Figures of Speech
“This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they
did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them.” – Jn.
10:6
“These things I have spoken to you in figurative language;
an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language,
but will tell you plainly of the Father. … His disciples said, ‘Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of
speech.’” – Jn. 16:25, 29
Allegory — description of a subject under the guise of some
other subject of aptly suggestive resemblance. A figurative sentence or
narrative in which properties and circumstances attributed to the apparent
subject really refer to the subject they are meant to suggest; an extended or
continued metaphor.1 A narrative of which the true meaning is to be
got by translating its persons and events into others that they are understood
to symbolize.2 A literary, dramatic, or pictorial device in which
characters and events stand for abstract ideas, principles, or forces, so that
the literal sense has or suggests a parallel, deeper, symbolic sense. A
symbolic representation (e.g., as in Pilgrim’s
Progress and Moby Dick).3 A moral or spiritual truth
is told in terms of a narrative or segment of history.5 (Jn. 10:1-6, 10,
16 for example).
Anthropomorphism — attribution of human form or character; ascription
of a human form and attribution to the Deity; ascription of a human attribute
or personality to anything impersonal or irrational.1 Attribution of
human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to inanimate objects, animals,
or natural phenomena.3 (Matt.
Antonomasia — the substitution of an
epithet (a characterizing word or phrase), appellative (title),
or the name of an office or dignity for a person’s proper name (e.g., “the Iron Duke” for the Duke of
Apostrophe — an exclamatory passage in
which a speaker pointedly addresses some person or thing, either present or
absent.2 The direct address to an absent or imaginary person or to a
personified abstraction.3 A direct address to an impersonal object.5 (Psa.
68:16; Jer. 47:6 for example).
Brachylogy — a condensed expression.1
A shortened or condensed and grammatically incomplete expression to reduce time
and effect (e.g., “Morning!” for “Good
Morning!).2
(Matt.
Dream — to behold or imagine in sleep.1 A
series of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations occurring involuntarily in
the mind during sleep.3 (Job 33:15 for
example).
Ellipsis — the omission of one or more words in a sentence,
which would be needed to complete the grammatical construction or fully express
the sense.1 (e.g., “Told you
so.” “Want some?”)2 The condensation of the meaning of a
sentence by the omission of elements supplied by the reader usually gathered by
the context.5
(Matt. 14:4 for example).
Euphemism — the substitution of a word or expression of
comparatively favorable implication or less unpleasant associations, instead of
the harsher or more offensive one that would more precisely designate what is
intended.1 A mild, soft, or vague expression substituted for one
judged to be harsh, direct, or shocking (e.g.,
“to pass away” for “to die”).5
(Jn. 10:15 for example).
Hyperbole — a figure of speech
consisting in an exaggerated or extravagant statement, used to express strong
feeling or produce a strong impression, and not intended to be understood
literally.1 (e.g., “a thousand
apologies”).2 Exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect5
(e.g., “I could sleep for a year” or “the
book weighs a ton”).3 (Matt.
5:29 for example).
Idiom — a form of speech peculiar or proper to a people or
country, own language, or tongue. A peculiarity of phraseology approved by the usage
of a language, and often having a signification other than its grammatical or
logical one.1 (e.g., “once in
a blue moon”).2 An expression of a given language that is
peculiar itself grammatically or cannot be understood from the individual
meanings of its elements (e.g., “keep
tabs on”).3
(Matt.
Irony — a figure of speech in which the intended meaning is
the opposite of that expressed by the words used; usually taking the form of
sarcasm or ridicule in which the laudatory expressions are used to imply
condemnation or contempt.1 An expression marked by a deliberate
contrast between apparent and intended meaning, often opposite to its literal
meaning.3 A method of criticizing or judging by seeming to praise or
congratulate.5
(Jn. 7:28 for example).
