Writing Styles of the Bible & Why They're Important to Understand

Literary Styles in the Bible

The Bible is a collection of books that together tell one unified story, but its books use different literary styles. Recognizing those styles helps readers understand how each passage communicates and what to pay attention to.

Three Major Literary Types

• Narrative — 43% Narrative arranges events in sequence, helping readers look for meaning and purpose. Stories often feature characters who want something, face conflict, and reach some kind of resolution. Through them, biblical authors explore questions about identity, values, suffering, and hope.

Biblical characters are often deeply flawed. Rather than treating them simply as role models, readers can recognize themselves in their struggles and failures and reconsider how they view themselves and others. Narrative forms include historical narratives, parables, and the short biographical narratives in the Gospels.

• Poetry — 33% Poetry uses concentrated, imaginative language—especially imagery and metaphor—to engage emotions and imagination. It can unsettle familiar ways of thinking and help readers see the world differently.

Biblical poetry includes songs and psalms, reflective poetry in wisdom books, and the prophets’ passionate resistance poetry.

• Prose discourse — 24% Prose discourse includes speeches, letters, and essays that develop ideas in a logical sequence. It invites readers to follow an argument, consider its implications, and respond.

It appears in law collections, wisdom literature, and the apostles’ letters.

How to Read the Bible’s Literary Styles

1. Notice the kind of writing you are reading.
2. Consider how that style communicates: through story, poetic imagery, or logical argument.
3. Ask questions suited to that style and attend to what it emphasizes.
4. Remember that a biblical book may have a primary style but also contain other forms, such as poems, parables, or laws. Each book is a combination of literary styles.

Speakers and Sources Featured

• Jon — Speaker in the video.
• Tim — Speaker in the video; he attributes ideas discussed to his former teacher, Professor Ray Lubeck.
• Professor Ray Lubeck — Named as an influence. His book Read the Bible for a Change is recommended.
• BibleProject — The organization and video series presenting the material.