ΠΑΡΑΒΟΛΉ: παραβολή, -ῆς, ἡ [ (< παραβάλλω), [in LXX (cf. McNeile, Mt., 185): Nu 23:7, De 28:37, Ps 43 (44):14, Pr 1:6, Ez 12:22, al. (מָשָׁל), Si 47:17 (חִידָה), al. mutt. in Si, Wi 5:3;] ] 1. . a placing beside, juxtaposition (Polyb., al.).
2. . a comparing, comparison (Plat., Arist., al.).
3. . a comparison, illustration, analogy, figure (Arist., al.): Mt 24:32, Mk 3:23, He 9:9 11:19; specif. of the pictures and narratives drawn from nature and human life which are characteristic of the synoptic teaching of our Lord, a parable: Mt 13:3, 10, Mk 4:2, 10, Lk 8:4, 9-11, al.; c. gen. ref., Mt 13:18, 36.
4 . Like Heb. מָשָׁל (I Ki 10:12, Pr 1:6, Si 3:29, al.), = παροιμία, a proverb or gnomic saying: Lk 4:23 5:36 6:39.
SYN.: παροιμία (v. Abbott, Essays, 82 ff.).