Type

Description

Example

Number Parallelism

First a number (n) is mentioned, then a higher number (n + 1)

For three sins of Damascus,
even for four, I will not relent (Amos 1:3)

Synonymous Parallelism

The second line of poetry restates or supports the idea of the first line

Statement A: Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
Reiteration A′: incline your ears to the words of my mouth (Psa 78:1)

Antithetic Parallelism

The second line of poetry contrasts the idea of the first line

Statement A: The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
Contrast B: but the mouth of fools pours out folly (Prov 15:2)

Developmental Parallelism

The second line of poetry extends or builds upon the idea of the first line

Statement A: He is like a tree
Development A′: planted by streams of water
Development A′′: that yields its fruit in its season
Development A′′′: and its leaf does not wither.
Development A′′′′: In all that he does, he prospers (Psa 1:3)