Understanding The Bible Text

Mark 2:19

English version A (The word-for-word English key repeated):

And he-said to-them the Jesus, “Not they-are-able the sons of-the bridechamber, in which the
bridegroom with them he-is, to-fast? What time they-have the bridegroom with them, not they-are-
able to-fast.”
English version B:
And Jesus said to them, “Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with
them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.”
English version C:
Jesus answered, “Do you expect the guests at a wedding party to go without food? Of course not!
As long as the bridegroom is with them, they will not do that.”
 REMEMBER:

1. The words and expressions of each language are different.



2. The way that words are arranged in sentences (i.e. the ‘grammar’) in each language is different.
Genesis 49:10
Hebrew text (simplified transliteration) with word-for-word key in English:

Notes:
A “sceptre” is a staff, a kind of stick, carried by a king as a symbol of his authority.
“From between his feet: is a Hebrew idiom referring to a person’s descendants.
In this context, “Judah” refers to the tribe of Judah, not just to their ancestor Judah himself.
An alternative translation might be:
The kings of the people will come from the tribe of Judah for ever.

His descendants will always rule.

REMEMBER:
1. The Bible is a meaningful book. It is a book with a message that is meant to be understood. When it was
first written, it was written in the everyday language that people of that time spoke.
2. The Bible is the Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit. The reader has a very serious responsibility not
to change the meaning in any way. He must be careful not to add anything to the meaning, or to leave any
part of the meaning untranslated.
3. All languages are different. Each language has its own grammar, its own words and expressions.

Understanding Idioms

ம"சll %ŋ%மt(ட* +,- வா0க - means live long with your husband.
தைல µ%&தl - “To cut off a relationship.”
 "Paarthaal pasu pol, paaindhaal puli pol" - Appearances are deceptive

In Mark 2:19, “children of the bridechamber” (KJV)

Use some examples of idioms:

Usually idioms cannot be translated literally into another language.

Luke 2:51 . . . his mother kept all these things in her heart.
In the Kilba language of Nigeria, “to keep something in your heart” means “to bear a grudge about
something”. In translating this verse into Kilba, therefore, the translator had to express the true
meaning directly: “his mother went on thinking about these things.”
Isaiah 13:18 . . . they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb (RSV)
. . . (they) have no pity on little children (NEB)
RSV follows the original Hebrew idiom. The meaning may not be clear to the modern English
reader. NEB translates the real meaning directly.

Genesis 35:29 Isaac ...was old and full of days (RSV)


...at a ripe old age (GNB)

...kk’ottama maworiji

he-old plenty (Mbembe, Nigeria)

RSV follows the original Hebrew idiom closely. GNB uses an idiom that is more natural in
modern English. Mbembe uses a different idiom. All three translations have the same meaning.
Acts 18:6 “Your blood be upon your heads! I am innocent...” (RSV)
“If you are lost, you yourselves must take the blame for it! I am not responsible...” (GNB)
“Your heads are not in the palms of my hands! My hand and foot is not there!” (Igede,
Nigeria)
3. USING IDIOMS MAKES A TRANSLATION LIVELY AND NATURAL

Often it is good to use an idiom in a translation even where there is not an idiom in the original text:
Mark 5:43 he strictly charged them (RSV)

Jesus gave them strict orders (GNB)

Jesus pulled their ears (Membe, Nigeria)
Luke 22:56 she looked straight at him (GNB)

she bit him with her eye (Ingede, Nigeria)

REMEMBER:
1. Keep alert to recognize idioms in the text you are reading.
2. Always understood the true meaning of idioms.
EXERCISE 1
For each of the following passages:
(1) Underline every example of an idiom.
(2) Re-express the true meaning of the idiom in Tamil.

(a) Luke 16:20 . . . a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, . . .

