Figures of Speech in the Bible

Prosopographia / Description of Person in the Bible

Prosopographia describes a person’s appearance, features, or visible impression.

Simple definition

Prosopographia describes a person’s appearance, features, or visible impression.

Technical nameProsopographia
Alternate namesDescription of appearance; portrait description
Reader categoryDescription / Person
Bullinger classFigures of description / person portrayal
Source hintDraft-normalized rhetorical category; verify examples against Bullinger/source taxonomy and final Bible text stream.
Examples on page10

Technical definition

Prosopographia is descriptive portrayal of a person, often by bodily appearance, clothing, face, countenance, or other visible marks that support the passage’s meaning.

Publication note: Examples are curated from the final Wave 46 source state. Some examples carry review notes where final Bible-text stream verification may still be prudent before public release.

Scripture examples

These examples show how Prosopographia / Description of Person functions in biblical language, rhetoric, poetry, prophecy, narrative, or theological imagery.

1 Sam. 16:12
certain

ruddy, beautiful eyes, handsome

David’s appearance is described at his introduction, while the larger context warns that the LORD sees deeper than outward appearance.

Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 15 vivid description, appeal, and dramatic speech forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording, source taxonomy, and final site Bible text stream before publication.
1 Sam. 17:42
probable

ruddy and handsome in appearance

Goliath despises David on the basis of visible youth and appearance, heightening the contrast between sight and faith.

Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 15 vivid description, appeal, and dramatic speech forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording, source taxonomy, and final site Bible text stream before publication.
2 Sam. 14:25-26
certain

Absalom praised for beauty and hair

Absalom’s striking outward appearance is described before the narrative exposes his ambition and rebellion.

Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 15 vivid description, appeal, and dramatic speech forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording, source taxonomy, and final site Bible text stream before publication.
Isa. 53:2
certain

no form or majesty

The Servant is portrayed without outward attractiveness, correcting expectations of visible royal glory.

Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 15 vivid description, appeal, and dramatic speech forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording, source taxonomy, and final site Bible text stream before publication.
Song 5:10-16
certain

beloved’s head, hair, eyes, cheeks, lips

The beloved is described feature by feature in poetic praise.

Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 15 vivid description, appeal, and dramatic speech forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording, source taxonomy, and final site Bible text stream before publication.
Dan. 10:5-6
certain

linen, gold belt, body like beryl

The heavenly figure is described in radiant detail to communicate awe and authority.

Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 15 vivid description, appeal, and dramatic speech forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording, source taxonomy, and final site Bible text stream before publication.
Matt. 17:2
certain

face shone, clothes white

The transfiguration describes Jesus’ visible glory in language that reveals His majesty.

Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 15 vivid description, appeal, and dramatic speech forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording, source taxonomy, and final site Bible text stream before publication.
Acts 6:15
probable

face like the face of an angel

Stephen’s appearance is described at trial to mark divine vindication and witness.

Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 15 vivid description, appeal, and dramatic speech forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording, source taxonomy, and final site Bible text stream before publication.
Rev. 1:13-16
certain

Son of Man among lampstands

The risen Christ is described with priestly, royal, and judicial imagery.

Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 15 vivid description, appeal, and dramatic speech forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording, source taxonomy, and final site Bible text stream before publication.
2 Kings 1:8
probable

hairy man with leather belt

Elijah is identified by a distinctive appearance that becomes part of the narrative recognition.

Source: Draft-normalized biblical example — Wave 15 vivid description, appeal, and dramatic speech forms
Review status: draft-normalized | Verify against original-language wording, source taxonomy, and final site Bible text stream before publication.

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