Category: Articles by Jan Magiera

Anabasis

Gradual Ascent

The figure of speech, anabasis, is so called when a writing ascends up step by step, with an increase of emphasis. Psalm 1 is a vivid example of this figure. “Blessed is the man –1) who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, 2) nor stands in the way of sinners, 3) nor sits in the seat of the scornful.” Each phrase is successive in emphasis. Bullinger describes this verse in his Figures of Speech in the Bible as “the first continue in that mind, taking evil counsel. The second carry it out, as the principle of their walk. The third settle down in their evil, as on a seat” (p. 429). Another example is Zechariah 7:11: “But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets…” This succession is a good description of the process that Israel went through to reject Jehovah and the law and the reason they ended up in captivity. The figure is not only used to describe a negative downfall. It can be positive as well. Ephesians 2:5–6 says, “Even when we were dead in sins, 1) he hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) 2) and hath raised us up together, and 3) made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

What is then the emphasis of this figure? I believe that the phrases in succession point to the very next sentence or phrase following the ascent like an arrow that points upward. What is important is not the arrow, but what it is pointing toward. In Psalm 1 the next sentence is, “his delight is in the law of the Lord…and whatsoever he does shall prosper.” In Zechariah 7, the next sentence is: “therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts.” Ephesians 2:7 is “that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” What a joy to see the emphasis of these verses and why they have so much impact!

September 9, 2025
Allegory
Normally, the definition of allegory is similar to the following from “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu): “A sustained metaphor continued through whole sentences or even through a whole discourse.” I believe that in terms of study of the Aramaic New Testament, this definition is too narrow. Especially in the Gospels, Jesus used examples which were not a whole story where every element was compared to something else. They were pithy short illustrations, usually from everyday life, that communicated a spiritual principle. Allegory involves the use of symbolic characters, events, or settings to convey deeper meanings or abstract concepts. Instead of presenting ideas directly, an allegory uses a narrative or story to represent and communicate underlying truths or moral lessons.

There are several examples in the Sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 6:19–20 APNT:
You should not place for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupt and where thieves break in and steal.
But place for yourself treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupt and where thieves do not break in and do not steal.
For where your treasure is, there is also your heart.

This is a comparison of having a “treasure room” in a house, which was a glorified closet and would be subject to be corrupted by insects, weather, such as rain leaking through the roof, or thieves breaking a hole in the mud walls. It was a common picture of a storage room in a home. The entire passage teaches the lesson that spiritual treasures are much more important than earthly wealth.

The emphasis in an allegory is on the comparative elements, but also on the moral of the illustration. Normally, the concluding sentence has the emphasis: “for where your treasure is, there is also your heart.” In every allegory, the student should seek for this concluding remark or the lesson behind the illustration.

One well-known example of allegory in the Bible is the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). In this story, Jesus uses the characters of a man who was robbed and beaten, a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan to convey the broader message of showing mercy and compassion to others, regardless of their social or ethnic backgrounds. The characters and their actions symbolize different attitudes and behaviors, allowing the listeners to grasp the deeper moral lessons behind the story.

Another example is the allegorical representation of the vine and the branches found in John 15:1–8. In this passage, Jesus compares himself to a vine and his followers to branches. The imagery of the vine and branches symbolizes the intimate connection between Jesus and his disciples, emphasizing the importance of remaining connected to him to bear spiritual fruit.

There are two types of allegories: a continued metaphor and a continued hypocatastasis. Bullinger does a great job in explaining the difference and the Master Spreadsheet distinguishes these two types. Here is the quotation from Figures of Speech in the Bible:

Few figures have been the subject of greater controversy than Allegory; or, have been more variously defined. One class of Rhetoricians declare that it is a continued metaphor: and another class declare that it is not. But, as is often the case under such circumstances, neither is quite correct, because both have a part of the truth and put it for the whole. Neither of the contending parties takes into consideration the existence of Hypocatastasis. And this fact accounts for the confusion, not only with regard to Allegory, but also with regard to Metaphor.

All three figures are based on comparison.
- Simile is comparison by resemblance;
- Metaphor is comparison by representation;
- Hypocatastasis is comparison by implication.
In the first the comparison is stated; in the second it is substituted; in the third it is implied.

