Figures of Speech in the Bible

Antonomasia in the Bible

Antonomasia uses a title, epithet, or descriptive name in place of a personal name, or gives a person a name that marks character or role.

Simple Definition Technical Definition Scripture Examples JSON Data

Simple definition

Antonomasia uses a title, epithet, or descriptive name in place of a personal name, or gives a person a name that marks character or role.

Technical nameAntonomasia / Title for Name
Alternate namesNaming by title; epithet; renamed identity
Reader categorySubstitution / Naming
Bullinger classFigures involving change / name
Source hintBullinger seed classification; final source-page verification still required for exhaustive extraction.
Examples on page10

Technical definition

Antonomasia is the substitution of a title, office, epithet, or descriptive designation for a proper name, or the use of a proper name as a representative designation.

Publication note: Examples are curated from the final Wave 46 source state. Some examples carry review notes where final Bible-text stream verification may still be prudent before public release.

Scripture examples

These examples show how Antonomasia functions in biblical language, rhetoric, poetry, prophecy, narrative, or theological imagery.

Matt. 3:1
certain

John the Baptist

John is identified by the title associated with his public ministry.

Source: AI Bible Commentary draft-normalized analysis; Bullinger seed taxonomy — Wave 9 grammar/discourse expansion; final Bullinger page verification pending
Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and source classification before live publication.
Matt. 16:16
certain

the Christ, the Son of the living God

Peter names Jesus by messianic and divine-sonship titles.

Source: AI Bible Commentary draft-normalized analysis; Bullinger seed taxonomy — Wave 9 grammar/discourse expansion; final Bullinger page verification pending
Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and source classification before live publication.
Mark 3:17
certain

Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder

Jesus gives James and John a descriptive name that marks their character or role.

Source: AI Bible Commentary draft-normalized analysis; Bullinger seed taxonomy — Wave 9 grammar/discourse expansion; final Bullinger page verification pending
Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and source classification before live publication.
John 1:42
certain

You shall be called Cephas

Simon receives a name that marks his apostolic identity and role.

Source: AI Bible Commentary draft-normalized analysis; Bullinger seed taxonomy — Wave 9 grammar/discourse expansion; final Bullinger page verification pending
Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and source classification before live publication.
Acts 4:36
certain

Barnabas... son of encouragement

Joseph is identified by a name that expresses his ministry character.

Source: AI Bible Commentary draft-normalized analysis; Bullinger seed taxonomy — Wave 9 grammar/discourse expansion; final Bullinger page verification pending
Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and source classification before live publication.
Matt. 26:14
probable

Judas Iscariot

The distinguishing designation identifies Judas among others with the same name.

Source: AI Bible Commentary draft-normalized analysis; Bullinger seed taxonomy — Wave 9 grammar/discourse expansion; final Bullinger page verification pending
Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and source classification before live publication.
Luke 6:15
certain

Simon who was called the Zealot

Simon is identified by a title or party-associated designation.

Source: AI Bible Commentary draft-normalized analysis; Bullinger seed taxonomy — Wave 9 grammar/discourse expansion; final Bullinger page verification pending
Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and source classification before live publication.
Acts 13:9
certain

Saul, who was also called Paul

The text identifies the apostle by another name used in his mission setting.

Source: AI Bible Commentary draft-normalized analysis; Bullinger seed taxonomy — Wave 9 grammar/discourse expansion; final Bullinger page verification pending
Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and source classification before live publication.
Rev. 1:8
certain

the Alpha and the Omega

God is named by a title expressing comprehensive sovereignty from beginning to end.

Source: AI Bible Commentary draft-normalized analysis; Bullinger seed taxonomy — Wave 9 grammar/discourse expansion; final Bullinger page verification pending
Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and source classification before live publication.
Rev. 19:16
certain

King of kings and Lord of lords

Christ is named by a title expressing supreme authority.

Source: AI Bible Commentary draft-normalized analysis; Bullinger seed taxonomy — Wave 9 grammar/discourse expansion; final Bullinger page verification pending
Draft-normalized; verify against final Bible text stream and source classification before live publication.

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