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Figures of Speech used in the Bible

Julian Spriggs M.A.

V. Historical background VII. Personal application

Figures of Speech used in the Bible

A figure of speech is a literary mode of expression in which words are used to suggest a picture or to create an image in the reader's mind. There are literally thousands of these in the Bible, each of which needs to be identified and interpreted. These are some of the most important types of figures of speech used in the Bible.

Simile

A simile is a direct comparison of two things that are essentially different. It is characterised by use of words such as 'like', 'as' or 'so'. "the rich will disappear like a flower in the field" (James 1:10), "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs" (Matt 23:27), "As a lily among brambles, so is my love among maidens" (Song 2:2).

Metaphor

A metaphor is an indirect comparison of two things. It asserts that one thing is another, substituting the name of one thing for another. It is like a simile, but the 'like' or 'as' are omitted. "James and Cephas and John, who were acknowledged pillars" (Gal 2:9), "You brood of vipers" (Matt 3:7), "They are waterless clouds carried along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit ..." (Jude 12-13).

Analogy

An analogy is an extended metaphor giving a full comparison showing several points of similarity between unlike things. An example is Jesus' teaching on the vine and the branches (John 15:1-9), or Paul's teaching on the olive tree (Rom 11:17-24).

Allegory

An allegory is an greatly extended metaphor that has the form of a story. Several different elements of the story, often the main characters, stand for something else. Examples in literature are John Bunyan's 'The Pilgrim’s Progress' and 'The Screwtape Letters' by CS Lewis. The only example in the Bible is found in Galatians, "This is an allegory: these women (Hagar and Sarah) are two covenants" (Gal 4:21-31). It is sometimes argued that parables are allegories. However although some parables do contain allegorical elements, most parables are not intended to be interpreted allegorically.

Irony

Irony implies something different, even the opposite of what is stated. It is used for the effect of humor or sarcasm. "Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Quite apart from us you have become kings!" (1 Cor 4:8), "Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to decide between one believer and another ...?" (1 Cor 6:5).

Personification

Personification is the attribution of life or human qualities to inanimate objects. "And the scripture, foreseeing that God will justify the Gentiles by faith ..." (Gal 3:8), "Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars ..." (Prov 9:1-3).

Apostrophe

Apostrophe is when the author addresses or speaks to things, abstract ideas or imaginary objects. "O death, where is your sting?" (1 Cor 15:55).

Anthropomorphism

Anthropomorphism is the description of God as a human being with physical attributes like hands, feet or face, or having human feelings. There are many of these in the Psalms and other poetical writings. "God remembered Abraham" (Gen 19:29), "Rise up, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand;" (Ps 10:12), "I (God) will change my mind about ... " (Jer 18:10).

Hyperbole

Hyperbole is exaggeration, not with the intent to deceive, but for emphasis and to intensify an impression. "you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me (Gal 4:15), "If you hand causes you to stumble, cut it off" (Mark 9:43), "I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth (Zeph 1:2).

Rhetorical questions

These are questions to which the author does not expect a direct answer. They are used to create a question in the reader's mind as part of the author's argument. "Should we continue to sin in order that grace may abound?" (Rom 6:15), "Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles?" (Matt 7:16). Paul often uses this technique to fire a series of questions one after another. "Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or where you baptised in the name of Paul? (1 Cor 1:13).

Litotes

Litotes is the use of understatement. It is the opposite of hyperbole and is often used as irony. It is characteristically used by Luke in the Book of Acts, "no small discussion" (Acts 15:2), "no small tempest raged" (Acts 27:20).

Metonymy

Metonymy is the substitution of one term for another, using one term to describe something similar or related to it. "he (God) will justify the circumsised on the ground of faith" (Rom 3:30), "but it says, 'And to your offspring', that is, to one person, who is Christ" (Gal 3:16).

Synecdoche

Synecdoche is similar but slightly different from metonymy. It is when a part of something is mentioned which refers to the whole of it. "I did not confer with flesh and blood" (Gal 1:16), "Cleanse your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts you double-minded" (James 4:8b).

