How Chiasms & Parallels
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Summary
Chiasms and parallels can provide an enormously valuable tool for understanding the scriptures and in unfolding greater light and knowledge so crucial to comprehending the vital issues of our day, thus facilitating the necessary course of action to bring victory for the kingdom of God.

Chiasms and parallels, like parables, are by design difficult to understand except for those who diligently seek and who have eyes to see and ears to hear the voice of God as manifest through these means. They are intended for those who will awake and put on strength to redeem Zion. For such, the messages become plain.

The purpose of this write-up is to illustrate with several examples how chiasms and parallels accomplish at least five purposes: (1) they prove that the scriptures are inspired of God; (2) they facilitate understanding of the scriptures; (3) they provide additional valuable insight that goes beyond what we already have, but which is consistent with what we have; (4) their beauty and power increases faith in and inspires worship of God, who is the author; (5) they sift the hearts of men.

Hopefully this write-up with its commentary and explanations will serve the purpose of priming the pump as it were, instilling sufficient interest (in the profound messages) and direction (in how to perceive those messages) so that the receptive reader might then be armed to understand chiasms and parallels on their own, without commentary, and be able to benefit from this incredible tool which the Lord has given us in this crucial day in which we live: the valley of decision.

About Chiasms and Parallels

Briefly, chiasms and parallels are poetic language patterns, in which ideas or phraseologies are repeated, either in the same sequence (parallel) or in reverse sequence (chiasm). A most basic example of a chiasm would be, "the first shall be last, and the last shall be first," as illustrated to the right.

A parallel is like the chiasm except that the ideas are repeated in the same sequence. A most basic example of a parallel, in which the very words convey the idea of a repetition of one line of text with another is, "line upon line, line upon line" (Isaiah 28).

Like no two trees are exactly the same, though they have a similar general appearance, no two poetic scripture forms are exactly the same, but they exhibit an infinite variety. The chiasm has basically the pattern of <a,b,c,d,..., n,n,..., d,c,b,a>, but within that may be variations such that b is repeated twice, or c has two sub-parts, etc.

Note that the basic chiastic pattern (e.g. the general tree shape) is A,B,B,A. Abba is a quintessential scriptural name for the Father (Mark 14:36; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6), which is hugely appropriate as this approach is integral to the work of the Father.

A chiasm is a form of parallel, the only distinction being the direction in which the matching sequence flows. Some synonym words for parallel, which may help you relate to what a parallel is, are: comparison, contrast, analogy, symbol, likeness, similarity, metaphor, simile, parable, allegory, correspondence, correlation, identity, repeat, resemblance, symmetry, semblance.

The matching ideas can come in many different ways, including: rare words being repeated, exact phraseology being duplicated or slightly altered, synonymous words or ideas, antonym words or ideas, corollary words or ideas, supplemental words or ideas. The most fundamental reason for noting such matches is that it provides scriptural commentary on scripture: one phrase validates, expounds, or builds on the other, and vise versa.

Thus chiasms and parallels produce a new line-up of words (the matching sets), which convey a new idea. God designed the line-up; it is inherent in the revealed usage of words. The ideas contained in the new line-up are likewise intended by God. They often contain greater wisdom than the actual text itself, building on the understanding of the primary text from which they come.

The two separate texts which form the match are like two individuals. By themselves they are of great value and have much to contribute. But when joined in a relationship, especially such as a man and wife in marriage, then there is a synergism that develops. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. The offspring from such a union represent the new revelation contained in the match up of the chiasms and parallels. It stems from the old, but is new, separate, and of great value.

Not only do chiasms and parallels produce new insight, but they catalyze greater understanding of the primary text itself. Another fundamental purpose of the chiasms and parallels is to bear witness of the primary text. Also, the beauty and power exhibited in the poetic form inspires increased faith in God and reverence for his majesty. Furthermore, the chiasms and parallels have a way of proving the metal of men.

Chiasms and parallels require both the mind and the heart to be fully engaged with faith in God in order to be understood. The intellect is required because of the analysis involved. The heart is required because of the intuitive aspects, especially in the more abstract correlations. The Spirit of God is a crucial ingredient in bringing these two into harmony, both in the discovery and in the reading of chiasms and parallels. They were put there by God, and he is the one who facilitates their discovery and understanding.

Generally, I have found that virtually everywhere I have looked I have found these types of language patterns in the scriptures. For the most part, however, I have limited my energy to those chapters of scripture which are in the first place filled with great and marvelous concepts. The most enlightening comparisons come in parallels between two completely separate chapters or even books of scripture. My favorite is the parallel between Isaiah 28 and II Nephi 28,29.

