Hermeneia; or, Interpretation Repetition for the Purpose of Interpreting what has been already said
Her-mee´-neia, ἑρμηνεία, interpretation, explanation . This figure is so-called because, after a particular statement the explanation follows immediately to make more clear what has been said less clearly.
The Latins consequently called it INTERPRETATIO, or Interpretation .
Psalms 1:7-17 , where verse 13 (14) explains verse 12 (13).
Psalms 77:19. -After saying
“Thy way is in the sea,
And thy path in the great waters,”
the interpretation is added:
“And thy footsteps are not known.”
Isaiah 1:23. -After the words
“Thy silver is become dross,
Thy wine mixed with water,”
the interpretation is added:
“Thy princes are rebellious, etc.”
Isaiah 34:6. -Here the statement about the sword of the Lord in the former part of the verse is explained in the latter part.
Isaiah 44:3. -
“I will pour water upon him that is thirsty,
And floods upon the dry ground.”
This is immediately explained to mean:
“I will pour my spirit upon thy seed,
And my blessing upon thine offspring.”
Isaiah 1:51-23 , where verse 2 explains verse 1.
Hosea 1:7-9. -Here verse 9 is the interpretation of verse 8.
Amos 3:8. -Here we have first
“The lion hath roared,
Who will not fear?”
and then the interpretation:
“Adonai Jehovah hath spoken,
Who can but prophesy?”
Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13. -Here the last clause interprets the first. This is on account of, and is shown by the structure:
A “No servant can serve two masters,
B a For either he will hate the one,
b and love the other;
B b or else he will hold to the one,
a and despise the other.
A Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.
Here A interprets A, showing that the two masters meant are God and Mammon; while, in B and B, the two-fold reason is given in the form of an Epanodos (q.v. [Note: Which see.]).
John 7:39 is added in order to interpret what had been said in said in verse 38.
2 Timothy 4:6. -“I am now ready to be offered” is explained by what follows: “the time of my departure is at hand.”
All the passages which commence, “which being interpreted means, etc.,” come under this figure Hermeneia .