Bible Lexicons

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

Hermeneia; or Interpretation

Repetition for the Purpose of Interpreting what has been already said

Her-mee´-neia, ἑρμηνεία, interpretation, explanation. This figure is so-called because, after a particular statement the explanation follows immediately to make more clear what has been said less clearly.

The Latins consequently called it INTERPRETATIO, or Interpretation.

Psalms 7:1-17, where verse 13 (14) explains verse 12 (13).

Psalms 77:19.-After saying

"Thy way is in the sea,

And thy path in the great waters,"

the interpretation is added:

"And thy footsteps are not known."

Isaiah 1:23.-After the words

"Thy silver is become dross,

Thy wine mixed with water,"

the interpretation is added:

"Thy princes are rebellious, etc."

Isaiah 34:6.-Here the statement about the sword of the Lord in the former part of the verse is explained in the latter part.

Isaiah 44:3.-

"I will pour water upon him that is thirsty,

And floods upon the dry ground."

This is immediately explained to mean:

"I will pour my spirit upon thy seed,

And my blessing upon thine offspring."

Isaiah 51:1-23, where verse 2 explains verse 1.

Hosea 7:8-9.-Here verse 9 is the interpretation of verse 8.

Amos 3:8.-Here we have first

"The lion hath roared,

Who will not fear?"

and then the interpretation:

"Adonai Jehovah hath spoken,

Who can but prophesy?"

Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13.-Here the last clause interprets the first. This is on account of, and is shown by the structure:

A "No servant can serve two masters,

B a For either he will hate the one,

b and love the other;

B b or else he will hold to the one,

a and despise the other.

A Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.

Here A interprets A, showing that the two masters meant are God and Mammon; while, in B and B, the two-fold reason is given in the form of an Epanodos (q.v. [Note: Which see.] ).

John 7:39 is added in order to interpret what had been said in said in verse 38.

2 Timothy 4:6.-"I am now ready to be offered" is explained by what follows: "the time of my departure is at hand."

All the passages which commence, "which being interpreted means, etc.," come under this figure Hermeneia.