SYLLEPSIS
SYLLEPSIS
SYLLEPSIS is, when the concord of the parts of speech is disturbed; when the mind conceives a different thing from what is put forth in the words, i.e. when , the idea meant, and the sense is more regarded than the words.
SYLLEPSIS, as Scioppius states [Gramm. Philos. p. m. 183], is either of Gender, or of Number, or of both. Syllepsis of Gender is, when we put forward one gender whilst we conceive another in the mind; as, Joh 16:13-14, , – -The Masculine is put for the Neuter; and this is done not without cause, for it was more becoming to speak in the Masculine of a Divine Person.-Syllepsis of Number is, when we put forward one number whilst we are mentally thinking of another; as, Joh 21:12, –The Plural is put, whereas the construction itself seems to require the Singular, but the reference is to the word, .-2Co 5:19, , -for . This Plural indicates that the , or world, meant is men, and it is on this Plural that the depends. In the case of the note of the Gnomon on Col 3:16, -a passage which Bengel states may be explained by Syllepsis, I confess I feel in doubt, since in that passage one cannot find a Syllepsis either of Gender or Number. The interchange of cases, indeed [Antiptosis], is a very usual GrAEcism; but this interchange of cases [when the relative is put, not in that case which was required by the Verb to which it is joined, but in that case in which the Substantive to which it refers was put] neither can be called Syllepsis, nor in that passage do the cases seem to be changed on the same principle. Hence has arisen to me a suspicion, that for SYNCHYSIS he by a slip of the pen wrote Syllepsis: but since not even this explanation seems sufficiently to meet the case, the reader may, if he pleases, free this, passage of Paul from its difficulties by Parenthesis or Anacoluthon. Comp. Wolfs Cur. Philol. and Crit. on this passage, pp. 341, 342.