Bible Lexicons

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

Epiphonema; or Exclamation

Addition of Conclusion by way of Exclamation

Ep´-i-phoô-nee´-ma (ἐπιφώνημα), from ἐπί (epi), upon, and φωνεῖν (phoônein), to speak. Hence, something uttered besides; an exclamation at the conclusion of a sentence.

When the exclamation occurs as an independent separate passage, then it is called Ecphonesis or Exclamatio (q.v. [Note: Which see.] ), and does not come under this division as a mere addition of words; but rather under their application as an expression of feeling. See Ecphonesis.

And note, further, that, when the exclamation is thrown in parenthetically, it is called Interjectio (q.v. [Note: Which see.] ).

Epiphonema is called also DEINOSIS when it is very brief and emphatic, from δείνωσις, an enhancing, exaggerating.

Judges 5:31.-"So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord."

Psalms 2:12.-"Blessed are all they that put their trust in him."

Psalms 3:8.-"Salvation belongeth unto the Lord. Thy blessing is upon Thy people."

Psalms 14:7.-At the conclusion of the Psalm, this exclamation is added: "Oh, that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!" etc.

See under Paronomasia and Metonomy.

Psalms 135:21.-"Praise ye the Lord": i.e., Hallelujah, comingat the end of this and other Psalms, is an Epiphonema.

Jonah 2:9.-"Salvation is of the Lord."

Matthew 11:15.-"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

Also in all the sixteen occurrences of this Epiphonema. (See under Polyptoton).

Matthew 17:5.-"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." And, then, the beautiful Epiphonema is added, "Hear ye Him" as an appended exhortation.

Matthew 20:16.-"For many are called, but few are chosen."

See also 22:14.

Matthew 24:28.-"For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together."

See under Parœmia.

Revelation 22:20 is a beautiful Epiphonema, not only to the chapter and the book, but to the whole Bible: "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."