This glossary provides definitions of important terms and concepts that appear throughout the study of Christology in the Hebrew Bible. Understanding these terms will enhance your comprehension of the main text and facilitate deeper discussion in study groups.
Allegory
A method of interpretation that sees biblical narratives as having hidden spiritual meanings beyond their literal sense. Early church fathers like Origen used allegory to find Christ in Old Testament stories, such as reading the Song of Solomon as depicting Christ’s love for the church.
Apocalyptic
A genre of literature characterized by vivid and symbolic imagery, often depicting visions of the end times, divine judgment, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Books like Daniel and portions of Ezekiel contain apocalyptic elements that influenced Jewish messianic expectations.
Canon/Canonical
Referring to the collection of books accepted as authoritative Scripture. Canonical interpretation reads individual biblical books within the context of the whole Bible, showing how texts across different time periods contribute to unified themes.
Christology
The branch of Christian theology concerned with the study of Jesus Christ, particularly focusing on His nature, identity, and role in salvation. This study examines how Hebrew Bible texts point toward and illuminate Christ’s person and work.
Covenant
A formal agreement or relationship established by God with His people. Major covenants include those with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. The New Covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34 finds its fulfillment in Christ’s work.
Eschatological/Eschatology
Relating to the theological study of the end times or the final events of history, including the return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the last judgment. Many Hebrew Bible prophecies have eschatological dimensions.
Exegesis
The critical interpretation or explanation of a text, especially a religious text, aimed at uncovering its meaning and significance within its original historical and cultural context. Sound exegesis forms the foundation for proper application.
Fulfillment
The completion or realization of a prophecy, promise, or expectation, often seen as the event or person that brings about the completion of God’s plan or purpose. Jesus fulfills Hebrew Bible prophecies in ways both expected and surprising.
Historical-Critical Method
An approach to biblical interpretation that emphasizes understanding texts within their original historical, cultural, and literary contexts. This method helps establish what texts meant to their original audiences before considering later applications.
Intertestamental Period
Referring to the period of time between the Old and New Testaments (roughly 400 BC to 30 AD), characterized by significant developments in Jewish history, literature, and religious thought that shaped messianic expectations.
Messianic Secret
A theme in Mark’s Gospel where Jesus frequently tells people not to reveal His identity publicly. This reflects the Hebrew Bible pattern that the Messiah’s glory would be revealed through suffering before ultimate vindication.
Messiah/Messianic
A term derived from Hebrew meaning “anointed one,” typically referring to a figure expected to deliver, save, or restore God’s people, often associated with kingship, priesthood, or prophethood. The concept developed throughout Hebrew Bible history.
Midrash
A Jewish method of biblical interpretation that engages with Scripture through dialogue, expansion, and application. Midrash includes both legal interpretation (Halakhah) and narrative expansion (Aggadah).
Pesher
An interpretive method used by the Qumran community that saw biblical prophecies as containing hidden meanings revealed only in their own time. This differs from inspired New Testament interpretations that reveal God’s intended meanings.
Prophecy
A divine revelation or message, often foretelling future events or conveying God’s will, communicated through a prophet or inspired individual. Hebrew Bible prophecy includes both predictive and forth-telling elements.
Septuagint (LXX)
The Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible completed in the 3rd-2nd centuries BC in Alexandria, Egypt. This translation enabled diaspora Judaism and later facilitated the Christian mission to Gentiles.
Synoptic
Referring to the similarities and shared material among the first three Gospels of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), which present a similar view of Jesus’ life, teachings, and ministry, in contrast to John’s unique perspective.
Type/Typology
The study of how events, persons, or symbols in the Old Testament prefigure or foreshadow corresponding events, persons, or realities in the New Testament, often revealing patterns of divine providence and redemption. Examples include Adam as a type of Christ or the Passover lamb prefiguring Christ’s sacrifice.
Theological Interpretation
An approach to reading Scripture that emphasizes its role in the life of faith and the church, seeing biblical interpretation not just as historical study but as encounter with the living God who speaks through His word.
Theophany
A manifestation or appearance of God in visible or physical form. Many scholars see the “Angel of the Lord” appearances in the Hebrew Bible as pre-incarnate manifestations of Christ.
Wisdom Literature
A category of Hebrew Bible books (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and some Psalms) that deal with practical and philosophical questions about life, often personifying Wisdom as a divine attribute or figure that points toward Christ.
Key Theological Concepts
Already But Not Yet
The tension between Christ’s kingdom being inaugurated in His first coming but not yet fully consummated until His second coming. This concept helps explain why messianic prophecies can have both present and future fulfillments.
Divine Accommodation
God’s practice of revealing Himself in ways that finite humans can understand, using human language, concepts, and experiences to communicate infinite truths. This principle helps explain how Hebrew Bible revelation prepared for the fuller revelation in Christ.
Progressive Revelation
The concept that God revealed His plan gradually over time, with each stage building on previous revelation while adding new dimensions. The Hebrew Bible progressively unveils aspects of God’s character and redemptive plan that find their culmination in Christ.
Redemptive History
The understanding that all of history serves God’s redemptive purposes, with the Hebrew Bible recording how God worked through historical events and people to accomplish salvation. This gives theological significance to historical narratives.
Unity and Diversity
The principle that Scripture displays both unity (consistent themes and purposes) and diversity (different perspectives and emphases) as various human authors contributed to God’s revelation under the Spirit’s inspiration.
Interpretive Approaches
Christocentric Reading
An approach that recognizes Christ as the center and goal of all Scripture, seeing both direct prophecies and typological patterns as pointing toward Him. This differs from Christomonistic reading that sees only Christ in every text.
Grammatical-Historical Method
An interpretive approach that seeks to understand what biblical texts meant in their original contexts through careful attention to grammar, historical background, and literary features before considering broader theological implications.
Literal-Spiritual Reading
A balanced approach that takes seriously both the literal, historical meaning of texts and their spiritual significance for faith and practice. This avoids both wooden literalism and arbitrary spiritualization.
These concepts provide the foundation for understanding how the Hebrew Bible testifies to Christ while maintaining proper respect for the original contexts and meanings of biblical texts. Mastery of these terms will enhance your ability to engage with both the main chapters of this study and the broader field of biblical interpretation.
Phillip W. Martin 
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