In biblical studies, the term "parallel" often refers to passages, themes, or events in the Bible that are similar or correspond to one another across different books or sections. These parallels can be found within the Old Testament, within the New Testament, or between the two testaments, and they serve to highlight theological, moral, or historical connections.

Old Testament Parallels

One of the most notable examples of parallelism in the Old Testament is found in the poetic structure of Hebrew poetry, particularly in the Psalms and Proverbs. This literary device involves the repetition of ideas or themes in successive lines, often to emphasize a particular point or to create a rhythm. For instance, Psalm 19:1 states, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." Here, the parallelism reinforces the majesty of God's creation.

Another significant parallel is the narrative of the Exodus and the later return from Babylonian exile. Both events involve a journey from bondage to freedom, underscoring God's deliverance and faithfulness to His covenant people. The Exodus narrative, found in the book of Exodus, and the return from exile, described in books like Ezra and Nehemiah, serve as theological parallels that illustrate God's redemptive power.

New Testament Parallels

In the New Testament, parallels are often drawn between the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke. These Gospels share many of the same accounts and teachings of Jesus, though each presents them with unique emphases and details. For example, the feeding of the 5,000 is recounted in all three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17), highlighting the miraculous provision of Jesus and His compassion for the people.

Parallels are also evident in the teachings of Jesus, such as the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 and the Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6:17-49. While there are differences in setting and some content, both sermons emphasize core aspects of Jesus' ethical teachings, such as love for enemies, the Beatitudes, and the call to righteousness.

Intertestamental Parallels

Parallels between the Old and New Testaments often reveal the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. For instance, the prophecy of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53 finds its fulfillment in the passion narratives of the Gospels, where Jesus is depicted as the one who bears the sins of many. Matthew 8:17 explicitly connects Jesus' healing ministry to Isaiah's prophecy: "This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'He took on our infirmities and carried our diseases.'"

Additionally, the concept of the New Covenant, prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34, is paralleled in the New Testament through Jesus' institution of the Lord's Supper. In Luke 22:20 , Jesus declares, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you." This parallel underscores the continuity and fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Christ.

Theological Significance

The use of parallels in the Bible serves to reinforce key theological themes, such as God's faithfulness, the continuity of His covenant promises, and the fulfillment of prophecy. By recognizing these parallels, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the unity and coherence of Scripture, as well as the central role of Jesus Christ in God's plan of salvation.1. (a.) Extended in the same direction, and in all parts equally distant; as, parallel lines; parallel tracks.

2. (a.) Having the same direction or tendency; running side by side; being in accordance (with); tending to the same result; -- used with to and with.

3. (a.) Continuing a resemblance through many particulars; applicable in all essential parts; like; similar; as, a parallel case; a parallel passage.

4. (n.) A line which, throughout its whole extent, is equidistant from another line; a parallel line, a parallel plane, etc.

5. (n.) Direction conformable to that of another line,

6. (n.) Conformity continued through many particulars or in all essential points; resemblance; similarity.

7. (n.) A comparison made; elaborate tracing of similarity; as, Johnson's parallel between Dryden and Pope.

8. (n.) Anything equal to, or resembling, another in all essential particulars; a counterpart.

9. (n.) One of the imaginary circles on the surface of the earth, parallel to the equator, marking the latitude; also, the corresponding line on a globe or map.

10. (n.) One of a series of long trenches constructed before a besieged fortress, by the besieging force, as a cover for troops supporting the attacking batteries. They are roughly parallel to the line of outer defenses of the fortress.

11. (n.) A character consisting of two parallel vertical lines (thus,) used in the text to direct attention to a similarly marked note in the margin or at the foot of a page.

12. (v. t.) To place or set so as to be parallel; to place so as to be parallel to, or to conform in direction with, something else.

13. (v. t.) Fig.: To make to conform to something else in character, motive, aim, or the like.

14. (v. t.) To equal; to match; to correspond to.

15. (v. t.) To produce or adduce as a parallel.

16. (v. i.) To be parallel; to correspond; to be like.

1638. elaion -- an olive orchard, ie spec. the Mt. of Olives
... tree") -- properly, the of olive trees (an olive orchard), referring to the Mount
of Olives (J. Thayer) -- the mountain-ridge that runs parallel to Jerusalem ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1638.htm - 7k

752. archisunagogos -- ruler of a synagogue
... [Note the parallel with government in the NT. Like the ancient Jewish , a local
NT church needs to be shepherded by a ("plurality") . See 4245 ("elder").]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/752.htm - 8k

2219. zume -- leaven
... Leaven is generally a symbol of the spreading nature of , but note the exception
at Lk 13:20:21 (parallel Mt 13:32,33). Word Origin from a prim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2219.htm - 6k

3600. kir -- cooking furnace
... a cooking range. A form for kuwr (only in the dual); a cooking range (consisting
of two parallel stones, across which the boiler is set): see HEBREW kuwr. ...
/hebrew/3600.htm - 6k

