Bible Lexicons

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

Aporia; or Doubt

An Expression of Feeling by way of Doubt

A-pô´-ri-a. Greek, ἀπορία, a being in doubt, or at a loss, from ἄπορος (aporos), without a passage (ἀ, privative, and πόρος (poros), a passage).

The figure is used when the speaker expresses himself as though he were at a loss what course to pursue; or when we express a doubt as to what we ought to think or say or do.

It was also called DIAPORESIS (Di´-a-po-ree´-sis). Greek, διαπόρησις, from διά (dia), through, and ἀπόρησις (aporeesis), a being without passage or resource.

The Latins called it DUBITATIO, a wavering, a doubting, uncertainty, doubt, and ADDUBITATIO, the former word with ad, to, denoting the beginning of the hesitation or doubting.

Hosea 6:4.-"O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee?"

See under Erotesis.

Hosea 11:8.-"How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel?" etc.

See under Anthropopatheia.

Matthew 21:25-26.-"The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet."

Luke 16:3.-"Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed."