01.01.01.15. CHAPTER XV. 0F A SYNECDOCHE OF THE SPECIES.
CHAPTER XV. 0F A SYNECDOCHE OF THE SPECIES. A SYNECDOCHE of the species, is when the species is put for the genus, or particular for the universal, and its distinction is conformable to the former kind. As The word many is put for all, Daniel 12:2, compared with John 5:28; Isaiah 52:15; see Matthew 16:28; Matthew 26:28; Romans 5:18-19.
1. Words of a narrower or more special signification are put for those of a more large or universal signification. The word XXXX vir, a man, is the special attribute of the male sex, yet is put for any man or woman, Psalms 1:1; Psalms 32:1; Psalms 112:1; Jeremiah 17:5, Jeremiah 17:7; Joel 2:7-8. Fathers are put for ancestors, Psalms 22:4; Psalms 106:6. Father is put for a grandfather, 2 Samuel 9:7; 2 Samuel 19:28; Daniel 5:11, Daniel 5:18. A mother for a grandmother, 1 Kings 15:10, 1 Kings 15:13, see 1 Kings 15:2, &c. Brothers for kinsmen, Judges 9:1; 1 Chronicles 12:32; Matthew 12:46-47.
Jerom recites four kinds of brothers, or such as are so by nature, Genesis 27:11, by country, Deuteronomy 15:3; by kindred, Genesis 13:8; by affection or union of mind, Psalms 133:1. Hence the brotherhood of one faith in Christ, Romans 14:10; 1 Peter 2:17. Sons and daughters for posterity, Exodus 1:7; Jeremiah 31:29, A son for a nephew, and a daughter for a niece, Genesis 29:5; Genesis 24:48. See Joshua 7:24, with verse 1. A son for more remote posterity. Hence Christ is called the Son of Abraham and David, Matthew 1:1; see Luke 19:9.
2. A proper name is put for a common, as Abraham and Israel for the patriarchs, Isaiah 62:12; Paul and Apollos for any gospel ministers, 1 Corinthians 3:6, see Romans 2:17; Romans 9:19-20; 1 Corinthians 7:16, where a speech is directed to one that concerns all.
3. The species is put for the genus; as a bow and spear for all kinds of weapons, Psalms 44:6; Psalms 46:9; Ecclesiastes 10:4. Gold for any gift, Psalms 72:15; Isaiah 9:6, A lion, for any great beast, Isaiah 15:9. A command, for any doctrine, 2 Peter 2:21; 2 Peter 3:2. Honey for any sweet thing, Exodus 3:8, Exodus 3:17, and many other places. "A land flowing with milk and honey," Ezekiel 20:6, Ezekiel 20:15, denotes abundance of good things; bread for any victuals, Genesis 3:19; Genesis 39:6; Matthew 6:11; Luke 14:1, (&c.) A garment for any necessaries, Isaiah 3:6-7. A widow and orphan for any in distress, Exodus 22:22; James 1:27.
4. A certain species of number, is put for an undetermined multitude; as two for many, Isaiah 40:2; Isaiah 61:7; Jeremiah 16:18; Ecclesiastes 9:12; Revelation 18:6. Twice, for as often, Psalms 62:11. Five words, are put for a few, 1 Corinthians 14:19; and ten thousand words for prolix speech. The number seven is frequently put for an indefinite multitude, Leviticus 26:18, Leviticus 26:21, Leviticus 26:24, Leviticus 26:28; 1 Samuel 2:5. Sevenfold for a vast number, Genesis 4:24; Matthew 18:12. Ten for many, Genesis 31:7; Numbers 14:22. A hundred for many; Ecclesiastes 6:3; Ecclesiastes 8:12; Proverbs 17:10; Matthew 19:29. Thousands for very many, Exodus 20:6. Myriads or ten thousands for a vast number, 1 Samuel 17:7. See Genesis 24:60; Numbers 10:36; Daniel 7:10; Revelation 5:11, (&c.)
5. The singular number is put for the plural, Genesis 32:5; Exodus 10:12; Judges 4:5; Job 14:1; Isaiah 1:3; Isaiah 16:1; Jeremiah 8:7; Joel 1:4; Matthew 6:17; Romans 2:18, Romans 2:29.
6. Special verbs are put for general, as to go in and out is for the actions of life, or for life in general, Numbers 27:17, Numbers 27:21; Isaiah 37:28; Acts 1:21, (&c.) To call upon God, is put for divine worship, Genesis 4:26; Isaiah 43:22; John 4:23-24, with many others.
7. The scripture sometimes proposes any thing that is general, by some illustrious species, for evidence sake; as,
(1.) In the actions of men, Deuteronomy 30:5, the example of the axe slipping from the helve, and killing a man by chance, is put for any involuntary man-slaughter. See Psalms 112:5; Proverbs 20:10; Matthew 22:1-46.
(2.) In the precepts and divine admonitions, Exodus 20:12, "Honour thy father and thy mother," denotes reverence to all superiors. See Exodus 22:22, Exodus 22:26; Exodus 23:4-5; Deuteronomy 22:3, (&c.,) Leviticus 19:14; Proverbs 25:21; Romans 12:20; Luke 3:11; John 13:14, The "washing of feet," denotes all sincere offices of love and humility to each other. See 1 Samuel 25:41; 1 Timothy 5:10.