Unpack the poetry of the Bible

Curious why so much of the Bible is laid out as poetry? What makes the Bible a beautiful book? 

Fortunately, you don't need to study Greek or Hebrew to appreciate biblical poetry. Grow in your knowledge of the Bible with this detailed introduction. 

We'll cover everything from Hebrew Parallelism to the songs of Revelation. Written from a Christian perspective, this course is perfect for homeschoolers wanting to enhance their Bible or English curriculum, Bible study groups looking for a well-laid out guide with study questions, and just about anybody else interested in learning a bit more about what makes the Bible such an inspiring and memorable book.

All our courses are self-paced rather than live, so you can progress at your own speed.

Course Outline

    1. Introduction

    2. Poetic Devices

    3. Poetic Devices Activity

    4. Chiasmus

    5. Chiasmus Activity

    6. Genre

    7. Genre Activity

    1. Introduction

    2. A Close Reading of Psalm 1

    3. Activity: Psalm 133

    1. Introduction

    2. The Song of Mary

    3. Song of Mary Questions

    4. The Song of Zechariah

    5. Song of Zechariah Questions

    6. The Song of Simeon

    7. Song of Simeon Questions

    1. Introduction

    2. Revelation 7

    3. Revelation 7 Questions

    4. Revelation 11

    5. Revelation 11 Questions

    6. Revelation 19 Activity

About this course

  • $25.00
  • Recommended Age: 14+
  • 15 Lessons + Videos
  • 16 Activities

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course you will:

  • Gain a deeper appreciation of the Bible.

  • Be able to identify different types of Hebrew Parallelism.

  • Recognize a variety of poetic devices in the Bible.

  • Connect the poet’s technique to the message of the text.

  • Understand the influence of the Old Testament on the New Testament.

  • Understand specific Bible books better (especially Psalms, Luke, and Revelation).

  • Learn to interpret, analyze, and discuss complex texts.

  • Enjoy the literary aspects of the Bible while respecting the inspiration and veracity of scripture.

Your instructor

Conrad van Dyk

I'm a Professor of English and I love teaching great works of literature from across the centuries. I've taught everything from medieval texts to children's literature and contemporary British fiction. I'm a strong believer in classical education and the great books tradition, which is why I wanted to create better study guides for curious readers. In my spare time, I enjoy sports, playing the piano, spending time with my kids, and traveling.

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