An overstatement of something, usually relating to its importance or value. People exaggerate because of fear, envy, pride or self-pity. Exaggeration can also be used positively to good effect, for example, in the teaching of Jesus Christ.
Exaggeration of difficulties through fear
Numbers 13:32–33 See also Deuteronomy 1:28, Deuteronomy 9:1
So they gave the Israelites a bad report about the land that they had spied out: “The land we explored devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw there are great in stature. We even saw the Nephilim there— the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim! We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them!”
Exaggeration of the lifestyle of others through envy
Job 21:7–10 Job's complaint that the wicked often appear to prosper is stated with exaggeration in order to make his point clear. See also Psalm 73:3–12
Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? Their descendants are established around them, and their offspring before their eyes. Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them. Their bulls breed without fail; their cows bear calves and do not miscarry.
Exaggerating one's status or abilities through pride
Ezekiel 27:3 See also Ezekiel 28:2; Hosea 12:8; Matthew 8:19 parallel Luke 9:57; Luke 22:33; Acts 12:21–23; 1 Corinthians 4:8; Revelation 3:17
Tell Tyre, who dwells at the gateway to the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coasts, that this is what the Lord GOD says: You have said, O Tyre, ‘I am perfect in beauty.’
Exaggeration of the achievements of others
1 Samuel 21:11 The reference to David as king by the Philistines may be an exaggeration reflecting the great success and popularity of David among the Israelite people. See also 1 Samuel 18:7, 1 Samuel 29:5
But the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David, the king of the land? Did they not sing about him in their dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”
Exaggeration of troubles through self-pity
1 Kings 18:22 See also 1 Kings 19:10, 1 Kings 19:14, 1 Kings 19:18; Psalm 12:1–2
Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.
Exaggeration of the appearance of others through admiration
These verses represent exaggeration typical in poetic descriptive passages: Song of Solomon 5:10–16, Song of Solomon 7:1–9
Exaggeration used by Jesus Christ as a teaching tool
Matthew 7:3–5 parallel Luke 6:41–42 See also Matthew 5:29–30, Matthew 7:9–10 parallel Luke 11:11–12; Matthew 13:33 parallel Luke 13:20; Matthew 19:24 parallels Mark 10:25, Luke 18:25
Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while there is still a beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.