Bible Lexicons

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

Epitasis; or Amplification

Addition of Conclusion by way of Emphasis

E-pit´-a-sis (ἐπίτασις), a stretching, from ἐπί (epi), upon, and τείνειν (teinein), to stretch or extend.

The Figure is used when a concluding sentence is added by way of increasing the emphasis. It is not independent of what has gone before, but it is some emphatic increase added to it by way of conclusion.

The Latins called it INTENTIO, which means the same thing, a straining, or tension; increase, or augmentation.

The difference between this figure and the figure of Amplification is that it comes by way of Conclusion.

Exodus 3:19.-"And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand."

Mark 10:43-44.-In verse 43, "Whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister (or servant)."

And in the next verse the meaning is the same, but the Epitasis is added, "of all":-"Whosoever will be the chiefest, shall be the servant of all."

John 13:34.-"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another-(then the Epitasis is added)-as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."

Acts 7:5.-"And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on."

Romans 13:1.-"The powers that be are ordained of God." This is an Epitasis to explain and augment the force of the previous enunciation.

2 Corinthians 3:1-18 : where verse 6 is an Epitasis to verse 5, explaining and emphasizing what has been before said.