A-B-C-X-A'-B'-C', and C-C' is the center point of A-B-C-C'-B'-A'.
In a chiasm, these are the two A elements: A-B-C-C'-B'-A'. Oftentimes an emphasis may be found in these locations.
An emphasis or turning point that is at the logical center of a structure. It is either an X in the middle of a chiasm, parallel symmetry, immediate repetition, or list is a center point, or if two elements appear at the center of a chiasm rather than an X, those two elements are the center point. For example, X is the center point of A-B-C-X-A'-B'-C', and C-C' is the center point of A-B-C-C'-B'-A'.
This PARALLEL SYMMETRY is a word for everyone not born Jewish, characterized here as the foreigners and eunuchs, who join themselves to the Lord. All are welcome at the house of prayer.
1) The OPENING SUMMARY words, to preserve justice and do righteousness, seem to be akin to becoming an image of God. That is, He is righteousness, so do righteousness.
2) The FIRST/FIRST A elements identify some attributes of the one that walks in righteous obedience: he keeps the sabbath, stays away from evil, pleases the Lord, and keeps His covenant. To that one, the FIRST/LAST elements in verses 5A and 5C state he will have an everlasting and memorialized name.
3) The LAST/LAST B elements discuss the foreigners and eunuchs who have joined the Lord and have not drifted away. The foreigners are those who do not come from the Jewish bloodline but have joined with the Lord. They minister to Him and love the name of the Lord. Those foreign-born will be welcome at the house of the Lord, His holy mountain. There, the FIRST/LAST elements of verse 7 state all will be welcome in His house: For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples. Show More Rhetoric Show Less Rhetoric
PARALLEL SYMMETRY:
... a word for those foreigners and eunuchs who join themselves to the Lord ...
demarks a divine oracle
BEGINNING MARKER: Thus says the Lord, (v1A)
OPENING SUMMARY: pursue justice and righteousness
SUM
“Preserve justice and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come And My righteousness to be revealed. (v1B)
blessed: one who does not profane the sabbath or do evil
A
“How blessed is the man who does this, And the son of man who takes hold of it; Who keeps from profaning the sabbath, And keeps his hand from doing any evil.” (v2)
foreigners joined to the Lord shall not be separated
B
Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely separate me from His people.” Nor let the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.” (v3)
demarks a divine oracle
SUB-UNIT MARKER: For thus says the Lord, (v4A)
those who obey the sabbath and Me
A′
“To the eunuchs who keep My sabbaths, And choose what pleases Me, And hold fast My covenant, (v4B)
I give them My house and walls
a
To them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial, (v5A)
they will get a better name
x
And a name better than that of sons and daughters; (v5B)
I give them an everlasting name
a′
I will give them an everlasting name which will not be cut off. (v5C)
foreigners joined to the Lord shall love Him and be obedient
B′
“Also the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, To minister to Him, and to love the name of the Lord, To be His servants, every one who keeps from profaning the sabbath And holds fast My covenant; (v6)
foreigners will enjoy His house of prayer
a
Even those I will bring to My holy mountain And make them joyful in My house of prayer. (v7A)
acceptable sacrifice and offerings at His altar
x
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; (v7B)
all people will be welcome at His house of prayer
a′
For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.” (v7C)