Robert Lowth, Parallelism, and Biblical Poetry

F W Dobbs-Allsopp

doi:10.5508/jhs29586

Abstract

This essay offers a fresh look at Robert Lowth’s theory of parallelism in biblical poetry, situated in light of the study of this phenomenon since Lowth’s originary conceptualizations. The discussion divides into three parts, treating Lowth’s general description of parallelism, his (in)famous threefold classification schema, and aspects of orality and rhythm as they bear on an understanding of parallelism in biblical poetry. A chief end in view is to suggest what remains vital in Lowth’s thought.

Highlights

George Gregory opens his “Translator’s Preface” to Robert Lowth’s Lectures on the Sacred Poetry of the Hebrews with the following statement: “It may not be improper to apprize the public, that the following Lectures be entitled Lectures on the Hebrew Poetry, their utility is by no means confined to that single object
In the final section, I treat aspects of orality and rhythm as they bear on an understanding of parallelism in biblical poetry
Lowth was the first to use the term with this sense, and in his study of biblical Hebrew poetry

Summary

Introduction

George Gregory opens his “Translator’s Preface” to Robert Lowth’s Lectures on the Sacred Poetry of the Hebrews with the following statement: “It may not be improper to apprize the public, that the following Lectures be entitled Lectures on the Hebrew Poetry, their utility is by no means confined to that single object.

Results

Conclusion