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Figures of Speech Involving Substitution |
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In this category there are eight major types of figures:
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Metonymy,
- Synecdoche,
- Hendiadys,
- Personification,
- Anthropomorphism,
- Anthropopathism,
- Zoomorphism,
and - Euphemism.
The presentation of these figures differs from that of the previous category. Few examples will be given because of the greater number of these types and the desire to keep lessons limited in their size.
METONYMY [Me’-ton-i-mi]
Example: Luke 16:29 - Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Gen 42: 38 - . . . . then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
Rom. 3: 30 - Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
Jer. 18:18 . . . . Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his word
- Zuck . . . A Metonymy is the substituting of one word for another.
- Mickelsen . . . A Metonymy is the change of a noun (the change of one noun for another related noun). Metonymy means using the name of one thing for another thing because the two are frequently associated together of because one may suggest the other.
- Bullinger. . . A Metonymy is a figure by which one name or noun is used instead of another, to which it stands in a certain relationship.
SYNECDOCHE [Syn-ek’-do-kee]
Example: Judges 12:7 “Then died Jephthat, the Gileadite, and he was buried in the cities of Gilead.”
John 12: 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
John 15:5 . . . . for without me ye can do nothing. (Nothing good or right, but a great deal that is wrong.)
- Zuck . . . A Synecdoche is the substitution of a part of something for the whole or the whole for the part.
- Mickelsen . . . A Synecdoche is a transfer of words (the exchange of one idea for another associated idea.) A Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part is used for a whole or a whole for a part. An individual may be used for a class or a class for an individual. A singular may be used for a plural and a plural for a singular. The exchange will always involve things, which are naturally related or associated together.
- Bullinger . . . A figure by which one word receive something from another which is internally associated with it by a kind of connection of two ides; as when a part of a thing is put by a kind of Metonymy for the whole of it, of the whole for a part. The difference is between Metonymy and Synecdoche lies in this; that in Metonymy, the exchange is made between two related nouns, while in the Synecdoche, the exchange is made between two associated ideas.
*** When identifying Synecdoches caution must be applied for many times the words “all,” “every,” “any,” etc. are literal.
HENDIADYS [Hen-di’-a-dees]
Example: John 3:5 - Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except any one be born of water and spirit, he cannot enter in to kingdom of God.
Acts 1: 25 - That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place
Phil. 1:25 - And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
Job 10:21 - Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of ,darkness and the shadow of death;
- Zuck . . . A Hendiadys is the substitution of two coordinate terms (joined by “and”) for a single concept in which one of the elements defines the other.
- Bullinger . . . Two words employed, but only one thing, or idea, intended. One of the two words expresses the thing, and the other (of synonymous, or even different, signification, not a second thing or idea) intensifies it by being changed into an adjective of the superlative degree, which is, by this means made especially emphatic.
PERSONIFICATION
Example: Psa. 35:10 - All my bones shall say . . . .
Matt. 6:34 - Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.
Isa. 35:1 - The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
Isa 55: 12 ….. the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
- Zuck . . . This is the ascribing of human characteristics or action to inanimate objects or idea or animals.
- Mickelsen . . . Personification are things, or idea represented as persons.
- Bullinger . . . A figure by which things are represented or spoken of as person; or, by which we attribute intelligence, by words or actions, to inanimate objects or abstract.
ANTHROPOMORPHISM
Example: Isa. 7:18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
- Zuck . . . An Anthropomorphism is the ascribing of human characteristics or actions to God, as in the reference to God’s fingers.
- Bullinger . . . He (Bullinger) names Anthropomorphism as Anthropopatheia, which is the ascribing of human attributes, passions, actions, affections or feeling to God.
*** There is such a thing called “Language of accommodation.” This is where God speaks of Himself in human terms to accommodate our limited conceptions and understanding. God is spirit in nature, but He speaks of having ears, eyes, hands, nostrils, arms, fingers, a mouth, lips and tongue, all of which reflect a human body.
ANTHROPOPATHISM
Example: Isa 42:14 - I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
1 Sam. 13:14 . . . . the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart
Gen. 6:6 - And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart,
Gen. 18:21 - I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
Gen. 22: 12 . . . . for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me
- Zuck . . . This figure of speech ascribes human emotions to God
- Bullinger . . . Same as Anthropomorphism.
*** This also includes human attributes to God, such as a lack of knowing
ZOOMORPHISM
Example: Psa. 91:4 - He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust.
Jer. 25:30 . . . . The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation…..
Isa. 11:1 - And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
- Zuck . . . A Zoomorphism ascribes animal characteristics to God (or others). God speaks of having feathers and wings etc.
- Bullinger . . . See Anthropomorphism. Bullinger dedicates a section under Anthropomorphism to this figure. God is figured by an irrational creature (animal or even plants).
EUPHEMISM [Eu’-fem-ism]
Example: Acts 1:25 - That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. (Hell)
Acts 7: 60 - And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Ruth 3:9 - And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
Ecc. 12:5 . . . . and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the street
- Zuck . . . This is the substitution of an inoffensive or mild expression for an offensive or personal one.
- Miskelsen . . . Euphemism is a change of what is unpleasant for pleasant. In euphemism a word or phrase that is less direct is substituted because the writer believes that the direct form would be distasteful, offensive, or unnecessarily harsh.
- Bullinger . . . An Euphemy is a figure by which a harsh, or disagreeable expression is changed for a pleasant and agreeable one; or, where an offensive word or expression is changed for a gentle one; or an indelicate word for a modest word.
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Next: Figures of Speech Involving Omission and Suppression
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This page last updated April 21, 2005
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