In this lesson we will deal with more things to consider in our Bible study. It is important to observe figures of speech, and so the list following contains some examples of these.

Parable – These are stories from real life to teach a spiritual lesson. A good example is “The Parable of the Sower” (Matt. 13).

Metaphor – In a metaphor, a simple likeness is affirmed. Examples are when Jesus said “I am the vine” (John 15:5), or “I am the door” (John 10:9).

Simile – These are like or as something else. An example is a “voice was like …” (Rev. 14:2-3, or God’s word “going forth is like …” (Isa. 55:10-11).

Allegory – A lesson in the guise of another subject which often is hidden. An example is the allegory of Sarah and Hagar (Gal. 4:21f).

Personification – Endowing something not a person with personality. We read that the earth “opened her mouth” (Num. 16:32, or Paul personified sin (Rom. 7:11).

Interrogation – A question not requiring an answer; a rhetorical question. See “what shall if profit a man …” (Matt. 16:26)? Or, “if God be for us …” (Rom. 8:31-35)?

hyperbole – A deliberate exaggeration made for effect. Example: “We are as grasshoppers” (Num. 13:33).

Irony – Here one is saying one thing and meaning the opposite. See Job as he said to his friends, “Wisdom will die with you” (12:2). Really? Just the opposite is true.

Type – A representation of something future so that it is like it but at the same time they anti-type is superior. For example, Melchisedec is a type of Christ’s priesthood (Gen. 14; Heb. 7:1-17). Moses was a type of Christ in that he was a leader, law-giver and mediator.

Symbols – Here are signs that represent. Example: The pillar of fire represented God’s presence (Exo. 13:21). The bread and fruit of the vine represent Christ’s body and (Matt. 26:26-28).

 

Antithesis – Words or sentiments opposed to one another in the same sentence or context. For example, we might study what faith is by considering its opposite. “If we can know all the causes of unbelief, and put them in one pillar, knowing that faith is the opposite, we will know that the causes directly opposite to these of unbelief will be the power, or powers, that produce faith” (Dungan, Hermeneutics, p. 347).

Ellipsis – An unfinished statement; words must be supplied. Example: “Maketh the Son …” What? high priest (Heb. 7:27-28). Or, “because of the angels …” (1 Cor. 11:10). The obvious sense is because of the angels’ subjection to and recognition of authority.

Fable – An imaginative comparison; like a parable, only the actors are unreal. An example is the fable of the trees and vines (Jud. 9:6-21), or the thistle and the cedar (2 Kgs. 14:8-10).

These are but a few figures of speech; many more are found in your Bible. To learn of these we recommend “Figures of Speech in the Bible” (Bullinger, Baker Book House).
- Bill Moseley