Parable - Proverb

Parable - Proverb

This definition is wrong:

"... the difference between parable and proverb is that parable is a short narrative illustrating a lesson (usually religious/moral) by comparison or analogy while proverb is a phrase expressing a basic truth which may be applied to common situations. "

Forget that; it doesn't apply to Hebrew. The Hebrew word mashal משל is translated both as 'parable' and 'proverb'. There is no difference. But it is translated other ways as well:

proverb, parable, dominion, byword, entreaty, like, ruler משל

To understand the idea behind mashal משל, it's formation is examined and correlated with scripture which expresses the same idea in a different way.

Parables teach that the church is obtained through the cross

• מ-ש-ל -

* from, silent, father, from the father מ *

¢ The father is silent

How the mem tells us about God

Old מ

* increase, spirit, fire ש *

¢ How the shin tells us about God

Old ש

taught, to, teaching ל

∞ The bride/church is the increase of the promise of the Father. The Bride is the increase due to the cross. The parables speak of Christ and the cross.

Parables teach of peace through the cross

• מ-של -

* from, silent, father, from the father מ *

¢ The father is silent

How the mem tells us about God

Old מ

ease, peace של

∞ The Father promised מ peace של through the cross. This is the meaning of the parables as they speak of Christ.

Parables are mysteries

• מש-ל -

מש * remove מש * from, silent, father, from the father מ * increase, spirit, fire ש ¢ Com מש

taught, to, teaching ל

∞ A parable is a truth or teaching with enough removed to make it a mystery, which can not be discerned prior to the cross. Remove מש teaching ל

Parables speak of the bride

• מ(ש)ל - circumcise, from teaching מל

* increase, spirit, fire ש *

¢ How the shin tells us about God

Old ש

∞ Israel is the circumcision and the bride of the flesh.

Summary

Hebrew parables in the Bible are mysteries concerning Christ and the cross. The church and Israel represent the dual-natured bride of Christ which he obtained through the cross.

Reference