{"id":7820,"date":"2017-05-10T15:02:58","date_gmt":"2017-05-10T19:02:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/?p=7820"},"modified":"2018-12-19T09:46:39","modified_gmt":"2018-12-19T13:46:39","slug":"7820","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/?p=7820","title":{"rendered":"Figurative vs. Literal part 1- Anaphora"},"content":{"rendered":"


\nFigurative vs. Literal part 1
\nBy Ken Rossoll on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 4:26am
\nFiguratively Speaking
\nby Ken Rossoll
\n
\nFigurative vs. Literal part 1
\n
\nHave you ever wondered, while reading the Bible, whether a verse or section of verses could be taken literally? Perhaps the meaning is figurative, and therefore cannot, or should not, be taken literally. Often times this is the case. However, I would like to demonstrate in this series of articles that many times the literal meaning can be taken, even though a figure of speech has been employed in its delivery. Therefore, just because a figure of speech is used does not mean it cannot be literal.
\n
\nLet’s begin by defining the terms \u201cliteral\u201d and \u201cfigurative\u201d. When we accept something as being literal, we accept it at its face value. To say, \u201cI enjoyed a glass of fresh apple cider from the orchard\u201d means just that, without any hidden or enigmatic meaning, and is taken as literal. But if I were to say, \u201cI had too much cider, and was dancing the Green Apple Quick Step\u201d, it would be understood to be figurative, as the meaning isn’t immediately apparent. The true meaning would be hidden from literal view, and would require further investigating.
\n
\nEvery language has rules and principles by which it is governed. These rules are known as grammar. When those rules are deviated from in an intentional, precise manner, most likely we have encountered a figure of speech, although not all figures require grammatical deviation.
\n
\nOne of the fundamental keys to understanding scripture is that we should always begin to look for its meaning right where it is written. We should therefore begin with the view that what we are reading was meant to be taken literally, rather than figuratively. If however, what we are reading is not clear on its surface, then further study may be required, and it may well be that we have encountered a figure of speech. The purpose of this study is to show that often times a precise deviation can be made from the rules of language without losing a literal meaning, and therefore scripture may retain a literal meaning while being figurative.
\n
\nOne of the simplest figures of speech to demonstrate this fact is Anaphora. Anaphora is the repetition of the same word or words at the beginning of successive sentences or clauses, and \u201cliterally\u201d means \u201cto carry again\u201d. Anaphora’s purpose is to slow the reader down so that special attention is paid to each idea being presented. It also brings us back to focus on a dominant thought.
\n
\nLet’s look at a few examples of Anaphora to determine whether the literal meaning is retained or hidden by its use.
\nEcclesiastes 3:1-8 KJV
\n1 – To every [thing there is<\/em>] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
\n2 – A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up [that which is<\/em>] planted;
\n3 – A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
\n4 – A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
\n5 – A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0refrain from embracing;
\n6 – A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
\n7 – A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
\n8 – A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
\n
\nThe figure of speech Anaphora is identified in the use of the words \u201ca time to\u201d.
\nIf these words, \u201ca time to\u201d were used only once at the beginning of this message, as they would be in a grammatically literal presentation, it would not change the meaning of the message. But we would tend to read more quickly through the series of elements listed, and thereby perhaps lose some of the impact of the message.
\n
\nEcclesiastes 3:1 [FIGURE OMITTED] To every[thing there is<\/em>] a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven:
\nEcc 3:2-8 [FIGURE OMITTED] A time to be born, die, plant, pluck up, kill, heal, break down, build up, weep, laugh, mourn, dance, cast away stones, gather stones, embrace, refrain from embracing, get, lose, keep, cast away, rend, sew, keep silence, speak, love, hate, war and also for peace.
\n
\nBy omitting the figure of speech and presenting a strictly literal to grammar rendition of these verses, have we changed the meaning of any of the words? No. Have we changed the literal meaning of the message? Again, no. Therefore, when someones says we cannot take a verse or section of verses literally because it is figurative, we need to ask, \u201cwhy not\u201d.
\n(And just think, if Anaphora hadn’t been used in Ecclesiastes, we wouldn’t have the hit tune by The Byrds from 1965 entitled \u201cTurn!, Turn!,Turn!<\/a>\u201d http:\/\/youtu.be\/xaL75qLJyUc ).
\n
\nLet’s look at another example of Anaphora set forth by the Master himself.
\n
\nMatthew 5:1-12
\n1 – And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
\n2 – And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
\n3 – Blessed [are<\/em>] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
\n4 – Blessed [are<\/em>] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
\n5 – Blessed [are<\/em>] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
\n6 – Blessed [are<\/em>] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
\n7 – Blessed [are<\/em>] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
\n8 – Blessed [are<\/em>] the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
\n9 – Blessed [are<\/em>] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
\n10- Blessed [are<\/em>] they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
\n11- Blessed are ye, when [men<\/em>] shall revile you, and persecute [you<\/em>], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
\n12-\u00a0Rejoice<\/strong>, and be exceeding glad: for great [is<\/em>] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
\n
\nHere Jesus uses the figure of speech Anaphora, not to conceal the meaning of his message, but simply to reiterate the blessedness of those to whom his message applies. If we were to state \u201cblessed are the poor in spirit…\u201d, and then omit the words \u201cblessed [are<\/em>]\u201d from the rest of the message, we would still have the same truth, so long as we remembered to refer back to the initial use of those two words. Again, if someone were to say that we cannot take Jesus’ words literally here because it is figurative, I would have to respond with, \u201cwhy not?\u201d.
\n
\nLet’s look at one more use of Anaphora, just to be certain we understand that figurative and literal are not necessarily contradictory.
\nPhilippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are<\/em>] honest, whatsoever things [are<\/em>] just, whatsoever things [are<\/em>] pure, whatsoever things [are<\/em>] lovely, whatsoever things [are<\/em>] of good report; if [there be<\/em>] any virtue, and if [there be<\/em>] any praise, think on these things.
\n
\nHere two separate Anaphoras are used by the Apostle Paul. The first is in the words \u201cwhatsoever things\u201d, and the second in the words \u201cif [there be<\/em>] any\u201d. We could read this verse as literal according to grammar, without losing the truth of the message.
\nPhilippians 4:8 [FIGURE OMITTED] \u201cFinally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report; if there be any virtue or praise, think on these things\u201d.
\nWe can see clearly that this figure of speech is used to slow the reader down, so as \u201cto think on these things\u201d.
\n
\nAuthor\u2019s note: the word anaphora has been capitalized even when not properly required, so as to maintain focus on the topic.
\n2012 \u00a9 Kenneth James Rossoll (all rights reserved). Permission granted to use this work in \u201cnot for profit\u201d distribution.<\/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","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Figurative vs. Literal part 1 By Ken Rossoll on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 4:26am Figuratively Speaking by Ken Rossoll Figurative vs. Literal part 1 Have you ever wondered, while reading the Bible, whether a verse or section of verses could be taken literally? Perhaps the meaning is figurative, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[58,36,56,55,37,33,35,34,57,60,59],"class_list":["post-7820","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general-information","tag-a-time-to","tag-anaphora","tag-blessed","tag-ecclesiastes","tag-face-value","tag-figurative","tag-figurative-vs-literal","tag-literal","tag-philippians-48","tag-rejoice","tag-turn"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7820","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=7820"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7820\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9299,"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7820\/revisions\/9299"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7820"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7820"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figuresofspeechinthebible.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7820"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}