| Home Page | Articles by Author | Articles by Subject | Search | Printer friendly version here! You can save this page as a text file from your browser (File / Save As) and read it off-line. It is about 26K. Taken from Appendix 6 of the The Companion Bible -- you can purchase a copy online. Figures of Speech in the Bible, cont. by E.W. Bullinger Gno'-me; or, Quotation The citation of a well-known saying without quoting the author's name. Where the sense originally intended is preserved, though the words may vary (Matthew 26:31). Where the original sense is modified in the quotation or reference (Matthew 12:40). Where the sense is quite different from that which was first intended (Matthew 2:15). Where the words are from the Hebrew or from the Septuagint (Luke 4:18). Where the words are varied by omission, addition, or transposition (1 Corinthians 2:9). Where the words are changed by a reading, or an inference, or in number, person, mood, or tense. (Matthew 4:7). Where two or more citations are amalgamated (Matthew 21:13). Where quotations are from books other than the Bible (Acts 17:28). Hen-di'-a-dys; or, Two for One (Genesis 2:9. Ephesians 6:18). Two words used, but one thing meant. Hen-di'-a-tris; or, Three for One (Daniel 3:7). Three words used, but one thing meant. Her-men'-ei-a; or, Interpretation (John 7:39). An explanation immediately following a statement to make it more clear. Het'-er-o'-sis; or, Exchange of Accidence. Exchange of one voice, mood, tense, person, number, degree, or gender for another. Of forms and voices (1 Peter 2:6). Of moods (Genesis 20:7. Exodus 20:8). Of tenses (Genesis 23:11. Matthew 3:18). Of persons (Genesis 29:27. Daniel 2:36). Of adjectives (degree) and adverbs (2 Timothy 1:18). Of nouns (number), adjectives, and pronouns (Genesis 3:8. Hebrews 7:7). Ho-moe-o'-pto-ton; or, Like Inflections (2 Timothy 3:2,3). Similar endings arising from the same inflection of verbs, nouns, etc. This figure belongs peculiarly to the original languages. He-moe-o-pro'-pher-on; or, Alliteration (Judges 5). The repetiton of the same letter or syllable at commencement of successive words. Heo'-moe-o-tel-eu'-ton; or, Like Endings (Mark 12:30). The repetition of the same letters or syllables at the end of successive words. Used also of an omision in the text caused by such-like endings: the scribe's eye going back to the latter of such similar words, instead of the former. See Joshua 2:1. Hyp-al'-la-ge; or, Interchange (Genesis 10:9. 1 Kings 17:4). A word logically belonging to one connection is grammatically united with another. Hyp-er'bat-on; or, Transposition (Romans 5:8). The placing of a word out of its usual order in a sentence. Hy-per'-bo-le; or Exaggeration (Genesis 41:47. Deuteronomy 1:28). When more is said than is literally meant. Hy'-po-cat-as'-ta-sis; or, Implication (Matthew 15:13; 16:6). An implied resemblance or representation. Hy-po-ti-me'-sis; or, Under Estimating (Romans 3:5). Parenthetic addition by way of apology or excuse. Hy'-po-ty-po'-sis; or, Word Picture (Isaiah 5:26-30). Representation of objects or actions by words. Hys'-ter-e-sis; or, Subsequent Narration (Genesis 31:7, 8. Psalm 105:8). When a later record gives supplemental or new particulars, not inserted in the historical record. Hys'-ter-o-log'-ia; or, The First Last (Genesis 10 and 11. 2 Samuel 24). A prior mention of a subsequent event. Id-i-o'-ma; or, Idiom The peculiar usage of words and phrases, as illustrated in the language peculiar to one nation or tribe, as opposed to other languages or dialects. Idiomatic usage of verbs (Genesis 42:38. 