Theological Term of the Week: Inclusio

inclusio

A phrase, line, or concept used to mark the beginning and ending of a literary unit of biblical text, and forming a frame or bracket around what lies between; also known as bookending or bracketing. 

• In scripture:

“Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places!

How the mighty have fallen!

Tell it not in Gath,

publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon,

lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,

lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.

“You mountains of Gilboa,

let there be no dew or rain upon you,

nor fields of offerings!

For there the shield of the mighty was defiled,

the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.

“From the blood of the slain,

from the fat of the mighty,

the bow of Jonathan turned not back,

and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

“Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely!

In life and in death they were not divided;

they were swifter than eagles;

they were stronger than lions.

“You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,

who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet,

who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.

“How the mighty have fallen

in the midst of the battle!

“Jonathan lies slain on your high places.” (2 Samuel 1:19-25 ESV)

• From Inductive Bible Study by Richard Allen Fuhr, Jr. and Andreas Kostenberger, pages 162-163:

Inclusio provides the means of marking the beginning and the ending of a literary unit, often through parallel phraseology or subject matter. A classic example of this technique is seen in Ecclesiastes 1:2 and 12:28 with the proclamation, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (NKJV; Heb hevel in the superlative). Between these two “bookend” statements, the idea of life lived in a hevel (“vain,” “absurd,” or “fleeting”) world is examined inside and out. …

The Prophets often use inclusio as a means of reinforcing the declaration of judgment or the proclamation of salvation. Compare Hosea 1:10-2:1 to 2:21-23 and notice the bracketing language and content that embraces the subject matter between these prophetic statements. 

Learn more:

1. Peter Krol: Know Your Literary Devices
2. Chris Brauns: The Gospel of Matthew’s Use of Inclusio or Bracketing

Related terms:

• biblical hermeunutics
• literary genres of the Bible

Filed under Scripture

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