Parallels and chiasms are not limited to language. The radial symmetry of a flower is but one illustration of how they appear in nature. The universe of the atom holds remarkable similarity to the structure of the solar system or of the galaxy. A single cell may be compared to the entire human body: e.g. nucleus = brain. Comparing and contrasting male and female attributes is not only amusing but helpful. The same is true in comparing ideas such as church and state; Eastern and Western; liberal and conservative; heart and mind; left-brain, right-brain. Like with male and female, making such comparisons yields surprising results so far as eliminating false "I’m-right-you’re-wrong" thinking, when a balanced oneness is intended. Climbing a mountain is a sort of chiasm, starting at the bottom, going to the top, then returning. The parallels between the very young and the very old provide an interesting commentary on the chiasm of mortality. The chiastic parallels between the Jews anciently and the Mormons today are most instructive. The parallels between scriptural history and modern history are likewise profound and intentionally loaded with application. The phrase "history repeats itself" is another way of saying there are parallels between histories. Equally profitable are the parallels between the course of nations over time and the progress of individuals through life. The number and scope of parallels is infinite.

Parallels and chiasms are enormously useful tools for the mind and the heart in harmony with God to be able to increase understanding and charity, and hence – their corollary – godliness.

Chiasms and Parallels as Modern Parables

I generally do not provide commentary on the chiasms or parallels I discover but let them stand as they are, for they are designed such that those who have eyes to see will see, and those who do not will not; hence the reader is not condemned by being given more than what they are capable of receiving – the principle of the parable. However, recently I have been corrected and inspired by the following example from the Savior.

"But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples." (Mark 4:34.)

The purpose of the current document is to expound on a sampling of chiasms and parallels. These explanations are intended for an audience that seeks earnestly to follow the Lord. I pray that if someone attempts to read this who is not prepared for what it contains that the Lord will veil their understanding.

"Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

"And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

"He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

"Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: for this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

"But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear."

– Matthew 13:9-16; quoting Isaiah 6:9,10.  

The New Testament is to the Old Testament what the Book of Mormon is to the Bible. It is an additional witness and greater revelation prepared of the Lord to bring his people further along in their progression toward the spiritual and temporal kingdom of God. Likewise, the Book of Mormon is to the Bible (Old and New Testament) what chiasms and parallels are to the scriptures that we have already been given. They represent Greater Things. In and of themselves, they are scripture, new scripture, built on the old.

To develop this comparison, let us take five main objectives of chiasms and parallels and apply them to the Book of Mormon as it relates to the Bible and then relate that to the chiasms and parallels.

Five of the fundamental features or purposes of chiasms and parallels are: (1) to bear witness of the scriptures; (2) to enhance understanding of the scriptures; (3) to render new insights that go beyond the scriptures but which are in harmony with them; (4) to glorify God in their beauty, splendor and magnificence; (5) to prove the hearts of men.

1. The Book of Mormon bears witness of the Bible.
The Lord states in 2 Nephi 3:11 that the Book of Mormon comes forth "to the convincing ... of my word, which shall have already gone forth," namely, the Bible. Mormon 9:8,9 also say that "the intent" for which "this [Book of Mormon] is written" is "that ye may believe [the Bible]." My experience with the Book of Mormon is that it has indeed been a primary tool in strengthening my conviction regarding the fact that the Bible is the word of God.

Likewise, I bear witness that the chiasms and parallels are designed by the Lord to further convince us of the truthfulness of the texts from which they are derived, that the Bible, Book of Mormon Doctrine & Covenants, etc. are indeed the word of God, scripture, the mind and will of God.

"And the angel said unto me that many shall see greater things than these, to the intent that they might believe that these signs and these wonders should come to pass upon all the face of this land, to the intent that there should be no cause for unbelief among the children of men." (Hel. 14:28.)

2. The Book of Mormon enhances our understanding of the Bible.
According to 2 Nephi 3:12 (in harmony with Ezekiel 37:16-19), the record of Judah (the Bible), and the record of Joseph (the Book of Mormon) "shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord." My experience with the Book of Mormon is that it is without peer so far as providing an enormously helpful resource by which we can understand the Bible as the Lord intended it.

