INL August 3, 2007  

SOUNDING OUT:
Hendiatris

  Last month we looked at hendiadys, commonly known as two for one. This month we will investigate a similar figure, hendiatris. Commonly known as three for one, this figure occurs when three words are used, but one thing is meant. The three nouns are always joined together by the conjunction “and.” The first of the three words expresses the thing and the next two intensifies it by being changed into adjectives of the superlative degree. Hendiatris expresses a single idea by three words instead of simply using a word and two adjectives.

  The three words must have some relation to each other or be associated in some way. There cannot be a hendiatris when the words oppose one another or are not connected in some way. Bullinger notes examples in Figures of Speech Used in the Bible on page 673.

Daniel 3:4,7
Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

  In verse four we find the herald speaking to the people. He was not speaking to nations or languages; he was speaking to people. To emphasize the grandeur of the kingdom and the reach of the king’s words a hendiatris is employed. The herald commanded, “O people, yes people from every nation no matter what language is spoken…” Similarly in verse seven we do not find nations and languages falling down in worship. Rather it was all the people, yes all the people from every nation speaking any and every language that fell down and worshipped. This figure emphasizes the magnitude of the king’s influence over all the people.

  When Jesus taught his disciples to pray he said:

Matthew 6:9-13:
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

  Jesus is praying for God’s kingdom to come (verse 10). He closes his prayer reiterating that it is God’s kingdom for which he is praying. He says, “For Thine is the kingdom, yes–the powerful and glorious kingdom it is! This emphasizes the magnificence of God’s kingdom. What a powerful and glorious kingdom it is.

  In the gospel of John, Jesus speaks of the way and Thomas questions him about it.

John 14:4-6:
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, [and] the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
  The Greek texts add “and” before “truth.” While it is perfectly true that the Lord can be considered as the Way, the Truth, and the Life separately, yet in the context Jesus is speaking about the way. In the hendiatris the first word, way, is the subject of Jesus’ response and the next two words describe the nature or character of the way. Thomas’ question concerned the way, but it is answered in a threefold manner emphasizing the unique magnificence of the way. He is the way, yes–the true and living way. Weymouth recognizing the hendiatris translates it, “I am the True and Living Way.”

  The context is key in distinguishing a hendiatris. It emphasizes the grandeur or unique magnificence of the subject. It is used only with nouns separated by “ands.” Noticing this figure allows us to realize the emphasis God wants placed on it.

  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood out amongst all the people, yes the people from every nation no matter what language they spoke. Jesus taught his disciples to pray for God’s kingdom and identified what a powerful and glorious kingdom it is! Jesus speaking of himself and the unique way he provided for God’s people spoke of himself as not just a way, but the only way, the true and living way.