MORE TYPES OF FIGURES OF SPEECH

 

ANTHROPOMORPHISM

 

The attribution of human features or actions to God.

 

“The Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save; neither is His ear so dull that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1

 

 

APOSTROPHE

Addressing a thing as if it were a person, or an absent or imaginary person as if he were present.

 

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55

 

 

EUPHEMISM

 

The use of a less offensive expression to indicate a more offensive one.

 

“Would that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.”

Galatians 5:12

 

 

HYPERBOLE

 

Exaggeration to say more than is literally meant.

 

“I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to serve you.”

2 Corinthians 11:8

 

 

HYPOCATASTASIS

 

A comparison in which likeness is implied rather than stated directly.

 

“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”

Luke12:1

 

 

IDIOM

An expression peculiar to a particular people.

 

“And (Samson) said, ‘I will go in to my wife in her room.”

Judges 15:1

 

 

MERISM

 

A substitution of two contrasting or opposite parts for the whole.

 

“Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up.”

Psalm139:2

 

 

METAPHOR

 

A comparison in which one thing represents another.

 

“You are the light of the world.”

Matthew5:14

 

 

PARADOX

 

A statement that seems absurd, self-contrary to logical thought.

 

“Who wishes to save his life shall lost it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it.”

Matthew 16:25

 

 

PERSONIFICATION

Ascribing human characteristics or actions to inanimate objects or animals.

 

“The moon will be abashed and the sun ashamed”

Isaiah 24:23

 

 

RHETORICAL QUESTION

A question that requires no response, yet forces one to answer mentally and consider its ramifications.

 

“In God I have put my trust. I shall not be afraid. What can man dot to me?”

Psalm 56:11

 

 

SIMILE

 

A comparison using “like” or “as.”

 

“He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water.”

Psalm 1:3