Bible Lexicons

Bullinger's Figures of Speech Used in the BibleBullinger's Figures of Speech

Apophasis; or Insinuation

Addition of Insinuation (implied) by way of Reasoning

A-poph´-a-sis (ἀπόφασις), denial, negation, from ἀποφάναι (apophanai), to speak off, and this from ἀπό (apo), off, and φάναι (phanai), to speak or say.

The figure is used when, professing to suppress certain matters or ideas, the speaker proceeds to add the insinuation, negatively: e.g., "I will not mention the matter, but," etc.; or, "I will not mention another argument, which, however, if I should, you could not refute."

Philem. 19.-"I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it (albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides)."

When the matter or argument is actually added, the figure is then called