1 John 1:10). Special idiomatic usages of nouns and verbs (Genesis 33:11. Jeremiah 15:16). Idiomatic degrees of comparison (Luke 22:15). Idiomatic use of prepositions (Luke 22:49). Idiomatic use of numerals (Psalm 103:2). Idsiomatic forms of quotations (Psalm 109:5). Idiomatic forms of question (Luke 22:49). Idiomatic phrases (Genesis 6:2,4. Matthew 11:25). Idioms arising from other figures of speech (see notes in margin). Chages of usage of words in the Greek language (Genesis 43:18. Matthew 5:25). Changes of usage of words in the English language (Genesis 24:21. 2 Kings 3:9). In'-ter-jec'-ti-o; or, Interjection (Psalm 42:2). Parenthetic addition by way of feeling. Mal'-e-dic'-ti-o; or, Imprecation (Isaiah 3:11). Expression of feeling by way of malediction and execration. Mei-o'-sis; or a Belittleing (Genesis 18:27. Numbers 13:33). A belittleing of one thing to magnify another. Me-ris'-mos; or, Distribution (Romans 2:6-8). An enumeration of the parts of a whole which has been just previously mentioned. Mes-ar-chi'-a; or, Beginning and Middle Repetition (Ecclesiastes 1:2). The repetition of the same word or words at the beginning and middle of successive sentences. Mes-o-di-plo'-sis; or, Middle Repetition (2 Corinthians 4:8,9). The repetition of the same word or words in the middle of successive sentences. Mes-o-tel-eu'-ton; or, Middle and End Repetition (2 Kings 19:7). The repetition of the same word or words in the middle and at the end of successive sentences. Met-a'-bas-is; or, Transition (1Corinthians 12:31). A passing from one subject to another. Met'-a-lep'-sis; or, Double Metonymy (Genesis 19:8. Ecclesiastes 12:6. Hosea 14:2). Two metonymies, one contained in the other, but only one expressed. Met-al'-la-ge; or, a Changing Over (Hosea 4:18). A different subject of thought substituted for the original subject. Met'-a-phor' or, Representation (Matthew 26:26). A declaration that one thing is (or represents) another: while Simile resembles it, and Hypocatastasis implies it. Met-a-sta-sis; or, Counter-Blame (1 Kings 18:17,18). A transferring of the blame from one's self to another. Met-o'-ny-my; or, Change of Noun When one name or noun is used instead of another, to which it stands in a certain relation. Of the Cause. When the cause is put for the effect (Genesis 23:8. Luke 16:29). Of the Effect. When the effect is put for the cause producing it (Genesis 25:23. Acts 1:18). Of the Subject. When the subject is put for something pertaining to it (Genesis 41:13. Deutronomy 28:5). Of the Adjunct. When something pertaining to the subject is put for the subject itself (Genesis 28:22. Job 32:7). Mi-me-sis; or, Description of Sayings (Exodus 15:9). Used when the sayings and etc., of another are described or imitated by way of emphasis. Neg-a'-ti-o; or, Negattion (Galatians 2:5). A denial of that which has not been affirmed. Oe'-on-is'-mos; or, Wishing (Psalm 55:6). An expression of feeling by way of wishing or hoping for a thing. Ox'-y-mor-on; or Wise-Folly (1 Timothy 5:6). A wise saying that seems foolish. Pae-sn'-si'-mos; or, Exultation (Zephaniah 3:14). Calling on others to rejioce over something. Pal'-in-od'-i-a; or, Retracting (Revelation 2:6). Approval of one thing after reproving for another thing. Par-a-bol-a; or, Parable i.e., Continued Simile (Luke 14:16-24). Comparison by continued resemblance. Par'-a-di-a'-stol-e; or, Neithers and Nors (Exodus 20:10. Romans 8:35,38,39). The repetition of the disjunctives neither and nor, or, either and or. Par'-ae-net'-ic-on; or, Exhortation (1 Timothy 2). An expression of feeling by way of exhortation. Par-a-leips-is; or, a Passing By (Hebrews 11:32). When a wish is expressed to pass by a subject, which is, notwithstanding, briefly alluded by subsequently. Parallelism; or Parallel Lines The repetition of similar, synonymous, or opposite thoughts or words in parallel or successive lines. Compare to "Correspondence". Simple synonymous, or gradational. When the lines are parallel in thought, and in the use of synonymous words (Genesis 4:23,24. Psalm 1:1). Simple antithetic, or opposite. When the words are contrasted in the