Figures of Speech

Figures of Speech
How we read the Bible matters. We must come to the Bible on God’s terms and read it as He has given it to us. Part of how we do this, as was covered in the previous article, is understanding the genre we are reading. When we understand the genre of biblical literature we have before us, then we are off to a great start. However, there is still more to consider and be aware of.

Another important thing to consider when studying the Bible is the use of figures of speech. Figures of speech are things that most of us use in day to day life, but don’t think too much about. You have probably said at one time or another that it is “raining cats and dogs.” It would seem quite obvious that you do not mean to communicate that cats and dogs are literally falling from the sky. You used an idiom to express how much rain is coming down.
 
In our everyday language we use idioms, similes, metaphors, hyperbole, and more. The Bible is the same way. The Biblical authors used figures of speech in their writing and we ought to be aware of them. Consider Amos 4:1 as he calls these prominent women who are oppressing the poor of Israel “cows of Bashan.” Is Amos saying that these women are literally cows from Bashan? No, of course not. He is using a metaphor to insult them as he speaks on God’s behalf to condemn their behavior. 

Figures of speech are used for the expression of certain ideas in certain ways. When we fail to understand figures of speech then we can end up with some strange thoughts about what the Bible has to say. Certainly more could be said about figures of speech, however going on and on about personification, anthropomorphism, anthropopathism, litotes, idioms, similes, merisms, hendiadys, synecdoche, metonymy, and more would only intrigue the mind of grammar nerds. So, suffice it to say, as you read the Bible and study the Bible, read with care. Think deeply and consider all that God has communicated to us by His word.