Likewise, I bear witness that the chiasms and parallels enhance our understanding of the primary texts from which they are derived, expounding verse by verse, word by word, phrase by phrase what the various passages in the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, etc. mean, using the very words of scripture as the illuminating commentary. Element A of a chiasm, for example, is expounded by element A’ (A prime), its matching phrase, and vise versa. That same phrase may be element D of a parallel structure, which aligns with yet another phrase D’, providing yet further commentary – by the very words of scripture – on that phase. Because the existence of these poetic structures of holy writ cannot be ascribed to the willful intention of man (they are far too majestic for man’s cognizance), the commentary provided by the matching phrases of scripture, is a gift directly from God. I can say of them as Nephi said of his record,

"And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ...; and they teach all men that they should do good." (2 Nephi 33:10.)

3. The Book of Mormon renders new insights that go beyond the Bible but which are in harmony with it.
The entire chapter of 2 Nephi 29 is devoted to addressing those who might be tempted to exclaim, "A Bible, a Bible, we have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible!" In D&C 10:52, the Lord says, "Behold, I do not bring it [the BofM] to destroy that which they have received [the Bible], but to build it up." The previous chapter makes the statement, "Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!" (2 Nephi 28:29.) It continues:

"For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have." (2 Ne. 28:30.)

My experience with the Book of Mormon is that it indeed provides many insights beyond what the Bible contains, though they are in harmony with the Bible. The same is true of the Doctrine and Covenants. The Doctrine and Covenants is very clear about the organizational layout of the physical church of Christ. The Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants give much more insight about the coming New Jerusalem than can be found in the Bible.

Likewise, the chiasms and parallels contain insights and understandings that go beyond what the scriptures provide, though they are in harmony with the scriptures. They are particularly poignant when it comes to understanding the parallel between the Jews anciently and the Mormons today, the chosen people of God, who are apostatizing from their divine commission and actually end up opposing the very work they were foreordained to establish, namely Zion. Meanwhile there is a core remnant who, despite that persecution, indeed strengthened by that persecution, will awake, put on strength and redeem Zion. They are who these messages are intended to resonate with, helping in that awakening and strengthening process. The irony of this message with its polemic against the Mormons is that it is derived from their own scriptures. This message is found in the primary texts of the scripture, but becomes far more poignant and expanded in the chiasms and parallels.

Regarding greater things and the Book of Mormon, Moroni said, "And whoso receiveth this record, and shall not condemn it because of the imperfections which are in it, the same shall know of greater things than these. Behold, I am Moroni; and were it possible, I would make all things known unto you." (Mormon 8:12.) That is a sure promise. I can bear solemn witness that chiasms and parallels are a major means by which greater things are made manifest to those who receive the Book of Mormon.

4. The Book of Mormon in its beauty, splendor and magnificence glorifies God.
Regarding the Book of Mormon coming forth in addition to the Bible, the Lord said,

"Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another?" (2 Ne. 29:8.)

The Title Page statement of the Book of Mormon, penned by Moroni, states that the Book of Mormon is "to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; ...and also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations." My experience with the Book of Mormon is that it does indeed cause me to rejoice in my heart and shout praises to the Holy One of Israel. My testimony of God and of the splendor of his works and his plan is increased many-fold because of the Book of Mormon.

Likewise, my heart rejoices in the chiasms and parallels as they bear witness of the majesty of God. One of the things which makes these things so utterly astonishing is that Moroni, the final Book of Mormon author, said to God, "And thou hast made us that we could write but little, because of the awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest him that the things which he wrote were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read them." (Ether 12:24.) My experience is that not only are the translated words of the Book of Mormon themselves marvelous, but they, including their chiastic and parallel forms, exhibit a majesty that surpasses man’s ability to express in words. Many times I have wept while the Spirit of God courses through my being, as I marvel at the Lord’s omnipotent and omniscient hand that is exhibited in these magnificent poetic structures. This seal of the Holy Ghost is indeed the ultimate signature of greater things.

5. The Book of Mormon sifts the hearts of men.
In the final chapter of the Book of Mormon, Moroni stated,

"And I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of God; and the Lord God will say unto you: Did I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this man, like as one crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of the dust? I declare these things unto the fulfilling of the prophecies.." (Moro. 10:27-29.)

Nephi similarly stated,

"Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness." (II Nephi 33:10,11.)

As for greater things, such as are manifest through the chiasms and parallels by the Spirit of God, the Lord had this to say,

"And when they [the Gentiles] shall have received this [the Book of Mormon], which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation." (3 Nephi 26:9; see also 2 Ne. 28:27-10; Alma 12:9-11; Ether 4.)

"And...many shall see greater things ..., and this to the intent that whosoever will believe might be saved, and that whosoever will not believe, a righteous judgment might come upon them; and also if they are condemned they bring upon themselves their own condemnation." (Hel. 14:28,29.)