(b) Luke 17:13 [ten lepers] . . . lifted up their voices and said, . . .
(c) Luke 19:3 . . . because he was small of stature.
(d) Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, . . .
(e) Acts 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, . . .
(f) Acts 11:22 News of this came to the ears of the church . . .
(g) Acts 13:22 . . . a man after my own heart . . .
(h) Acts 17:8 . . . they threw the crowd . . . into an uproar. (GNB)
(i) Acts 18:6 “Your blood be upon your own heads! I am innocent . . . ”
(j) Acts 18:28 For with his strong arguments, he defeated the Jews . . . (GNB)
(k) Acts 19:27 . . . this business of ours will get a bad name. (GNB)

EXERCISE 2
Follow the same instructions as for EXERCISE 4 above.
(a) Matthew 2:20 . . . those who sought the child’s life are dead.
(b) Matthew 3:8 Bear fruit which befits repentance, . . .
(c) Matthew 5:2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, . . .
(d) Matthew 26:63 But Jesus held his peace. (KJV)
(e) Mark 2:23 . . . as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain.
(f) Mark 6:50 “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.”
(g) Mark 9:1 . . . who will not taste death . . .
(h) Mark 10:22 . . . . his countenance fell, . . .
(i) Mark 10:25 . . . the eye of a needle . . .
(j) Mark 12:3 . . . [the tenants] sent him away empty-handed.

KNOW THE CULTURE BACKGROUND OF THE TEXT

In order to understand the meaning of the Bible text accurately, it is necessary to study the cultural
background of the text.

There are several things that may hinder a message from being understood. In summary, these are:
— Differences between languages,
— The fact that the original message was written for a specific situation, that the readers may not
fully know,
— Differences between the culture and way of life in biblical times, and the culture of the
Receptor Language area,
— Spiritual factors

Luke 7:44 . . . you gave me no water for my feet, . . .

The original writer assumed that the hearer would know that it was the custom for people to give a
visitor water in order that he could wash his feet. This was the normal thing to do in Palestine
when a visitor arrived.

Colossians 4:11 These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers . . .
But the correct understanding of biblical references depends on the fact that circumcision signified
being or becoming a Jew. For this reason, the Good News Bible translates Colossians 4:11:
“These three are the only Jewish converts who work with me . . .

Philippians 3:5 . . . circumcised on the eighth day, . . .

Because their knowledge of Jewish custom, the original readers would have understood that “the
eighth day” meant the eighth day from birth.

Mark 12:14 Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?

The word “Caesar” is not a personal name, but a title given to the Emperor of Rome. The point of
the incident in this passage is that Jesus is being asked whether it is according to Jewish law to pay
taxes to the supreme ruler of the Romans, the enemies and oppressors of Israel. A more meaningful
translation might, therefore, be:
---> Is it lawful to pay taxes to the Emperor of Rome?

Mark 7:26 Now the woman was a Greek . . .

The word which is translated in RSV as “Greek” was also used more generally to refer to “a
Gentile, any non-Jewish person”. In this context, the major point of the story is that, even though
she was not a Jew, the woman is asking Jesus to help her. Notice that NEB and GNB translate
more meaningfully here: “the woman was a Gentile”. This accurately expresses the true meaning
in the context.
EXERCISE:
In each of the following passages, there is some ‘assumed information’. This may need to be made
explicit in a translation. Restate each passage, in English, making the assumed information explicit.
(a) Matthew 12:2 . . . your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath.
(b) Matthew 18:17 . . . let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
(c) Mark 4:35 Let us go across to the other side.
(d) Acts 22:2 And when they heard that he addressed them in the Hebrew language, they were
the more quiet.
(e) Hebrews 11:30 . . . the walls of Jericho fell down . . .