Idiom

An idiom is a familiar expression in the original language, but with a meaning that cannot always be guessed from the actual words. "the mustard seed ... is the smallest of all seeds (Matt 13:31). "Elijah mocked them (the prophets of Baal) ... either he (Baal) is meditating, or he has wandered away" (meaning he is sitting on the toilet) (1 Kg 18:27).

Euphemism

Euphemism is when a mild, indirect or vague expression is used for something that could be offensive, normally concerning sex or death. "Now the man knew his wife Eve" (Gen 4:1).

Figurative language

Figurative language is often used in the Scriptures to communicate spiritual truths.

Types

A type is an Old Testament person, place, object or event which prefigures some particular aspect of the work of Christ. Types should be explicitly defined in the New Testament. One example is Christ being the Passover lamb (1 Cor 5:7). Paul uses a series of types from the exodus and wilderness, including drinking from the spiritual rock which is Christ (1 Cor 10:1-5).

Symbols

A symbol is an object or visual image that represents an invisible spiritual concept. We must be guided by the author's overall intention. He may give his own definition. John does this when he describes Christ being among the seven golden lampstands, which represent the seven churches (Rev 1:12,20). Some symbols are used consistently throughout scripture, like the church being the bride of Christ, and the word of God being like a sword.

V. Historical background VII. Personal application

The Bible

Pages which look at issues relevant to the whole Bible, such as the Canon of Scripture, as well as doctrinal and theological issues. There are also pages about the Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha and 'lost books' of the Old Testament.

Also included are lists of the quotations of the OT in the NT, and passages of the OT quoted in the NT.

Old Testament Overview

This is a series of six pages which give a historical overview through the Old Testament and the inter-testamental period, showing where each OT book fits into the history of Israel.

New Testament Overview

This is a series of five pages which give a historical overview through the New Testament, focusing on the Ministry of Jesus, Paul's missionary journeys, and the later first century. Again, it shows where each book of the NT fits into the history of the first century.

Introductions to Old Testament Books

This is an almost complete collection of introductions to each of the books in the Old Testament. Each contains information about the authorship, date, historical setting and main themes of the book.

Introductions to New Testament Books

This is a collection of introductions to each of the 27 books in the New Testament. Each contains information about the authorship, date, historical setting and main themes of the book.

Old Testament History

Information about the different nations surrounding Israel, and other articles concerning Old Testament history and the inter-testamental period.

New Testament History

Articles which give additional information about the history and culture of the first century, giving helpful background knowledge for the Gospels and Paul's travels.

Old Testament Studies

A series of articles covering more general topics for OT studies. These include a list of the people named in the OT and confirmed by archaeology. There are also pages to convert the different units of measure in the OT, such as the talent, cubit and ephah into modern units.

More theological topics include warfare in the ancient world, the Holy Spirit in the OT, and types of Jesus in the OT.

Studies in the Pentateuch (Gen - Deut)

A series of articles covering studies in the five books of Moses. Studies in the Book of Genesis look at the historical nature of the early chapters of Genesis, the Tower of Babel and the Table of the Nations.

There are also pages about covenants, the sacrifices and offerings, the Jewish festivals and the tabernacle, as well as the issue of tithing.

Studies in the Old Testament History Books (Josh - Esther)

Articles containing studies and helpful information for the history books. These include a list of the dates of the kings of Israel and Judah, a summary of the kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and studies of Solomon, Jeroboam and Josiah.

There are also pages describing some of the historical events of the period, including the Syro-Ephraimite War, and the Assyrian invasion of Judah in 701 BC.

Studies in the Old Testament Prophets (Is - Mal)

Articles containing studies and helpful information for the OT prophets. These include a page looking at the way the prophets look ahead into their future, a page looking at the question of whether Satan is a fallen angel, and a page studying the seventy weeks of Daniel.

There are also a series of pages giving a commentary through the text of two of the books:
Isaiah (13 pages) and Daniel (10 pages).

New Testament Studies

A series of articles covering more general topics for NT studies. These include a list of the people in the NT confirmed by archaeology.

More theological topics include the Kingdom of God and the Coming of Christ.

