Go Figure! An Introduction to Figures of Speech in the Bible

How can I tell if a Bible verse is literal or figurative? What's the difference between a metaphor and a simile? How can I understand a parable? And what's the function of figurative language anyway? Go Figure! An Introduction to Figures of Speech in the Bible answers these and other questions about the figurative language used in the Scriptures. With its blend of scholarship and humor, the book appeals to a variety of readers and students. For newcomers, it serves as a way into the complex, highly contested arena known as figurative language. And with many examples culled from popular culture, the book speaks to a new generation of students. At the same time, for those more seasoned in the Scriptures, the endnotes, bibliography, introduction, and appendices offer ample material for further investigation. The unique features of Go Figure! include: • Topical arrangement of 32 figures • Composite definitions • 500+ examples from popular culture & the Scriptures • Recommended Reading List • Recommended Websites • Appendices, including FAQ's • Link to Figures of Speech Database Julia Hans, Ph.D., is a national award-winning essayist and faculty member at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Her first book, Lamps, Scrolls, and Goatskin Bottles: A Handbook of Bible Customs for Kids, was published by Standard Publishing in 2000. http:// baystatebiblefellowship.com "I found the book to be an easy-to-understand presentation of many of the figures of speech frequently used in the Bible. I trust this work will be a valuable introductory study of figures of speech to students of the Scriptures in the years to come." ~ Rev. Walter J. Cummins, author of A Journey Through the Acts and Epistles: The Authorized King James Version with Notes and a Working Translation, Vols. 1 and 2.