Thus Allegory is a continuation of the latter two, Metaphor or Hypocatastasis; while the Parable[1] is a continuation of the Simile.

This definition clears the whole ground, and explains the whole of the difficulties, and reconciles the different schools.

The Allegory, therefore, is of two kinds; one in which it is continued Metaphor (as in Psalm 23), where the two things are both mentioned (Jehovah, and the Shepherd’s care), and what is asserted belongs to the principal object; the other, in which it is continued Hypocatastasis (Psalm 80:8–15), where only one thing is mentioned (the vine), and what is asserted belongs properly to the Secondary object; viz., to Israel. Israel whom it really refers, is not mentioned, but only implied.

[1] Which see.
September 9, 2025

Metonymy

Metonymy is a figure of speech commonly used in the Bible, as well as in literature in general. It involves the substitution of a word or phrase with another word or phrase that is closely associated with it, but not directly part of its literal meaning. This rhetorical device allows for a more vivid or expressive way of communicating ideas and concepts.

In the Bible, metonymy is frequently employed to convey spiritual or symbolic meanings. Here are a few examples:

“Bread” is used as a metonymy for food or sustenance. It represents the provision and nourishment necessary for survival. In Matthew 6:11, as part of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus says, “Give us today our daily bread.” Here, “daily bread” symbolizes not only physical sustenance but also the trust in God’s provision for all our needs.

“The crown” is used as a metonymy for a king or ruler. It represents the authority and power associated with the position. For instance, in Psalm 89:39, it is written, “You have renounced the covenant with your servant; you have defiled his crown in the dust.” Here, the crown symbolizes the king’s position and authority, and its defilement represents the humiliation or downfall of the king.

“The sword” is used as a metonymy for warfare or conflict. It represents the power and violence associated with battles. In Matthew 26:52, Jesus says, “Put your sword back in its place. For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.” Here, the phrase “draw the sword” refers to engaging in violent conflict, while “die by the sword” symbolizes the consequence or retribution resulting from such actions.

“The lamb” is used as a metonymy for Jesus Christ in the New Testament. It represents His sacrificial role and innocence. In John 1:29, John the Baptist refers to Jesus, saying, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Here, the lamb symbolizes Jesus’ role as the ultimate sacrificial offering for the forgiveness of sins.

In Bullinger’s Figures of Speech in the Bible there are 15 types of metonymy. The distinctions are very difficult to assess. In the Semitic languages, there are common metonymies which are often used and completely understood by an Eastern person. However, because most of the Western Bible students do not have this same understanding from the culture, we have prepared a list of categories and the normal meaning associated with each word.

Sample Verses
ID	Figure	English Name	Category	Subcategory	Key Word	Meaning	Sample Verse	Notes
43	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Objects	bread	provision	John 6:32	not all uses are marked
44	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Objects	door	opening, entrance	Acts 14:27
45	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Objects	yoke	bondage	Acts 15:10
41	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Objects	cup	what is in it, portion in life	Matthew 20:22	often used of “wrath”
42	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Objects	table	what is on it, provision	Romans 11:9
26	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Parts of Body	arm	power	Luke 1:51
32	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Parts of Body	bosom	care	John 1:18
27	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Parts of Body	bowels	compassion	Philippians1:8
31	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Parts of Body	ear	hearing, obedience	Luke 12:3
30	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Parts of Body	eye	understanding, whole person	Matthew 6:22	uses not all marked in translation
33	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Parts of Body	face	person, front of, presence	Matthew 11:10	uses not all marked, many included in Idiom chart
35	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Parts of Body	feet	person’s actions	Luke 1:79	uses not all marked in translation
34	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Parts of Body	finger	control, authority	Luke 11:20
24	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Parts of Body	flesh	person, physical body, physical life	Matthew 19:5
25	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Parts of Body	hand	blessing, power, authority, instrument of something	Matthew 26:64	uses not all marked in translation
29	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Parts of Body	heart	will, thoughts	Matthew 5:8	uses not marked in translation
28	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Parts of Body	kidneys (reins)	emotions	Revelation 2:23
36	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Parts of Body	loins	strength, center of person	Acts 2:30	used in phrase “gird up your loins”, meaning “get ready for action,” “base your strength on”
37	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Parts of Body	mouth	speaking, person speaking	Matthew 12:34	uses not all marked in translation
38	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Parts of Body	neck	person’s life	Romans 16:4
39	Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	Parts of Body	tongue	language, person’s speech	Luke 1:64

