Bible Lexicons

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

Thaumasmos; or Wondering

An Expression of Feeling by way of Wonder

Thau-mas´-mos. Greek, θαυμασμός, a marvelling. The figure is used when, instead of describing or stating a thing as a matter of fact, it is expressed in the form of marvelling at it, either directly or by implication.

When the wonder is expressed as an exclamation, it combines with it the character of Ecphonesis (see below).

Numbers 24:5.-"How goodly thy tents, O Jacob."

Matthew 8:10.-"When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."

Romans 11:33.-"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"

This is a proper Ecphonesis, except that it expresses wonder and astonishment, so that it is combined with Thaumasmos.

Galatians 1:6.-"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another (ἕτερον (heteron), different) Gospel."

A simple statement would have expressed the fact, "Ye are soon removed," etc., but thus solemnly is our attention called to the whole subject-matter of the epistle.

See under Correspondence (the order of the seven Pauline Epistles).