Where do the rules for interpreting scripture come from? This should be the first question that the sincere student asks before approaching scripture. The one who controls the rules of interpretation controls the interpretation. To get out of the bind, we will only use rules which we find in the scripture, but to do this, we must use the very methods of interpretation for which we are establishing rules. It certainly is a puzzle, but not an insurmountable one as we shall see.

Without the rules, it is possible to come up with all kinds of nonsense. That is the nature of the language of riddles. Many meanings become available as the words explode in double entendre and as symbols become available. This is how the Rabbis perverted Jesus's teaching. Just because a word CAN mean something, doesn't mean that it DOES mean it. The rules sort it all out.