HISTORICAL REFERENCES

References to historical events recorded in the Old Testament are common in the New Testament.
1 Corinthians 10:1
RSV I want you to know, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed
through the sea, . . .
GNB I want you to remember, my brothers, what happened to our ancestors who followed Moses.
They were all under the protection of the cloud, and all passed safely through the Red Sea.
Notice that the GNB makes several points explicit. This rendering is more meaningful for
those who have little knowledge of Old Testament history.
Hebrews 11:22
RSV By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave
directions concerning his burial.
DGN (back-translation from the German version, Die Gute Nachricht):

Because Joseph trusted God, he was able at his death to speak about the future departure of the
Israelites from Egypt and to give instructions about what should then be done with his bones.
Hebrews 11:23
RSV By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid for three months by his parents . . . they were not
afraid of the king’s edict.
Margi (back-translation from Margi language, Nigeria):

At the time when Moses was born, it was because his parents believed in God that they hid
him for three months. . . . They were not afraid to resist the command of the King that all their
male children should be killed.
1 Peter 2:10
RSV Once you were no people but now you are God’s people;
GNB At one time you were not God’s people, but now you are his people.
The GNB translates meaningfully in the light of Hosea 2:23, which is being quoted in this
passage.
Matthew 22:32
“I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob.” He is not God of the dead, but
of the living.
Because of a lack of knowledge about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and about the covenant that God
made with them, the meaning of the argument is often misunderstood. The sense is wrongly
thought to be that God is the God of people who are alive in this world now, not of people who
have died. But in fact the whole point of the argument here is to prove that people do rise from
death. The following translation avoids this wrong meaning:

“I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”
If God is the God of those ancestors of ours, it means that they are not just dead bodies, they still
have life.
In the parallel passage in Mark 12:27, the verse continues:
“He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.”
“Quite wrong” about what? Quite wrong in their unbelief about the resurrection. But this is
not in the immediate context or in the conclusion itself. It must be understood from the entire
passage. The translator may need to supply “. . . you are quite wrong when you say that there
is no resurrection.”
Mark 1:2
RSV As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, . . . ”
GNB It began as the prophet Isaiah has written: “God said, ‘I will send my messenger ahead of
you . . . ’
Isaiah spoke as God’s mouthpiece, foretelling the coming of the Messiah. Readers who are unfamiliar
with the Old Testament might not realise that “I” in this passage refers to God not to Isaiah himself.
The GNB translation avoids implying the wrong meaning, that “I” refers to Isaiah, by making it clear
that it is God who spoke these words.
3. SYMBOLIC ACTIONS

SYMBOLIC ACTIONS
Luke 18:23 The tax collector beat his breast
In Jewish culture, “beating the breast” was a symbol of grief or sorrow, in this case sorrow and
repentance because of sin.
Matthew 21:8 others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

In Palestine, and indeed in many areas of Africa, palm branches are spread in the road to prepare the
way for a chief or important person. But in one area where such a custom was unknown, it was thought
that people were spreading branches on the road in order to block the path so that Jesus could not pass.

Sometimes the purpose of the symbolic action is clear in the source text:
Genesis 17:11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of
the covenant between me and you.
Exodus 3:5 . . . put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is
holy ground.

Ruth 4:7 Now in those days, to settle a sale or an exchange of property, it was the custom for
the seller to take off his sandal and give it to the buyer. In this way the Israelites showed that the matter
was settled. (GNB)

2 Samuel 3:31 Then David ordered [them] to tear their clothes, wear sackcloth, and mourn
Abner.

Mark 7:3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands,
observing the tradition of the elders; . . . )

EXERCISE
In each of the following passages, there is a symbolic action. On the chart below, fill in:
(1) what the symbolic action is,
(2) what the symbolic action means or symbolises in the Bible, and
(3) whether or not the same action would have the same meaning in your own culture.

(Look up each passage in the RSV and also compare the GNB.)

(a) Matthew 10:14



(b) Matthew 27:24


(c) Mark 1:7


(d) Mark 10:16


(e) Mark 15:17

EXERCISE Instructions as for EXERCISE above.



(a) Acts 13:3



(b) Acts 14:14



(c) Acts 16:3



(d) Acts 22:23



(e) Acts 26:1



(f) 1 Corinthians 16:20



(g) 1 Timothy 5:10



(h) Revelation 11:3

REMEMBER



NEVER change the facts of what the Bible says.