September 1, 2025

Sermon on the Mount

Samples of Figures of Speech
from the Sermon on the Mount

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

REPETITION

Blessed [are] they, 5:3-10

“Truly I say to you” or “I say to you” 5:18, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34; 6:2, 5, 16, (these three are as a refrain) 25, 29. Truly I say to you: a very solemn phrase used by Jesus in the Gospels to take special note of what follows. It is the figure of speech, asterism, and is marked with an * preceding the phrase. This phrase is also set off by a comma to indicate that the following phrase is like direct speech. There are many types of Repetition, the closer the word is, the more it is emphasized:

5:37 – “yes, yes, and no, no” called epizeuxis, means to consider your words carefully, this is a very solemn repetition.

When a whole sentence or phrase is repeated exactly, it is like saying “Pay attention to what I said”

5:29, 30: it is better for you that one of your members should be lost and not [that] your whole body should fall into Gehenna.

Repeats 6 x – shows the structure of the passage

5:21 you have heard that it was said….22 But I say to you…

5:27, 28

5:31, 32

5:33, 34

5:38, 39

5:43, 44

Another example is about wise man and foolish man 7:24-27

“And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and they beat against the house” shows how the exact same situation happened to both houses, but two different outcomes.

Another kind of repetition is called “derivation” – where words from the same root are used in a passage – it defines the main topic of the section

5:23, 24 offer, offering

7:1, 2 Judge and measure

7:7-10 ask, seek knock

7:17-20 healthy and diseased

Repetitions can encircle a passage:

7:16, 20 “by their fruit you will know them”

Repeat “and” called “polysyndeton”– consider each phrase separately until the end of the “ands”

5:44

ILLUSTRATION

Simile, uses like or as

Metaphor 5:13 “you are the salt of the earth” – explains what the comparison is

5:14 “you are the light of the world”

6:22 “the lamp of the body is the eye”

Hypocatastasis — the comparison is implied

7:15 wolves stand for wicked men

Allegory

See section above on allegory, has example from Sermon –Other examples:

5:15-16

6:22-24

7:3-5

7:13-14

7:16-20

7:24-27

GRAMMAR:

Idioms

These are particular phrases that mean something more than the literal interpretation of the words

Men: lit sons of men 5:16, 19

Hypocrites: lit. receiver of faces 6:2, 5, 16, 7:5

Word play (paronomasia)

7:13-14

Awraykha, broad

Awurkha, road

Ellipsis (see above)

Examples: 5:19

5:22 RACA

6:18

6:30

Erotesis

Types of questions – designed to cause us to ponder the truth of the teaching

6:25, 26, 27, 28, 30

7:4, 9, 10, 11

Obvious answer “no” or “yes”

5:26, 27

7:10, 16

Other grammatical figures:

Parenthesis 5:19

Antimeria 5:22, Gehenna of fire

Interjections 7:5

Hendiatris 6:13

Climax 7:7

Rhetoric (or could call it “Semitisms”) – have to understand the culture in order to know what it means – example in English is “hot dog”

5:29 see explanation in footnotes

5:31, 32

5:39, turn the other cheek

6:23, “evil eye”

7:15 “clothing of lambs”

5:22 Gehenna

Meaning

Metonymy – check out list above

Heaven – stands for God 5:3

Bread – stands for provision 6:11

Fruit – stands for results 7:16, 20

Synecdoche – part for whole

“Sound a trumpet” 6:2

Personification – giving human characteristics to inanimate object or thing

Left hand 6:3

September 1, 2025
Paranomasia

Paranomasia means simply, rhyming words. We would call it word-play. Many of the sayings of Jesus and the parables have this figure of speech. When you know what the rhyming words are in Aramaic, then you can see what is emphasized in the passage. The example used in this article in the parable of the Lost Sheep. The key words are “one” khad and “joy” khedwa. There is joy over the one sinner that repents.

