29. AN ELLIPTICAL METAPHOR is where the figure is incomplete. An object, instead of being affirmed to be what it only resembles, is introduced by the name proper only to that resemblance. The literal name of the object and the affirmation to complete the figure are to be supplied.
To find the meaning of an elliptical metaphor, trace the word through the Bible, and find to what object such metaphorical term is applied. _Example._--"And in that day there shall be a _Root_ of JESSE, which shall stand for an ensign of the people." Isa. 11:10. _Explanation._--"I [JESUS] am the _Root_ and the offspring of DAVID." Rev. 22:16.
30. PROSOPOEIA, or PERSONIFICATION, is an address to an inanimate object, as if it were a person, and had intelligence.--_Lord._ _Example._--"Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth." Deut. 32:1.
31. AN APOSTROPHE is a _digression_ from the order of any discourse, and a direct _address_ to the persons of whom it treats, or to those who are to form a judgment respecting the subject of which it treats.--_Lord._ _Example._--"Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom: give ear unto the law of our GOD, ye people of Gomorrah." Isa. 1:10.
32. AN ALLEGORY is a narrative in which the subject of the discourse is described by an analogous subject, resembling it in its characteristics and circumstances--the subject of which it is descriptive being indicated in its connection. _Examples._--See Ezek. 31:3-9; Ps. 80:8-16; Jud. 9:8-15.
Past _historical_ events, instead of supposititious ones, are sometimes used for illustration. When thus used they serve as allegories, without affecting their original historical significance. _Example._--Gal. 4: 22-31. See also Rom. 9:7, 8; 1 Cor. 9:9, 10, and 10:11.
33. A PARABLE is a similitude taken from natural things, to instruct us in the knowledge of spiritual. _Examples._--Matt. 13th, and 21:28-41.
The Parable differs from the Allegory in that the acts ascribed are appropriate to the agents to which they are attributed. In the Allegory, acts may be ascribed to real objects which are not natural to those objects. _Example._--See Judges 9:7-15.
The Parable is sometimes used to denote a prophecy, (Num. 23:7); sometimes a discourse, (Job 27:1); sometimes a lamentation, (Micah 2:4); sometimes a proverb, or wise saying, (Prov. 26:7); and sometimes to indicate that a thing is apocryphal. Ezek. 20:49. The terms parable and allegory, are often wrongfully applied.