{"id":6264,"date":"2016-02-11T16:11:01","date_gmt":"2016-02-11T20:11:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/?page_id=6264"},"modified":"2022-04-21T19:37:19","modified_gmt":"2022-04-21T23:37:19","slug":"aenigma","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/?page_id=6264","title":{"rendered":"\u00c6NIGMA"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00c6NIGMA; or, Dark Saying.
\nA Truth expressed in obscure Language<\/em>.
\n
\nE-nig’-ma<\/em>. Greek, \u03b1\u1f34\u03bd\u03b9\u03b3\u03bc\u03b1 (ai-nig-ma<\/em>), from \u03b1\u1f30\u03bd\u03af\u03c3\u03c3\u03b5\u03c3\u03b8\u03b1\u03b9 (ainissesthai<\/em>),
\nto tell a strange tale<\/em>, then to speak darkly<\/em> or in riddles<\/em>.
\nHence an enigma<\/em> is a dark<\/em> or obscure saying<\/em>, a puzzling statement<\/em> or action<\/em>.
\nA statement of which the meaning has to be searched for in order to be discovered.
\n
\nEnigma<\/em> thus differs from Parable<\/em>, in that the latter is generally explained.
\nWhen a Parable<\/em> is without any explanation, it may be called an Enigma<\/em>,
\ni.e<\/em>., a dark or obscure saying<\/em>.
\n
\nSee Psa. 78:2<\/a> quoted in Matt. 13:35<\/a>. The \u201cdark saying\u201d of the Old Testament is \u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05d3\u05b8\u05d4 (cheedah<\/em>), from \u05d7\ufb35\u05d3 (chood<\/em>), to tie in a knot<\/em>, to twist<\/em>: a knotty<\/em> or intricate saying<\/em>.
\n
\nIt is rendered dark saying<\/em> three times (Psa. 49:4<\/a> (5); 78:2;<\/a> Prov.1:6<\/a>);
\ndark sentence<\/em>, once (Dan. 8:23<\/a>);
\ndark speech<\/em>, once (Num. 12:8<\/a>);
\nhard question<\/em>, twice (1 Kings 10:1<\/a>; 2 Chron. 9:1<\/a>);
\nproverb<\/em>, once (Hab. 2:6<\/a>);
\nriddle<\/em>, nine times (Judges 14:12<\/a>, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. Ezek. 17:2<\/a>).
\n
\nWhen the saying is very obscure indeed, it is called HYP\u00c6NIGMA, i.e<\/em>., the same word, with the preposition \u1f51\u03c0\u03cc (hypo<\/em>) prefixed, meaning under<\/em>, i.e<\/em>., a saying deep<\/em> as well as dark<\/em>.
\n
\nAlso HYP\u00c6NIXIS, from \u1f51\u03c0\u03cc (hypo<\/em>), under, and \u03b1\u1f30\u03bd\u03b9\u03c3\u03c3\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9 (ainissomai<\/em>), to speak darkly<\/em>.
\nHence, a speaking beneath<\/em>: i.e<\/em>., having another meaning beneath what is actually said.
\n
\nWhen the Enigma<\/em> is connected with the names of persons or places, it is known by the name Polyonymia<\/em>.
\n
\nThere are sayings dark and deep in the Scriptures beside those that are actually so designated.
\n
\nGen. 49:10<\/a> is in the form of Enigma<\/em>.
\n\u201cThe sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet,
\nuntil Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.\u201d
\nSee under Metonymy<\/em>.
\n
\nJudges 14:14\u2014Samson’s Enigma<\/em> is well known.
\n.<\/span> \u201cOut of the eater came forth meat,
\n.<\/span> And out of the strong came forth sweetness.\u201d
\n
\nThe answer is given in verse 18<\/a>, in the form of another question (See Anteisagoge<\/em>):
\n.<\/span> \u201cWhat is sweeter than honey?
\n.<\/span> And what is stronger than a lion?\u201d
\n
\nThis is a saying both \u201cdark\u201d and \u201cdeep\u201d: for there is precious truth hidden in that darkness and those depths, which neither the Philistines nor the natural man can understand or receive.