two or more lines, being opposed in sense the one to the other (Proverbs 10:1). Simple synthetic, or constructive. When the parallelism consists only in the similar form of construction (Psalm 19:7-9). Complex alternate. When the lines are placed alternately (Genesis 19:25. Proverbs 24:19,20). Complex repeated alternation. The repetition of two parallel subjects in several lines (Isaiah 65:21,22). Complex extended alternation. Alternation extended so as to consist of three or more lines (Judges 10:17). Complex introversion. When the parallel lines are so placed that the first corresponds with the last, the second with the last but one, etc. (Genesis 3:19. 2 Chronicles 32:7,8). Par-ec'-bas-is; or, Digression (Genesis 2:8-15). A temporary turning aside from one subject to another. Par-e-che'-sis; or, Foreign Paronomasia (Romans 15:4). The repetition of words similar in sound, but different in language. Par-eg'-men-on; or, Derivation (Matthew 16:18). The repetition of words derived from the same root. Par-em'-bol'-e; or, Insertion (Philippians 3:18,19). Insertion of a sentence between others which is independent and complete in itself. Par-en'-the-sis; or, Parenthesis (2 Peter 1:19). Insertion of a word or sentence, parenthetically, which is necessary to explain the context. Par-oe'-mi-a; or Proverb (Genesis 10:9. 1 Samuel 10:12). A wayside-saying in common use. Par'-o-moe-o'-sis; or, Like-Sounding Inflections (Matthew 11:17). The repetition of inflections similar in sound. Par-o-no-ma'-si-a: or, Rhyming Words (Genesis 18:27). The repetition of words similar in sound, but not necessarily in sense. Path'-o-poe'-i-a; or, Pathos (Luke 19:41,42). The expression of feeling or emotion. Per-i'-phras-is; or, Circumlocution (Genesis 20:16. Judges 5:10). When a description is used instead of the name. Per-i'-stas-is;or, Description of Circumstances (John 4:6). Ple'-on-asm; or, Redundancy Where what is said is, immediately after, put in another or opposite way to make it impossible for the sense to be missed. The Figure may affect (1) words (Genesis 16:8); or (2) sentences (Genesis 1:20. Deuteronomy 32:6). Plok'-e; or, Word-Folding (Jeremiah 34:17). The repetition of the same word in a different sense, implying more than the first use of it. Po-ly-o-ny'-mi-a; or, Many Names (Genesis 26:34,35. 2 Kings 23:13). Persons or places mentioned under different names. Po-ly-pto'-ton; or, Many Inflections The repetition of the same part of speech in different inflections. Verbs (Genesis 50:24. 2 Kings 21:13). Nouns and pronouns (Genesis 9:25. Romans 11:36). Adjectives (2 Corinthians 9:8). Po'ly-syn'de-ton; or, Many Ands (Genesis 22:9,11. Joshua 7:24. Luke 14:21). The repetition of the word "and" at the beginning of successive clauses, each independent, important, and emphatic, with no climax at the end (Compare Aysndeton and Luke 14:13). Prag'-mato-graph-i-a; or Description of Actions (Joel 2:1-11). Pro-ec'-the-sis; or Justification (Matthew 12:12). A sentence added at the end by way of justification. Pro-lep's-is, (Ampliatio); or, Anticipation (Hebrews 2:8). Anticipating what is going to be, and speaking of future things as present. Pro-lep's-is, (Occupatio); or, Anticipation. Answering an argument by anticipating it before it is used. Open. When the anticipated objection is both answered and stated (Matthew 3:9). Closed. When the anticipated objection is either not plainly stated or not answered (Romans 10:18). Pros-a-po'-do-sis; or, Detailing (John 16:8-11). A return to previous words or subjects for purposes of definition or explanation. Pros'-o-po-graph'-i-a; or, Description of Persons (Matthew 3:4). A vivid description of a person by detailed delineation. Pros'-o-po-poe'-i-a; or, Personification Things represented as persons. The members of the human body (Genesis 48:14. Psalm 35:10). Animals (Genesis 9:5. Job 12:7). The