Epiphonema; or, Exclamation Addition of Conclusion by way of Exclamation

Ep´-i-phoô-nee´-ma (ἐπιφώνημα), from ἐπί (epi), upon, and φωνεῖν (phoônein), to speak . Hence, something uttered besides; an exclamation at the conclusion of a sentence .

When the exclamation occurs as an independent separate passage, then it is called Ecphonesis or Exclamatio (q.v. [Note: Which see.]), and does not come under this division as a mere addition of words; but rather under their application as an expression of feeling. See Ecphonesis .

And note, further, that, when the exclamation is thrown in parenthetically, it is called Interjectio (q.v. [Note: Which see.]).

Epiphonema is called also DEINOSIS when it is very brief and emphatic, from δείνωσις, an enhancing, exaggerating .

Judges 5:31. -“So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord.”

Psalms 2:12. -“Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”

Psalms 3:8. -“Salvation belongeth unto the Lord. Thy blessing is upon Thy people.”

Psalms 14:7. -At the conclusion of the Psalm, this exclamation is added: “Oh, that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!” etc.

See under Paronomasia and Metonomy .

Psalms 135:21. -“Praise ye the Lord” : i.e., Hallelujah, comingat the end of this and other Psalms, is an Epiphonema .

Jonah 2:9. -“Salvation is of the Lord.”

Matthew 11:15. -“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Also in all the sixteen occurrences of this Epiphonema . (See under Polyptoton).

Matthew 17:5. -“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And, then, the beautiful Epiphonema is added, “Hear ye Him” as an appended exhortation.

Matthew 20:16. -“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

See also 22:14.

Matthew 24:28. -“For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.”

See under Parœmia .

Revelation 22:20 is a beautiful Epiphonema, not only to the chapter and the book, but to the whole Bible: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”


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