Matthew 18:12–13:
If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray (wekhad minnehon taey)
And if so be that he find it … he rejoices (khadey) more over that sheep than of the ninety-nine that went not astray (dela taain)

Luke 15:7:
Likewise joy (khedwa) shall be in heaven over one sinner (kheda khatya) that repents.

Khatya and tae also rhyme — gone astray and sinner.

The emphasis is that finding ONE sinner that repents causes great JOY!! Truly the Lord is a good shepherd and continues to search out the lost. There is great rejoicing in heaven when one comes back to the fold.

Another paranomasia is in:

Matthew 6:28–29:
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow (shabhekhin)… even Solomon in all his glory (teshbokhteh) was not arrayed like one of these… Consider the ravens (orebhin)… and God feeds (merabbe) them. And which of you with taking thought (yaseph) can add to (oseph) his stature one cubit.

Mark 11:17:
My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer (beth tzelutha yithqere) But ye have made it a den of thieve (mearta delestin).

Prayer is contrasted with thieves.

Luke 12:33:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…where no thief approacheth (qarebh), neither moth (ruqba) corrupeth (marqebh).

Luke 22:36:
For I say unto you, that his that is written accomplished in me (limesaph bi) …For the things concerning me have an end (diledili supha)…It is enough (sepheq).

Luke 12:32:
Fear not, little flock (maritha) for it is your Father’s good pleasure (derae abukhon) to give you the kingdom.

July 23, 2025
Chiasmus

Chiasmus or introversion is a figure of speech that has a very special emphasis and also pertains to the structure of a passage. There is a wonderful book that you can order from CBD or any bookstore that is called Chiasmus in the New Testament by Nils W. Lund. The entire book is full of examples of this figure of speech. When we see this figure, the point that is emphasized is in the middle phrase or phrases of the introversion, or as Lund puts it: “The centre is always the turning point.” If we used capital letters to describe a passage, the introversion would be ABCDDCBA. The phrases in “D” would be the ones that are emphasized.

The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-8 is full of this figure. Here are a few examples. The first one is from Matthew 5:3-10:

A Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

B Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

C Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

D Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

D Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

C Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

B Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

A Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The middle phrases of D are emphasized and we see this is true because they are the main themes of the entire sermon, what is true righteousness and how to live it.

Here is a chiasmus in Matthew 6:7-9 that emphasizes not to be like the hypocrites. Notice also how the center phrase is the turning point.

A But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:

B for they think that they shall be heard

C for their much speaking.

D Be not ye therefore like unto them:

C for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of,

B before ye ask him.

A After this manner therefore pray ye:

Matthew 6:24 is a chiasmus in one verse:

A No man can serve two masters,

B For either he will hate the one,

C And love the other;

C Or else he will hold to the one,

B And despise the other.

A Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

The conclusion of Matthew 6 is a summary of the first part of the sermon.

A Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:)

B for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

C But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;

B and all these things shall be added unto you.

A Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. (Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.)

