Bible Lexicons

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

Paregmenon; or Derivation

The Repetition of Words derived from the same Root

Pa-reg´-me-non, from παρά (para), beside or along, ἄγειν (agein), to lead.

In this figure the repeated words are derived from the same root. Hence, the name Paregmenon is used of the Figure when the words are similar in origin and sound, but not similar in sense.

The Latins called it DERIVATIO.

This is one of the Figures common to all languages, but is generally very difficult to translate from one tongue into another.

Psalms 68:28 (29).-"Thy God hath commanded thy strength (עֻזֶּךָ, uzzechah): strengthen (עוּזָּה, uzzah) O God that which thou hast wrought for us."

Matthew 16:18.-"Thou art Peter (πέτρος, petros) and upon this rock (πέτρα, petra) I will build my assembly."

Here note (1) that Petros is not merely Simon’s name given by our Lord, but given because of its meaning. "Petros" means a stone, a piece of a rock, a moving stone which can be thrown by the hand. While "petra" means a rock or cliff or crag, immovable, firm, and sure. Both words are from the same root, both have the same derivation, but though similar in origin and sound they are thus different in meaning. This difference is preserved in the Latin, in which petros is saxum, while petra is rupes or scopulus.

(2) In the case of petros, we have another figure: viz., Syllepsis, for the word is used in two senses, though used only once. There is a repetition, not of the word but of the thought which is not expressed: "Thou art πέτρος," where it is used as a proper name Peter, and there is no figure: but the sense of the word is there as well, though not repeated in words: "Thou art (πέτρος), a stone." Thus there is a metaphor implied, i.e., Hypocatastasis (q.v. [Note: Which see.] ).

(3) While petros is used of Peter, petra is used of Christ: for so Peter himself understood it (see 1 Peter 2:4-6, and Acts 4:11-12; and so the Holy Spirit asserts in 1 Corinthians 10:4. "And that rock (πέτρα) was Christ," where we have a pure metaphor (q.v. [Note: Which see.] ). So that petros represents Peter’s instability and uselessness as a foundation, while petra represents Christ’s stability as the foundation which God Himself has laid (1 Corinthians 3:11. Isaiah 28:16).

John 13:7 appears to be the Figure of Paregmenon in the English. But there is no figure in the Greek. "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter."

Here, the two words "know" are different in the Greek. The first is οἶδα (oida), to know, as a matter of absolute knowledge, but the latter is γινώσκω (ginôskô), to get to know, learn.

John 15:2.-"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away (αἴρει, airei* [Note: I.e., he lifteth up, as in . . . , and especially (Theodotian’s Version). See under Ellipsis, page 13.] ): and every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it† [Note: I.e., he pruneth it.] (καθαίρει, kathairei)."

Acts 8:31.-"Understandest thou what thou readest" (γινώσκεις ἃ ἀναγινώσκεις, ginôskeis ha anaginôskeis).

Here, the former verb means to know by learning, to get to know; and the latter (which is the same verb compounded with ἀνά (and), again, means to read, especially, to read out loud.

Romans 2:1.-"Thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest (ὁ κρίνων, ho krinôn), for wherein thou judgest (κρίνεις, krineis) another thou condemnest (κατακρίνεις, katakrineis) thyself; for thou that judgest (ὁ κρίνων, ho krinôn) doest the same things."

Romans 5:19.-"For as by one man’s disobedience (παρακοῆς, parakoees) many were made sinners, so by the obedience (ὑπακοῆς, hypakoees) of one shall many be made righteous."

Romans 12:3.-"Not to think of himself more highly (ὐπερφρονεῖν, hyperphronein) than he ought to think (φρονεῖν, phronein); but to think (φρονεῖν, phronein) soberly (σωφρονεῖν, sôphronein)," etc.; i.e., "but so to think that he may think soberly."

1 Corinthians 11:29.-"For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation (κρίμα, krima) to himself, not discerning (διακρίνων, diakrinôn) the body [of the Lord]."

Here the last words "of the Lord" go out (according to L. [Note: . Lachmann and his critical Greek Text.] T. [Note: . Tischendorf and his critical Greek Text.] Tr. [Note: r. Tregelles and his critical Greek Text.] WH. [Note: H. Westcott and Hort, and their critical Greek Text.] and R.V. [Note: The Revised Version, 1881.] ). And the former word krima means not damnation, but a matter for judgment, an accusation; while the latter word diakrinôn means to distinguish, to make a distinction; though, by the act of communion, they professed to belong to the Body of Christ, yet if they did not discern the truth connected with that Body (i.e., Christ Mystical) and distinguish their fellow-members of that Body from all others, they condemned themselves, they accused themselves. For, while they ate and drank thus, they did so unworthily: and by that very act they condemned themselves.

1 Corinthians 11:31-32.-"For if we would judge (διεκρίνομεν, diekrinomen) ourselves, we should not be judged (ἐκρινόμεθα, ekrinometha). But when we are judged (κρινόμενοι, krinomenoi) we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned (κατακριθῶμεν, katakrithômen) with the world."

2 Corinthians 4:8.-"Perplexed (ἀπορούμενοι, aporoumenoi), but not in despair (ἐξαπορούμενοι, exàporoumenoi)," i.e., at a loss to know what to do, but not utterly at a loss.

2 Corinthians 5:4.-"Not for that we would be unclothed (ἐκδύσασθαι, ekdusasthai), but clothed upon (ἐπενδύσασθαι, ependusasthai)": i.e., that we would not be found naked in the grave, but be clothed with our resurrection body.

The figure belongs also to Paregmenon (q.v. [Note: Which see.] ).

2 Thessalonians 3:11.-"Working (ἐργαζομένους, ergazomenous) not at all, but are busybodies (περιεργαζομένους, periergazomenous)."

It is difficult to express the thought in English. The latter word means to overdo anything; to do with pains what is not worth doing. We might say doing nothing, yet over-doing; or, not as official, but officious; or, not busy, but fussy; or, not doing their own business, but the business of others.

Hebrews 10:34.-"Ye … took joyfully the spoiling of your goods (ὑπαρχόντων, huparchontôn), knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance (ὕπαρξιν, huparxin)."

James 2:4.-"Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?" There the two words διεκρίθητε (diekritheete) and κρίται (kritai) are from the same root: the former means to make a distinction, and the latter judges.

John 3:20.-"For if our heart condemn (καταγινώσκῃ, kataginôskee) us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth (γινώσκει, ginôskei) all things."

Both words are from the same root, and mean to know, but the former to know something against; and the latter, simply to know, or rather get to know, learn. For nothing can be hidden from God. Man cannot get to know our hearts by any means which he may try. God can; and does.