Pericope

From a Bard query, 12/12/2023:

A pericope (plural: pericopes) is a set of verses that forms a coherent unit or thought, suitable for public reading from a text, usually of sacred scripture. The word comes from the Greek word περικοπή, meaning "a cutting-out" or "a section."

Pericope in the Bible

Pericopes are important for several reasons:

• Structure: They provide a framework for understanding the text and its message.
• Interpretation: They help to focus attention on specific themes or ideas.
• Public reading: They make it easier to choose appropriate passages for liturgical use.

There are several different ways to define a pericope. Some scholars focus on literary features, such as changes in setting, characters, or plot. Others emphasize thematic unity, looking for passages that deal with a single topic or idea. Still others use a combination of both approaches.

There are different types of pericopes, including:

• Narratives: These tell a story, such as the account of Jesus' birth or the conversion of Paul.
• Discourses: These present a teaching or argument, such as the Sermon on the Mount or the Parable of the Prodigal Son.
• Psalms: These are poems that express praise, thanksgiving, or lament.
• Prophecies: These predict future events or pronounce judgment on the people.

The Bible is divided into pericopes in various ways, depending on the tradition and purpose. For example, the lectionary used in Christian churches provides a three-year cycle of readings, with each Sunday having its own set of Old Testament, Psalm, Epistle, and Gospel readings.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

• Pericope (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pericope
• What is a pericope? (Expository Thoughts): https://cjts3rs.wordpress.com/2014/09/03/word-wednesday-pericope/

The origin is in a great Greek word (actually, two of them): peri(around) and koptein (to cut), which is how it gets these meanings:

1. a selection or extract from a book.
2. a portion of sacred writing read in a divine service; lesson; lection.

So if you are reading in a good book, and you highlight a great quote, or write down a sentence or paragraph that you want to keep, you have made a “pericope.” You have “cut around” some words and pulled out a selection for a special purpose.

Or if you are having devotions, and you decide to read only a portion of a certain chapter, as we have been doing as we read together through the gospel of Luke at the dinner table, you are reading a “pericope”.

• Pericope Definition & Meaning (Merriam-Webster): https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periscope