the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Dictionaries
Hyperbole
Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary
or This figure, in its representation of things or objects, either magnifies or diminishes them beyond or below their proper limits: it is common in all languages, and is of frequent occurrence in the Scriptures. Thus, things which are lofty are said to reach up to heaven, Deuteronomy 1:28; Deuteronomy 9:1; Psalms 107:26 . So things which are beyond the reach or capacity of man are said to be in "heaven," in the "deep," or "beyond the sea," Deuteronomy 30:12; Romans 10:6-7 . So a great quantity or number is commonly expressed by the "sand of the sea," the "dust of the earth," and the "stars of heaven," Genesis 13:16; Genesis 41:49; Judges 7:12; 1 Samuel 13:5; 1 Kings 4:29; 2 Chronicles 1:9; Jeremiah 15:8; Hebrews 11:12 . In like manner we meet with "smaller than grasshoppers," Numbers 13:33 , to denote extreme diminutiveness; "swifter than eagles," 2 Samuel 1:23 , to intimate extreme celerity; the "earth trembled," the "mountains melted," Judges 5:4-5; the "earth rent," 1 Kings 1:40 . "I make my bed to swim;" "rivers of tears run down mine eyes." So we read of "angels' food," Psalms 6:6; Psalms 119:136; Psalms 78:25; the "face of an angel," Acts 6:15; and the "tongue of an angel," 1 Corinthians 13:1 . See also Galatians 1:8; Galatians 4:14 . We read "sigh with the breaking of thy loins," Ezekiel 21:6 , that is, most deeply. So we read that "the stones would cry out," and "they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another," Luke 19:40; Luke 19:44; that is, there shall be a total desolation.
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Watson, Richard. Entry for 'Hyperbole'. Richard Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/wtd/h/hyperbole.html. 1831-2.
