The word “hyperbole” is used to talk about a certain way someone says or writes something. A speaker or writer uses hyperbole when that person talks or writes with intense words. These intense words make what the person is talking or writing about seem more intense than it is actually. Speakers or writers who do this have strong feelings or opinions about what they are saying or writing. They talk and write with intense words so other people will know these strong feelings or opinions. The speakers or writers know people will understand that these spoken or written words are more intense than what is actually true.
#### Examples from the Bible:
If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed … (see: Mark 9:43)
* Jesus used hyperbole so everyone would know that to continue to sin is a serious thing. He did not want people to actually cut off their hands. However, people need to do whatever they need to do to stop sinning.
* The Philistines gathered together to fight against Israel, with thirty thousand chariots, six thousand men to drive the chariots, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. (see: 1 Samuel 13:5)
* The author of 1 Samuel used hyperbole so everyone would know that there were many soldiers in the Philistine army. This allowed readers to know that the Israelites were in great danger. * They will not leave one stone upon another … (see: Luke 19:44)
* Jesus used hyperbole so that his listeners would know that Jerusalem would be terribly destroyed.
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