products of the earth (Nahum 1:4). Inanimate things (Genesis 4:10). Kingdoms, countries, and states (Psalm 45:12). Human actions, etc., attributed to things, etc. (Genesis 18:20. Psalm 85:10). Pro'-ther-a-pei'-a; or, Conciliation (Matthew 19:16). Conciliating others, by way of precaution, because of something we are about to say. Pro'-ti-me-sis; or, Description of Order (1 Corinthians 15:5-8). The enumeration of things according to their places of honour or importance. Repeated Negation; or Many Noes (John 10:28). The repetition of divers negatives. Repetitio; or, Repetition (2 Chronicles 20:35-37. John 14:1-4). Repetition of the same word or words irregularly in the same passage. Sim'-i-le; or, Resemblance (Genesis 25:25. Matthew 7:24-27). A declaration that one thing resembles another. (Compare Metaphor, above.) Sim'-ul-ta'-ne-um; or Insertion (Revelation 16:13-16). A kind of historical parenthesis, an event being put out of its historical place between two others which are simultaneous. Syl-leps'-is; or, Combination (2 Chronicles 31:8). The repetition of the sense without the repetition of the word. Syl-leps'-is; or, Change in Concord (John 21:12). A change in the grammatical concord in favour of a logical concord. Syl'-lo-gis'-mus; or, Omission of the Conclusion (1Samuel 17:4-7). The conclusion, though implied, is unexpressed, in order to add emphasis to it. Symbol (Isaiah 22:22). A material object substituted for a moral, or spiritual truth. Sym'-per-as'-ma; or, Concluding Summary (Matthew 1:17). When what has been said is briefly summed up. Sym'-plo-ke; or, Interwining (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). The repetition of different words in successive sentences in the same order and the same sense. Syn'-ath-roes'-mos; or, Enumeration (1 Timothy 4:1-3. The enumeration of the parts of a whole which has not been mentioned. Syn'-cho-re'-sis; or, Concession (Habakkuk 1:13). Making a concession of one point in order to gain another. Syn'-cri-sis; or, Repeated Simile (Isaiah 32:2). Repetition of a number of resemblances. Syn-ec'-do-che; or, Transfer The exchange of one idea for another associated idea. Of the Genus. When the genus is put for the species, or universals for particulars (Genesis 6:12. Matthew 3:5). Of the Species. When the species is put for the genus, or particulars for universals (Genesis 3:19. Matthew 6:11). Of the Whole. When the whole is put for a part (Genesis 6:12). Of the Part. When a part is put for the whole (Genesis 3:19. Matthew 27:4). Syn'-oe-cei-o'-sis; or, Cohabitation (Matthew 19:16,17). The repetition of the same word in the same sentence with an extended meaning. Syn-o-ny-mi-a; or, Synonymous Words (Proverbs 4:14,15). The repetition of words similar in sense, but different in sound and origin. Syn'-the-ton; or, Combination (Genesis 18:27). A placing together of two words by usage. Ta-pei-no'-sis; or, Demeaning (Genesis 27:44. Romans 4:19). The lessoening of a thing in order to increase and intensify that same thing. (Compare Meiosis.) Thau-mas'-mos; or, Wondering (Romans 11:33). An expression of feeling by way of wonder. Tme'-sis; or, Mid-Cut (Ephesians 6:8). A change by which one word is cut in two, and another word put in between. Top'-o-graph'-i-a; or, Description of Place (Isaiah 10:28-32). Throwing light on the subject dealt with by alluding to locality. Type (Romans 5:14). A figure or ensample of something future, and more or less prophetic, called the Anti-type. Zeug'-ma; or, Unequal Yoke When one verb is yoked on to two subjects, while grammatically a second verb is required. Proto-zeugma, or, Ante-yoke or Fore-yoke (Genesis 4:20. 1 Timothy 4:3). Meso-zeugma, or, Middle yoke (Luke 1:64). Hypo-zeugma, or End yoke (Acts 4:27,28). Syne-zeugmenon, or, Joint yoke (Exodus 20:18). | Home Page | Articles by Author | Articles by Subject | Search |