HermeneuticsHermeneutics

Figures of SpeechFigures of Speech

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Hebrew PoetryHebrew Poetry

What Is a Figure of What Is a Figure of Speech?Speech?

““The laws of grammar describe how words The laws of grammar describe how words normally function. In some cases, however, normally function. In some cases, however, the speaker or writer purposely sets aside the speaker or writer purposely sets aside those laws to use new forms, forms we call those laws to use new forms, forms we call figures of speech” (Zuck, p. 143).figures of speech” (Zuck, p. 143).

““A figure is simply a word or a sentence A figure is simply a word or a sentence thrown into a peculiar form, different from thrown into a peculiar form, different from its original or simplest meaning or use” its original or simplest meaning or use” (Bullinger, as cited in Zuck, p. 143).(Bullinger, as cited in Zuck, p. 143).

There are thousands of figures of speech in There are thousands of figures of speech in the Bible. They serve to express truth in the Bible. They serve to express truth in vivid and interesting ways.vivid and interesting ways.

Why Figures of Speech Why Figures of Speech Are UsedAre Used

To add color or vividness.To add color or vividness. ““The Lord is my rock” (Psa 18:2).The Lord is my rock” (Psa 18:2).

To arrest attention.To arrest attention. ““Beware of the dogs” (Phil 3:2).Beware of the dogs” (Phil 3:2).

To make abstract ideas more concrete.To make abstract ideas more concrete. ““You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians,

and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself” (Exod 19:4).

To make a truth easier to remember.To make a truth easier to remember. ““YYou are like whitewashed tombs” (Matt 23:27).

To summarize a concept.To summarize a concept. ““The Lord is my shepherd” (Psa 23:1).The Lord is my shepherd” (Psa 23:1).

To encourage reflection.To encourage reflection. “And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of

water” (Psa 1:3).

How Do You Know If an How Do You Know If an Expression Is Figurative or Expression Is Figurative or

Literal?Literal? The short answer: context!The short answer: context! ““Generally an expression is figurative Generally an expression is figurative

when it is out of character with the when it is out of character with the subject discussed, or contrary to fact, subject discussed, or contrary to fact, experience or observation” (Zuck, p. 145).experience or observation” (Zuck, p. 145).

GuidelinesGuidelines Assume literal communication unless there is Assume literal communication unless there is

good reason for taking it otherwise.good reason for taking it otherwise. A figurative sense is intended if the literal A figurative sense is intended if the literal

would involve an impossibility or absurdity.would involve an impossibility or absurdity. Note whether a figurative expression is Note whether a figurative expression is

followed by an explanatory literal statement followed by an explanatory literal statement (i.e. “those who are asleep” in 1 Thess 4).(i.e. “those who are asleep” in 1 Thess 4).

Note qualifying adjectives (“sword of the Note qualifying adjectives (“sword of the Spirit,” “a living stone”).Spirit,” “a living stone”).

Does Figurative Language Does Figurative Language Oppose Literal Oppose Literal Interpretation?Interpretation?

No! Figures of speech are part of No! Figures of speech are part of language, and convey literal truth. language, and convey literal truth. They do not They do not opposeoppose literal literal interpretation, but are interpretation, but are partpart of it. of it. Zuck uses the terms ordinary-literal and Zuck uses the terms ordinary-literal and

figurative-literal.figurative-literal. There is a distinction between figures There is a distinction between figures

of speech and figurative (or of speech and figurative (or allegorical or mystical) interpretation.allegorical or mystical) interpretation.

Figures of Speech Involving Figures of Speech Involving ComparisonComparison

““You are the salt of the earth” (Matt 5:13).You are the salt of the earth” (Matt 5:13). Metaphor - a comparison between things in Metaphor - a comparison between things in

which one thing is, acts like, or represents which one thing is, acts like, or represents another.another.

““Dogs have surrounded me” (Psa 22:16)Dogs have surrounded me” (Psa 22:16) Hypocatastasis – a comparison in which the Hypocatastasis – a comparison in which the

likeness is implied by a direct naming.likeness is implied by a direct naming. ““They are like chaff which the wind drives They are like chaff which the wind drives

away” (Psa 1:4).away” (Psa 1:4). Simile – a comparison in which one thing Simile – a comparison in which one thing

explicitly (by using explicitly (by using like like or or asas) resembles ) resembles another.another.

Figures of Speech Involving Figures of Speech Involving SubstitutionSubstitution

““Let us strike at him with our tongue” (Jer 18:18).Let us strike at him with our tongue” (Jer 18:18). Metonymy – the substitution of one word for another.Metonymy – the substitution of one word for another.

