{"id":11666,"date":"2021-01-23T07:03:58","date_gmt":"2021-01-23T11:03:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/?p=11666"},"modified":"2021-08-01T02:47:42","modified_gmt":"2021-08-01T06:47:42","slug":"poly-which-a-ma-callit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/?p=11666","title":{"rendered":"Poly-which-a-ma-callit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Previously we took a look at the figure Anaphora<\/a>, noting that it is the repetition of the same word or words at the beginning of successive sentences, clauses, or perhaps even phrases. If we should come upon paragraphs that repeat with the same word or words, we can note that as well. Another figure very similar to Anaphora is Polysyndeton<\/a>.<\/span><\/span>
\n
\nDr. Bullinger saw Polysyndeton as being so similar to Anaphora, that he considered it to be a special form of that figure. He gave it the nickname \u201cMany Ands\u201d<\/span>, and logically so. However, when we take a closer look at Polysyndeton, we see that his etymological definition offers a far greater understanding of this figure’s identification and importance in our study of scripture.
\n
\nWhen I discovered the \u201c3F \u201d<\/span> formula of figures it was like discovering the legend or key on a map. We can generally get to where we are going by following the lines on the map, but how much more depth there is in our journey when we unlock the meanings of all the symbols. Local routes, state routes, federal highways, and interstate highways all play a large part in our travels. So too does an understanding of the \u201c3Fs\u201d<\/span>, Form, Function, and Fulfillment of Purpose aid us in our adventure of understanding biblical figures of speech. Had Dr. Bullinger discovered this key, how much more depth he could have taught us about the biblical figures he loved.
\n
\nHe was absolutely correct in noting the form of Polysyndeton as being nearly identical to the form of Anaphora. The word \u201cand\u201d<\/span> being repeated before a phrase, clause, or sentence was the form he used to identify this figure.
\nIn his book \u201cFigures of Speech Used in the Bible\u201d<\/span><\/u>\u00a0he says…..
\n(“The repetition of the word \u201cand \u201d<\/span> at the beginning of successive clauses.\u201d<\/span>).
\nalso…..
\n(“The English name for the Figure will, therefore, be MANY-ANDS.
\nPolysyndeton is merely one special form of Anaphora (q.v<\/i><\/span><\/span>.) : <\/span><\/span>i.e<\/i><\/span><\/span>., it is a repetition of the same word at the beginning of successive sentences: but this is always one special word\u00a0 \u201cand.\u201d<\/span> ).<\/span><\/span>
\n
\nBut he provided a more in-depth means of understanding Polysyndeton in his etymological definition.
\n(\u201cPol’-y-syn-de-ton. Greek, \u03c0\u03bf\u03bb\u03c5\u03c3\u1f7b\u03bd\u03b4\u03b5\u03c4\u03bf\u03bd<\/span><\/span>, from <\/span><\/span>\u03c0\u03bf\u03bb\u1f7b\u03c2<\/span><\/span> (<\/span><\/span>pol<\/i><\/span><\/span>\u016b<\/i><\/span><\/span>s<\/i><\/span><\/span>), <\/span><\/span>many<\/i><\/span><\/span>, and <\/span><\/span>\u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b4\u03b5\u03c4\u03cc\u03bd<\/span><\/span> (<\/span><\/span>syndeton<\/i><\/span><\/span>), <\/span><\/span>bound together<\/i><\/span><\/span>; hence, in grammar, it means <\/span><\/span>a conjunction<\/i><\/span><\/span> (from <\/span><\/span>\u03c3\u1f7b\u03bd<\/span><\/span> (<\/span><\/span>syn<\/i><\/span><\/span>) and <\/span><\/span>\u03b4\u03b5\u03af\u03bd<\/span><\/span> (<\/span><\/span>dein<\/i><\/span><\/span>), <\/span><\/span>to bind)<\/i><\/span><\/span>. The word, therefore, means much bound together or many conjunctions.\u201d<\/span>).<\/span><\/span>
\n
\nSee also Liddell; Scott: \u201cA Greek-English Lexicon\u201d 8<\/span><\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span><\/sup><\/span> Edition 1897
\nCompiled by Henry George Liddell, D.D., and Robert Scott D.D.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span>Pg. 1248<\/span><\/span><\/a> Polus;<\/span><\/span><\/span> \u03c0\u03bf\u03bb\u03cd\u03c2<\/span><\/span><\/a> :<\/span><\/span><\/span> many
\n<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>and
\nPg. 1479<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span> Sunde\u014d;<\/span><\/span><\/span> \u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b4\u03ad\u03c9<\/span><\/span><\/a> :<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/i>to bind or tie together, of two or more things.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span>Syndeo<\/a>: (verb) <\/span><\/span>to tie together<\/i><\/span><\/span>; <\/span><\/span>to bind together<\/i><\/span><\/span>;
\nand
\nhttps:\/\/www.blueletterbible.org\/lang\/lexicon\/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4887&t=KJV<\/a>
\nHeb 13:3 KJV Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; [G4887] [<\/span><\/span>and<\/i><\/span><\/span>] them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
\n<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span>Syndesmos<\/a>: (masc. noun) 1.) that which binds together; a bond; band.
