Synecdoche
Synecdoche are a type of literary device where a part of something represents the whole or it may use a whole to represent a part.
This term is often confused with the term 'metonymy', which is a figure of speech in which an object’s name is substituted by its function or a word closely associated with it: For example, “The law is at the door”. "The law" is referring to the police, not to actual laws of society or rules. Calling a car “wheels” is a synecdoche because a part of a car “wheels” stands for the whole car. However, in metonymy, the word we use to describe another thing is closely linked to that particular thing, but is not a part of it. |
Synecdoche Examples from Everyday Life
It is very common to refer to a thing by the name of its parts. Let us look at some of the examples of synecdoche that we can hear from casual conversations:
It is very common to refer to a thing by the name of its parts. Let us look at some of the examples of synecdoche that we can hear from casual conversations:
- The word “bread” refers to food or money as in “Writing is my bread and butter” or “sole breadwinner”.
- The phrase “gray beard” refers to an old man.
- The word “sails” refers to a whole ship.
- The word “suits” refers to businessmen.
- The word “boots” usually refers to soldiers.
- The term “coke” is a common synecdoche for all carbonated drinks.
- “Pentagon” is a synecdoche when it refers to a few decision makers.
- The word “glasses” refers to spectacles.
- “Coppers” often refers to coins.
Examples of Synecdoche in the Bible:
Psalm 44:6a (NASB)
For I will not trust in my bow…
“Bow” is put by Synecdoche for all weapons. The point is David will not trust his weapons, he will trust Yahweh, his God. God’s use of the Synecdoche packs an important punch. If the verse had said, “I will not trust in my human resources, such as weapons,” we are left with no clear picture in our minds. However, by saying “bow,” we can all picture David holding a bow but not trusting it to deliver him.
Genesis 3:19a (ESV)
By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground…
“Bread” is put for all the foods man will eat. Bread was such a staple in biblical times that “bread” is used as the general term for food dozens of times in the Bible, and the phrase, “break bread” meant much more than that, it meant to eat a meal.
"The Figure of Speech- Synecdoche as Used in the Bible." Truth or Tradition? © Copyright 2014 Spirit & Truth Fellowship International, n.d. Web.
Psalm 44:6a (NASB)
For I will not trust in my bow…
“Bow” is put by Synecdoche for all weapons. The point is David will not trust his weapons, he will trust Yahweh, his God. God’s use of the Synecdoche packs an important punch. If the verse had said, “I will not trust in my human resources, such as weapons,” we are left with no clear picture in our minds. However, by saying “bow,” we can all picture David holding a bow but not trusting it to deliver him.
Genesis 3:19a (ESV)
By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground…
“Bread” is put for all the foods man will eat. Bread was such a staple in biblical times that “bread” is used as the general term for food dozens of times in the Bible, and the phrase, “break bread” meant much more than that, it meant to eat a meal.
"The Figure of Speech- Synecdoche as Used in the Bible." Truth or Tradition? © Copyright 2014 Spirit & Truth Fellowship International, n.d. Web.