Epitheton; or, Epithet A Naming of a Thing by describing it
E-pith´-e-ton . Greek, ἐπίθετον, from ἐπίθετος (epithetos), placed upon, or added . The figure is so-called when an adjective or noun is used, which adds to the sense of the thing spoken of by simply holding forth some attribute, character, or quality descriptive of it. The adjective or the noun used for it by Enallage (q.v. [Note: Which see.]) is thus placed in apposition to it for the purpose of amplification by way of distinction, explanation, or description.
Hence it was called by the Latins APPOSITUM, and is so put by apposition .
When the epithet is continued and used, after the reason for its being given has ceased, it is then called Ampliatio (q.v. [Note: Which see.]). Most of the examples will be found under that name. An Ampliatio is a change; an Epitheton is an addition .
Genesis 21:16. -“And she (Hagar) went, and sat her down over against him, a good way off, as it were a bowshot”: the bowshot being an Epithet for a certain distance.
Exodus 25:25 ; Exodus 37:12 . 1Ki 7:26 . 2 Chronicles 4:5, Psalms 39:5, Ezekiel 40:5. -An hand-breadth is used as an Epithet for a certain thickness.
Numbers 24:20. -“And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said,
Amalek was the first of the nations,
But his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.”
The last phrase “he perish” is an epithet, the result of the war which Jehovah would wage with him. The marginal reading shows the difficulty felt by the translators. Literally it is
“The first of the nations is Amalek,
And his end-for ever he perisheth”: i.e. ,
“The first of the nations is Amalek,
And his end is destruction.”
For Amalek was the first who fought against Israel (Exodus 17:8), and Jehovah will fight against Amalek to the end (Exodus 17:16).
We may compare Amos 6:1 .
Judges 20:16. -A “hair-breadth” is used as an epithet of a minute width. See Hyperbole .
John 17:3. -“That they might know thee, the only true God.” Here “true” is not a mere adjective qualifying God, but is an epithet: “That they might know Thee-God, the only God, the true (or very) God.” So 1 John 5:20 . 1 Thessalonians 1:9 .
Such epithets are used of God, not to qualify but to distinguish Him from them who are no gods. See Galatians 4:8 . 1 Corinthians 1:8-6 .
Luke 22:41. -A “stone’s-throw” is used as an epithet of a certain distance.
1 Peter 4:3. -“Abominable idolatries”-abominable things: i.e., the worship of idols.