\n1 A.) of ligaments by which the members of the human body are united together.
\n2.) that which is bound together; a bundle.<\/span><\/span>
\n
\nA few examples of Polysyndeton given in the book following the concept of \u201cmany ands” are as follows. The Form is like Anaphora, but instead of calling our attention back to the word being repeated, Polysyndeton Functions by uniting the independent thoughts and holding them together as a unite, not to be separated from one another. Each part plays a significant role in the whole, and thus the figure Fulfills its purpose of binding them to one another, creating that whole.
\n
\n\u201cMatt. 7:25 Here the perfect security of the \u201cwise man,\u201d<\/span> who hears the sayings of Jesus, and is likened unto a man who built his house upon a rock, is emphasized by a five-fold \u201cand\u201d<\/span> (five being the number of grace).
\n\u201cAnd<\/strong> the rain descended (on the roof),
\nand<\/strong> the floods came (at the foundations),
\nand<\/strong> the winds blew (at the sides),
\nand<\/strong> beat upon that house:
\nand<\/strong> it fell not.\u201d<\/span>
\n
\nWhile, on the other hand, in verse 27, the insecurity of the \u201cfoolish man,” who hears, but does not, the sayings of Jesus, is set forth by a six-fold \u201cand\u201d<\/span> (six being the number of man and of human independence and imperfection: \u2014
\n\u201cAnd<\/strong> the rain descended,
\nand<\/strong> the floods came,
\nand<\/strong> the winds blew,
\nand<\/strong> beat upon that house;
\nand<\/strong> it fell
\nand<\/strong> great was the fall of it.\u201d<\/span>
\n
\nEph. 4:31 \u201cLet all bitterness (\u03c0\u03b9\u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03b1<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>pikria<\/i><\/span><\/span>, the opposite of <\/span><\/span>\u03c7\u03c1\u03b7\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03af<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>chreestoi<\/i><\/span><\/span>, verse 32, <\/span><\/span>kind<\/i><\/span><\/span>).
\nand<\/strong> wrath (<\/span><\/span>\u03b8\u03c5\u03bc\u03cc\u03c2<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>thumos<\/i><\/span><\/span>, the opposite of <\/span><\/span>\u03b5\u1f54\u03c3\u03c0\u03bb\u03b1\u03b3\u03c7\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>eusplangchnoi<\/i><\/span><\/span> tenderhearted<\/i><\/span><\/span>)
\nand<\/strong> anger (<\/span><\/span>\u1f40\u03c1\u03b3\u03ae<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>orgee<\/i><\/span><\/span>, the opposite of <\/span><\/span>\u03c7\u03b1\u03c1\u03b9\u03b6\u03cc\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>charizomenoi<\/i><\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>forgiving<\/i><\/span><\/span>),
\nand <\/strong><\/span><\/span>clamour<\/i><\/span><\/span>,
\nand <\/strong><\/span><\/span>evil-speaking<\/i><\/span><\/span>
\nbe put away from you with<\/strong> ( <\/span><\/span>\u03c3\u1f7b\u03bd,<\/span><\/span><\/span> sun<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em>)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em> all <\/span><\/span>malice<\/i><\/span><\/span> (<\/span><\/span>\u03ba\u03b1\u03ba\u1f77\u03b1<\/span><\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span><\/span> kakia<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em>, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em>ill intent<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em>).\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n
\nWe cannot get rid of one and not the others if we are to be Christ-like, we must let go of the whole of them.
\nVerse 32
\n\u201cAnd<\/strong> be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you\u201d<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nIn my next installment we will look at how the figure Polysyndeton is used as \u201cmany ands\u201d<\/span>, and why it was understood as a form of Anaphora. Then, in future posts, we will see why it goes far beyond this, and how it, (as a form of repetition), functions, and the purpose it fulfills. Enjoy!
\nKen Rossoll 1-22-2021<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Previously we took a look at the figure Anaphora, noting that it is the repetition of the same word or words at the beginning of successive sentences, clauses, or perhaps even phrases. If we should come upon paragraphs that repeat with the same word or words, we can note that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[75],"tags":[91,90,87],"class_list":["post-11666","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-posts","tag-many-ands","tag-anaphora-eph-4","tag-polysyndeton"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11666","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"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=11666"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11666\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11668,"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11666\/revisions\/11668"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11666"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11666"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11666"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}