Understanding Figures Of Speech
By Minister Christopher Robert Holder
Testimony of God Ministries Inc.
Dated June 13, 2026
What Is a Figure of Speech?
A figure of speech is a deliberate departure from the ordinary form, order, or literal use of words for the purpose of emphasizing, illustrating, or clarifying a truth.
A figure of speech is not a mistake, contradiction, or false statement. It is an intentional form of expression that calls attention to the truth being communicated and makes that truth more vivid, forceful, and memorable. Most people today use figures of speech because of culture and way of life communication with their piers, siblings, households etc. It is an every day practice. The same existed in when the Scriptures were written.
Today we hear certain figures of speech, I will name a few: 1) “it is raining cats and dogs”; 2) “someone just kick the bucket;” and 3) “you break sticks in your ears.” What do these figures of speech mean? 1) It is raining heavily for a prolonged period of time; 2) Someone just died; and 3) you are hard of hearing or disobeying instructions.
“breaking sticks in your ears”
Figure: Idiom / Proverb
In Bullinger’s system this falls under Paroemia = Proverb.
Paroemia is a common saying that conveys a general truth in figurative form.
“Breaking sticks in your ears” = an idiom meaning “talking nonsense / annoying someone with useless talk”.
It’s not literal. It’s a cultural saying, like Solomon’s proverbs.
“kick the bucket”
Figure: Idiom / Euphemism
Bullinger would put this under Euphemismus = Euphemism
Euphemism = putting a milder/less offensive expression for something painful or direct.
“Kick the bucket” = a soft way to say “die” instead of saying it bluntly.
Bullinger lists many biblical euphemisms like “fell asleep” for death. Same principle.
“raining cats and dogs”
Figure: Hyperbole
Bullinger would classify this as Hyperbole = Exaggeration for effect
Hyperbole = overstatement that is not meant to be taken literally.
It doesn’t actually rain animals. It’s exaggerating “it’s raining very hard”.
Bullinger has whole chapters on Hyperbole in the Bible like “the mountains skipped like rams”
Ps 114:4
In the Scriptures stiff necked or hardened heart was used for hard of hearing or disobeying instructions.
A Biblical Example
Yeshua said:
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved.” — John 10:9 NKJV
Yeshua was not claiming to be a literal wooden door. The word “door” is used metaphorically to reveal that He is the way of access to salvation, life, and fellowship with God.
The visible object—the door—is earthly and familiar. The truth communicated through it is spiritual. This demonstrates an important principle:
The words may be figurative, but the truth they communicate is real.
The Purpose of a Figure of Speech
A figure of speech:
- is deliberate and intentional;
- is not an error or false statement;
- draws attention to an important truth;
- gives special emphasis to particular words or ideas; and
- makes the meaning clearer, stronger, or more memorable.
Recognizing a figure of speech prevents the reader from forcing a figurative expression into an incorrect literal interpretation.
Bullinger’s Three Main Categories
In Figures of Speech Used in the Bible, E. W. Bullinger organizes biblical figures of speech under three principal divisions:
- Figures involving omission — something is intentionally left out of the words or sense but can be supplied and understood from the context.
- Figures involving addition — words, phrases, or ideas are intentionally added, repeated, or expanded to produce emphasis.
- Figures involving change — the ordinary meaning, order, usage, or application of words is intentionally altered.
The statement “I am the door” belongs generally to the third division—change—because the ordinary meaning and application of the word door is changed from a physical entrance to a spiritual means of access.
In brief, Bullinger’s three great divisions are: Omission, Addition, and Change.
How to Understand a Figure of Speech
When studying a biblical figure of speech, the reader should:
- identify the word or expression that departs from ordinary usage;
- determine its normal, literal meaning;
- examine the immediate context; and
- identify the truth being emphasized by the figurative expression.
Conclusion
Figures of speech are divinely designed instruments of communication. They use familiar words and earthly images to reveal deeper truths. They must neither be ignored nor interpreted as though every word were intended in its most literal sense.
The figure is the form of expression; the truth is the message conveyed.
The language may be figurative, but the truth revealed through it is certain and real.
Reference: E. W. Bullinger, Figures of Speech Used in the Bible.