A Guide to Old Testament Rhetorical Questions

I have encountered rhetorical questions frequently in my study of the Bible and recognized that they are often quite significant for interpretation. However, they are quite numerous and diverse and sometimes can be very confusing. The goal of this guide is to provide a basic orientation to how rhetorical questions are used in the Old Testament. In this guide I identify and explain simply the different types of rhetorical questions that I have found in the Old Testament and provide examples of how they are used for rhetorical effect. I then survey the use of rhetorical questions in the Pentateuch, the Historical Books, the Wisdom and Worship Books, and the Prophetic Books. This survey only includes a simple evaluation of each rhetorical question and identifies what I considered to be their most obvious implication and emphasis. Rhetorical questions are specific to the context and the implication and emphasis of a rhetorical question is often multifaceted. It is my earnest desire that you will benefit from my study of rhetorical questions and how they are used for effect and employ it productively in your own interpretation of the Old Testament.