\n
\nThe Living Word<\/em> (Christ) is stronger than the strong man armed,
\n(Matt. 12:29<\/a>; Mark 3:27<\/a>; Luke 12:21, 22<\/a>). For the Lion means in Hebrew the strong one<\/em>.
\n
\nThe Written Word<\/em> (the Scriptures of truth) are sweeter than honey,
\n(Psa. 119:103<\/a>; 19:10<\/a> (11); Jer. 15:16<\/a>).
\n
\nAll who know this blessed deliverance which the great Deliverer brings, cry out in the words of Psa. 35:10, \u201cLord, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and needy from him that spoileth him?\u201d
\n(See Erotesis<\/em> and Prosopop\u0153ia<\/em>).
\n
\nThe LAW was a strong Lion (Gal. 3:10<\/a>): but the honey is found in verse 13.
\n
\nSIN is a strong Lion (Rom. 5:21<\/a>): but the honey is found in Rom. 6:6<\/a>; 7:18-25<\/a>.
\nAnd 1 Cor. 15:56, 57<\/a>.
\n
\nThe WORLD is a strong Lion (Luke 8:14<\/a>; Gal. 5:21<\/a>):
\nbut the honey is found in John 16:33<\/a>.
\n
\nAFFLICTION is a strong Lion (Job 5:6, 7<\/a>; 14:1,2<\/a>. Acts 14:22<\/a>):
\nbut the honey is found in Psa. 119:67, 71<\/a>; 34:19<\/a> (20); Rom. 8:35-39<\/a>; Heb. 12:11<\/a>.
\n
\nDEATH is a strong Lion (Rom. 5:12<\/a>; Heb. 9:27<\/a>):
\nbut the honey is found in 2 Tim. 1:10<\/a>,\u00a0Hosea 13:14<\/a>, and 1 Cor. 15:54, 55<\/a>.
\n
\nThe answer to these Enigmas<\/em> is found in Psa. 73:16, 17<\/a>,
\n\u201cWhen I thought to know this it was too painful for me;
\nUntil I went into the sanctuary of God. Then understood I.\u201d
\n
\nIsa. 11:1<\/a> is a dark saying, and has to be interpreted by what follows.
\n
\nIsa. 21:11, 12<\/a>, is another dark saying.
\n
\nEzek. 17:2-10<\/a> gives a prophecy concerning the King of Babylon’s coming to Jerusalem, and leading it into captivity, under the Enigma of two Eagles.
\n
\nDan. 5:25-28<\/a>\u2014The handwriting on the wall is given in the form of an Enigma<\/em>,
\nin which the immediate fall of Babylon was announced.
\n
\nThree words were written, the first twice (by Epizeuxis<\/em>, q.v<\/em>.), for emphasis.
\n
\n\u05de\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d4\u00a0 M’neh\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 NUMBERED.
\n\ufb4a\u05b0\u05e7\u05b5\u05dc\u00a0 T’kel\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WEIGHED.
\n\ufb44\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05e1\u00a0 P’res\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 DIVIDED.
\n
\nThese three words are interpreted by Daniel in verses 26-28,
\nand the fulfillment of them follows in verses 30, 31.
\nSee under Paronomasia<\/em>.
\n.<\/span>
\nFrom \u201cFigures Of Speech Used In The Bible\u201d by E. W. Bullinger,
\n(Public Domain) pages 772-774. Adapted for website compatibility.
\nSee original at link.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stream<\/a> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Download<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/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


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\u00c6NIGMA; or, Dark Saying. A Truth expressed in obscure Language. E-nig’-ma. Greek, \u03b1\u1f34\u03bd\u03b9\u03b3\u03bc\u03b1 (ai-nig-ma), from \u03b1\u1f30\u03bd\u03af\u03c3\u03c3\u03b5\u03c3\u03b8\u03b1\u03b9 (ainissesthai), to tell a strange tale, then to speak darkly or in riddles. Hence an enigma is a dark or obscure saying, a puzzling statement or action. A statement of which the meaning has […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":349,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6264","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6264","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=6264"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6264\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15268,"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6264\/revisions\/15268"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/349"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6264"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}