Hermeneutic question?
In Jeremiah 1:11 where the words in Hebrew for almond and watch sound alike, is there an official term for what that's called? Homonym? Pun?
Thanks if y'all can help... 
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Wonder about "play on words" ? or wordplay (as used in a couple resources)
The NET Bible has footnote 21 in Jeremiah 1:12
21 tn Heb “watching over my word to do it.”
sn There is a play on the Hebrew word for “almond tree” (שָׁקֵד, shaqed), which blossoms in January/February and is the harbinger of spring, and the Hebrew word for “watching” (שֹׁקֵד, shoqed), which refers to someone watching over someone or something in preparation for action. The play on words announces the certainty and imminence of the LORD carrying out the covenant curses of Lev 26 and Deut 28 threatened by the earlier prophets.
Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Je 1:11–12). Biblical Studies Press.
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UBS handbook on Jeremiah discussion about Jeremiah 1:11 includes:
A rod of almond is in all probability less than clear to most English readers. TEV translates “A branch of an almond tree,” and NIV has “the branch of an almond tree.” NEB has “An almond in early bloom,” which is based upon the assumption that the almond tree is the first to “wake” (that is, “bloom”) at the close of the winter season. However, some scholars object to this interpretation for two reasons: (1) the text says nothing of a “blooming” branch, and (2) the Hebrew is said not to refer to a twig or branch or any other portion of a living tree. Although it is true that the Hebrew noun translated rod may be used without reference to the living part of a tree (Gen 32:10; 1 Sam 17:40), it is just as true that it may be used of a branch or twig (Gen 30:37–39), and this may very well be its meaning here.
The RSV footnote points out there is a wordplay in Hebrew between almond (shaqed) here and “watching” (shoqed) in verse 12. A number of translations indicate this by means of a footnote, though several attempt to introduce the play on words into the text: “Watchful Tree … watching over” (NJB), “wake-tree … wakeful” (MFT), and “watching-tree … watching” (NAB). Perhaps the most successful in this regard is GECL, which has Wacholderzweig (“juniper branch”) … wache (“watch”). Accompanying the translation is a note, indicating that Wacholder is literally Mandelbaum (“an almond tree”), which they point out is the first to bloom in the spring, giving the appearance not to have slept. Then they explain that just as Hebrew has a play on words between shaqed and shoqed, so in their translation they have made a play on words between Wacholder and wachen.
Not many languages will have the possibility of capturing this wordplay, however, and translators will usually render rod of almond as “branch of a tree called almond,” borrowing the word from the English or some other language that is familiar to them. Some will substitute a local tree that has fruit similar to the almond. In either case it will be helpful for readers to have a note on the similarity between the Hebrew name for this tree and the word meaning “watching.”
Newman, B. M., & Stine, P. C. (2003). A handbook on Jeremiah. UBS handbook series (35–36). New York: United Bible Societies.
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Searching my Logos library for phrase "play on words" finds some definitions (plus lots more):
conundrum (kǝˈnʌndrǝm) n 1 a riddle, esp one whose answer makes a play on words 2 a puzzling question or problem [c16: of unknown origin]
equivoque or equivoke (ˈɛkwɪˌvǝʊk) n 1 a play on words; pun 2 an ambiguous phrase or expression 3 double meaning; ambiguity [c14: equivoc EQUIVOCAL]
paronomasia (ˌpærǝnǝʊˈmeɪzɪǝ) n rhetoric a play on words, esp a pun [c16: via Latin from Greek: a play on words, from paronomazein to make a change in naming, from PARA-1 (beside) + onomazein to name, from onoma a name] > paronomastic (ˌpærǝnǝʊˈmæstɪk) adj ˌparonoˈmastically adv
play on words n another term for pun (sense 1)
Collins English dictionary. 2006 (8th ed., Complete & unabridged ed.). Glasgow: HarperCollins.
Keep Smiling [:)]
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My first thought would be Homophones. They are words that sound alike (but not necessarily identical), but have different meanings. Homonyms, in the stricktest sense, are words with the same spelling AND sound, but different meaning. (Heteronyms have the same spelling but different sound).
Other literary terms include Consonance (repetition of consonants) and Assonance (repetition of vowels).
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KS4J - Play on Words just aren't punny.
play on words n another term for pun (sense 1)
pun1 (pʌn) n 1 the use of words or phrases to exploit ambiguities and innuendoes in their meaning, usually for humorous effect; a play on words.
Collins English dictionary. 2006 (8th ed., Complete & unabridged ed.). Glasgow: HarperCollins.
Seems a bit like a circular (roundabout) to me. [:P]
Keep Smiling [:)]
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I guess I will just have to punt.
You will be punished for that.
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I guess I will just have to punt.
With a ball, a pole, a bet, ... ?
Keep Smiling [:)]
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'Word play' and 'pun' are both fine descriptions of what's going on. If one were to apply a more specific label, the words don't sound exactly alike (shaqedh vs. shoqedh), so I wouldn't call them homophones. But there is both rhyme (same ending sound) and alliteration (same first consonant).
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Great answers, guys; thanks!
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I would call it "The Holy Spirit using the literary style of man to communicate a truth to the audience of God - and he did it in a very fascinating way"
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