Customer Reviews

Figures of Speech Used in the Bible: Explained and Illustrated

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Bullinger's massive classifications of figures of speech used in the Bible provides a wealth of help in interpretation. When I am studying a difficult verse, I often use the Scripture index in Bullinger's work to find out if figurative language might come into play. Not only does Bullinger address figures that we commonly think of (exaggeration/hyperbole, etc.), but he divides them into subcategories -- and includes classifications of figures one would not ordinarily detect through a casual reading of Biblical texts.

This is not meant for reading or even studying through (though it is fascinating to thumb through it), but is more or less a very useful reference work. I would label it as an essential book for pastors and Bible teachers.

As an evangelical pastor of 24 years, I give this book two thumbs up.

One of the most useful of Bible study tools, "Figures of Speech Used in the Bible" should be in personal library of anyone who is serious about Bible study. The writers of the Bible often used figures of speech that were common during their time. In fact we often use figures of speech in our everyday conversations without paying much attention to it but we do expect others to understand that we were speaking figuratively and not literally. For example, if we were to say someone is "big as a barn" we would not expect anyone to seriously think they were forty feet long, eighteen feet tall and twenty feet wide. By taking such figures of speech literally it is easy to be lead astray into false doctrines.

The other thing the book is particularly valuable for is literary analysis. The beauty of literature sometimes is its use of various literary devices. Introverted parallelism is an example of a literary device included in the book. This is where two or more items are listed in one order and then in the reverse order. For example Exodus 9:31 where it reads "And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled." First the order is flax and then barley and then the order changes to barley and then flax. Of course there are a lot of other literary devices such as acrostics, sentences that start or end with the same words, a chapter where each verse starts with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet, or Psalms 69 where there are 22 groups of eight verses where each of the eight verses in that group all start with the same letter.

Whether it is examining these details of the Bible as literature or preventing an exegetic mistake by not understanding a figure of speech, "Figures of Speech Used in the Bible" is highly recommended and should be owned by all Bible students.

This book has become a favorite reference in my Biblical studies. It's thorough, well organized, and easy to use. I'm not in agreement with all of Bullinger's theological views, particularly his dispensational perspective on the structure of bilbical revelation; but his scholarly insight on how scripture uses figures of speech has proven to be extremely valuable in helping me gain a deeper and more clear understanding of God's word. I consider this to be one of the better resources on my bookshelf. It's a great companion with Strong's Concordance, and my Hebrew and Greek lexicons. It should, however, be used in a discerning manner.

Bullinger's is an excellent Bible study tool. The book is balanced and has a long history of use in the Christian community. I bought it to replace an older copy.

This book is for Bible teachers, Pastors, and above. It is a bit involved for anyone not involved in deep, continous study of the word. It is not an "easy to read book." It is more like a dictionary where you can look up passages or specific figures of speech and see how they are used in the Bible.

I highly recommend it.

This book, along with Preaching from the Types and Metaphors of the Bible (Keach), and The Typology of Scripture (Fairbairn), make up my trio of favorite books on Figures, Metaphors, and Typologies of the Bible. No Bible study you do will truly be complete without checking the notes on your verses in this book. It is really that important, that insightful, and that well researched. The doctrine between the lines is also helpful and sound. This is (hands down), the single best book to study polysyndeton and asyndeton examples in the Bible. Excellent book!

This is an indepth review of the words and phrases used in the bible. Should be on every desk of the serious student of the Bible.

This book catalogs and shows how God utilizes over 200 types of figures of speech to call attention to what He views as most vital in His Word. No other work approaches the scope and knowledge that Bullinger had in this field.

The Bible should be taken literally at all times except where figures of speech are being used. There are over 217 figures of speech used in the Bible and over 8 to 10 thousand verses that contain figurative language. E.W. Bullingers "Figures of Speech Used in the Bible" is the only book in existence that properly teaches the student all the forms of figurative speech used, and the verses where they can be found. The lack of knowledge concerning Figures of Speech has led to many errors in doctrine and interpretation. Therefore, every Christian should give great consideration to studying this topic.

Figures of Speech Used in the Bible is an excellent example of Bullinger's thorough and exacting examination of Bible details, which greatly assist in understanding all the spiritual messages in the Bible. I love Bullinger's works. He is one of the greatest researchers I've ever had the pleasure to use in my studies. Many times his key word descriptions help open my understanding down deep. He brings the language in the Bible to the place where it is alive with revelations. Thanks, my dear Bible lover, E. W. Bullinger.

I agree with one reviewer who states that this is not an easy book to read. However, I do not feel it is a difficult one either. For the biblical student who is not familiar with figures of speech this book will be no more or less challenging than any other new concept. But please don't believe that this book is too difficult to read (as one reviewer stated). This is a well designed book, and it will add depth to your biblical understanding you never knew was missing.

As one reviewer already stated their are 217 in scripture. This book helps you understand each of them by: listing each one of them along with biblical passages where they are used, a scripture list in the back so you can find a specific verse easily, and an index of hebrew and greek words explained. This book is truly a treasure chest of information, and one I know will greatly enhance your understanding of God and his word. God bless you. Your the best.