FIGURES OF SPEECH - COMPARISONS

INTRODUCING METAPHOR AND SIMILE

A METAPHOR is also a comparison. The only difference between a simile and a metaphor is that in
a simile it is explicitly stated that it is a comparison, usually by a word such as “like”, “as”, while in a
metaphor the comparison is just implied.
METAPHOR: Benjamin is a ravenous wolf. (Genesis 49:27)
SIMILE: Benjamin is like a ravenous wolf.
More examples of metaphor:
John is a tower of strength to me.
That child really is a greedy little pig!
You worm Jacob! (Isaiah 41:14)
You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (Matthew 3:7)

PURPOSE OF COMPARISONS:
(1) as illustrations, to clarify or explain an idea,
(2) to catch the attention of the hearer and make the message more vivid and memorable to him, and/
or
(3) to arouse a response in the hearers.
Metaphors particularly are often used for poetic effect. They catch people’s attention. The more
appropriate and original the metaphor, the more powerful will be its impact.

DISCOVER THE MEANING OF A METAPHOR OR SIMILE

Every metaphor and simile has three parts:
1. The TOPIC, (the actual thing that is being talked about),
2. The ILLUSTRATION, (the thing to which the topic is compared)
3. The POINT(S) OF SIMILARITY, (the meaning that the topic and the illustration have
in common).
For example, in the simile, Benjamin is like a ravenous wolf,
the Topic is Benjamin. It is Benjamin who is being talked about.
the Illustration is a wolf. Benjamin is being compared to a hungry wolf.
the Point of Similarity is that both Benjamin and a hungry wolf are fierce and destructive.

EXERCISE:
For each of the following comparisons, find the three parts, TOPIC, ILLUSTRATION, and POINT OF
SIMILARITY
(a) Genesis 49:4 [Reuben is as] unstable as water.
(b) 1 Kings 4:20 The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the grains of sand on the
seashore; (GNB)
(c) Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock . . . in whom I take refuge.
(d) Isaiah 51:6 . . . the heavens will vanish like smoke, . . .
(e) Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
(f) Hebrews 11:12 . . . descendants as many as the stars of heaven . . .
(g) James 4:14 For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
(h) Revelation 1:14 his head and his hair were as white wool, white as snow.

ONE OF THE THREE PARTS MAY NOT BE OPENLY STATED

Sometimes all three parts of the simile or metaphor are openly stated in the text. But sometimes one
part (or even two) is left implicit. Quite often it is the POINT OF SIMILARITY which is left implicit.

EXAMPLE
1 Peter 1:24 All mankind are like grass, . . . (GNB)
All mankind are like grass
because both (soon die).
EXERCISE
For each of the following comparisons, find the three parts, TOPIC, ILLUSTRATION, and POINT OF
SIMILARITY
Identify if any of the three parts is not explicit in the text and state it explicitly with in brackets ().
Look up the context in your Bible wherever necessary.
(a) Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
(b) Proverbs 11:22 Like a gold ring in a swine’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.
(c) Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
(d) Isaiah 44:22 I have swept away . . . your sins like mist;
(e) Matthew 17:20 . . . if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, . . .
(f) Mark 1:17 . . . I will make you fishers of men. (NIV)
(g) John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; . . .
(h) James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire.

HOW TO FIND THE CORRECT POINT OF SIMILARITY

In different contexts, different components of meaning may be in focus. For example, in each of the
passages quoted below, the ILLUSTRATION is “sheep”, but the particular
aspect of the meaning of “sheep” which is in focus as the POINT OF
SIMILARITY with the TOPIC is different in each passage: The point of
similarity is underlined in each of the examples.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like SHEEP have gone astray;
Isaiah 53:7 . . . like a SHEEP that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
Jeremiah 12:3 Pull them out like SHEEP for the slaughter, . . .
Micah 2:12 I will set them together like SHEEP in the fold, like a flock in its pasture, a
noisy multitude of men.
Matthew 10;16 Behold, I send you out as [defenceless] SHEEP in the midst of wolves; . . .

