Figures of Speech

Comparisons Similes & Metaphors

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What are Figurative Words? Three Parts of a Comparison Same Image, Different Meanings Understanding Biblical Comparisons Why Use Figurative Words?

Figures of Speech Comparisons Similes and Metaphors

WHAT ARE FIGURATIVE WORDS?

Comparisons
Comparisons are statements that tell about one thing by showing that it is like another thing.
In English, the words 'as', 'like' and 'than' are often used in comparisons.

Comparisons
We can compare things literally or figuratively. Literal based on the ordinary or usual meaning of the words. Figurative meaning of the comparison is different from the ordinary meaning of the individual words.

Literal Comparisons
Literal Comparison is based on the ordinary or usual meaning of the words. In English the words like and as are often used to compare things that are alike.

Literal Comparisons
Two things are similar in a certain way. John looks like his father.
This is a literal comparison with the word like.

Literal Comparisons
Two things are similar in a certain way. Tim is as tall as his older brother.
This is a literal comparison with the word as.

Literal Comparisons
Literal Comparison is based on the ordinary or usual meaning of the words. In English the word than is often used to compare things that are not equal.

Literal Comparisons
Two things are different in a certain way. Mike is taller than his older brother.
This is a comparison using than.

Literal Comparisons
Two things are different in a certain way. Ruth runs faster than her older sister.
This is a literal comparison with the word than.

Figurative Comparisons
Figurative the meaning of the whole sentence is different from the ordinary or usual meaning of the individual words.

Two main types of figurative comparisons:

Similes Metaphors

Figurative Comparisons - Simile

Similes are figurative comparisons that use the words 'like,' 'as' or 'than'. These words make it clear that a comparison is being made.
The meaning of the whole sentence is different from the ordinary or usual meaning of the individual words.

Figurative Comparisons - Simile

Similes are a figure of speech. David was as mad as a hornet.
This is a simile with the word as.

Figurative Comparisons - Simile

Similes are a figure of speech. Everyone else was working, but Joe just sat there like a bump on a log.
This is a simile using the word like.

Figurative Comparisons - Simile

Simile example from the Bible.

Therefore Jesus was be telling as shrewd his disciples as snakes to be and as very careful innocent andas innocent while doves.
presenting the gospel. Both similes use the
word as.

Figurative Comparisons - Simile

Simile example from the Bible.

The When righteous righteous will shine like people shine, thewe sun. can
clearly recognize Matthew 13:43 (NIV)righteousness their by their actions.

This simile uses the word like.

Figurative Comparisons - Simile

Simile example from the Bible.

How Gods sweet laws are are your good words and bring to my us joy taste, sweeter when we than speak honey and to my about think mouth. them. Psalms
119:103 (NIV)
This simile uses the word than.

Figurative Comparisons - Metaphor

Metaphors are figurative comparisons that do not the words 'like,' 'as' or 'than to make it clear that a comparison is being made.
The meaning of the whole sentence is different from the ordinary or usual meaning of the individual words.

Figurative Comparisons - Metaphor

Metaphors are a figure of speech. That boy is a greedy little pig.
The boy is not really an animal with four legs. The boy is being compared to a pig.

Figurative Comparisons - Metaphor

Metaphors are a figure of speech. Peter is a giant among men.
This sentence means Peters character is much better than that of most other people.

Figurative Comparisons - Metaphor

Metaphor example from the Bible.

Benjamin is a ravenous wolf. Gen. 49:27

The sentence compares His family would be a warBenjamin a feared wolf by like tribe to and without the words all their using neighbors . like, as or than.

Figurative Comparisons - Metaphor

Metaphor example from the Bible.

The Lord is my rock.

The rock sentence resembles compares the the Lord fact thatto God a rock provides, without using the and protects words never like, as or than. changes.

Now you try! Is it a Simile or Metaphor or Literal?

He ran like the wind. I am as hungry as a horse. There is a mountain of food here! John picked more coffee beans than Bill. Jesus is the good shepherd. That boy is sharper than a tack! You brood of vipers.

Figures of Speech Comparisons Three Parts of a Comparison

3 PARTS OF A COMPARISON

Every Comparison Has 3 Parts

Whether or not:
The comparison is being used figuratively. The comparison has the words 'like, 'as' or than.'
All of the parts are stated.

