SYNCRISIS; or, REPEATED SIMILE.
Repetition of a number of Resemblances.
Syn’-cri’ sis. Greek, σύγκρισις, from σύν (sun), together with, and κρίσις (crisis), a judging or deciding.
Hence, Syncrisis is the judging or comparing of one thing with another; and is used of the figure which consists of a repeated Simile, or of more than one, or of a number of separate comparisons used together.
Another name for this figure is PARATHESIS (Pa-rath’-e-sis), Greek, παράθεσις, a putting beside; from παρά (para), beside, and τιθέναι (tithenai), to place.
It was called by the Latins COMPARATIO: i.e., a bringing together and comparing.
Isa. 1:18—
“Though your sins be as scarlet.
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they be red like crimson.
They shall be as wool.”
Isa. 32:2—“And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind,
and a covert from the tempest;
as rivers of water in a dry place,
as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land,”
Isa. 66:12—“For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream.”
From “Figures Of Speech Used In The Bible” by E. W. Bullinger,
(Public Domain) page 734. Adapted for website compatibility.
See original at link. Stream Download.
Syncrisis.
Syncrisis, is a comparison of contrary things, & diverse persons in one sentence.An example of the holy scripture: “Behold my servants shall eate, and you shall suffer hunger, behold my servants shall drinke, and you shall abide thirst, behold my servants shall rejoyce and you shall you shall be put to shame, behold my servants shal be glad through joy of heart, & you shal cry through sorrow of heart, and waile through contrition of spirit.” Esa.65.13.14.
Another of the penitent theefe hanging on the crosse, saying thus: “We are indeed righteously here, for we receive things worthie of that we have done, but this man hath done nothing amisse.” Luc.23.41.
Here in this example the guiltie is opposed against the just, and injurie against equitie.
Another: The suttle commit the fault, and the simple beare the blame.
Many of Salomons Proverbes are compounded and garnished with this exornation: as these and many mo such like: “Wise women uphold their house, but a foolish woman pulleth it downe.” Prov.14.1.
A wise sonne maketh a glad father, but an undiscreet sonne is a heavinesse to his mother.
“The curse of ye Lord is in the house of the ungodly, but he blesseth the dwellings of the rightuous.” Prov.10.1.
“The same use and Caution may serve to this figure, which do pertaine to Antithesis last observed.”
Reference:
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu
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