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Figures of Speech Introduction |
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Why should we study the Figures of Speech used in the Bible? For the simple reason that having a good understanding of them helps us to arrive at proper meanings of verses when they are employed. Thus we can avoid our own improper interpretations and those of others and hence faulty teachings and even doctrines based on either taking the literal figurative or the figurative as literal.
If Jehovah Witnesses are challenged on their doctrine that there is no hell or eternal punishment by presenting the verses of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), they simply respond it is a figure of speech, a parable, and not literal and so it does not teach that there is a place of miserable existence after death. Are they right? Not at all, because parables are stories taken from reality, real life situations. But they either do not know that or refuse to admit it.
Many times we automatically interpret figures without realizing or being aware that they are there. Probably half of time when figures are used in Scriptures they go unnoticed. There is a great tendency to pass over figures without pause or reflection. However there are times when we become stymied with the meaning of verses because we fail to identify or understand the figures of speech used. We may have the sense that the literal does not apply but cannot put our finger on what does apply and why!
Having an understanding of figures of speech we are able to correctly identify which are present and how to interpret them. Not only that but we can have the confidence that our interpretation is correct and why others are not. For an example when God created in six day He rested on the seventh day. Is that literal? Was God tired and needed to rest, take the day off to restore His strength? Of course not. So the term rest is either not properly translated or is figurative. Actually rest has the meaning to cease from labor, which in this case is what God did; His creative work was finished in six days. But if taken figurative it means the same thing, “rest” being substituted for “ceasing from labor.” Why is this important? Because some theologians have stated that creation was not in literal six days, but that God created through an evolution process taking many millions of years. This is the doctrine of theistic evolution. What justification do they give? One very popular well known preacher in his day said it was because God rested on the seventh and that cannot be literal thus the whole six day story of creation is not literal. This is the case of inferring that because one portion is figurative then all is figurative.
A figure of speech is a literary device used extensively in the Bible. We use them constantly and most often unconsciously. They are words and phrases used in a non-literal sense conveying a literal truth. There are short figures and extended figures. Short figures are those, which may contain only one or two words, while the longer figures would be in the category of the parables.
The major categories of figures of speech vary between 2 and 6, depending on which researcher you may read. Sub-categories can number in the hundreds (Bullinger has 206 different types in his book of 982 pages, plus 122 pages of appendices and indexes. His table of contents alone has 28 pages.). Our study will be limited to 5 major categories and some of their sub-types. They are listed on our table of contents. It must be acknowledged that some figures fall into more than one catagory.
For a fuller understanding before getting into the figures themselves I recommend the following. These notes are taken from the various authors listed at the end.
Definitions of figures of speech.
* A figure of speech is that which may be a phrase of a complete sentence in which the author expresses himself in a special way that goes beyond ordinary methods of assertion
* By figurative meaning the writer has in mind the representation of one concept in terms of another because the nature of the two things compared allows such an analogy to be drawn. This in contrast to the literal meaning of writing where the writer refers to the usual or customary sense conveyed by words of expressions.
* A figure is simply a word or a sentence thrown into a peculiar for, different from its original or simplest meaning or use.
* A figure of speech is a word or phrase that is used to communicate something other than its literal, natural meaning.
* Figurative speech is a picturesque, out-of-the-ordinary way of presenting literal facts that might otherwise be stated in a normal, plain, ordinary way.
Features of figures of speech.
* In the use of figures certain aspects of their statements are not true in the normal sense, but yet they convey the truth.
* They add color or vividness.
* They attract attention.
* They make abstract or intellectual ideas more concrete.
* They aid in retention.
* They abbreviate an idea.
* They encourage reflection.
* Nearly all figures of speech come out of the life of the speaker or writer who uses them.
* They are used at times to economize words, to say much with few words.
* Any figure of speech depends on ordinary literal language.
* They almost always involve the usage of comparison of expression of one thought with another.
The contrast between the figurative and the literal.
* Figurative language does convey literal truth.
* Behind every figure of speech is a literal meaning.
* Both figurative and literal are legitimate means of communicating literal truths.
* Most writers use the comparison to explain the unfamiliar by that which is already familiar to the reader
Guidelines for taking an expression as figurative and not literal.
* Generally an expression is figurative when it is out of character with the subject discussed, or is contrary to fact, experience, or observation.
* Always take a passage in its literal sense unless there is good reason for doing otherwise.
* The figurative sense is intended if the literal would involve and impossibility.
* The figurative is intended it the literal meaning is an absurdity. (I am so hungry I could eat a horse)
* Take the figurative sense if the literal would demand immoral action.
* Note whether a figurative expression is followed by an explanatory literal statement.
* Specific rules cannot be laid down for determining when language is used figurative and when used literally.
* Careful referencing to the writing in question should be exercised.
* In order to understand any figure, one must of course first recognized the literal meaning and then, by reflecting on the relevant points of similarity, interpret the significance of the figure. Fortunately it is usually easy to recognize a figurative expression and to make the necessary distinctions.
The importance of giving attention to figures of speech is critical.
* At times translators and interpreters by overlooking figures of speech have made serious errors.
* Sometimes they have translated the figure literally and sometimes they have translated the literal as figuratively.
* The proper interpretation of the figures of speech will give proper meaning to the scriptures.
* Many false doctrines and teachings have risen by either taking the passage literally when it should not be, or figurative when it is literal.
Biblical Hermeneutics, Milton S. Terry. Zondervan Pub. 1974
Basic Bible Interpretation, Roy B. Zuch. Chariot Victor Pub. 1991
Figures of Speech used in the Bible, Bullinger. Baker Pub.1974
Interpreting The Bible, A. Berkeley Mickelsen. Eerdmans Pub. 1974
Protestant Biblical Interpretation, Bernard Ramm. Baker Pub. 1970
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Next: Figures of Speech Involving Comparisons
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This page last updated April 21, 2005
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