Three Parts
TOPIC
What is being talked about.

ILLUSTRATION
The thing the topic is being compared to, the image.

POINTS OF SIMILARITY
What the topic and illustration have in common.

Parts of an English Simile

My grandfather is still strong as an ox.

Topic
Illustration Points of similarity

my grandfather
an ox their strength

Parts of an English Metaphor

John is a beanpole.

Topic
Illustration Points of similarity

John
beanpole their shape

Parts of a Bible Metaphor

Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life.
John 6:35 (NET)

Topic
Illustration Points of similarity

Jesus
bread

Bible Metaphor Research

Find the Relevant Point of Similarity
Think about what you know about the image.
What is it like? What does it do?

Bible Metaphor Research

Find the Relevant Point of Similarity
Think about what you know about the image. Read the paragraph the comparison is in.
Are there any similarities between the topic and the image? Are there any similarities relevant for understanding this text?

Bible Metaphor Research

Find the Relevant Point of Similarity
Think about what you know about the image. Read the paragraph the comparison is in. Read Translators Notes and other commentaries.
Tell the point of similarity or explain why a particular image was used.

Parts of a Bible Metaphor

Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life.
John 6:35 (NET)

Topic
Illustration Points of similarity

Jesus
bread gives life

Parts of a Bible Metaphor

The Amorite inhabitants of that area confronted you and chased you like a swarm of bees, striking you down from Seir as far as Hormah. Deut 1:44

Topic
Illustration Points of similarity

The Amorites
swarm of bees

Bible Metaphor Research

Find the Relevant Point of Similarity
Think about what you know about the image.
What is it like? What does it do?

Bible Metaphor Research

Find the Relevant Point of Similarity
Think about what you know about the image. Read the paragraph the comparison is in.

Are there any similarities between the topic and the image? Are there any similarities relevant for understanding this text?

Bible Metaphor Research

Find the Relevant Point of Similarity
Think about what you know about the image. Read the paragraph the comparison is in. Read Translators Notes and other commentaries.
Tell the point of similarity or explain why a particular image was used.

Parts of a Bible Metaphor

The Amorite inhabitants of that area confronted you and chased you like a swarm of bees, striking you down from Seir as far as Hormah. Deut 1:44

Topic
Illustration Points of similarity

The Amorites
swarm of bees
move fast vicious persistent many together

Figures of Speech Comparisons Similes and Metaphors

SAME IMAGE DIFFERENT MEANINGS

Same Image, Different Meanings

The Bible uses the same image to communicate different meanings. Three Parts of Comparison process Five examples

Example One:
All of us had wandered off like sheep; each of us had strayed off on his own path. Isaiah 53.6a Topic Illustration Point of Similarity All of us Sheep Wandered off

Just as sheep wander away from their shepherd, we have wandered away from God by not obeying him.

Example Two:
I will certainly assemble those Israelites who remain. I will bring them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in the middle of a pasture; they will be so numerous that they will make a lot of noise. Micah 2:12 (NET)

The people of Israel Sheep in a fold Many gathered together Just as a sheepfold can be full of very many sheep, the land of Israel would someday be full of very many Israelites.

Topic Illustration Point of Similarity

Example Three:
He was treated harshly and afflicted, but he did not even open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughtering block, like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not even open his mouth. Isaiah 53:7 (NET)

Topic Illustration Point of Similarity

The Messiah Sheep led to slaughter Silent in suffering

Just as sheep do not try to stop their harsh treatment, so the Messiah would be silent and would not try to stop those who treated him harshly.

Example Four:
Drag these wicked men away like sheep to be slaughtered! Appoint a time when they will be killed! Jeremiah 12:3 (NIV) Wicked men Sheep Set apart to be killed Just as just as people set aside sheep to be killed, Jeremiah wanted God to kill wicked people. Topic Illustration Point of Similarity

Example Five:
I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of people, because they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues. Matt. 10:16 & 17

Topic Illustration Point of Similarity

Jesus 12 disciples Sheep Vulnerable

Just as just sheep are vulnerable to vicious wolves that can attack and kill them, so Jesus' disciples would be vulnerable.