Litotes — a figure of speech, in which an affirmative is
expressed by the negative of the contrary (e.g.,
“no small storm lay on us”).1 (e.g., “that is not easy to escape from” for “that’s impossible to
escape from”)2 An understatement in which an affirmative is
expressed by negating its opposite (e.g.,
“This is no small problem”).3 (e.g., “the loss was no laughing matter”, meaning it was very sad).4 (Jn. 6:35 for example).
Meiosis — a figure of speech by
which the impression is intentionally conveyed that a thing is less in size,
importance, etc. than it really is.1 A rhetorical device used in
which circumstances, a predicament, or any event is intentionally understated (e.g., a mortal wound/hurt is called a
scratch).2 (e.g., you have
a small problem; your employer is bankrupt).4 (Matt. 18:22 for
example).
Merism — is a figure of speech
which includes opposite extremes to include the whole spectrum (The Bible Knowledge Commentary,
“O.T.” by J. Walvoord and R. Zuck, p. 1054). (Matt.
Metaphor — the figure of speech in which a name or
descriptive term is transferred to some object different from, but analogous
to, that to which it is properly applicable.1 (e.g., in this “neck” of the woods; the “mouth” of the river).2
A word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate
another, thus making an implicit comparison (e.g.,
a “sea” of troubles),3 without the use of the words “like” or
“as.”5 (Matt.
3:7 for example).
Metonymy — a figure of speech which consists in substituting
for the name of a thing, the name of an attribute of it, or of something closely
related.1 (e.g., “the White
House” for the American presidency; “the stage” for the theatre; “the pen” for
the written word; “the sword” for war).2 One word or phrase is
substituted for another with which it is closely associated (e.g., “Washington” for the U.S. government).3
The use of the name of one thing in place of the name of something that it
symbolizes (e.g., “crown” for “king”).4 (Matt. 27:24 for example).
Oxymoron — a rhetorical figure by
which contradictory or incongruous terms are conjoined so as to give point to
the statement or expression.1 (e.g.,
a cheerful pessimist; harmonious discord).2 (e.g., a deafening silence; a mournful optimist).3
Apparently contradictory terms are combined to produce a witty, often
paradoxical remark (e.g., cruel only to
be kind).4 (Prov.
12:10 for example).
Parable — a fictitious narrative or
allegory (usually something that might
naturally occur), by which moral or spiritual relations are typically
figured or set forth.1 A narrative of imagined events used to
illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.2 A single story illustrating
a moral or religious lesson.3 A sort of metaphor or simile drawn
from nature or common life.5 (Matt. 13:3-8 for
example).
Paradox — a statement or proposition
which on the face of it seems self-contradictory, absurd, or at variance with
common sense, though, on investigation or when explained, it may prove to be
well-founded (or true).1 A
seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true (e.g., “standing is more tiring than
walking”).3 The assertion of two propositions as true which seem
to be contradictory but may, in fact, not be.
(Matt.
Paronomasia — a play on words which sound alike; a pun.1, 3
(e.g., in Greek, “petros” for Peter, and
“
Personification — The representation of a thing or abstraction as a
person, especially as a rhetorical figure.1 (e.g., “Great Britain is renowned for her stiff upper lip”; “that
yacht, she rides the water beautifully”).2 A figure of speech in
which inanimate objects or abstractions are endowed with human qualities or are
represented as possessing human form (e.g., “hunger sat shivering” or “flowers
danced”).3 (Matt.
11:19 for example).
PLEONASM – A figure of speech where
more words are used than the grammar requires. It is used for the purpose of
marking the emphasis; for intensifying the feeling; or for enhancing in some
way what has already been said (e.g., “the man he said”).6 (Psalm 113:1 for example).
Proverb — a short pithy (significant/important)
saying in common and recognized use; a concise sentence, often metaphorical or
alliterative in form, which is held to express some truth ascertained by experience
or observation and familiar to all.1, 3 (Jn. 4:44 for example).
Simile — a comparison of one thing with another.1
A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another of a
different kind, as an illustration, and are normally introduced by “as” or
“like.”2 Two essentially unlike things are compared, often in a
phrase introduced by “like” or “as.”3, 5 (Matt.
