Oeonismos; or, Wishing
Oeonismos; or, Wishing
An Expression of Feeling by way of wishing or hoping for a thing
–nis-mos. Greek, , a divining by the flight of birds, divination. Then, because these diviners generally saw what they wished to see, it came to mean a looking for, especially in the sense of a foreboding.
The Latins named the figure OPTATIO, a hoping for, or wishing. By this figure, what is said is changed from a plain statement to the expressing of it as a hope, or an ardent desire, or lively anticipation, often introduced by the words O that, etc. See Deu 5:29 (26). Num 14:2.
See Deu 32:29 : O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
Psa 55:6. (7).-Oh! that I had wings like a dove!
Psa 81:13 (14).-Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! etc.
Isa 48:18.-O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.
Isa 64:1 (63:19).-Oh that thou would rend the heavens, that thou wouldst come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence. See also under Euche.
There are many examples, which the Bible student will call to mind or search out for himself.
Gal 5:12.-I would that they were even cut off which trouble you.