A Note About the Alphabetical Word and Number Studies
Though it goes beyond the scope of this present write-up, I should at least mention that the alphabetic word and number studies (as well as many other approaches to unfolding greater light and knowledge) also fill these criterion of Greater Things. (1) They testify that the scriptures are true. (2) They enhance our understanding of the scriptures. (3) They provide additional insights that go beyond what is contained in the scriptures from which they were derived, but which are consistent with the scriptures. (4) They glorify God in their scope, specificity, majesty, and marvel. (5) They prove the hearts of men.

A Note About Plainness
I completely concur with the sentiment that the Lord delights in plainness.

"For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding." (2 Nephi 31:3.)

It is when his children are stiffnecked that he in sorrowful anger gives them the desire of their hearts which is to stumble, giving them difficult things which cause them to look beyond the mark. (Jacob 4:14.)

"And now I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be." (2 Nephi 32:7.)

My experience with the chiasms and parallels is that there is an ironic attribute of plainness about them. Though they hide from view the plainness they contain from those who are not willing to see, the saints who are built on the rock will receive it with gladness as it sheds so much additional light of clarification on the words of scripture we have been given. As they rejoice in the word of God, they will rejoice in these tools which enable us to understand much more plainly the mind and will of God as manifest in his words found in holy writ.

Examples from the Chiasms and Parallels

  Go to list

When I write up chiasms and parallels for general distribution, I offer almost no commentary other than a couple of words here and there. My intent in this current write-up is to illustrate clearly just how plain, consistent, important and timely the messages are that are contained in these chiasms and parallels.

Before proceeding, let me proffer a disclaimer. I will tell you with confidence that I am not perfect in my understanding. Nor is my ability to put things into writing perfect. Rather, perfection is in Christ facilitated by the Holy Ghost. Let me emphasize that my purpose in providing this commentary is not to presume to have achieved the only correct interpretation. That is a responsibility that each person must take up for himself, between he and God, letting the Lord reveal and emphasize what is most appropriate for his life. It is the Lord that you are to be relying upon. Then will my efforts be sanctified for you.

At the same time, while confessing my weakness, I must express my personal witness that the things you will be reading in the following pages are of God, as they have been given to me by his Spirit. To be faithful in my responsibility before God, I must inform you that you will be answerable before the Lord as to how you receive these things. Inasmuch as a major function of chiasms and parallels is to facilitate the receipt of greater light and knowledge from the Lord, and as I will be expounding plainly what it is I see when I read these things, the following pages will contain ideas that will be new to you. Do not simply discard them because they are new or because they therefore seem different or even wrong. Please be sure to adequately weigh them in your heart and mind. With some of these concepts, "adequate" means an eternity of consideration, with many-fold more additional evidence and expounding presented to you by the Lord than what is presented here. This is but a small portion.

If there is one thing that becomes clear in all of this expounding, I hope it is to evidence the principle that with the word of God "THE SLOWER YOU READ, THE FASTER THE THOUGHTS COME." (Arthur Henry King) That is one of the primary benefits of chiasms and parallels: their very nature requires the reader to slow down and ponder, which engages both the heart and the mind, thinking and feeling. You will see over and over how easily several paragraphs of ideas can flow from but a short phrase of scripture. Each correlation is like a question placed by the Lord before the reader, "What does this mean?" The reader then, with faith in God, begins answering the question, and the Spirit of God kicks in to confirm, elaborate, infuse new understanding, and instill worship of God whose words these are. When I am doing this, and I come to a correlation that stumps me, invariably, if I will kneel and pray, and confess to God my lack of ability to comprehend without the Lord’s intervention, the understanding opens up, a greater level of light is gained, and I can continue to completion. I would consider it a high compliment if those who embark on reading these pages spend more time looking up cross-references, feasting on the words of Christ for themselves because of this catalyst, than they do actually reading what I have here.

Most importantly, these concepts are not designed merely to be new or additional knowledge. They are designed to bring about positive change – repentance – in you, in your heart, in your mind, and subsequently to the entire world, helping to build the kingdom of God on earth, spiritually and temporally, church and government, heaven and earth together as one. That is my prayer and my testimony which I proclaim in name of Jesus Christ, witnessed powerfully to me by the Spirit of God, including now as I write this statement.

May the Lord be with you.

by Sterling D. Allan; Mapleton, Utah; October 2, 1998

Chiasms & Parallels INDEX
Intro | Hybrids | Bible-OT  | Bible-NT | BofM-small plates | BofM-large plates | Doctrine & Covenants | PGP | GenConf | Other  | Dictionary | in Script | Diagrams | Chronological | Commentary | Experiment

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Page last updated on May 23, 2006