Simple Faith Baptist Church Oceanside California

June 4, 2025, 5:58 PM

Figures of speech are rhetorical devices used in the KJV and other biblical translations to enhance meaning, clarity, or emphasis, aligning with your focus on scripture (2 Timothy 3:16).

Figure of Speech	Definition
Alliteration	Repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely positioned words to emphasize rhythm or mood (e.g., “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” Matthew 5:3, KJV, emphasizes “blessed”).
Anaphora	Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses for emphasis (e.g., “Charity suffereth long… charity envieth not,” 1 Corinthians 13:4, KJV).
Antithesis	Juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in parallel structure to highlight differences (e.g., “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life,” Romans 6:23, KJV).
Apostrophe	Addressing an absent or imaginary person, object, or concept as if present (e.g., “O death, where is thy sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55, KJV).
Assonance	Repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words to create rhythm or mood (e.g., “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” Psalm 23:1, KJV, with “Lord” and “want”).
Chiasmus	A rhetorical structure where words or ideas are repeated in reverse order (e.g., “The first shall be last; and the last shall be first,” Matthew 19:30, KJV).
Euphemism	Substituting a mild or indirect expression for a harsh or blunt one (e.g., “He fell asleep” for died, Acts 7:60, KJV).
Hyperbole	Exaggeration for emphasis, not meant literally (e.g., “If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out,” Matthew 5:29, KJV, stresses seriousness).
Irony	Expressing meaning by using language that signifies the opposite, often for emphasis or humor (e.g., “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required,” Luke 12:20, KJV, where “fool” contrasts with the man’s self-confidence).
Litotes	Understatement using a negative to affirm a positive (e.g., “Not slothful in business,” Romans 12:11, KJV, meaning diligent).
Metaphor	Describing one thing as if it were another to draw a comparison (e.g., “I am the good shepherd,” John 10:11, KJV).
Metonymy	Substituting a related term for the thing itself (e.g., “The sword shall not depart from thine house,” 2 Samuel 12:10, KJV, meaning war).
Onomatopoeia	Words that imitate the sound they describe (e.g., “The floods clap their hands,” Psalm 98:8, KJV, mimics sound).
Oxymoron	Combining contradictory terms for effect (e.g., “Living sacrifice,” Romans 12:1, KJV, combines life and death).
Parallelism	Repeating similar grammatical structures to reinforce ideas, common in Hebrew poetry (e.g., “The Lord is my light and my salvation,” Psalm 27:1, KJV).
Personification	Attributing human characteristics to non-human entities (e.g., “The mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing,” Isaiah 55:12, KJV).
Rhetorical Question	A question asked for effect, not requiring an answer (e.g., “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Romans 8:35, KJV).
Simile	Comparing two unlike things using “like” or “as” (e.g., “As a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings,” Matthew 23:37, KJV).
Synecdoche	Using a part to represent the whole or vice versa (e.g., “All flesh shall see the salvation of God,” Luke 3:6, KJV, meaning all people).
Zeugma	Using one word in relation to two parts of a sentence with different senses (e.g., “She broke his chariot, and his heart,” not in KJV but similar to “Rend your heart, and not your garments,” Joel 2:13, KJV).

Definitions and Differences

Term	Definition	Key Characteristics	Biblical Example
Literal	Language that means exactly what it says, taken at face value without symbolic or figurative interpretation.	Direct, straightforward; reflects historical or factual intent; assumes plain meaning.	Genesis 1:1 (KJV) : “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Describes a factual act of creation.)
Figurative	Language that uses rhetorical devices (e.g., metaphor, simile) to convey meaning beyond the literal words, often for emphasis or imagery.	Non-literal; employs figures of speech (e.g., from prior query: metaphor, simile); enhances meaning through comparison or imagery.	John 10:11 (KJV) : “I am the good shepherd.” (Jesus is not literally a shepherd but uses metaphor to describe His role.)
Allegorical	A narrative or text where characters, events, or elements represent abstract ideas or moral truths, often interpreted as a deeper, symbolic story.	Extended metaphor; entire passages symbolize broader truths; common in parables or prophetic texts.	Galatians 4:24 (KJV) : “Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants…” (Hagar and Sarah represent covenants.)
Metaphorical	A subset of figurative language where one thing is described as another to draw a direct comparison, without “like” or “as.”	Specific type of figurative speech; implies identity for rhetorical effect.	Psalm 23:1 (KJV) : “The Lord is my shepherd.” (God is compared to a shepherd, implying care.)
Symbolic	Language or imagery where an object, person, or event represents something else, often with spiritual or abstract significance.	Overlaps with figurative/allegorical; emphasizes representation; common in prophecy or typology.	Revelation 5:5 (KJV) : “The Lion of the tribe of Juda.” (Lion symbolizes Jesus’ strength and kingship.)

