God gave us a Bible easy to read and understand. It was written in the language of the people with its various writing styles and including a variety of figures of speech. A figure of speech is a word, phrase, or an expression used in a figurative rather than a literal sense. We are to read the Bible literally if it makes plain sense unless it is clear the writer is using a figure of speech. Once it’s clear a figure of speech is being used you must identify the type of figurative language being used.
SIMILE – An expressed or stated comparison of two different things or ideas that uses the connecting words like, as, such as, or as….so.
Example: “His eyes were LIKE a flame.” “As the deer pants for the water brooks, SO my soul pants for You, O God.”
METAPHOR – An implied comparison between two things that are different. No connecting words are used.
Example: “I am the vine, you are the branches.” “The sword of the Spirit.”
HYPERBOLE – A deliberate exaggeration for effect or emphasis.
Example: “My soul is crushed with longing.” “You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel.”
PERSONIFICATION – Giving an object the characteristics or attributes that belong to people.
Example: The trees of the fields will clap their hands.”
SYNECDOCHE – A figure of association where the whole can refer to the part or the part can refer to the whole.
In the Bible we see the use of the term “the law” which can refer to the first five books of the Old Testament (Pentateuch), the Ten Commandments, or the whole Old Testament, depending on the context.
METONYM – A figure of association where the name of one object or concept is used for that of another to which it is related.
“All the country of Judea was going out to him.” Country obviously refers to the people rather than the region itself.
IRONY – A statement which says the opposite of what is meant and used for emphasis or effect.
Witnessing for Christ