Oratory consists of formal, stylized speeches addressed to a specific audience, usually on a noteworthy occasion. They are usually embedded in other material.
(The Origin of the Bible: Newly Updated by F. F. Bruce, J. I. Packer, Philip W. Comfort, and Carl F. H. Henry, 2020. The Bible as Literature by Leland Ryken, Page 148)
Oratory in the Bible
- Genesis 49 - Jacob's blessing of his sons
- Exodus-Numbers - God's giving of the law to Moses is oratorical in nature
- Deuteronomy as a whole is an oratory - Moses' farewell address to the nation of Israel.
- 1 Samuel 12 - Samuel's installation of Saul as king
- 1 Kings 8 - Solomon's speech and prayer at the dedication of the Temple
- Job - A collection of orations
- The Prophets - frequently have an oratorical cast, either spoken by prophet or God
- Nehemiah 9 - Ezra's speech when the law was reinstituted
- Matthew 5-7 - Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is just one of Jesus' discourses
- Acts - contains several defense orations (follow the conventions of classical forensic orations) and sermons
- Acts 17 - Paul's famous speech in Athens at the Areopagus (follows all of the rhetorical rules of classical oratory)
- The Epistles - The oral nature of the Epistles makes them produce an oratorical effect
(The Origin of the Bible: Newly Updated by F. F. Bruce, J. I. Packer, Philip W. Comfort, and Carl F. H. Henry, 2020. The Bible as Literature by Leland Ryken, Page 148)