May 19, 2025

Figures of Speech Chart

Figure	English Name	Category	Definition	Emphasis	Notes	DB Code
Aetiologia	Cause Shown	Rhetoric	When speaker renders a reason for what he thinks, says or does.	Cause	Introduced by therefore or because	AETI
Allegory	Allegory	Illustration	Continued comparison by representation or implication.	Points of comparison — ending or beginning sentence is the conclusion	Allegory is a broader term in Semitic languages, rather what we would call an “illustration” or “incident.”	ALEG
Amoebaeon	Refrain	Repetition	Repetition of the same phrase at the end of successive paragraphs.	Repeated words	Also under Repetition in DB	AMOE
Anabasis	Gradual Ascent	Rhetoric	An increase of sense in successive sentences.	The logic of the sentences	The concluding sentence is important	ANBS
Anacoluthon	Non-Sequence	Rhetoric	A breaking off the sequence of thought.	The new pronoun	Beginning of the change of pronoun is important to note	ANCL
Anadiplosis	Like Endings & Beginnings	Repetition	Repetition of the same word or words at the end of one sentence or clause and at the beginning of another.	The repeated words	Also under Repetition in DB	ANDP
Anaphora	Like-Beginnings	Repetition	The repetition of the same word at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences	The repeated word	Also under Repetition in DB	ANAP
Antanaclasis	Word-Clashing	Repetition	Repetition of the same word in the same sentence, with different meanings.	1st meaning used is more important	Homonym – same word has more than one usage	ANTC
Anthropopatheia	Condescension	Meaning	The ascribing of human attributes to God.	The action or picture described	Hebrew name is Derech Benai Adam, “the way of the sons of man.” This figure shows God’s diversity	ANTH
Antimeria	Exchange of Parts of Speech	Meaning	The exchange of a noun for an adjective or adverb.	The changed word	The second noun is the adjective	ANTM
Antiptosis	Exchange of Cases	Meaning	One case is put for another case, the governing noun being used as the adjective instead of the noun in regimen.	The changed word	The first noun is the adjective	ANTP
Antithesis	Contrast	Rhetoric	A setting of one phrase in contrast with another.	The contrasting phrase	Parallel structure	ANTI
Antonomasia	Name Change	Meaning	Change of proper name for appellative or vice versa	What description means	Description takes place of the literal name, used often of names for Jesus Christ	ANTN
Apostrophe	Aside	Rhetoric	A turning aside from the direct subject matter to address others	Points to specific group	The group addressed needs to take special note	APOS
Asterismos	Indicating	Grammar	Employing some word which directs special attention to some particular point of subject.	Calls attention to what follows	Examples include the phrase, “truly I say to you.”	ASTR
Asyndeton	No-Ands	Grammar	An enumeration of things without conjunctions.	The whole unit	It is important to view the group as a whole unit and there may be climactic emphasis on last item in list	ASYN
Benedictio	Blessing	Rhetoric	An expression of feeling by way of Benediction or blessing.	The act of blessing and the blessing itself	The phrase may end with “Amen.”	BEND
Catabasis	Gradual Descent	Rhetoric	A decrease of sense in successive sentences.	The logic of the sentences	Opposite of anabasis	CATB
Catachresis	Incongruity	Meaning	One word changed for another only remotely connected with it.	Correct meaning.	Look for the connection	CATC
Chiasmos	Introverted Correspondence	Rhetoric	An inverted relationship between the syntactic elements of parallel phrases	The central phrase	The middle phrase turns the point and is emphatic	CHIA
Climax	Gradation	Repetition	Continuous anadiplosis – repetition of endings and beginnings of one sentence or clause.	The build up of logic	Each concept repeated is important to note and consider	CLIX
Eironeia	Irony	Meaning	The expression of thought in a form that naturally conveys the opposite	The opposite meaning	Can be sarcastic, but more often is only obviously the opposite. See also antiphrasis	EIRO
Ellipsis	Omission	Rhetoric	Words omitted from a sentence or phrase that are necessary to complete the grammar, but not the sense	The omitted word or concept	There are many kinds of ellipsis	ELPS
Epanadiplosis	Encircling	Repetition	Repetition of the same word or words at the beginning and end of a sentence.	Repeated word(s)	Consider the sentences in between as a unit of thought	EPAD
Epanados	Inversion	Repetition	Repetition of different words in a sentence, in an inverse order (but same sense)	Repeated words	Contributes to understanding of the structure of a passage	EPND
Epanorthosis	Correction	Repetition	Recalling of ivhat has been said, in order to correct it as by an afterthought	The correction	Look for the stronger statement	EPOR
Epizeuxis	Duplication	Repetition	Repetition of the same word in immediate sucession.	Repeated word	Effect is to establish the word duplicated, very solemn meaning, often used in addressing people	EPZX
Erotesis	Interrogative	Rhetoric	The asking of questions without waiting for the answer.	Answer	The meaning must be gleaned by putting the question into a statement; there are various kinds	EROT
Euphemismos	Ephemism	Meaning	Change of what is unpleasant for pleasant	The reality of what is meant	Emphasis is on the unpleasant concept	EUPH
Hendiadys	Two for One	Meaning	Two words used, but one thing meant.	The combination of concepts	The one thing meant is greater than the individual meanings of the two words	HDYS
