Video: On the Meaning of Words: The Literal, the Spiritual, and the Plain Confusing—Fall 2016 Lund Lecture

Dr. Provan begins by exploring how words carry meaning in biblical texts, arguing that the language of Scripture cannot be reduced to mere labels or abstract signs. He emphasizes that words operate within a web of relationships—culture, history, genre, audience, authorial intention—and that part of his task is to show how paying attention to those relations helps us hear more faithfully what the biblical authors meant. He draws attention to the complexity of translation, the instability of meaning across contexts, and how theological commitments shape the reading process. For Provan, understanding “word meaning” in Scripture is never a purely intellectual exercise detached from lived, embodied community.

In moving from theory to practice, Provan applies his reflections to biblical texts (especially Old Testament) to show how a more humble hermeneutic posture helps avoid overconfident or anachronistic readings. He engages with the tensions between ancient meaning and contemporary relevance, urging interpreters to preserve both fidelity to the original and openness to how God continues to speak. His lecture invites listeners to see that theological reading is not about bypassing the difficulties of meaning but embracing them, trusting that God’s word can remain life-shaping even through ambiguity.

Timestamps

• Word meaning and relational webs 1:30
• Challenges of translation and language instability 8:20
• The role of authorial intention and context 14:50
• Hermeneutical humility vs overconfidence 22:10
• Applying to Old Testament texts 29:45
• Tension between ancient and contemporary hearing 36:00
• Faithful reading amidst ambiguity 42:15