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3.3 KiB
Some common metonymies from the Bible are listed below in alphabetical order. The word in all capital letters represents an idea. The word does not necessarily appear in every verse that has the image, but the idea that the word represents does.
A CUP or bowl represents what is in it
My cup runs over. (Psalm 23:5 ULB)
There is so much in the cup that it runs over the top of the cup.
For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:26 ULB)
People do not drink cups. They drink what is in the cup.
The MOUTH, LIPS, or TONGUE represents speech or words
A fool's mouth is his ruin, and he ensnares himself with his lips. (Proverbs 18:7 ULB)
The words of one who speaks rashly are like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18)
Oh, how I would encourage you with my mouth! (Job 16:5 ULB)
I heard you when you boasted against me with your mouth; you said many things against me. I heard them. (Ezekiel 35:13 ULB)
In these examples the mouth, lips, and tongue refer to what a person says.
The MEMORY OF A PERSON represents his descendants
The memory of a person represents his descendants, because they are the ones who should remember and honor him. When the Bible says that someone's memory dies, it means that either he will not have any descendants, or his descendants will all die.
You rebuked the nations; you have destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name forever. The enemy crumbled like ruins when you overthrew their cities. All remembrance of them has perished. (Psalm 9:5-6 ULB)
His roots will be dried up beneath; above will his branch be cut off. His memory will perish from the earth. (Job 18:16-17 ULB)
The face of Yahweh is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. (Psalm 34:16 ULB)
ONE PERSON represents a group of people
For the wicked person boasts of his deepest desires; he blesses the greedy and insults Yahweh. (Psalm 10:3 ULB)
This does not refer to a particular wicked person, but to wicked people in general.
A PERSON'S NAME represents his descendants
Gad—raiders will attack him, but he will attack them at their heels. Asher's food will be rich, and he will provide royal delicacies. Naphtali is a doe let loose; he will have beautiful fawns. (Genesis 49:19-21 ULB)
The names Gad, Asher, and Naphtali refer not only to those men, but to their descendants.
A PERSON represents himself and the people with him
It came about that when Abram entered into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was very beautiful. (Genesis 12:14 ULB)
Here when it says "Abram" it represents Abram and all the people traveling with him. The focus was on Abram.
PIERCING represents killing
His hand pierced the fleeing serpent. (Job 26:13 ULB)
This means that he killed the serpent.
Look, he is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. (Revelation 1:7 ULB)
"Those who pierced him" refers to those who killed Jesus.
SINS (INIQUITY) represent punishment for those sins
Yahweh has placed on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6 ULB)
This means that Yahweh placed on him the punishment that should have gone to all of us.