{"id":3950,"date":"2014-11-26T15:54:40","date_gmt":"2014-11-26T19:54:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/?page_id=3950"},"modified":"2022-09-04T17:23:08","modified_gmt":"2022-09-04T21:23:08","slug":"parabola","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/?page_id=3950","title":{"rendered":"Parabola"},"content":{"rendered":"

PARABOLA;
\nor, Parable<\/em>: i.e<\/em>., CONTINUED SIMILE.
\nComparison by continued Resemblance<\/em>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nPar-ab ‘-o-la<\/em>. Greek, \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03b2\u03bf\u03bb\u03ae (pa-rab ‘-o-lee), a placing beside for the purpose of comparison, from \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03ac (para), beside<\/em>, and \u03b2\u03ac\u03bb\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03bd (ballein), to throw<\/em> or cast<\/em>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nThe classical use of the word was for one of the subdivisions of \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03ac\u03b4\u03b5\u03b9\u03b3\u03bc\u03b1 (paradeigma), an example, viz<\/em>., a presentation of an analogous case by way of illustration.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nIn the LXX. it occurs about thirty times as the translation of \u05de\u05b8\ufb2a\u05b8\u05dc (mahshal<\/em>),
\nand of no other word: and, if we look at some of the sayings to which the word \u201cparable\u201d is applied, the meaning which was attached to it will be clearly seen.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\n1 Sam. 10:12<\/a>\u00a0 We read of \u201cthe proverb,\u201d \u201cIs Saul also among the prophets?\u201d
\nSo 24:14 (13<\/a>):
\nOf \u201cthe proverb of the ancients,\u201d \u201cWickedness proceedeth from the wicked.\u201d
\nCompare Ezek. 12:22<\/a>; 16:44<\/a>; 18:2<\/a>.
\nDeut. 28:37<\/a>.
\n2 Chron. 7:20<\/a>.
\nPsa. 44: 14<\/a> (15).
\nJer. 24:9<\/a>. But see under Par\u0153mia<\/em>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nGrowing out of this came a later meaning of \u05de\u05b8\ufb2a\u05b8\u05dc (mahshal<\/em>) as used of any saying which required an explanation. We see this as early as in Ezek. 20:47-49<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nIn the New Testament instances of the word, it is used of a story with a hidden meaning, without pressing, in every detail, the idea of a comparison.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nAs the name of a Figure of Speech, it is limited to what we may describe as repeated
\nor continued Simile<\/a><\/em>\u2014an illustration by which one set of circumstances is likened to another. It consists in likeness not in representation, and therefore is not a continued Metaphor<\/a><\/em>, as some have said; but a repeated Simile<\/em>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nThis likeness is generally only in some special point. One person may be like another in appearance, but not in character, and vice versa; so that when resemblance or likeness is affirmed it is not to be concluded that the likeness may be pressed in all points, or extended to all particulars.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nFor example, a lion is used as a resemblance of Christ, on account of his strength and prowess. The Devil is likened to \u201ca lion\u201d because of his violence and cruelty. Christ is compared to a thief, on account of his coming, being unexpected; not on account of dishonesty.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nThe resemblance is to be sought for in the scope of the context, and in the one great truth which is presented, and the one important lesson which is taught: and not in all the minute details with which these happen to be associated.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nThe interpretation of the parable must be further distinguished from any application which may be made of it.
\nFor example: in the Parable of the \u201cTen Virgins\u201d (Matt. 25:1-12<\/a>), the interpretation belongs to some special point of time immediately preceding the return of the Lord to the earth. This is Indicated by the word \u201cThen,\u201d with which it commences, and by its place in relation to the context. Any lesson for ourselves, as to watchfulness on our part, must come as an application of it to present circumstances.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nSo with the parable of the Great Supper (Luke 14:16-24<\/a>). The application to the present time must not blot out the interpretation of it, which refers to the successive ministries connected with the invitations to \u201cthe great supper.\u201d
\n
\n. (1) \u201cA certain man\u201d sends \u201chis servant\u201d to those who had been previously \u201cbidden.\u201d This was Peter’s first ministry (Acts 2-7<\/a>). All excuse themselves.
\n. (2) The \u201cmaster of the house\u201d sends him again to \u201cthe streets
\nand lanes of the city\u201d. This is Peter’s second ministry (Acts 10-12<\/a>).
\n. (3) Then \u201cthe lord\u201d sends out another servant to \u201cthe highways and hedges,\u201d
\nThis is Paul’s ministry to the great Gentile world (Acts 13-28<\/a>).
\n
\nParables are used from the resemblance of one thing to another. The thing, or history, or story may be true or imaginary; but the events must be possible, or likely to have happened; at any rate those who hear must believe that they are possible events, though it is not necessary that the speaker should believe them. Where they are Impossible, such as trees or animals speaking and reasoning, we have Fable; and if the Fable is explained, then we have Allegory<\/a><\/em> (q.v<\/em>.). See Judges 9:8-15<\/a>, where we should have Fable, but for the application of it, which we have in verse 16, which renders it Allegory.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nWe do not propose to give even a list of the parables of Scripture, as they can be so easily and readily found by the reader.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nOne word of caution, however, we must give: and that is concerning the object of parables. The common idea is that they are intended to make things clear and plain. Hence every young minister and Sunday-school teacher turns to the parables as though they were the simplest things in the world. Whereas they were spoken that
\nthe truth might be veiled from those who \u201cseeing, see not: and hearing, hear not.\u201d See Matt. 13:10-17<\/a>. Hence they are among the most difficult portions of God’s Word.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nWithout wearying the student with all the varying definitions and explanations which Rhetoricians and Divines have given, we add what is perhaps the best classification of Similitudes, viz<\/em>.:
\nthat by P. Rutilius Lupus.
\n…… I. PARADEIGMA<\/em>.
\n………\u00a01. Persons without words.
\n……… 2. Words without persons.
\n……… 3. Both persons and words.
\n
\n…. II. PARABOLA<\/em> or PARABLE<\/em>.
\n……… 1. Icon<\/em>. Simile forming a complete image.
\n……… 2. Hom\u0153on<\/em>. Simile founded on certain points only.
\n………\u00a03. Epagoge<\/em>. Argument from induction.
\n
\n.From \u201cFigures Of Speech Used In The Bible\u201d by E. W. Bullinger,
\n(Public Domain) pages 751-753. Adapted for website compatibility.
\nSee original at link.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stream<\/a> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Download<\/a>.
\n.
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PARABOLA; or, Parable: i.e., CONTINUED SIMILE. Comparison by continued Resemblance. Par-ab ‘-o-la. Greek, \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03b2\u03bf\u03bb\u03ae (pa-rab ‘-o-lee), a placing beside for the purpose of comparison, from \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03ac (para), beside, and \u03b2\u03ac\u03bb\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03bd (ballein), to throw or cast. The classical use of the word was for one of the subdivisions of \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03ac\u03b4\u03b5\u03b9\u03b3\u03bc\u03b1 (paradeigma), […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":390,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3950","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3950","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3950"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3950\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16087,"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3950\/revisions\/16087"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/390"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3950"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}