Cycloides; or, Circular Repetition
Cycloides; or, Circular Repetition
The Repetition of the same Phrase at regular Intervals
Cy-clo-id-es means having the form of a circle; from (kuklos). a circle, and (eidos), form.
The figure is so called because the sentence or phrase is repeated at intervals, as though in regular circles.
When this repetition occurs at the end of successive passages, as in poetry, in the form of a Refrain or Burden, it is called AMBAEON (q.v. [Note: Which see.] ). But when it occurs at the beginning or middle or any other part of the passage it is called Cycloides.
2Sa 1:19; 2Sa 1:25; 2Sa 1:27.-Where we have the burden of the lamentation three times, How are the mighty fallen.
Psa 42:5; Psa 42:11 (6, 12) and 43:5.-We have the three-fold emphasis on the great question: Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and the blessed answer, Hope thou in God!
Psa 46:7; Psa 46:11.-Here, the phrase occurs twice, The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Psa 56:4; Psa 56:10 (5, 11).-Where we have the sentence repeated, to emphasize the fact that when our enemies seem mightiest, we can say, In God will I praise His word.
Psa 80:3; Psa 80:7; Psa 80:19 (4, 8, 20).-Three times we have the prayer: Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.
Jer 3:12; Jer 3:22.-Where we have the twice repeated command to the backsliding People to return.
Eze 32:20-26; Eze 32:28-32, -Twelve times we have the expression repeated Slain with the sword, at intervals, irregularly, but twelve times to denote the judgment as being executed by Divine government.* [Note: See Number in Scripture, by the same author and publisher.]
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