Bible Lexicons

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

Periphrasis; or Circumlocution

When a Description is used instead of the Name

Pe-riph´-ra-sis, περίφρασις, from περί (peri), around or about, and φράζειν (phrazein), to speak.

The figure is so called because more words than are necessary are used to describe anything: as when a thing is spoken of by a description of it, instead of simply using its name: and this for the sake of calling attention to it; and in order to emphasize and increase the effect. Or, when a person or thing is spoken of by some attribute, instead of by its proper simple name: as when, instead of saying Luther, we say "the monk that shook the world," or "the miner’s son."

When this is done for emphasis, and to enhance the meaning, it is called Periphrasis, and by the Latins CIRCUMLOCUTIO, or CIRCUITIO: i.e., a speaking or going round about a thing.

When this is done to avoid what may be indelicate or unseemly, or to hide what might in some way give offence, then it is called Euphemism (q.v. [Note: Which see.] ) or smooth-speech, i.e., an elegant or refined expression for a distasteful or coarse one, or a gentle and beautiful expression instead of the strictly literal one, which might offend the ear or the persons addressed. But as this, though a kind of Periphrasis, is the change or substitution of one word or term for another, we have described and illustrated Euphemism under our third great division, viz., Figures involving Change.

Genesis 20:16.-Abimelech said unto Sarah concerning Abraham, "Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver; behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved."

"A covering of the eyes" is a periphrasis for a husband. Having said "thy brother," Abimelech avoids calling him directly thy husband, and thus rebukes her by using this beautiful periphrasis. See Genesis 24:65. 1 Corinthians 11:5, etc.

Judges 5:10.-"Speak, ye that ride on white asses (i.e., princes), ye that sit in judgment (i.e., rulers), and walk by the way (i.e., merchants)."

These periphrases mean simply, "Speak, ye princes, ye rulers, and ye merchants"; but their description, instead of their names, emphasizes the classes of persons so described.

2 Samuel 3:29.-"That falleth on the sword": i.e., is put to death by the public executioner.

2 Chronicles 26:5.-Uzziah "sought God in the days of Zechariah who had understanding in the visions of God": i.e., who was a Prophet.

2 Chronicles 32:21.-"They that came forth of his own bowels (i.e., his own sons) slew him," who ought to have been the very last to commit such a crime.

Proverbs 30:31.-The Periphrasis, here, in the Heb. (see marg. [Note: arg. Margin.] ) is well girt in the loins, which both the A.V. [Note: The Authorized Version, or current Text of our English Bible, 1611.] and R.V. [Note: The Revised Version, 1881.] have rendered "greyhound"! But the figure is used of a war-horse caparisoned, mail-clad, and adorned for war.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-14 is full of the most beautiful examples. See under Euphemism and Metalepsis.

Psalms 4:7.-"Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased": i.e., more than in the joy of their abundant harvest and vintage.

Psalms 132:3-4.-The Periphrasis is used in order to emphasize David’s determination not to rest until he had done it.

Isaiah 14:15.-"Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell (Sheol), to the sides of the pit": i.e., be dead and buried.

Ezekiel 1:22.-"The likeness of the firmament upon (or over) the heads of the living creature was as a species of ice exceedingly strong (i.e., crystal), etc."

Ezekiel 24:16.-"The desire of thine eyes": i.e., thy wife, as is clear from verse 18. So verses 21 and 25.

Ezekiel 24:25.-"The lifting up of their soul": marg. [Note: arg. Margin.] , their beloved sons and daughters.

Ezekiel 26:9.-"Engines of war": battering-rams.

Ezekiel 31:14.-"The trees by the waters." Lit., "trees drinking water." The Periphrasis is used for trees that are watered by irrigation. Hence, trees planted in a garden.

Micah 7:5.-Here we have a double Periphrasis. "The doors of thy mouth," by Metonymy for words, or what is said, and "her that lieth in thy bosom" for thy wife.

Matthew 26:29.-"This fruit of the vine" for wine. See Metonymy.

Matthew 27:62.-"The next day, that followed the day of the preparation": i.e., the Sabbath. This seems to be one of the most striking instances in the New Testament, especially when we compare Luke 23:56. The selfsame day is meant. But mark the difference. To the holy and devout women that day was still the Sabbath. But in the case of those who had rejected "the Lord of the Sabbath," what happens? It has been observed that, when He is on the point of leaving the Temple for the last time, our Lord, who formerly, even in that same week, before He had been finally rejected in that House, than which He was greater, had spoken of it as "My Father’s House," now calls it "your house." So, here again. From these rejectors of the Sabbath’s Lord, the very name of their sacred day is taken away. And the Spirit uses this long, round-about, depreciatory phrase: "the next day, that followed the day of the preparation."

Luke 2:11.-"In the city of David": i.e., Bethlehem.

Luke 21:35.-"All them that dwell on the face of the whole earth": i.e., everyone. See under Pleonasm.

John 1:9.-"That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."

This rendering is obtained by disregarding the figure, taking the participle "coming" as though it were the present tense, and referring it to "every man," instead of to "the True Light." The common Hebrew Periphrasis for man was טבא בעולם, the comer into the world.* [Note: In accordance with .] But this expression (the Coming One) in the New Testament (and especially in John’s writings) is used exclusively of Christ alone, and this in an exalted sense as the Coming One. Thus the verse reads, "The True Light is he who, coming into the world, lighteneth every man" (i.e., of course, every man without distinction, not without exception! which would not be true).

Thus the verse teaches: (1) that no longer was the Light to be confined to one nation or to one People, but was to enlighten all without distinction of race; and (2) that no man can be enlightened except by Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:1.-"Our earthly house of this tabernacle": i.e., this body.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-18 -In this chapter there are three examples of Periphrasis, all used for the Gentiles:-

Verse 5, "which know not God."

Verse 12, "them that are without."

Verse 13, "others which have no hope."

The description, by which the Gentiles are thus spoken of, is so much more expressive than the mere mention of the word "Gentiles."

Hebrews 1:14.-"Heirs of salvation" is a beautiful Periphrasis for the elect.

2 Peter 1:13.-"As long as I am in this tabernacle": i.e., am alive.

Verse 14, "Shortly I must put off this my tabernacle": i.e., must die. This is strictly speaking Euphemy (q.v. [Note: Which see.] ): viz., a pleasant periphrasis to describe an unpleasant fact, instead of naming it plainly.