Bible Lexicons

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

Apodioxis; or Detestation

An Expression of Feeling by way of Detestation

Ap´-o-di-ôx´-is. Greek, ἀποδίωξις, a chasing away; from ἀπό (apo), away from, and διώκειν (diôkein), to pursue.

The figure is so called, because the speaker or writer repels something, and spurns it as absurd or wicked.

The Latins called it REJECTIO, a rejecting or rejection; DETESTATIO, a detesting or detestation; and ABOMINATIO, an abominating or abomination.

Psalms 50:16.-"But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?"

Isaiah 1:12-15 is a solemn expression of Jehovah’s detestation of religion, per se, such as existed among, and was manifested by, the Jews at Christ’s first coming. This passage describes the most minute attention to every religious observance, which only heightens the indignation with which the Lord repudiates it all, because it does not proceed from the heart.

See this passage also under Ellipsis, Anthropopatheia, Synathrœsmus, and Hypotyposis.

Jeremiah 9:2 (1).-We have Jeremiah’s detestation of Israel’s idolatry.

Matthew 4:10.-"Get thee hence, Satan:" etc.

Matthew 16:23.-"He … said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God."

The fact of this repulsion following so closely upon the other words addressed to Peter in verses 17, 18, should have for ever precluded the Romish perversion of them.

Acts 8:20-23.-Peter repels with horror the thought of Simon Magus that the gift of the Holy Ghost could be purchased with money.