Symbolism — the practice of representing things by symbols, or
of giving a symbolic character to objects or acts.1, 3 A timeless
figurative representation (e.g., a lion
as a symbol of strength or of a voracious hunger); it can represent a thing
either past, present, or future; it has in itself no reference to time (which makes it different from types,
which always symbolize future things). (Examples
of symbols: ferocious beasts in the book of Daniel or Revelation represent
wicked political leaders or nations; the lamb is a symbol of sacrifice, Jn
1:29). Symbols can represent different things in different contexts (e.g., water: for the Holy Spirit in Jn.
Synecdoche — a figure of speech by which a more comprehensive
or inclusive term is used for a less comprehensive or inclusive term or vice
versa; as whole for part or part for whole, genus for species or species for
genus, etc.1 (e.g., “England
beat South Africa,” meaning that the team from England beat the team from S.
Africa).2 A part is used for a whole (e.g., as “hand” for “sailor”), the whole for a part (e.g., as “the law” for “police officer”),
the specific for the general (e.g., as
“cut throat” for “assassin”), the general for the specific (e.g., as “thief” for “pickpocket”), or
the material for the thing from which it is made (e.g., as “steel” for “sword”).3 A part for a whole (e.g., “per head” as “per person”).4 (Matt. 7:12 for example).
Synopsis — a brief or condensed statement presenting a
combined or general view of something.1 A summary.3 (Matt.
Theophany — a manifestation or appearance of God or a god to
men.1, 3 (Judges
Trope — a figure of speech which
consists in the use of a word or phrase in a sense other than that which is
proper to it; a figure of speech.1 The figurative use of a word or
an expression.3
Types — a person, thing, or event
regarded as symbolic, especially (in the
Bible) one prefiguring the antitype (the
reality) that was to follow.4 Prophetic symbols; a prefiguring
of something future from itself; the preordained representative relation which
certain persons, events, and institutions of the OT bear to corresponding
persons, events, and institutions in the New Testament; persons and things in
the NT are symbolized or prefigured by persons and things in the OT. For
example: persons (Adam is a type of
Christ – the head of a race, Rom. 5:14; Abraham is a type of believer/Christian
– justified by faith, Rom. 4); institutions: (the sacrifices are a type of the cross – for sin, Eph 5:2; creation
and the Promised Land for salvation rest, Heb. 4); offices: (Moses, the prophet, is a type of Christ,
the prophet, Acts 3:20-23; Melchizedek, a priest of God, is a type of Christ, a
high priest, Heb. 5:6-10); events and actions: (lifting up of the bronze serpent is a type of Christ being lifted up
on the crucifix, Jn. 3:14, 15); things: (the
Tabernacle is a type of Christ’s incarnation – God’s presence among His people,
Jn 1:1, 14; the rock Moses struck is a type of Christ – only to be
struck/crucified once; 1 Cor. 10:4).5
Vision — something which is
apparently seen otherwise than by ordinary sight; especially an appearance of a
prophet or mystical character, or having the nature of a revelation,
supernaturally presented to the mind. The act or fact of seeing or
contemplating something not actually present to the eye.1 The
mystical experience of seeing, as if with the eyes, the supernatural or a
supernatural being.3 It occurs while awake. (Matt. 17:1-9 for example).
Zeugma — a figure by which a single word is made to refer
to two or more words in the sentence; especially when properly applying in
sense to only one of them, or applying to them in different senses.1, 2
(e.g., “he took my advice and my wallet”)3 (e.g., “he took his time and the floor”).4 (Lk. 24:27 for example).
1 The
2 The New Fowler’s Modern English Usage, third edition, by R. Burchfield, 1996.
3 The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, third edition, Houghton Mifflin Co., 1992.
4 New Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus of the English
Language, Lexicon Pub., 1993.
5 Protestant Biblical Interpretation, by B. Brown, 1956, pp. 142, 208-213, 254.
6 Figures of Speech Used in the Bible, by E.W. Bullinger, 1999.