Hendiatris	Three for One	Meaning	Three words used, one thing meant	The combination of concepts	The one thing meant is greater than the individual meanings of the three words	HDTR
Hypallage	Interchange	Meaning	An interchange of construction whereby a word is grammatically united with another	The noun in regimen	In a genitive phrase the first noun is interchanged as an adjective	HYPA
Hyperbole	Exaggeration	Meaning	When more is said than is literally meant.	The literal meaning	More is said in order to heighten the sense	HYPB
Hypocatastasis	Implication	Illustration	A declaration that implies the resemblance or representation, comparison by implication	What is compared	There is an implication of similar qualities. Can be a verb or noun. In modern grammar it is called a metaphor	HYPO
Interjectio	Interjection	Interjection	A parenthetic addition complete in itself, thrown in between, an exclamation	What follows the exclamation	This is a broad figure, covering many kinds of interjections and exclamations	INTJ
Meiosis	Belittling	Rhetoric	A belittling of something in order to magnify something else.	The true meaning	Compare to tapeinosis	MEIO
Merismos	Distribution	Meaning	An enumeration of the parts of a whole that has been mentioned.	The whole	Example: “morning and evening” means the whole day.	MERI
Metalepsis	Double Metonymy	Meaning	Two metonymies, one contained in the other, but only one expressed	The meaning underneath	There are at least two steps to discover the meaning	MTLP
Metaphor	Representation	Illustration	A declaration that one thing is (or represents) another, or comparison by representation	Quality that is compared	Usually has form of the verb “to be”	MEPH
Metonymy	Change of Noun	Meaning	The change of one noun for another related noun	The related noun	There are several categories.	MTNY
Oxymoron	Wise-Folly	Rhetoric	A wise saying that seems foolish	The wisdom or lesson implied	Some proverbs utilize this figure	OXYM
Parabola	Parable	Illustration	Comparison by continued resemblance.	Points of comparison	Can be an extended simile with more than one point of comparison. Parable is a broader term in Semitic languages	PARB
Paradiastole	Neither-Nor	Grammar	Repetition of the disjunctives: neither, nor, either, or	Words in between	Consider each noun or phrase carefully	PARD
Paramegnon	Derivation	Repetition	Repetition of words derived from same root: similar in sound but different in meaning	The build up of concept	Usually different nouns or verbs formed from same root but which have distinct meanings of their own	PARM
Paranomasia	Rhyming Words	Repetition	Repetition of words similar in sound, but not in sense or origin.	The concepts that rhyme	Each concept is important	PARN
Parembole	Insertion	Rhetoric	A parenthetic addition complete in itself – a digression.	The parenthesis as a unit	True parentheses where the context is not needed or required to be understood	PARL
Parenthesis	Parenthesis	Rhetoric	A parenthetic addition complete in itself, but needs context to be understood	The following sentence	This is the true figure of parenthesis used as an explanation or description.	PART
Paroemia	Proverb	Rhetoric	A saying, a trite expression, common remark, maxim	The moral lesson implied	These are culturally related and it is important to understand the manners or customs behind the saying	PARE
Paromoesis	Assimilation	Repetition	Repetition of inflections similar in sound	Words with repeated inflections	Also under Repetition in DB	PARO
Periphrasis	Circumlocution	Meaning	When a description is used instead of the name.	The action	Example: “lifted up his voice.”	PERH
Pleonasm	Redundancy	Meaning	Where what is said is immediately after put in another or opposite way to make it impossible for the sense to be missed.	Repeated concept	Second word or phrase is stronger	PLEO
Polyptoton	Many Inflections	Repetition	Repetition of the same noun or verb in different conjugations or inflections.	The root verb	Can be verb with related noun/adjective. Common in Semitic languages.	PLYP
Polysyndeton	Many-Ands	Grammar	The repetition of the word “and” at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.	Each connected noun or phrase	Consider each word connected with “and” carefully	PLYS
Prosopopoeia	Personification	Illustration	Things or ideas represented as persons.	The action	Human characteristics or actions are given to inanimate objects or abstract ideas.	PRSP
Repetitio	Repetition	Repetition	Repetition of the same word or words irregularly in the same passage.	Ties the passage together	The repeated word is emphasized but often to set the structural pattern. Many different kinds	REPT
Simile	Resemblance	Illustration	A declaration that one thing resembles another, comparison by resemblance.	Quality that is compared	Uses “like” or “as” in comparison.	SIML
Synathreosmos	Enumeration	Rhetoric	The enumeration of the parts of a wiole which has not been mentioned	Each concept or phrase	A number of different words are united under a common theme	SYNA
Synecdoche	Transfer (or Part for Whole)	Meaning	The exchange of one idea for another associated idea.	The implied idea	This figure is often used of time.	SYNC
Synonymia	Synonym	Meaning	Repetition of words different in sound and origin, but similar in meaning	The repeated concept	Common in English and Western languages.	SYNO
Tapeinosis	Demeaning	Rhetoric	A lessening of a thing in order to increase it.	The superlative meaning	Differs from meiosis – the word(s) emphasized are the same	TAPE
Zeugma	Unequal Yoke	Rhetoric	When one verb is yoked to two subjects, while grammatically a second verb is required.	First verb	There are four forms in Greek	ZEUG