5980. ummah -- close by, side by side with
... beside (3), close (5), close beside (2), close* (1), comparable (1), corresponded
(1), corresponding (3), exactly (1), just (1), like (1), parallel (1), side (1 ...
/hebrew/5980.htm - 6k

7298. rahat -- a trough
... From an unused root apparently meaning to hollow out; a channel or watering-box;
by resemblance a ringlet of hair (as forming parallel lines) -- gallery, gutter ...
/hebrew/7298.htm - 5k

4915. moshel -- dominion
... dominion, like ('ab) from mashal; empire; ('ab) from mashal; a parallel -- dominion,
like. see HEBREW 'ab. see HEBREW mashal. see HEBREW 'ab. see HEBREW mashal. ...
/hebrew/4915.htm - 5k

The Parallel Passages in Mark and Luke.
... Book XIII. 19. The Parallel Passages in Mark and Luke. But let us consider
also the like account in the other Evangelists. Mark, [5939 ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/19 the parallel passages in.htm

The Parallel Case of Mary Considered.
... Chapter VI."The Parallel Case of Mary Considered. Let us now see whether
the apostle withal observes the norm of this name in ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter vi the parallel case of.htm

Jacob and Doubting Souls --A Parallel
... Jacob and Doubting Souls"A Parallel. A Sermon (No.2470). ... So far, the parallel
between Jacob and the doubting soul runs very properly. ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/jacob and doubting soulsa parallel.htm

Objections Continued. Whether we May Decide the Question by the ...
... Chapter II. Chapter VIII."Objections Continued. Whether we may decide the question
by the parallel of human sons, which are born later than their parents. ...
/.../chapter viii objections continued whether we.htm

The Tragic Break in the Plan.
... The Murderous Rejection: a fugitive from Judea, John 7:1."fresh attack by southern
leaders, Matthew 15:1-20 with parallel in Mark."fourth "withdrew ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/3 the tragic break in.htm

Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
... If, says he, historians can parallel this story of the malignity of the Jews towards
Jesus and Lazarus upon such a real miracle with thing [things] equally ...
/.../answer to the jewish rabbys.htm

Appendix J.
... For there has been a parallel case; the case of the inspired writers of
the New Testament dealing with the Scriptures of the Old. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/burgon/inspiration and interpretation/appendix j.htm

Waiting and Singing
... Unto Thee, O my Strength, I will sing!' They are, word for word, parallel, with
the significant difference that the waiting in the one passes into song, in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/waiting and singing.htm

The Name Above Every Name
... There is no sharper contrast conceivable than between Joshua and Jesus. The contrast
and the parallel are both most significant. ... (b) The parallel. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the name above every name.htm

The King in Exile
... Without supposing that the evangelist moulded his Gospel on the plan of the Pentateuch,
we cannot but see that there is a real parallel between the beginnings ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the king in exile.htm

Parallel (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Extended in the same direction, and in all
parts equally distant; as, parallel lines; parallel tracks. ...
/p/parallel.htm - 10k

Esdras
... named (see next section), it will be advantageous to give an outline of the book
now specially under consideration, with reference to the parallel passages in ...
/e/esdras.htm - 29k

Level (31 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A line or surface to which, at every point, a vertical or plumb line is
perpendicular; a line or surface which is everywhere parallel to the surface of ...
/l/level.htm - 19k

Eluzai (1 Occurrence)
... them prophets and apostles; and some of them they shall kill and persecute." The
patristic and many later commentators, on the basis of the parallel in Matthew ...
/e/eluzai.htm - 9k

Destroyer (23 Occurrences)
... a man's life during severe illness. No exact parallel to this is found
in the Old Testament. The nearest approach is "the angel ...
/d/destroyer.htm - 16k

Abaddon (7 Occurrences)
... In three instances Abaddon is parallel with Sheol (Job 26:6 Proverbs
15:11; Proverbs 27:20). In one instance it is parallel with ...
/a/abaddon.htm - 12k

Shoe-latchet (1 Occurrence)
... luxury (compare Luke 15:22). But in Matthew 3:11 and parallel's, only the
sandal can be meant. Sandals were not worn indoors, so ...
/s/shoe-latchet.htm - 12k

Shammah (8 Occurrences)
... against the Philistines. The parallel passage (1 Chronicles 11:10) ascribes
this deed to Eleazar, the son of Dodo. The succeeding ...
/s/shammah.htm - 13k

Shoelatchet (1 Occurrence)
... luxury (compare Luke 15:22). But in Matthew 3:11 and parallel's, only the
sandal can be meant. Sandals were not worn indoors, so ...
/s/shoelatchet.htm - 12k

Sermon (1 Occurrence)
... SERMON ON THE MOUNT. sur'-num, I. PARALLEL ACCOUNTS II. HISTORICITY OF THE DISCOURSE
III. TIME AND OCCASION IV. ... See SERMON ON THE PLAIN. I. Parallel Accounts. ...
/s/sermon.htm - 39k

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Parallel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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