In different contexts, different components of meaning may be in focus. For example, in each of the
passages quoted below, the ILLUSTRATION is “sheep”, but the particular aspect of the meaning of
“sheep” which is in focus as the POINT OF SIMILARITY with the TOPIC is different in each passage:
The point of similarity is underlined in each of the examples.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like SHEEP have gone astray;

Isaiah 53:7 . . . like a SHEEP that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
Jeremiah 12:3 Pull them out like SHEEP for the slaughter, . . .
 Micah 2:12 I will set them together like SHEEP in the fold, like a flock in its pasture, a
noisy multitude of men.
Matthew 10;16 Behold, I send you out as [defenceless] SHEEP in the midst of wolves; . . .

There is danger of misunderstanding if the hearer focuses on the wrong component of meaning.
Revelation 3:3 . . . I will come like a thief, . . .
The meaning is that Jesus will come unexpectedly. His coming is not like the coming of a thief
in any other way.
Matthew 28:3 His appearance was like lightning, . . .
In English, we tend to associate “lightning” with speed, as in the expression “as quick as
lightning”; in the context of Matthew 28:3, however, it is the brightness of lightning which is
in focus. The context makes this clear, and the parallel passage in Luke 24:4 confirms it.
John 1:29 “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
The POINT OF SIMILARITY between Jesus and the lamb is that, in the Jewish religion, the
lamb was the animal sacrificed to atone for sins, the sacrificial lamb itself being without any
blemish. Compare 1 Peter 1:18, 19: “. . . you were ransomed . . with the precious blood of
Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” The significance of John’s statement is
often missed.

MORE ABOUT THE POINT OF SIMILARITY

Sometimes it is difficult to say what the POINT OF SIMILARITY is, because the POINT OF
SIMILARITY is itself expressed as a metaphor. In this case it may be necessary to use a double
statement to describe the POINT OF SIMILARITY, as illustrated below.

EXAMPLES
(a) Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is . . . sharper than any two-edged sword, . . .
The Word of God is like a two-edged sword

because . . . in the way that a two-edged sword is sharp and cuts well

so the Word of God is penetrating the lives of people.
(b) Mark 1:17 . . . I will make you become fishers of men.
You will be (like) fishers

because . . . in the way that a fisherman seeks and catches fish

so you will seek people to convince them to follow

me (Jesus Christ).
EXTENDED METAPHORS
Sometimes metaphors are extended and developed. Consider, for example, a passage like Ephesians
6:13–17. The same principle of analysing the three parts can be applied:
PARABLES are also a kind of extended metaphor. Study, for example, the parable of the Sower in
Mark 4:3–8, and the explanation of the meaning in 4:13–20.
EXERCISE
Identify the three parts, TOPIC, ILLUSTRATION, and POINT OF SIMILARITY, in the following
extended metaphors. Follow the pattern given above for Ephesians 6:13–17/
(a) John 15:1–8.
(b) 1 Corinthians 3.

(Notice that this chapter consists of a series of extended metaphors.)
(c) 1 Corinthians 12:12–27.
(d) 2 Timothy 2:3–6.
(e) Jeremiah 50:6–7.

OTHER FIGURES OF SPEECH

WHAT IS A FIGURE OF SPEECH?

A figure of speech is a special way of saying something in order to catch the attention or arouse
emotions. Often the actual meaning of a figure of speech is different from the literal meaning of the
words.
Example:
He closed his ears to what I was saying.
The whole world came to the meeting.

The important thing is that you can (1) recognize that a figure of speech is being used, (2) recognize
its purpose, and (3) know the real meaning.
1. EUPHEMISM
EXAMPLE Acts 13:36 David . . . fell asleep and was laid with his fathers.

