Figures of Speech
- Sources of documentation:
- A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Vol. 1, Broadman Press, First Pub. 1903–33.
- Milton S. Terry, Biblical Hermeneutics, Zondervan Pub. 1974
- Roy B. Zuch, Basic Bible Interpretation, Chariot Victor Pub. 1991
- Bullinger, Figures of Speech used in the Bible, Baker Pub.1974
- A. Berkeley Mickelsen, Interpreting The Bible, Eerdmans Pub. 1974
- Bernard Ramm, Protestant Biblical Interpretation, Baker Pub. 1970
- Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus The Messiah, Part 2, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1973
Involving Overstatement or Understatement
Hyperbole:
A Hyperbole is a deliberate exaggeration in which more is said than is literally meant, in order to add emphasis. A conscious overstatement for the effect of calling attention to the subject.
Matthew 23:24, “Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.”
Litotes:
Literally it is a belittling of one thing to magnify another. In this figure a negative statement is used to declare an affirmative truth. It is the opposite of the hyperbole.
Acts 12:18, “Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.”
Irony:
Irony is a kind of ridicule expressed indirectly in the form of a compliment. It denote the exact opposite of what the language declares. Context if essential in recognizing irony. When it is grasped and recognized, it often carries a significant weight of meaning.
Job 12:2, “ No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.”
Pleonasm:
Literally it is when more words are used than the grammar requires. In English it would seem redundant. Here the writer repeats words, or an idea which has already been expressed.
Job 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Heb. 13:5 KJV)
Greek literally—I will no not leave thee, and not no not forsake thee.” The double and triple negatives are a very power emphasis of language.
Involving Omissions/Suppression
Ellipsis:
An ellipsis is an omission of a word or words that must be supplied to complete the sentence grammatically.
1 Corinthians 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
Zeugma
A zeugma is two words unequally yoked by one verb. In certain contexts words are placed together which properly do not belong together. Zeugma demands the supplying of some form of the verb to clarify the meaning.
Luke 1:64 Raw translation: “And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue, and he spake, and praised God.
Luke 1:64 KJV, With the verb added by the italics. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. (Lk. 1:64 KJV)
Aposiopesis:
Literally it is the breaking off what is being said, with sudden silence. In aposiopesis a part of a sentence is consciously suppressed either because the writer is strongly move emotionally or because he wants to achieve a rhetorical effect.
Ephesians 3:1,2,” For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,”
2, “If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:”
Rhetorical Question:
A question is asked rhetorically is it does not require a verbal response and is given to force the reader to answer in his mind and to consider the implications of the answer.
Genesis 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? . . .
Involving Comparison
The Simile:
A Simile is a comparison in which one thing explicitly resembles another. The comparison is done by using the words like, as, or so. To explain the simile, something is being compared with something else in the sense that there is a some resemblance being pointed to between the two.
Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
The Metaphor:
A Metaphor is a comparison in which one thing is, acts like, or represents another (in which the two are basically unalike). The Metaphor comparison is usually done by using the words is, are, was, were, or have been. But, sometimes the comparison is made without these verbs. A Metaphor is a declaration that one thing is, or is compared to another by representation.
Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth . . .
Isaiah 40:6 . . . All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
The Hypocatastasis:
A Hypocatastasis is a comparison in which the likeness is implied by a direct naming. A person, place or thing is directly named or called something else. The point of the Hypocatastasis is that the person, place or thing is implied to be like the that other thing in some way. This implication is direct and forceful. It leaves no doubt as to the implication.
When David wrote, “Dogs have surrounded me” (Ps. 22:16), he was referring to his enemies, calling them dogs. False teachers are also referred to as dogs in Philippians 3:2 and as savage wolves in Acts 20:29.
Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine . . . .
2 Peter 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. (2 Pet. 2:22 KJV)
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Involving Inconsistency
Oxymoron:
An oxymoron is literally a wise saying that seems foolish. This is a figure, in which what is said at first sight appears to be foolish, yet when we come to consider it, we find it exceedingly wise. Examples: “loud silence,” “sweet sorry,” “open secret,” and “original copy.”
Isaiah 58:10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
Paradox:
A Paradox is a statement that is seemingly absurd or contrary to normal. Very close to the oxymoron.
Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
Involving Substitution
Metonymy:
A Metonymy is the change of one noun for another related noun. Metonymy means using the name of one thing for another thing because the two are frequently associated together or because one may suggest the other. We often say The White House meaning the President.
Prov. 12:18, “There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
It is not the literal tongue but the words of the wise which are spoken are health.
Jer 18:18, “Then said they, . . . Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
Here the smiting with the tongue is substituted for a verbal attack against the prophet,
Synecdoche:
A Synecdoche is the substituting of a part of something for the whole or the whole for the part.
Acts 24:5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
John 12:19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
Major Extended figures of Speech
The Parable:
A parable is an extended figure of speech. The word itself comes from two words, “to cast” and “alongside.” It is a story used to teach. It is one truth cast alongside another to illustrate or teach something about that second truth. A. T. Robertson in his Word Pictures1 wrote, “The word parable (to place alongside for measurement or comparison like a yardstick) is an objective illustration for spiritual or moral truth.” The parable is a figure of speech used to teach or instruct, not to confuse, mislead, or to be so hidden that it cannot be understood. It is true that those who did not have ears to hear could not understand the parables. This lack of hearing is a lack of faith, believing, receiving or a willingness to accept the truth. With few exceptions, the parables were not meant for teaching the scoffers rejecting the Kingdom message or for the adversaries of Christ, but for the ones of faith. To them, the parables were clearly meant to teach and to be understood. Parables can be understood!
The Fable verses the Parable:
Parables are not fables. They differ in this sense: fables speak of things as they are not in reality, such as trees walking, or trees anointing the bramble to be a king over them (Judges 9:8–15). Parable stories may not be actual fact, but they are always true to the realities of life. They are stories of life, such as when we read the story of the rich man and Lazarus and the account of hell, hades. Some try to assert that this story of hades is not true because it is a parable and therefore is not a factual, actual account. But they do not understand that parables are exactly that – true to life or reality. Christ drew all His parables from common or familiar objects, places, or events.
The Allegory:
An allegory is a figure of speech where one thing stands in place of another or represents another, such as found in John 15:1–10, where the true vine is Christ, the vinedresser is The Father, and the branches are disciples. When definite allegories are used by Christ they are either explained or their meaning (what they represent) is manifestly understood by their context. Jesus did use the allegory in his parables of the Sower (Matt. 13:3-9, 18-23), the Wheat and Tares (Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43), and the Net (Matt. 13:47-50).
When unexplained allegories are employed, they appear to be so obvious in their meaning that there is little dispute. However, it is a fact that when the system of allegorizing is used for the elements of the parables, prophecies, and doctrinal scriptures there arises great controversy and a multitude of representations, which are very often diametrically opposed in their explanations. Using the allegory principle of interpretation leads to confusion. It is best to take all scriptures literally unless forced to resort to employ the allegory or metaphor.