Bible Lexicons

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

Exergasia: or Working Out

A Repetition, so as to work out or illustrate what has already been said

Ex-er-ga´-si-a. Greek, ἐξεργασία, which means a working out (from ἐξ (ex), out, and ἐργάζομαι (ergazomai), to work.

In this figure the same thought, idea, or subject is repeated in other words, and thus worked out and developed. It, therefore, resembles Synonymia; but differs from it in that not merely synonymous words are repeated, but synonymous expressions or sense.

It is sometimes called EPEXERGASIA, i.e., the addition of the preposition ἐπί (epi), upon, to the word exergasia and implies a working out upon. Words of the same signification are repeated to make plainer the previous statement: or to illustrate the sense of what has been mentioned before.

The Latins called it EXPOLITIO, a polishing up; because by such repetition the meaning is embellished as well as strengthened and not merely explained or interpreted as in other repetitions.

This figure necessarily implies that the separate repetitions must be placed in parallel lines.

It is of frequent occurrence, and therefore we can give only a few examples.

Psalms 17:1.-

"Hear the right, O Lord,

Attend unto my cry,

Give ear unto my prayer."

Psalms 18:1-2.-

"I will love thee O Lord, my strength.

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer:

My God (El), my strength, in whom I will trust;

My buckler, the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."

Psalms 35:1-3.-

a1 "Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me;

b1 Fight against them that fight against me.

a2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help.

b2 Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me:

a3 Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

b3 4-8. Let them, etc."

And so the Psalm goes on. In a1, a2, and a3, we have prayer for himself (Defensive), and in b1, b2, and b3, prayer against his enemies (Offensive). In each case the meaning is further developed.

Psalms 35:4.-

"Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul:

Let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.

Let them be as the chaff before the wind:

And let the angel of the Lord chase them, etc."

In verses 4-8 we have:

c 4. Prayer against those who devise evil.

d 5. The angel of the Lord.

d 6. The angel of the Lord.

c 7, 8. Prayer against those who devise evil.

Jonah 2:2 (3).-

a "I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord,

b and he heard me:

a Out of the belly of hell (Sheol) cried I,

b and thou heardest my voice."

Jonah 2:3 (4).-

c For thou hadst cast me into the deep,

d in the midst of the seas;

d and the floods compassed me about:

c all thy billows and thy waves passed over me."

Here, in a and a we have Jonah’s affliction: and in b and b Jehovah’s respect to him. In c and c we have the deep as a whole, and in d and d the waters which make it up.

Zechariah 6:12-13.-

"Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying:
Behold, the man whose name is the BRANCH;
And he shall grow up out of His place,
And He shall build the temple of the Lord:
Even He shall build the temple of the Lord:
And He shall bear the glory,
And shall sit and rule upon His throne;
And He shall be a priest upon His throne:
And the counsel of peace shall be between them."

Here, the figure is enhanced by Polysyndeton (q.v. [Note: Which see.] ).