Studies in the Four Gospels (Matt - John)

A series of articles covering various studies in the four gospels. These include a list of the unique passages in each of the Synoptic Gospels and helpful information about the parables and how to interpret them.

Some articles look at the life and ministry of Jesus, including his genealogy, birth narratives, transfiguration, the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and the seating arrangements at the Last Supper.

More theological topics include the teaching about the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete and whether John the Baptist fulfilled the predictions of the coming of Elijah.

Studies in the Book of Acts and the New Testament Letters

A series of articles covering various studies in the Book of Acts and the Letters, including Paul's letters. These include a page studying the messages given by the apostles in the Book of Acts, and the information about the financial collection that Paul made during his third missionary journey.

More theological topics include Paul's teaching on Jesus as the last Adam, and descriptions of the church such as the body of Christ and the temple, as well as a look at redemption and the issue of fallen angels.

There are a series of pages giving a commentary through the text of five of the books:
Romans (7 pages), 1 Corinthians (7 pages), Galatians (3 pages), Philemon (1 page) and Hebrews (7 pages)

Studies in the Book of Revelation

Articles containing studies and helpful information for the study of the Book of Revelation and topics concerning Eschatology (the study of end-times).

These include a description of the structure of the book, a comparison and contrast between the good and evil characters in the book and a list of the many allusions to the OT. For the seven churches, there is a page which gives links to their location on Google maps.

There is a page studying the important theme of Jesus as the Lamb, which forms the central theological truth of the book. There are pages looking at the major views of the Millennium, as well as the rapture and tribulation, as well as a list of dates of the second coming that have been mistakenly predicted through history.

There is also a series of ten pages giving a detailed commentry through the text of the Book of Revelation.

Inductive Bible Study

These are a series of pages giving practical help showing how to study the Bible inductively, by asking a series of simple questions. There are lists of observation and interpretation questions, as well as information about the structure and historical background of biblical books, as well as a list of the different types of figures of speech used in the Bible. There is also a page giving helpful tips on how to apply the Scriptures personally.

Types of Literature in the Bible

These are a series of pages giving practical help showing how to study each of the different types of book in the Bible by appreciating the type of literature being used. These include historical narrative, law, wisdom, prophets, Gospels, Acts, letters and Revelation.

It is most important that when reading the Bible we are taking note of the type of literature we are reading. Each type needs to be considered and interpreted differently as they have different purposes.

Geography and Archaeology

These are a series of pages giving geographical and archaeological information relevant to the study of the Bible. There is a page where you can search for a particular geographical location and locate it on Google maps, as well as viewing photographs on other sites.

There are also pages with photographs from Ephesus and Corinth.

Early Church Fathers

These are a series of pages giving biographical information about some of the more significant early church fathers, such as Irenaeus, Origen and Tertullian, as well as some important groups and events in the first centuries of the church.

Artifacts in the British Museum relevant to Biblical studies

These are a series of pages describing artifacts in each gallery of the British Museum, which have a connection with the Bible.

Biblical Archaeology in Museums around the world

A page with a facility to search for artifacts held in museums around the world which have a connection with the Bible. These give information about each artifact, as well as links to the museum's collection website where available showing high resolution photographs of the artifact.

There is also page of photographs from the Israel Museum in Jerusalem of important artifacts.

Historical documents

These are a series of pages containing historical documents which give helpful information for Biblical studies. These include Hittite suzerainty treaties with a similar structure to the Book of Deuteronomy, different lists of the New Testament books and quotations from Josephus and other ancient writers.

Life Questions

These are a series of pages looking at some of the more difficult questions of Christian theology, including war, suffering, disappointment and what happens to those who have never heard the Gospel.

How to Preach

These are a series of pages giving a practical step-by-step explanation of the process of preparing a message for preaching, and how to lead a small group Bible study.

Information for SBS staff members

Two pages particularly relevant for people serving as staff on the School of Biblical Studies (SBS) in YWAM. One gives helpful instruction about how to prepare to teach on a book in the SBS. The other gives a list of recommended topics which can be taught about for each book of the Bible.