Prisca and Aquila “risked their own necks” for the Prisca and Aquila “risked their own necks” for the apostle Paul (Rom 16:4).apostle Paul (Rom 16:4). Synechdoche – the substitution of the part for the whole Synechdoche – the substitution of the part for the whole

or the whole for the part.or the whole for the part. ““Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise

up” (Psa 139:2up” (Psa 139:2 Merism – a form of synechdoche in which the totality of Merism – a form of synechdoche in which the totality of

whole is substituted by two contrasting or opposite parts.whole is substituted by two contrasting or opposite parts. “To occupy this ministry and apostleship from

which Judas turned aside to go to his own place” (Acts 1:25). Hendiadys – (“one through two”) substitution of two

coordinate terms for a single concept in which one of the elements defines the other.

Figures of Speech Involving Figures of Speech Involving SubstitutionSubstitution

“The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands” (Isa 55:12). Personification – ascribing human characteristics or

actions to inanimate objects or ideas or to animals. “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro

throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His” (2 Chronicles 16:9). Anthropomorphism – ascribing human characteristics

or actions to God. There are also anthropopathisms and zoomorphisms in Scripture.

“Listen, O earth and all it contains” (Mic 1:2) Apostrophe – direct address to an object as if it were a

person, or to an absent or imaginary person as if he were present.

Figures of Speech Involving Figures of Speech Involving Omission or SuppressionOmission or Suppression

“He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve” (1 Cor 15:5). Ellipsis – an omission of a word or words

that must be supplied to complete the sentence grammatically.

“Is anything too difficult for the LORD?” (Gen 18:14) Rhetorical question – a question which 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.

Figures of Speech Involving Figures of Speech Involving Understatement or Understatement or

OverstatementOverstatement ““Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my

couch with my tears” (Psa 6:6).couch with my tears” (Psa 6:6). Hyperbole – a deliberate exaggeration, in which more is Hyperbole – a deliberate exaggeration, in which more is

said than is literally meant, in order to add emphasis.said than is literally meant, in order to add emphasis. “But Paul said, ‘I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a

citizen of no insignificant city; and I beg you, allow me to speak to the people’” (Acts 21:39). Litotes – an understatement or a negative statement to

express an affirmation. “But when David returned to bless his household,

Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, ‘How the king of Israel distinguished himself today!’”(2 Sam 6:20). Irony – a kind of ridicule expressed indirectly in the form of

a compliment. “I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear” (Job

42:5). Pleonasm – a repetition of words or the adding of similar

words, which in English seems redundant.

Figures of Speech Involving Figures of Speech Involving InconsistencyInconsistency

“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice” (Rom 12:1) Oxymoron – a combining together of terms Oxymoron – a combining together of terms

that are opposite or contradictory.that are opposite or contradictory. “For whoever wishes to save his life

shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s shall save it” (Mark 8:35). Paradox – a statement that is seemingly Paradox – a statement that is seemingly

absurd or contradictory to normal opinion.absurd or contradictory to normal opinion.

Guidelines for Interpreting Guidelines for Interpreting Figures of SpeechFigures of Speech

Determine if a figure of speech is Determine if a figure of speech is involved.involved.

Determine the figure and the referent.Determine the figure and the referent. Determine the points of comparison Determine the points of comparison

between the figure and the referent.between the figure and the referent. Do not assume that a figure always Do not assume that a figure always

means the same thing; context will means the same thing; context will determine the meaning in each case.determine the meaning in each case.

Do not press a figure beyond its Do not press a figure beyond its intended meaning (“I come like a thief”).intended meaning (“I come like a thief”).

Hebrew PoetryHebrew Poetry

It has been estimated that nearly half of It has been estimated that nearly half of the OT has been written in Hebrew the OT has been written in Hebrew poetry.poetry.

Its distinguishing characteristic is not Its distinguishing characteristic is not syllables per line or rhyme, but syllables per line or rhyme, but parallelismparallelism..

Different types of parallelism include:Different types of parallelism include: SynonymousSynonymous AntitheticAntithetic SyntheticSynthetic

Examples of ParallelismExamples of Parallelism

““Righteousness exalts a nation, Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to But sin is a disgrace to any any people” (Prov people” (Prov

14:34). 14:34). Antithetic (simple)Antithetic (simple)

“An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master’s manger, But Israel does not know, My people do not understand” (Isa 1:3)

Antithetic (compound)

Examples of ParallelismExamples of Parallelism

If If you have been snared with the words you have been snared with the words of your mouth, of your mouth,

Have been caught with the words of your Have been caught with the words of your mouth (Prov 6:2) mouth (Prov 6:2)

IdenticalIdentical

They did not keep the covenant of God, They did not keep the covenant of God,

And in His law they refused to walk (Psa And in His law they refused to walk (Psa 78:10)78:10)

InvertedInverted

Examples of ParallelismExamples of Parallelism

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and

night. Synthetic (Cumulative) - consists of a climax

of thought running through the successive parallels.

Relationship Between Relationship Between Figures of SpeechFigures of Speech

Simile

Metaphor

extended

extended

Parable

Allegory

Next Week:Next Week:

Types and SymbolsTypes and Symbols

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