You are here

Book of Mormon Central / Archive / Eironeia: An Opposite Expression

Eironeia: An Opposite Expression

TitleEironeia: An Opposite Expression
Publication TypeIcon
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsPinnock, Hugh W., and Fernando Vazquez
KeywordsEironeia; Irony
Abstract

Eironeia is also called irony. This form is so named because the speaker intends the use of irony "to convey a sense contrary to the . . . words employed: not with the intention of concealing his real meaning, but for the purpose of adding greater force." It is also used to communicate contrast or to reveal the foolishness of those who feel there are powers greater than those of Jehovah. Bullinger divides eironeia into five categories:

I. Divine Irony

 Where the speaker is either the Father or the Son.

II. Human Irony

Where the speaker is a human being.

III. Peirastic Irony

Where the words are not spoken ironically in the normal sense, but . . . by way of trying or testing.

IV. Simulated Irony

Where the words are used by man in hypocrisy.

V. Deceptive Irony

Where the words are not only hypocritical, but false and deceptive.

--------------

An extract from Hugh W. Pinnock, Finding Biblical Hebrew and Other Ancient Literary Forms in the Book of Mormon (Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999), 150.

For more from this volume, please visit the link below.
URLhttp://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen/?pub=1097&index=5
Citation Key1155

Terms of Use

Items in the BMC Archive are made publicly available for non-commercial, private use. Inclusion within the BMC Archive does not imply endorsement. Items do not represent the official views of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or of Book of Mormon Central.