Key Differences

Literal vs. Figurative:
- Literal: Words convey their primary, dictionary meaning, often historical or factual (e.g., Exodus 20:13, “Thou shalt not kill,” is a direct command).
- Figurative: Words deviate from literal meaning to create imagery or emphasis using devices like metaphor or hyperbole (e.g., John 4:24, “God is a Spirit,” uses equivalence to describe God’s nature, per your query).
- Example Contrast: Matthew 5:14 (KJV), “Ye are the light of the world,” is figurative (metaphor for influence), while Matthew 5:17, “I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil,” is literal (Jesus’ mission statement).
Figurative vs. Allegorical:
- Figurative: Individual expressions or phrases use rhetorical devices (e.g., simile in Matthew 23:37, “As a hen gathereth her chickens”).
- Allegorical: An entire narrative or passage represents deeper truths, with elements symbolizing concepts (e.g., Parable of the Sower, Matthew 13:3–9, where seeds and soil represent hearts and the Gospel).
- Example Contrast: John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches,” is figurative (metaphor), while Song of Solomon is often read allegorically (Christ and the Church).
Allegorical vs. Symbolic:
- Allegorical: A sustained narrative with multiple elements representing abstract ideas (e.g., Pilgrim’s Progress, though not scripture, mirrors biblical allegories like Galatians 4:24).
- Symbolic: Specific images or objects carry representative meaning, often within a literal or figurative context (e.g., Exodus 12:7, blood on doorposts symbolizes salvation, fulfilled in Christ).
- Example Contrast: Isaiah 5:1–7 (vineyard as allegory for Israel) vs. Revelation 12:9 (dragon as symbol for Satan).
Metaphorical vs. Figurative:
- Metaphorical: A specific figurative device equating two unlike things (e.g., Romans 6:23, “wages of sin,” per your query, metaphorically equates sin to labor).
- Figurative: Broader category including metaphors, similes, hyperbole, etc. (e.g., 1 Corinthians 1:18, “foolishness” is figurative hyperbole, per your query).
- Example Contrast: John 8:12, “I am the light of the world,” is metaphorical, while Psalm 98:8, “The floods clap their hands,” is figurative (personification).

Biblical and Theological Context

Literal Interpretation: Your Baptist theology, rooted in sola scriptura and the KJV, often prioritizes literal readings for historical narratives (e.g., Creation, Resurrection) to uphold scripture’s authority (2 Timothy 3:16, per your Gothic query). Literalism ensures identicality to God’s Word.
Figurative Language: The KJV uses figurative devices to convey spiritual truths (e.g., John 4:24, “God is a Spirit,” uses equivalence to emphasize God’s nature, per your query), requiring discernment to avoid misinterpretation.
Allegorical Interpretation: Used cautiously in Baptist theology, allegories are valid when scripture indicates (e.g., Galatians 4:24), but over-allegorizing risks stumblingblocks or blasphemy.
Symbolic Elements: Common in prophecy (e.g., Revelation) and typology (e.g., Passover lamb as Christ), symbols enhance worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24).

Putting It Together

Literal: Plain, factual meaning (e.g., Genesis 1:1).
Figurative: Rhetorical devices like metaphor or simile (e.g., John 10:11).
Allegorical: Extended narratives with symbolic meanings (e.g., Galatians 4:24).
Metaphorical: Specific figurative comparison (e.g., Psalm 23:1).
Symbolic: Representative imagery (e.g., Revelation 5:5).

Figure of Speech	Definition
Simile	A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as” to highlight a shared quality.
Metaphor	A direct comparison that states one thing is another, implying they share common characteristics.
Personification	Attribution of human traits, emotions, or actions to inanimate objects, animals, or abstract ideas.
Hyperbole	An intentional exaggeration for emphasis or effect, not meant to be taken literally.
Understatement	Deliberately making a situation seem less important or serious than it actually is.
Alliteration	Repetition of the same initial consonant sound in closely positioned words.
Assonance	Repetition of a vowel sound in nearby words to create internal rhyming.
Onomatopoeia	A word that phonetically imitates or suggests the sound of the thing it describes.
Oxymoron	A combination of two contradictory or opposing terms placed together to create a paradoxical effect.
Paradox	A statement that appears self-contradictory but reveals a deeper truth upon reflection.
Irony	Expression of meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, often for humor or emphasis.
Synecdoche	A figure of speech in which a part represents the whole or the whole represents a part (e.g., “wheels” for “car”).
Metonymy	Substitution of a word with another closely associated with it (e.g., “crown” for “royalty”).
Pun	A play on words exploiting similar sounds or multiple meanings to create a humorous or rhetorical effect.
Euphemism	A mild or indirect expression used in place of one considered harsh or blunt.
Apostrophe	Directly addressing someone who is absent or an abstract concept as if it were present.
Anaphora	Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences for emphasis.
Antithesis	Juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases or clauses to highlight difference.
Chiasmus	A rhetorical device in which two or more clauses are balanced against each other by reversal of their structures.
Litotes	A form of understatement that uses negation to express a positive idea (e.g., “not bad” to mean “good”).
Irony (Dramatic)	When the audience knows something the characters do not, creating tension or humor.
Irony (Situational)	When the actual outcome is different from what was expected, often highlighting a twist of fate.
Irony (Verbal)	When someone says the opposite of what they truly mean, often with sarcastic intent.

Certainly! Here is a clear and organized column-style list of common figures of speech along with their definitions:

Figure of Speech	Definition
Simile	A comparison using like or as to show similarities between two different things.
Metaphor	A direct comparison between two unlike things by stating one is the other.
Personification	Giving human traits or actions to non-human things or abstract ideas.
Hyperbole	An extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect.
Understatement	A figure of speech that deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious.
Alliteration	The repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely placed words.
Assonance	The repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words.
Onomatopoeia	A word that imitates the natural sound associated with it.
Oxymoron	A combination of two contradictory or opposing words.
Paradox	A seemingly self-contradictory statement that may contain a hidden truth.
Irony	Expressing meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, often for humorous or emphatic effect.
Synecdoche	A figure of speech in which a part is used to represent the whole or vice versa.
Metonymy	Substituting the name of something with something closely associated with it.
Pun	A play on words that exploits multiple meanings or similar sounding words for humorous effect.
Euphemism	A mild or indirect word or expression used to replace one that is harsh or blunt.
Apostrophe	Directly addressing an absent or imaginary person, or a personified abstraction.
Anaphora	The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.
Antithesis	Placing two opposite ideas in a sentence to create contrast.
Chiasmus	A rhetorical structure where the second part of a sentence mirrors the first in reverse order.