Biblical Hermeneutics

1. Kal Vahomer
(Light and heavy)
PRINCIPLES OF BIBLICAL HERMENETICS ; M. M. NINAN
The Kal vahomer rule says that what applies in a less important case will certainly apply in a
more important case. A kal vahomer argument is often, but not always, signaled by a phrase
like "how much more..."
The Rabbinical writers recognize two forms ok kal vahomer:
• kal vahomer meforash - In this form the kal vahomer argument appears explicitly.
Example: And David said to Abishai and all his servants, "See how my son who came
from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him
alone, and let him curse; for so the LORD has ordered him. (2 Samuel 16:11 NKJV)
(Reverse Negative) If God puts no trust in His saints, And the heavens are not pure in His
sight, 16 How much less man, who is abominable and filthy, Who drinks iniquity like
water! (Job 15:15 NKJV)
Yehoshua uses Qal V'Khomer Miforash in the New Testament (Positive)
"Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn;
and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?...” (Luke 12:24 NKJV)
“What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath,
will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep?
Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:11-12)
• kal vahomer satum - In which the kal vahomer argument is only implied.
For example: Behold the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked
and the sinner. (Proverbs 11:31)
And: If you have run with footmen and they have wearied you, then how can you contend
with horses? (Jerermiah 12:5a)
Other Tenach examples to look at: Deuteronomy 31:27; 1 Samuel 23:3; Jerermiah 12:5b;
Ezekiel 15:5; Esther 9:12
There are several examples of kal vahomer in the New Testament. Y'shua often uses this
form of argument.
For example: If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the Law of Moses should
not be broken, are you angry with me because I made a man completely well on the
Sabbath? (Jn. 7:23)
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