Specific Figures

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,… Go to the article

Allegory; orContinued Metaphor and Hypocatastatis Continued Comparison by Representation or Implication An excerpt from: Al´-le-go-ry. Greek, ἀλληγορία, from ἄλλος (allos), another, and ἀγορεύειν (agoreuein), to speak or make a speech in the agora (i.e., assembly). 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… Go to the article

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… Go to the article

The calling attention to by making a star or mark… A marking by “putting a star” (* or), in order to direct particular attention to a passage or statement. Hence the figure is used when we employ (not an asterisk) but some word, which answers the same purpose, in directing the eye and the heart to some particular point or subject, such as “Lo!” “Behold!” (Bullinger, p. 927) Examples of… Go to the article

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… Go to the article

An excerpt from: Condescension When God or Christ is spoken of as a Husbandman (i.e., by Synecdoche), or a vinedresser. See Isa. 5:1–9, John 15::1, Matt. 20:1–16. As a Builder. Heb. 2:4; Heb. 11:10. As a Warrior. Ex. 5:3. Ps. 45:3–5; Ps. 46:8-9; Ps. 46:76. As a Counsellor. Isa. 9:6. As a Physician. Ex. 15:26. Ps. 147:3. As a Shepherd. Ps. 23 Ezek. 34:23; 37:24. Micah 5:4; Micah 7:14. Zech.… Go to the article

There are a large number of different kinds of ellipses. We use it in ordinary speech every day in greeting one another, saying “Evening!” instead of “Good evening.” An ellipsis can be an omission of any word or phrase in the sentence. The most important point to remember is that the omitted words are what are emphasized. This becomes important in specific passages, because it is often not totally clear… Go to the article

Erotesis or rhetorical question is “the asking of questions without waiting for the answer” (Figures of Speech Used in the Bible, E.W. Bullinger, p. 943). Bullinger categorizes questions into 19 different categories. I believe that these are interesting in order to note the variety of the types of questions, but as far as the emphasis in a particular verse is concerned, there should be two categories of erotesis. First Emphasis-Category:… Go to the article

Meiosis is a figure of speech in which something is understated so that something else may be emphasized and heightened by contrast. It is used for emphasis, “to call our attention not to the smallness of the thing thus lessened, but to the importance of that which is put in contrast with it.”[1] There is a clear example in Philemon 11. Philemon 11 ESV:(Formerly he [Onesimus] was useless [achrestos] to… Go to the article