“Fell asleep” is an indirect way of saying “he died”.
A EUPHEMISM is the use of an expression that has a meaning quite different from the apparent
meaning.
The purpose of using a euphemism is to avoid being offensive or disrespectful.
EXAMPLES
In Jewish culture, in order to show great respect to God, many different titles were used to refer to
him, focusing on different aspects of his character.
Matthew 26:64 . . . you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, . . .
Mark 14:61 Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
Luke 15:18 Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; . . .
Also in Jewish culture, as in many other cultures, sexual relations are referred to by euphemisms. The
following examples are quoted from the RSV, which follows closely the form of the original text:
Genesis 4:1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, . . .
Matthew 1:24, 25 [Joseph] . . . took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; . . .
1 Corinthians 7:1 It is well for a man not to touch a woman.

EXERCISE
In each of the following passages there is a euphemism.
(1) Underline the euphemism.
(2) Write down the expression you would use in your own language to translate the euphemism
you have underlined. Look up each passage in its context. Give a back-translation in English.
(a) Luke 1:76 And you . . . will be called the prophet of the Most High;
(b) Luke 2:5 . . . Mary . . . was with child.
(c) Luke 7:37 . . . a woman of the city, who was a sinner, . . .
(d) Luke 23:46 And having said this he breathed his last.
(e) Genesis 31:35 “Let not my lord be angry that I cannot rise before you, for the way of women
is upon me.”
(f) Genesis 16:4 And [Abram] went in to Hagar, and she conceived;

2. HYPERBOLE
EXAMPLES “I’m starving” often means “I am very, very hungry”

“I’m frozen to death” means “I am very cold”
Matthew 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, . . .
Obviously, John did in fact eat and drink. In Mark 1:6 it is mentioned that he ate locusts and wild
honey. The point is that John ate very simply, often fasted, and drank no wine.

A HYPERBOLE is a deliberate exaggeration.

It is used for emphasis and dramatic effect.
Some languages do not use the figure of speech of hyperbole. If a hyperbole is translated word-for-
word into such a language, it may be understood to mean what it literally says. You need to be sensitive
to ensure that the actual meaning is communicated accurately, and that the emphasis of the original is
also kept, as far as possible.

EXERCISE
(1) Underline all the hyperboles in the following passages.
(2) In English, re-express each passage avoiding the use of hyperbole, but keeping the emphasis of the
original.
(a) Numbers 13:27 [the land] flows with milk and honey, . . .
(b) 1 Samuel 18:7 Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.
(c) Matthew 25:29 . . . but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
(d) Luke 15:24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again’
(e) John 3:32, 33 . . . no one receives his testimony; he who receives his testimony sets his seal
to this, that God is true.
(f) John 1:11–12 He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all
who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become
children of God;
(g) John 12:19 . . . the world has gone after him.
(h) Acts 19:27 . . . Artemis . . . she whom all Asia and the world worship.

3. METONYMY AND SYNECDOCHE

EXAMPLES
(a) The pot is boiling.

“Pot” stands in place of water.
(b) The pen is mightier than the sword.

“Pen” stands for writing or what is written;

“sword” stands for fighting.
(c) Acts 2:26 my tongue rejoiced

“Tongue” stands for “I”.

In synecdoche, the word used in the synecdoche is usually a part of the thing to which it refers.
Mevonymy, referring to something by the name of something else that is closely connected with it
eg. Acts 13:44 . . . almost the whole city gathered together . . .

EXERCISE
In each of the following passages:
(1) Underline any examples of metonymy or synecdoche.
 (2) Explain the actual meaning in this context of the word you have underlined.
(a) Matthew 10:34 I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
(b) Luke 1:32 . . . the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, . . .
(c) Luke 10:4 Carry no purse, . . .
(d) Luke 11:20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, . . .
(e) Luke 11:27 Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!
(f) Acts 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, . . .
(g) Acts 13:11 . . . the hand of the Lord is upon you, . . .
(h) Acts 13:44 . . . almost the whole city gathered together . . .
(i) Romans 3:15 Their feet are swift to shed blood, . . .
(j) Romans 16:4 . . . who risked their necks for my life, . . .
(k) Hebrews 3:17 . . . whose bodies fell in the wilderness.

