Bible Lexicons

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

Anachoresis; or Regression

A Return to the Original Subject after a Digression

An-a-cho´-ree-sis. Greek, ἀναχώρησις, a going or drawing back, from ἀνά (ana), back, and χώρησις (choreesis), a withdrawing or retiring (from χωρέω, choreô, to retire, withdraw).

This figure is a return from a digression which has been made. Hence called by the Latins, REGRESSIO, a regression, and RECESSIO, a receding or recession.

The Greeks had another name for it, calling it EPANACLESIS, Ep-an-a-clee-sis, from ἐπί (epi), upon, ἀνά (ana), back, κλῆσις (kleesis), a calling (from καλέω (kaleô), to call), a calling back upon, or recalling, in the sense of returning from a digression.

See Ephesians 3:14, where the subject commenced in verse 1 is resumed.

Romans 1:7, where the subject (the salutation) commenced in verse 1 is resumed.

Further examples will easily be found by the observant reader.