Scripture Study Tool

Chiastic Structures in Scripture

Chiasmus is a mirror-like literary pattern used by ancient prophets to frame their most important teachings. Discover the A-B-C-B'-A' structures that center on pivotal truths across all five volumes of scripture.

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Famous Chiastic Structures

Three well-known examples from the Old Testament, New Testament, and Book of Mormon.

Alma's Conversion

BofM

Alma 36

One of the most famous chiastic structures in all of scripture. The entire chapter mirrors around Alma's cry to Jesus Christ, transforming his anguish into joy.

Mirror pairs share the same color

Pivot / center point

Keep the commandments and ye shall prosper in the land

v. 1

Remember the captivity of our fathers -- they were in bondage

v. 2

He surely did deliver them -- trust in God

v. 3

I know this not of myself but of God

v. 4-5

Born of God -- a mighty change

v. 5

Racked with torment, harrowed up by the memory of sins

v. 12-16

I cried: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me

v. 18

Pivot

No more harrowed up by the memory of sins -- exquisite joy

v. 19-20

Born of God

v. 23

Knowledge is of God

v. 26

He has delivered me -- trust in him

v. 27

Remember the captivity of our fathers -- God delivered them

v. 28-29

Keep the commandments and ye shall prosper in the land

v. 30

13 elementsAlma 36

The Lex Talionis

Leviticus 24:13-23

The law of just recompense is presented in a precise chiastic form, centering on the principle of equal justice -- life for life.

Mirror pairs share the same color

Pivot / center point

The LORD spoke to Moses

v. 13

Bring forth the blasphemer outside the camp

v. 14

Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin

v. 15

He who kills a man shall be put to death

v. 17

Life for life -- breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth

v. 18-20

Pivot

He who kills a beast shall make it good

v. 21a

He who kills a man shall be put to death

v. 21b

They brought the blasphemer outside the camp and stoned him

v. 23a

The children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses

v. 23b

9 elementsLeviticus 24:13-23

The Noahic Covenant

Genesis 6:10-9:19

The flood narrative is structured as a grand chiasmus. The pivot -- God remembering Noah -- marks the turning point from destruction to restoration.

Mirror pairs share the same color

Pivot / center point

Noah's three sons (Shem, Ham, Japheth)

6:10

God resolves to destroy the earth

6:13-22

Noah enters the ark

7:1-9

The flood waters rise -- 40 days

7:17-24

God remembered Noah

8:1

Pivot

The flood waters recede -- 40 days

8:3-6

Noah exits the ark

8:15-19

God resolves never to destroy the earth again

9:8-17

Noah's three sons (Shem, Ham, Japheth)

9:18-19

9 elementsGenesis 6:10-9:19

The Lord's Prayer

Matthew 6:9-13

Christ's model prayer follows a chiastic pattern, centering on the petition for daily bread -- reliance on God for sustenance.

Mirror pairs share the same color

Pivot / center point

Our Father which art in heaven

v. 9

Hallowed be thy name

v. 9

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven

v. 10

Give us this day our daily bread

v. 11

Pivot

Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors

v. 12

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

v. 13a

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever

v. 13b

7 elementsMatthew 6:9-13

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about chiastic structures in scripture.

What is a chiasmus in the Bible and Book of Mormon?

A chiasmus (also called chiastic structure or inverted parallelism) is a literary pattern where ideas are presented in a sequence and then repeated in reverse order, forming an A-B-C-B'-A' pattern. This structure draws the reader's attention to the central pivot point, which contains the most important idea. Chiastic structures are found throughout the Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and Book of Mormon.

What is the chiasmus in Alma 36?

Alma 36 is one of the most well-known and elaborate chiastic structures in the Book of Mormon. The entire chapter forms a chiasmus with over 17 paired elements, centering on Alma's remembrance of Jesus Christ (verse 18) as the turning point from spiritual anguish to joy. This chiasmus is significant because it demonstrates the sophisticated literary craftsmanship of the text.

Why did ancient writers use chiasmus?

Ancient Hebrew, Greek, and Semitic writers used chiasmus for several reasons: to aid memorization in oral cultures, to emphasize the central idea (the pivot point), to create aesthetic beauty in the text, and to structure lengthy passages in a way that listeners could follow. Chiasmus was a widely-used literary technique throughout the ancient Near East.

How many chiastic structures are in the Book of Mormon?

Scholars have identified dozens of chiastic structures throughout the Book of Mormon, ranging from short two-element patterns within a few verses to elaborate multi-chapter chiasms like Alma 36. The presence of these structures has been a topic of significant scholarly discussion since John W. Welch first identified the pattern in 1967.

What is the difference between chiasmus and parallelism?

Parallelism repeats ideas in the same order (A-B, A'-B'), while chiasmus reverses the order (A-B-C, C'-B'-A'). Both are common in Hebrew poetry. Chiasmus draws emphasis to the center of the pattern, whereas parallelism emphasizes the repeated ideas equally. Many scripture passages combine both techniques.

Explore chiastic structures across all five volumes of scripture

Filter by volume, search by reference, and visualize every mirror pair and pivot point. Discover the literary artistry woven into the word of God.

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Alma's Conversion

BofM

Alma 36

One of the most famous chiastic structures in all of scripture. The entire chapter mirrors around Alma's cry to Jesus Christ, transforming his anguish into joy.

Mirror pairs share the same color

Pivot / center point

Keep the commandments and ye shall prosper in the land

v. 1

Remember the captivity of our fathers -- they were in bondage

v. 2

He surely did deliver them -- trust in God

v. 3

I know this not of myself but of God

v. 4-5

Born of God -- a mighty change

v. 5

Racked with torment, harrowed up by the memory of sins

v. 12-16

I cried: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me

v. 18

Pivot

No more harrowed up by the memory of sins -- exquisite joy

v. 19-20

Born of God

v. 23

Knowledge is of God

v. 26

He has delivered me -- trust in him

v. 27

Remember the captivity of our fathers -- God delivered them

v. 28-29

Keep the commandments and ye shall prosper in the land

v. 30

13 elementsAlma 36