Bible Lexicons

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

Paraleipsis; or a Passing by

Addition (brief) of that which is professedly ignored

Par-a-leips´-is, παράλειψις, a passing over, omitting, from παρά (para), beside, and λείπω (leipô), to leave behind. Sometimes spelt PARALEPSIS.

Called also PARASIOPESIS, παρασιώπησις, a passing over in silence, from παρά (para), beside, and σιώπησις (siôpeesis), a being silent, from σιωπάω (siôpaô), to be silent.

The Latins called it PRAETERMISSIO, a leaving aside, prœtermission, a passing over, and PRAETERITIO, a going past, passing by.

This figure is used when the speaker professes a wish to pass something by in silence, which he nevertheless adds by a brief allusion to it.

Hebrews 11:32.-"And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon and of Barak," etc., and then proceeds to allude briefly to them all in verses 33-38.