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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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LITERARY DEVICES
OF THE BIBLE Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. LITERARY
APPROACH TO THE BIBLE Literature exploits,
for example, such devices of language as metaphor, simile, allusion, pun,
paradox, and irony. Of course, these resources of language are the very
essence of poetry, but the important thing about the Bible is that they
appear everywhere, not just in the poetry. This is why,
incidentally, a literary approach is necessary throughout the Bible and not
just in predominantly literary parts. (Leland
Ryken, “How to Read the Bible as Literature” pg. 27) II. VARIOUS
LITERARY DEVICES OF THE BIBLE A. Simile is a figure
of speech that states a comparison between two objects using “like” or “as.” Psa 52:2 Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp
razor, O worker of deceit. 1Pe 2:2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word,
so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, B. Metaphor is a
figure of speech that makes an implied comparison between two objects. Psa 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD
gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk
uprightly. 2Ti 2:6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to
receive his share of the crops. C. Paradox is an
apparent contradiction that upon reflection, expresses a genuine truth. Pr 12:10 A righteous man has regard for the life of his
animal, But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel. 2Co 6:10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet
making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. D. Apostrophe is a
literary device that speaks to an imaginary person or thing. Psa 24:7 Lift up your heads, O gates, And be lifted up, O
ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! Ro 2:3 But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on
those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape
the judgment of God? E. Symbol is a figure
of speech that represents one or more other ideas or concepts. Psa 27:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The
LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? Jn 9:5 "While I am in the
world, I am the Light of the world." F. Personification is
a figure of speech in which human attributes are given to God or objects. Psa 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the
shadow of Your wings. Mt 11:19 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking,
and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax
collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds." G. Irony occurs when a
writer states one thing but means another as in sarcasm. Jdg 10:14 "Go and cry out to the gods which you have
chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your distress." 2Co 11:19 For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish
gladly. H. Hyperbole is a
figure of speech that uses conscious exaggeration for effect. Psa 6:6 I am weary with my sighing; Every night I make
my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears. Mt 18:9 "If your eye
causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for
you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the
fiery hell. I. Metonymy is a
figure of speech in which one name is substituted for another. Pr 25:15 By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a
soft tongue breaks the bone. Lk 16:29 "But Abraham said,
'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.' J. Synecdoche is a
figure of speech that uses a part to refer to the whole. Gen 4:26 … men began to call upon the name of the
LORD. Mt 6:11 'Give us this day our daily bread. K. Allusion is an
indirect reference alluding to another Scripture, person, topic, or idea. Psa 119:3 They also do no unrighteousness; They walk in
His ways. 1Co 15:45 So also it is written, "The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL." The last Adam became a
life-giving spirit. L. Allegory is
literature that contains a hidden or corresponding other meaning(s). Isa 28:20 The bed is too short on which to stretch out,
And the blanket is too small to wrap oneself in. Gal 4:24 This is allegorically speaking, for these women
are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are
to be slaves; she is Hagar. |
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