Pleonasm uses more words than strict grammar requires in order to emphasize the thought.
Pleonasm uses more words than strict grammar requires in order to emphasize the thought.
A figure of addition in which seemingly redundant wording is deliberately used for emphasis, fullness, solemnity, or rhetorical weight.
These examples show how Pleonasm functions in biblical language, rhetoric, poetry, prophecy, narrative, or theological imagery.
dying you shall die
The doubled verbal idea intensifies the certainty of death rather than adding new information.
blessing I will bless you
The repeated verbal construction emphasizes the certainty and abundance of God’s promise.
I have surely seen
The fullness of expression stresses the LORD’s real knowledge of Israel’s affliction.
you shall not yield to him or listen to him
The paired expressions reinforce refusal, not mere stylistic redundancy.
indeed I have sinned
The fuller confession heightens Achan’s admission before Joshua.
but truly, as the LORD lives
The solemn fullness of speech intensifies David’s claim of imminent danger.
I had heard ... but now my eye sees
The sensory contrast uses fuller expression to heighten the change from report to encounter.
The LORD has disciplined me severely
The intensified expression underscores real chastening while denying final abandonment.
hear indeed ... see indeed
The repeated sensory verbs heighten the judicial irony of hearing without understanding and seeing without perceiving.
an exceedingly great army
The added intensifier gives weight to the vision’s scale.
hearing you will hear
The repetition strengthens the prophetic judgment language quoted from Isaiah.
they feared a great fear
The repeated fear-language emphasizes the disciples’ overwhelming awe after Jesus stills the storm.
with desire I have desired
The intensified idiom stresses Jesus’ deliberate longing to eat the Passover with His disciples.
rejoices with joy
The fuller expression emphasizes the friend of the bridegroom’s genuine joy.
we strictly charged you
The fuller expression intensifies the council’s accusation against the apostles.
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