EXERCISE
Each of the following passages includes an example of either metonymy or synecdoche. For each
example:
(1) Underline the word which is being used figuratively.
(2) Explain the actual meaning in this context of the word you have underlined.
You are encouraged to look up the biblical context where necessary, but you are not asked to recast
more than the parts quoted below.
Example: Luke 1:32 . . . the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David.
---> the Lord God will make him king (of our people) as his ancestor David was.
(a) Habbakuk 2:12 Woe to him who builds a town with blood, . . .
(b) Matthew 3:5, 6 Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the
Jordan, . . .
(c) Matthew 15:8 This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;
(d) Matthew 27:4 I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.
(e) Luke 1:27 . . . Joseph, of the house of David;
(f) Luke 3:6 . . . and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
(g) Luke 21:15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, . . .
(h) Acts 5:9 . . . the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and
they will carry you out.
(i) Acts 15:21 . . . Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every
sabbath in the synagogues.
(j) Romans 3:19 . . . so that every mouth may be stopped, . . .
(k) 1 Corinthians 11:26 . . . as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, . . .
(l) Hebrews 1:8a Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever, . . .
(m) Hebrews 1:8b the righteous sceptre is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
(n) Hebrews 13:4 . . . and let the marriage bed be undefiled;
6. PERSONIFICAT

4. PERSONIFICATION

EXAMPLES
Mark 5:34 “Your faith has made you well.”
This might be expressed:
“You have been made well because you had faith.”

Luke 7:35 “Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”

Compare GNB: “God’s wisdom, however, is shown to be true by all who accept
it.”

Luke 11:49 “Therefore also the Wisdom of God said . . . ”

This might be expressed: “Therefore also God wisely said . . . ”

PERSONIFICATION is a figure of speech in which an abstract idea, or something which is not alive,
is treated or spoken of as though it were a person.

EXERCISE 8
Imagine that you are translating into a language in which personification is not possible. Re-express
each of the following passages, avoiding the use of personification.
(a) Numbers 13:32 The land . . . is a land that devours its inhabitants;
(b) Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
(c) Isaiah 24:23 Then the moon will be confounded, and the sun ashamed;
Compare GNB The moon will grow dark, and the sun will no longer shine.
(d) Isaiah 55:12 the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the
trees of the field shall clap their hands.
(e) John 1:17 . . . grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
(f) Acts 20:32 . . . the word of his grace, which is able to build you up . . .
(g) James 1:20 . . . the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.
(i) Revelation 16:7 . . . I heard the altar cry.
(j) Revelation 16:20 And every island fled away, . . .
 5. APOSTROPHE

APOSTROPHE describes the figure of speech that occurs when a person interrupts what he is saying
to address directly some person or thing.

EXAMPLES
Psalm 24:7 Lift up your heads, O gates!

and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
Jeremiah 46:9 Advance, O horses,

and rage, O chariots!
Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you!
How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood
under her wings, and you would not!
1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy victory?

O death, where is thy sting?
Notice that in 1 Corinthians 15:55 the use of apostrophe is combined with the use of rhetorical
questions.

RHETORICAL QUESTIONS

TWO KINDS OF QUESTIONS

Real questions:
Mark 6:38 And he said to them, “How many loaves have you?”

Answer: “Five, and two fish.”
Rhetoric questions:
Mark 8:36 For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit
his life?

EXERCISE
Which of the following questions are real questions, and which are rhetorical questions? Check the
context where necessary.
(a) Hebrews 12:7 God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not
discipline?
(b) Mark 5:30 Who touched my garments?
(c) 1 Timothy 3:5 For if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care
for God’s church?
(d) Acts 2:7 And they were amazed and wondered, saying, “Are not all these who are
speaking Galileans?”
(e) Matthew 13:10 Then the disciples came and said to Jesus, “Why do you speak to them in
parables?”
(f) Matthew 13:27 Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has it weeds?