Bible Lexicons

Bullinger's Figures of Speech Used in the BibleBullinger's Figures of Speech

Anteisagoge; or Counter-Question

The Answering of one Question by asking another

An-teis´-a-gô´-gee. Greek, ἀντεισαγωγή, a bringing in instead; from ἀντί (anti), against or instead; εἰς (eis), in; ἄγειν (agein), to lead or bring.

The figure is so called, because a question is answered by asking another.

It is called also ANTICATALLAXIS (an´-ti-cat´-al-lax´-is). Greek, ἀντικατάλλαξις, a setting off or balancing of one thing against another (as in trade).

The Greeks called it also ANTHUPOPHORA (an´-thu-poph´-o-ra). Greek, ἀνθυποφορά, a reply to an objection; from ἀντί (anti), against, ὑπό (hupo), φέρειν (pherein), to bring.

Hence the Latin names of the Figure: COMPENSATIO, compensation, and CONTRARIA ILLATIO, a bringing in against.

Judges 14:8.-The answer to Samson’s "riddle" is given in the form of a question, and is thus an Anteisagoge. See under Enigma.

A beautiful example is furnished in

Matthew 21:23-25; where, when the chief priests and elders asked Christ by what authority He acted; He said, "I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things." He then goes on, in verse 25, to answer the question by asking another.

In the answer of His enemies we have the Figure Aporia (q.v. [Note: Which see.] ).

Romans 9:19-20.-"Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?"

"Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God?" See below, under Prolepsis.