Figures of Speech Used in the Bible (1) Litotes

        Some time ago, Gordon Rumford taught many of us a new word--litotes [pronounced lie-toe-teez].  The dictionary meaning is "understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of the contrary." This is best shown by Rumford's main example, "I am not ashamed of the gospel." (Rom.1:16) What the Apostle Paul meant by that was "I am PROUD of the gospel." Other scriptural examples are "a citizen of no ordinary city" (="a citizen of a great city", Acts 21:39) and "I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven" (=very obedient", Acts 26:19). Two Old Testament examples are, "A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise" (="You will accept and welcome and bless," Psalm 51:17), and "The ants are a people not strong" (="very weak", Prov.30:25 KJV).