B5537 FIGURES OF SPEECH USED THE BIBLE: IN AND ILLUSTRATED. EXPLAINED By W. E. " How is it Bullinger, D.D. that ye do not understand ? . . . Then understood they." Matt. London MESSRS. xvi. ii, 12. : EYRE & SPOTTISWOODE, GREAT NEW New York Messrs. e. & J. B. : YOUNG & Cooper Union, Fourth Avenue. 1898. STREET, E.G. Co., PkINTHD Al THK GrAI'HO PrKSN London and I lHq8), LtI). Weai.d.stoni;. SOME ERRATA. FOR PAGE 5 ... READ /:i<RAT.\ 146 ... INTRODUCTION. JEHOVAH and has been pleased to give us the revelation of His mind words. It is therefore absolutely necessary that we will in merely understand not should themselves, but laws the also the which meanings of the words their usage and govern combinations. All language is governed by law ; but, in order to increase the power of a word, or the force of an expression, these laws are designedly departed from, and words and sentences are thrown into, and used in, new forms, or Jiginrs. The ancient Greeks reduced these new and peculiar forms to science, and gave names to more than two hundred of them. The Romans carried forward this science learning in the Middle Ages, it have since then occasionally touched upon a few trivial examples : : but with the decline of practically died out. it briefly, A few writers and have given but the knowledge of this ancient science completely forgotten, that its very name to-day is used in a is so difi'erent sense and with almost an opposite meaning. These manifold forms which words and sentences assume were Greeks Scliciiia (cr\7//xa) and by the Romans, Fignra. Both words have the same meaning, viz., a shape or figure. When we called by the speak of a person as being " a figure " we mean one who is dressed in some peculiar style, and out of the ordinary manner. The Greek word Schema is found in 1 Cor. vii. 31, " The fashion of this world passeth away " Phil. ii. 8, " being found /// fashion as a man." The Latin word Figiira is from the verb fiiigere, to form, and has passed into the English language in the words figure, transfigure, configuration, ; effigy, feint, feign, etc., etc. We use the word figure now in various senses. Its primitive meaning applies to any marks, lines, or outlines, which make a form or shape. Arithmetical figures are certain marks or forms which represent numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.). All secondary and derived meanings of the word "figure" retain this primitive meaning. Applied to words, a figure denotes some form which a word or sentence takes, difi'erent from its ordinary and natural form. This is always for the purpose of giving additional force, more life, intensified FIGURES OF SPEECH. vi. " and greater emphasis. Whereas to-day " Fi'^urative hni'^iin^e is ignorantly spoken of as thouoh it made less of the meaning, and deprived the words of their power and force. A passage of God's Word is quoted; and it is met with the cry," Oh, ihat is figurative" implying that its meaning is weakened, or that it has quite a different meaning, or that it has no meaning at all. But the very opposite is For an unusual form ( fiffiini) is never used except to tid'f the case. force to the truth conveyed, emphasis to the statement of it, and feeling, depth to the meaning of it. When we apply this science then to God's words and to Divine truths, we see at once that no branch of Bible study can be more important, or offer greater promise of substantial reward. It lies at the very root of all translation; ... As the course interpretation of language according to the laws which govern it, there is and it is the key to true moves smoothly along, nothing by which it can awaken or attract our attention. It is as when we are travelling by railway. As long as everything proceeds according to the regulations we notice nothing But, let ; we sleep, or the train slacken its we read, or meditate as the case speed, or make an unexpected may stop ; be. —we immediately hear the question asked, " What is the matter ?" " What We hear one window go down and then are we stopping for?" another: So it is attention is thoroughly aroused, As long as exactly with our reading. and all interest excited. pnjceeds smoothly But suddenly there is and according to law we notice nothing. a departure from some law, a deviation from the even course an unlooked for change our attention is attracted, and we at onc