What are the levels of narratives in the Old Testament?

The levels of narratives in the Old Testament can be understood through the primary lens of metanarrative and individual stories. The metanarrative refers to the overarching story or theme that runs through the entire Old Testament, encompassing God’s creation, covenant, redemption, and the relationship between God and humanity. This grand narrative provides the theological context and framework for understanding the more localized, individual stories that make up the text. These individual stories reflect specific events, characters, and actions, each contributing to the broader themes encapsulated in the metanarrative.

The other options represent different aspects of the text but do not fully articulate the hierarchical narrative structure present in the Old Testament. Historical and philosophical aspects might be emphasized in certain contexts, but they do not capture the dual focus on the larger narrative as well as the individual stories that contribute to it. Literal and metaphorical distinctions pertain more to interpretive methods rather than distinct narrative levels. Similarly, personal and communal focuses are important themes in the texts but do not delineate the structured narrative levels in the same way as metanarrative and individual stories do. Understanding the Old Testament through these two levels enriches the reading and interpretation of the scriptures, revealing how specific accounts inform and amplify the larger divine