What is the difference between intended meaning and literal meaning?
Even intended meaning and literal meaning is somehow related with each other they are different. Intended meaning is what the author really means to say that might be expressed in his own way. May be his writing style was influenced by his tradition and culture. Intended meaning should be hunted by the interpreter. It is more possible if the interpreter is knowledgeable about the author and his style of writing. Usually the author has only one intended meaning in their statement that might be supported by other explanations. Interpreter should not be puzzled which is which just because of the additional information that is actually the purpose is to emphasize the intended meaning clearly. We should recognize as we read the Scripture what the author wanted to say by understanding his symbolism and interpret it the way it should be. If we are unable to recognized author’s symbolisms it might lead us to incorrect interpretation of it and we end up to its literal meaning
Literal meaning occurs when we interpret the passage from its words that are being used. The understanding from its word written in the scripture is the foundation of its interpretation in literal principle. It is like what they have read they interpret without searching for the deeper meaning what the author really meant. Literal approach to interpret passage is sometimes applicable in the verses which don’t have any hidden message. Literal meaning is the absence of symbolisms or any other figurative speech just to express the message. Determining the literal meaning does not requires exploration beyond each line of the passage. Study the context and examine the verses will enable you to understand the literal meaning. If the interpreter has failed to discover the intended meaning of the passage, literal meaning also occurs. Therefore, intended meaning could be interpreted literally but if the author has an intended meaning in his statement, literal meaning could never be the intended one.
