THE BIBLE’S USE OF

FIGURES OF SPEECH

 

A figure of speech is a form of expression (such as a simile or metaphor) used to convey meaning or heighten effect often by comparing or identifying one thing with another that has a meaning or connotation familiar to the reader or listener. It makes the sentence deeper and leaves the reader with a sense of wonder. It brings life to the words used by the writer. The figure of Speech not only shows the writer’s intent but also his purpose in using such language.

 

ANTHROPOMORPHISM: The attribution of human features or actions to God.

 

Isaiah 59:1, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short, That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull, That it cannot hear.

 

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

   

1 Corinthians 15:55-56, “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O  DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?”

 

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

 

Galatians 5:12, “I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.”

 

HYPERBOLE: Exaggeration to say more than is literally meant.

 

2 Corinthians 11:8, “I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you;…”

 

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

   

Luke 12:1, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”

 

IDIOM: An expression peculiar to a particular people.

   

Judges 15:1, “But after a while, in the time of wheat harvest, Samson visited his wife with a young goat, and said, “I will go in to my wife in her room.” But her father did not let him enter.”

 

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

 

Judges 15:1-2, “But after a while, in the time of wheat harvest, Samson visited his wife with a young goat, and said, “I will go in to my wife in her room.” But her father did not let him enter.”

 

METAPHOR: A comparison in which one thing represents another.

 

Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world.”

 

PARADOX: A statement that seems absurd, self-contradictory, or contrary to logical thought.

   

Matthew 16:25, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

 

 ANTHROPOMORPHISM: The attribution of human features or actions to God.

 

Isaiah 59:1, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short, That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull, That it cannot hear.

 

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

   

1 Corinthians 15:55-56, “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O  DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?”

 

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

 

Galatians 5:12, “I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.”

 

HYPERBOLE: Exaggeration to say more than is literally meant.

 

2 Corinthians 11:8, “I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you;…”

 

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

   

Luke 12:1, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”

 

IDIOM: An expression peculiar to a particular people.

   

Judges 15:1, “But after a while, in the time of wheat harvest, Samson visited his wife with a young goat, and said, “I will go in to my wife in her room.” But her father did not let him enter.”

 

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

 

Judges 15:1-2, “But after a while, in the time of wheat harvest, Samson visited his wife with a young goat, and said, “I will go in to my wife in her room.” But her father did not let him enter.”

 

METAPHOR: A comparison in which one thing represents another.

 

Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world.”

 

PARADOX: A statement that seems absurd, self-contradictory, or contrary to logical thought.

   

Matthew 16:25, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”