From Words to Worlds: Free Bible Study Guide on Frame Semantics

Most of us are taught that for the Bible to be reliable, it has to be true.  But what does it mean that the Bible is true?  Generally, in our world today, "true" means "factually accurate"--meaning, what it says concords with "objective reality."  But Scripture isn’t a spreadsheet of propositions; it’s a rich, relational world. What if understanding the Bible’s truth requires more than verifying facts?

What if the real meaning of a word like rest or sacrifice depends on the culture-world it assumes—a deeper structure of relationships, roles, and expectations that ancient audiences would have immediately recognized?

This is where frame semantics comes in.

What is Frame Semantics?

Frame semantics is an approach to language that focuses not just on dictionary definitions, but on the conceptual scenes or “frames” that words activate.  

Think of it like this:

The word “buyer” assumes more than someone purchasing something—it evokes a whole scenario with a seller, money, goods, and a purpose.

In the same way, biblical words don’t exist in a vacuum. They evoke frames like:

• Temple (sacred space, presence, holiness)

• Exodus (oppression, deliverance, inheritance)

• Covenant (relationship, promise, obligation)

• Rest (toil, land, relief, divine presence)

If we want to interpret words like sabbath, relief, or satan accurately, we need to understand the frames they live in.

Why This Matters for Bible Readers

Understanding frames helps us read Scripture in its own theological and cultural context—not ours.

It teaches us to:

• Read relationally, not just propositionally

• Notice the background assumptions that give words their meaning

• Recover the rich, theological depth of familiar passages

Want to hear more explanation on what frame semantics is and how all of this fits into biblical theology?

Episode 121 – Devil in the Details: Rest, Relief, and Frame Semantics

Listen now on Genesis Marks the Spot

This episode explores:

• How rest is more than just stopping work

• How Genesis, Exodus, Temple, and Sabbath connect theologically

• Why frame semantics is a game-changer for biblical interpretation

Free Download: Frame Semantics Study Handout

To help you explore this tool in your own study, I’ve created a free handout that walks through frame semantics using biblical examples.  This handout includes example, guided study, meditation or group questions, and a blank template for you to use in your own study.

Click here to download the PDF

This free resource includes:

• A clear explanation of frame semantics and its terminology

• A step-by-step walkthrough of Genesis 5:29 (“relief”)

• Guided practice using the satan in Job and Satan in Revelation

• Quick-reference sheet on the Divine Rest Frame

• A blank template for your own studies

Try It for Yourself

In the handout, you’ll find a practice template and suggested words to explore, including:

• Sacrifice

• Inheritance

• Redeem

• Glory

• Exile

Perfect for personal study, group discussions, or classroom use.

Frame semantics doesn’t replace traditional Bible study—it deepens it.
It helps us understand biblical words not just by definition, but by the roles they play in the world of the text—and that, in turn, shapes how we interpret Scripture as a whole.