Type-scenes in the Bible

Synopsis

A type scene is a recurring literary convention or basic situation in a narrative that serves as a model for other scenes[1][2][3]. It involves a recognizable set of characteristics, often highlighted by repeated key phrases[3]. Examples include betrothal scenes at wells, younger brothers rising over older ones, and annunciations to barren women[4]. Type scenes create expectations in readers’ minds, and variations on these conventions can surprise and engage the audience[1][4]. They function at the genre level and are part of the literary artistry of biblical narratives, allowing authors to draw upon and remake audience expectations[1][2]. Type scenes are distinct from typology, which involves biblical comparisons between different periods, particularly between the Old and New Testaments[1].

[1] Arthur G. Patzia and Anthony J. Petrotta, Pocket Dictionary of Biblical Studies (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), 119.
[2] Gary Edward Schnittjer, Old Testament Use of Old Testament: A Book-by-Book Guide (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2021), 902.
[3] Douglas S. McComiskey, Lukan Theology in the Light of the Gospel’s Literary Structure (Milton Keynes, U.K.; Waynesboro, GA: Paternoster, 2004), 55.
[4] Lisa A. Eary, Rethinking David and Goliath (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012).

Definitions

• Type-scene | How We Read the Bible: A Guide to Scripture’s Style and Meaning
• Type-scene | Mark as Story: An Introduction to the Narrative of a Gospel
• Type-Scene | Old Testament Use of Old Testament: A Book-by-Book Guide
• Type scene | Pocket Dictionary for the Study of Biblical Hebrew
• Type Scene (Biblical Studies) | Pocket Dictionary of Biblical Studies
• Type Scenes | Words of Delight: A Literary Introduction to the Bible

Examples

• Biblical Type-Scenes and the Uses of Convention | The Art of Biblical Narrative
• Type-Scenes | A Beginner’s Guide to New Testament Exegesis: Taking the Fear Out of Critical Method
• Type Scene: Men, Women, and Wells | BI190 The Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament: Methodology and Practice
• Type Scene: Water and Food | BI190 The Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament: Methodology and Practice
• Type-scenes | Biblical Interpretation: An Integrated Approach
• Type Scene | The Dictionary of the Bible and Ancient Media
• Exodus 2:23–25 – Type Stories | Exodus
• Type scene | Handbook for Biblical Interpretation: An Essential Guide to Methods, Terms, and Concepts
• A Type Scene in Genesis | A Handbook to Old Testament Exegesis
• The Type-Scene | Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology
• Type-scene | Lukan Theology in the Light of they Gospel’s Literary Structure (potential Tannehill tests for type-scene as workflow)
• Conventions and “type-scenes” | “Our Fathers Have Told Us”: Introduction to the Analysis of Hebrew Narratives
• Type-scenes | The Oxford Handbook of the Psalms
• Type-scenes | A Pathway of Interpretation: The Old Testament for Pastors and Students
• Narrative Patterns: Type Scene, Repetition, and Key Words | Rethinking David and Goliath

Studies

• The Greek type scene: clarity beyond culture | “The Churchman:” Volume 123, Nos. 1–4
• Type-scenes and their resistance to clarity | “The Churchman:” Volume 123, Nos. 1–4
• Theophany as type-scene | Encountering the Divine: Theophany in Biblical Narrative
• The Idea of the Commissioning Story as a Type-Scene | “Journal of Biblical Literature,” Volume 103
• Excursus: Genesis 34 as a Twisted “Betrothal Type-scene” | Old Testament Story and Christian Ethics: The Rape of Dinah as a Case Study
• The Recognition Scene | On the Road Encounters in Luke–Acts: Hellenistic Mimesis and Luke’s Theology of the Way
• The Counter-type-scene>> https://ref.ly/logosres/semeia42?ref=Page.p+64 | “Semeia 42: Reasoning with the Foxes: Female Wit in a World of Male Power”
• The Adultery Type-scene | Sexual Politics in the Biblical Narrative: Reading the Hebrew Bible as a Woman
• The Annunciation Type-scene | Sexual Politics in the Biblical Narrative: Reading the Hebrew Bible as a Woman
• Betrothal Type-scenes | Sexual Politics in the Biblical Narrative: Reading the Hebrew Bible as a Woman
• Contest Type-scene | Sexual Politics in the Biblical Narrative: Reading the Hebrew Bible as a Woman
• The Temptation Type-scene | Sexual Politics in the Biblical Narrative: Reading the Hebrew Bible as a Woman
• Revelation 7:9–17 | Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 52B: Revelation 6–16