FIGURES OF SPEECH IN THE BIBLE (Adapted from McCune)
“Generally an expression is figurative when it is out of character with the subject discussed, or is contrary to fact, experience, or observation” (Roy Zuck, Basic Bible Interpretation, p. 145).
Matt 19:25 Camel through the eye of a needle (it’s impossible – not explained by a gate in the wall)
1. Recognizing figures of speech
• Look for the normal or plain sense first.
• Note contradictions, impossibilities, or absurdities in the absolutely woodenly literal interpretation.
Galatians 2:9 “Pillars” in the church
Matthew 26:26 “This [bread] is my body . . . take, eat”
Isaiah 55:12 The trees “clap their hands”
• Note context.
1 Thess 4:13, 14, 15 “Asleep” is explained as being “dead”; …show more content…
• Figurative language yields literal or normal meaning.
There is a difference between interpreting the Bible figuratively and interpreting figures normally. Daughter comes home from school – “I’m starving”
2. Figures emphasizing comparison
• Simile: an expressed or formal comparison using phrases such as “like” or “as.”
Jeremiah 23:29 “Is not my word like a hammer”
Psalm 42:1 “As the deer pants for the streams of water”
1 Peter 1:24 “All flesh are like grass”
• Metaphor: an unexpressed or implied comparison describing one thing in terms of something else.
Luke 12:32 The disciples are a “little flock”
Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd”
Isaiah 40:6 “All flesh is grass”
• Look for the single authorial-intended meaning in the comparison by chiefly noting context.
EXAMPLE: Psalm 1:3 “Like a tree” is explained in the rest of the verse. One should not press every detail or datum about a tree onto the Christian life. I.e., the bark and the sap are irrelevant.
3. Extended comparisons
Parable: an extended simile where the story and its application are usually kept separate.
Matthew 13:24, 31, 44, 45, 47 “The kingdom of heaven is like . . . …show more content…
This speaks of his old age, being an old man.
Synecdoche: The substitution of a part for the whole, or the whole for the part, usually because of the natures of the things associated.
Micah 4:3; Isa 2:4 Beating swords into plowshares means total disarmament.
Romans 1:16 “Greek” stands for Gentiles.
Merism: The substitution of two contrasting parts for the whole.
Psalm 139:2 “Sit down” and “rise up” stand for all his activity.
1 Kings 4:25 And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba
Special figures regarding God: Look for the meaning intended by the association.
o Anthropomorphism: Attributing human bodily parts to God.
2 Chronicles 16:9 God’s eyes move to and fro.
Psalm 8:3 The heavens are the work of God’s fingers.
Psalm 31:2 “Incline your ear to me”
o Anthropopathism: Attributing human emotions to God.
Zechariah 8:2 Jealousy
Psalm 2:4 Laughter
o Zoomorphism: Attributing animal parts and characteristics to God.
Psalm 91:4 Feathers and wings
5. Personification and Apostrophe: figures involving a personal dimension. Personification: The representation of a thing, quality, or idea as a person.
Psalm 114:3 “The sea looked and
“Generally an expression is figurative when it is out of character with the subject discussed, or is contrary to fact, experience, or observation” (Roy Zuck, Basic Bible Interpretation, p. 145).
Matt 19:25 Camel through the eye of a needle (it’s impossible – not explained by a gate in the wall)
1. Recognizing figures of speech
• Look for the normal or plain sense first.
• Note contradictions, impossibilities, or absurdities in the absolutely woodenly literal interpretation.
Galatians 2:9 “Pillars” in the church
Matthew 26:26 “This [bread] is my body . . . take, eat”
Isaiah 55:12 The trees “clap their hands”
• Note context.
1 Thess 4:13, 14, 15 “Asleep” is explained as being “dead”; …show more content…
• Figurative language yields literal or normal meaning.
There is a difference between interpreting the Bible figuratively and interpreting figures normally. Daughter comes home from school – “I’m starving”
2. Figures emphasizing comparison
• Simile: an expressed or formal comparison using phrases such as “like” or “as.”
Jeremiah 23:29 “Is not my word like a hammer”
Psalm 42:1 “As the deer pants for the streams of water”
1 Peter 1:24 “All flesh are like grass”
• Metaphor: an unexpressed or implied comparison describing one thing in terms of something else.
Luke 12:32 The disciples are a “little flock”
Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd”
Isaiah 40:6 “All flesh is grass”
• Look for the single authorial-intended meaning in the comparison by chiefly noting context.
EXAMPLE: Psalm 1:3 “Like a tree” is explained in the rest of the verse. One should not press every detail or datum about a tree onto the Christian life. I.e., the bark and the sap are irrelevant.
3. Extended comparisons
Parable: an extended simile where the story and its application are usually kept separate.
Matthew 13:24, 31, 44, 45, 47 “The kingdom of heaven is like . . . …show more content…
This speaks of his old age, being an old man.
Synecdoche: The substitution of a part for the whole, or the whole for the part, usually because of the natures of the things associated.
Micah 4:3; Isa 2:4 Beating swords into plowshares means total disarmament.
Romans 1:16 “Greek” stands for Gentiles.
Merism: The substitution of two contrasting parts for the whole.
Psalm 139:2 “Sit down” and “rise up” stand for all his activity.
1 Kings 4:25 And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba
Special figures regarding God: Look for the meaning intended by the association.
o Anthropomorphism: Attributing human bodily parts to God.
2 Chronicles 16:9 God’s eyes move to and fro.
Psalm 8:3 The heavens are the work of God’s fingers.
Psalm 31:2 “Incline your ear to me”
o Anthropopathism: Attributing human emotions to God.
Zechariah 8:2 Jealousy
Psalm 2:4 Laughter
o Zoomorphism: Attributing animal parts and characteristics to God.
Psalm 91:4 Feathers and wings
5. Personification and Apostrophe: figures involving a personal dimension. Personification: The representation of a thing, quality, or idea as a person.
Psalm 114:3 “The sea looked and