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Figures of Speech Involving Comparisons |
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This group of Figures is the most common, and should be familiar. In this category there are three major types of figures: the Simile, the Metaphor, and the Hypocatastasis. It is important to remember that the comparison is made using two nouns, either directly mentioned or implied. The definitions may sound difficult, but it should clear up when you study the examples.
The Simile is best described as using a comparison in which one thing resembles another. They are alike or similar. The comparison is made by the use of the words “like,” or “as.” These words are key in identifying the Simile. Bullinger has it as a Comparison by Resemblance.
The Metaphor is a comparison in which one thing is, acts like, or represents another in which the two are basically unalike. The key is the verb “is.” A Metaphor asserts that one thing is another thing. Here Bullinger makes the Metaphor as a Comparison by Representation.
The Hypocatastasis is a comparison in which the likeness is implied by a direct naming. It is pronounced “Hy’-po-cat-as’-ta-sis.” Only one noun is named while the other is implied. For example if one person called another “Beast!” the noun “you and the verb “are” are missing but implied. Bullinger has it as a Comparison by Implication. We might say it is name-calling. Children often use hypocatastasis’.
To help in the understanding of these three figures of speech I offer these illustrations of their comparisons.
Simile: “You wicked people are like dogs.”
Metaphor: “You wicked people are dogs.”
Hypocatastasis: “You dogs.”
Simile: “Jesus is like a lamb”
Metaphor: “Jesus is a lamb.”
Hypocatastasis: “Look, the lamb of God.”
Simile: “You are as a beasts.”
Metaphor: “You are beasts.”
Hypocatastasis: “Beast!” (“You” is implied)
Examples of Similes (A comparison in which one thing resembles another.)
Key words are “like,” or “as.”
Psa. 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
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-- Here the similitude tells us that a man who meditates on God’s Word is like a teee - planted and protected, just as a tree in a garden is cared but a “field tree” is not. By the way did you notice “rivers of waters” and "his leaf" as a figures of speech? --
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Psa. 1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
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-- The ungodly are like chaff blown away. The contrast between the driven chaff and the “planted tree" is most striking and solemn. --
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Psa. 131:2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
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-- I (am) as a child. . . . My soul is as a (weaned) child. --
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Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
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-- Technically this is a simile with His sweat resembling bleeding. That is Christ was sweating so profusely that it fell off Him in droplets. Others have it as being literal, that He was sweating blood, He was bleeding from the pours so much that it fell in drops. --
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Isa. 1:9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
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-- We should have been as Sodom . . . . we should have been like Gomorrah. --
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Isa. 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
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-- sins be as scarlet. . . shall be as white as snow. . . .they be red like crimson. . . they shall be as wool. --
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Examples of Metaphors (One thing is, acts like, or represents another in which the two are basically unalike.)
Key word is "is".
Psa. 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield:
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-- God is a sun and shields. --
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R.V. Psa. 91:4 . . . . his truth is thy shield and buckler.
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-- God is a sun and shields. --
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Matt. 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth
Matt. 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sin.
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-- Verse 26: This (bread) is my body. --
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-- Verse 27, noticed this figure? The command to drink all of it is not to drink the cup but the contents of the cup. --
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-- Verse 28: this (the contents of the cup) is my blood of the new testament -
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Examples of Hypocatastasis (A direct naming)
Psa. 22: 16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
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-- Dogs imply David’s enemies and the wicked. --
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Matt 13:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
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-- Plant implies persons or people. --
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Matt. 16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
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-- The leaven implies the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. --
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Matt. 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
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-- Dogs and swine are unbelievers.--
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Matt. 15:26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
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-- Dogs implies Gentiles. --
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Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
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-- Wolves are vicious evil men and flock is the Church. --
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Next: Figures of Speech Involving Substituton
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This page last updated April 21, 2005
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