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Study 17 of 25

Figures of Speech and Rhetorical Devices

Reading the Bible's non-literal language rightly

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

A figure of speech is a word or phrase used in a non-literal sense for rhetorical or vivid effect, and every language — including the biblical languages — uses them, because God chose to call attention to points in Scripture through them. Understanding figures matters for correct interpretation: serious error results either from calling something figurative that is literal (such as the days of Creation) or calling something literal that is figurative (such as John 8:58). The Bible should be read literally whenever possible; a figure of speech is signaled when a statement seems contrary to experience, known fact, or the general teaching of truth, and when named it will have a specific, identifiable purpose. E. W. Bullinger's classification organizes figures under Omission, Addition, and Change. The appendix then catalogs dozens of specific figures — from allegory, alliteration and anthropomorphism to hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron, parable, personification, rhetorical question, simile, and zeugma — each defined with biblical or illustrative examples, equipping the lay preacher to recognize and rightly interpret the Bible's rich figurative language rather than flattening it into literalism or missing its precise, purposeful force.

Key points

  • A figure of speech is language used non-literally for emphasis, force, or vivid effect.
  • Misreading figurative language as literal, or literal language as figurative, causes serious misinterpretation.
  • The Bible should be read literally unless a statement conflicts with experience, fact, or the general teaching of truth.
  • Bullinger classifies figures under three categories: Omission, Addition, and Change.
  • Figures such as anthropomorphism, hyperbole, metaphor, and parable each have identifiable, purposeful uses in Scripture.

Key texts

  • Genesis 2:17
  • John 8:58
  • 1 Corinthians 11:16-21
  • Isaiah 55:12

From the course book

Appendix C — Figures of Speech and Rhetorical Devices · pp. 97-102 (reader pages 97-102) · Open the reader

  • “God used Figures of Speech to call attention to a point in the Scriptures.” (p. 97)
  • “The Bible should be understood literally whenever possible.” (p. 97)
  • “Figures of Speech in the Bible are precise and exact, not haphazard.” (p. 97)

Put it into practice

  • When a text seems contrary to known fact or experience, ask whether a named figure of speech is present.
  • Before preaching a text, check whether you are treating a figurative statement as literal, or a literal one as figurative.
  • Use the appendix's glossary to name the specific figure at work in your text rather than leaving it vague.
  1. Comprehension

    1. How does the appendix define a figure of speech?

  2. Scripture

    2. Give the two ways serious misinterpretation occurs regarding figures of speech.

  3. Comprehension

    3. When should the Bible be understood figuratively rather than literally?

  4. Comprehension

    4. How does Bullinger classify figures of speech, according to the appendix?

  5. Scripture

    5. Define anthropomorphism and anthropopathism, with an example of each.

  6. Doctrinal Clarity

    6. What is the difference between a metaphor and a simile, as defined here?

  7. Contrast

    7. Contrast reading Genesis 2:17's 'dying you will die' literally versus recognizing its figure.

  8. Doctrinal Clarity

    8. Why does the appendix insist figures of speech in the Bible are 'precise and exact, not haphazard'?

  9. Application

    9. Choose a familiar Bible verse and identify one figure of speech in it using this appendix's glossary.

  10. Application

    10. Recall a time you (or a preacher you heard) misread a figure of speech literally, or vice versa. What was the effect?