May 19, 2025

Introduction to Figures of Speech
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

An excerpt from:

All language is ruled by laws, but to convey special emphasis of a word or group of words, these general laws of language are purposefully departed from, and other laws of language are invoked, giving the single word or group of words a new form. The Greeks called these departures from normal language use, schemata, meaning “change of forms,” from which the term “figure of speech” originated. When a word or words fail to be true to fact, they are figures of speech and bring an added emphasis to the basic truth of a sentence.

E. W. Bullinger stated in the beginning note of his book Figures of Speech Used in the Bible:

“…whenever and wherever it is possible, the words of Scripture are to be understood literally, but when a statement appears to be contrary to our experience, or to known fact, or revealed truth; or seems to be a variance with the general teaching of the Scriptures, then we may reasonably expect that some figure is employed. And as it is employed only to call our attention to some specially designed emphasis, we are at once bound to diligently examine the figure for the purpose of discovering and learning the truth that is thus emphasized.”

One phrase above that should be noted is specially designed emphasis. The study of figures of speech needs to be integrally linked with a search for this emphasis. In How to Enjoy the Bible, Bullinger clarified how important this emphasis was: “the Figures, when used in connection with the ‘words which the Holy Ghost teacheth,’ give us the Holy Spirit’s own marking, so to speak, of our Bible…calling our attention to what He desires us to notice for our learning, as being emphatic, and conveying His own special teaching.” Every author has used figures for emphasis on what is important, but it is crucial to our understanding of the Bible to know what God intended to be emphasized in any particular passage. Thus, the search in this field should be to find out what each type of figure emphasizes and how it is used in a verse or passage.

Types of Figures

The Aramaic Peshitta New Testament Translation is filled with footnotes and markings in the text itself of the common figures of speech. It is not marking every single figure of speech possible, but marks the ones which contribute to an added understanding of the text. Light of the Word Ministry is developing a simple classification system that will clear up many of the misunderstandings in this field and enable the Bible student to understand what the emphasis from the Holy Spirit is in a particular passage. A figure is always used to add force to the truth presented, emphasis to the word or words and depth of meaning to the entire context. The type of figure determines the emphasis in the following five general ways:
1. Illustration: this category includes all types of comparisons. The emphasis is on the points of comparison.
2. Repetition: The repeated word is what is emphasized. The closer the repetition, or the more frequently it is used, the greater is the degree of emphasis.
3. Meaning: Although this category is broad, the underlying meaning is always emphasized.
4. Grammar: This category covers all uses that have a grammatical basis. Each figure has an individual emphasis, but is always employed with consistency.
5. Rhetoric: The general rule of this category is that the word or phrase used with the figure is what is emphasized. There are two subcategories, interjection and parenthesis.
Now that we have looked at the general categories, please study the Table of Figures of Speech chart and pay particular attention to the column about emphasis. We have listed both the Greek/Latin name and also the English name in order to help with this study.
May 7, 2025

Category: Articles by Jan Magiera

Gradual Ascent

Samples of Figures of Speechfrom the Sermon on the Mount

REPETITION

ILLUSTRATION

GRAMMAR:

Other grammatical figures:

Types of Figures

Samples of Figures of Speech
from the Sermon on the Mount