Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Aposiopesis


And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
Exodus 32:31-32

APOSIOPESIS: Breaking off as if unable to continue, stopping suddenly in the midst of a sentence, or leaving a statement unfinished at a dramatic moment. A striking effect is produced by breaking off a statement, and leaving it to be finished by the hearer.

We find Biblical examples of aposiopesis in the Hebrew Bible verse above, in which Moses doesn't even dare to complete his sentence when he challenges God's decision to destroy the Israelites for their sin.

Hebrews 3:11 is another powerful example: “If they shall be entering into My stopping—!” Others are found in Mark 8:12; Luke 13:9; 19:42; John 6:62; Acts 23:9.

Using the primary definition above (Breaking off as if unable to continue), think about the double power of this verse from modern scripture:

Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. Doctrine and Covenants 19:18-19

(http://www.peterwade.com/articles/other/knoch03.shtml)
(http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/lit_terms_A.html#aposiopesis_anchor)

1 comment:

  1. Profound. This sure strengthens my love and resolve to return to the presence of our eldest brother and the Father whom He serves.

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