Best Examples of Hyperbole in the Bible

  • Thread starter morefaithrequired
  • Start date
  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
M

morefaithrequired

Guest
#1
#1
I'm so hungry I could eat a horse. Just one example of hyperbole.
But what about the Bible? When is it used?
Exaggeration for effect to make a point. Ive got some examples in mind but I will throw it open to others. Especially the gospels. When did Jesus use hyperbole to get his message across?
 
Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy

Well-known member
#2
Jun 11, 2018
3,222
3,549
113
67
#2
Hi @morefaithrequired, here's one possibility that comes to mind.

Luke 14​
26 If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.​

I believe that St. Matthew's account of the same teaching (Matthew 10:37) holds the key to the actual meaning of v26 above, though I'm glad that we have the teaching of both verses, because I also believe that Luke 14:26 compliments and helps us understand the true meaning of Matthew 10:37 as well.

Matthew 10​
37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.​

~Deut
 
M

morefaithrequired

Guest
#3
#3
thanks..just happens to be the one I had in mind too. 😁
we are not meant to hate our parents. this verse teaches us to make Jesus our number one priority. we should never love a sibling or other family member more than Christ.
Jesus wants our attention. So sometimes he has to exaggerate to get it. wish goodwill to all. but put Jesus first .
 
Nebuchadnezzer

Nebuchadnezzer

Well-known member
#4
Feb 8, 2019
1,134
205
63
#4
morefaithrequired said:
I'm so hungry I could eat a horse. Just one example of hyperbole.
But what about the Bible? When is it used?
Exaggeration for effect to make a point. Ive got some examples in mind but I will throw it open to others. Especially the gospels. When did Jesus use hyperbole to get his message across?
Click to expand...
Matthew 5:29
If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.

John 6:56
He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#5
Jul 3, 2015
56,001
26,138
113
#5
Straining out a gnat to swallow a camel :D

Matthew 23:24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
 
M

morefaithrequired

Guest
#6
#6
Magenta said:
Straining out a gnat to swallow a camel :D

Matthew 23:24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
Click to expand...
at the risk of sounding like a pain in the neck, is that another figure of speech? metaphor? or something else?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.