These examples show how Antiphrasis functions in biblical language, rhetoric, poetry, prophecy, narrative, or theological imagery.
No doubt you are the people
Job uses ironic praise to rebuke his friends’ assumption that wisdom belongs uniquely to them.
Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 13 advanced rhetorical and word-pattern forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording and final site Bible text stream before publication.
for he is a god
Elijah’s wording names Baal as a god in an ironic sense to expose the idol’s powerlessness.
Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 13 advanced rhetorical and word-pattern forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording and final site Bible text stream before publication.
Deliver me, for you are my god
The prophetic portrayal gives the idolater’s words in a way that exposes their absurdity.
Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 13 advanced rhetorical and word-pattern forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording and final site Bible text stream before publication.
Come to Bethel and transgress
The invitation is not approval but ironic exposure of corrupt worship.
Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 13 advanced rhetorical and word-pattern forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording and final site Bible text stream before publication.
the lordly price
The expression is bitterly ironic in view of the contemptuous valuation.
Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 13 advanced rhetorical and word-pattern forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording and final site Bible text stream before publication.
Hail, King of the Jews
The soldiers’ title is true at a deeper level but spoken by them in mocking antiphrastic irony.
Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 13 advanced rhetorical and word-pattern forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording and final site Bible text stream before publication.
Behold your King
Pilate’s announcement carries a taunting edge even while the title is providentially true.
Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 13 advanced rhetorical and word-pattern forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording and final site Bible text stream before publication.
Already you have all you want
Paul’s language is ironic, exposing the Corinthians’ inflated self-assessment.
Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 13 advanced rhetorical and word-pattern forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording and final site Bible text stream before publication.
super-apostles
Paul’s title is deliberately ironic toward rival claimants and Corinthian boasting.
Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 13 advanced rhetorical and word-pattern forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording and final site Bible text stream before publication.
super-apostles
The repeated label again functions ironically against a false standard of apostolic greatness.
Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 13 advanced rhetorical and word-pattern forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording and final site Bible text stream before publication.
