Chiasmus

A literary structure in which ideas are arranged in a mirror pattern (ABBA or ABCBA), with the central element carrying the greatest emphasis. The term derives from the Greek letter chi (X), reflecting the crossing pattern. Examples include Genesis 9:6 ('Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed'), the Flood narrative (Genesis 6-9), and the structure of many psalms and prophetic oracles. Matthew's Gospel may follow a chiastic structure with the parables of the kingdom (chapter 13) at its center. Recognizing chiastic patterns helps identify the theological center of a passage and reveals the artistry of biblical composition.