Verklaring van de evangelische parabolen

of more elevated consideration, compared with each other through an arranged narrative in such a way that light is brought to the latter by the former. Therefore, we judge that one may best describe a Parable in this manner: "A story of a common matter, and one known in common use as having happened, for the purpose of clarifying a matter that is more elevated and less known, by comparing the one with the other." (a)

Distinction from an example. §. V. A Parable is distinguished from an example and a Figure original: "Typus & Figura" because those usually signify either specific things or true events that are or have been in the world. In contrast, a Parable is a complete narrative of an event that is usually embellished and skillfully arranged by the mind to teach, instruct, exhort, or reprove. Although it can happen that the things related in Parables as having occurred have truly happened among men. This is because Parables are borrowed from the common customs of men. Yet a Teacher gives no heed to that through Parables. He presents such matters, which truly might not have happened among men, as embellished and fictionalized, provided they serve his purpose, which is the soul of the Parable.

And allegory. §. VI. In the same way, a Parable is distinguished from an Allegory. An allegory also distinguishes a matter that truly happened and is described in History. A Parable differs even more from a History and an Example, which are both concerned with matters that truly occurred and often signify nothing more elevated or excellent than what is related to have happened.

The word §. VII. A Parable is expressed especially with two words in the New Testament: namely, parabolē parable and paroimia proverb. The first usually appears in the Gospels, and the latter is used with that same meaning in John 10 verse 6.

parabolē parable §. VIII. The word (b) parabolē parable comes from paraballein to throw beside or compare, which,

(a) Compare with this the description we have given of a Parable in the Introduction to our Work on the Parable of the Prodigal Son etc. section 12. Also the detailed explanation we give of that description, sections 13 to 21. Add to it (which occurred to us later) A Treatise on the nature and character of Parables by Johann Georg Neumann in the first of his Academic Dissertations. Dissertation 10, which is, On the Parable original: "De Parabola".
(b) Compare our Introduction. sections 6 to 11.

by virtue of its origin and meaning, indicates the comparison of two things that are equal to each other in properties, qualities, or effects. Since this comparison can be of single specific things or of combined things, and those again can be things that truly exist or have happened, or things skillfully invented, one must not wonder that this Greek word has taken on several meanings. For the word parabolē parable signifies all sorts of discourse through which matters, of whatever kind they may be, are compared with one another. Indeed, the word is also used by way of metonymy the substitution of the name of an attribute for that of the thing meant for that same matter which has its relation to another matter. Hebrews 9:9. I will not even mention that every kind of obscure proverb, which contains excellent truths beneath the external beauty, is called by the word Parable. Matthew 15:15, compare verse 11. But we take the word here in a narrower sense, as we have clearly stated.

§. IX. The word (a) paroimia proverb is, according to some, composed of the word para beside and homos or oimē a way. This suggests a paroimia was a proverb or any kind of pleasant saying with which travelers on the road used to amuse themselves and shorten the time. (b) But this derivation of the word has long been rejected by the Learned. For the word oimē, which means a way or footpath, also indicated to the Greeks any kind of (c) saying or proverb. This can easily be gathered from the root word oimos or oimai, which still today means to mean or to suppose. On this basis, a paroimia is a proverb or discourse through which something more is intended than what the literal and external sound of such a proverb or discourse brings with it.

Julius Pollux places as synonyms oimas, oimai, nomizō, dokō, hyponoō meaning to suppose, think, or suspect. Book 5, chapter 23.

(a) Compare our Introduction. section 11.
(b) Or that which is commonly or usually said and spoken, as if along the way.
(c) That oimē indicates all kinds of sayings and proverbs, and oimai to mean or suppose, could perhaps be derived from the original meaning of the word oimē, a way, as signifying something that is COMMONLY Note Well or along the way, said or judged. Hesychius on oimos, oimia, oimē. Just as we have noted that Basil calls a saying or proverb a parodion logon a word by the way. However, what Mr. Vitringa sets down here is also confirmed by Henri Estienne in the Thesaurus on the word oimos: "The same Donatus and Erasmus do not derive paroimia proverb from oimos signifying way, as in a worn and common path, but from oimē signifying word, so that it corresponds exactly to the Latin Proverbium Proverb."