Verbatim-similar verses (al-āyāt al-mutashābih al-lafẓī) in the Holy Quran may initially appear to constitute instances of mere verbal repetition; however, their subtle formal variations can encode distinct layers of meaning. This study aims to identify and explain the semantic distinctions among verbatim-similar verses in Surah al-Baqarah. Employing a descriptive-analytical method and drawing on key principles of cognitive semantics—including context-dependence, perspective, attentional focus, boundary profiling, and trajector–landmark alignment—the study examines instances of ellipsis and accretion, namely the omission or addition of lexical and syntactic elements, in verses of Surah al-Baqarah that correspond verbally to verses in other surahs.
The findings demonstrate that several verses in Surah al-Baqarah exhibit close verbal correspondence with verses elsewhere in the Quran, while differing through the omission or inclusion of particular nouns, verbs, particles, or clauses. Cognitive-semantic analysis indicates that these formal variations are semantically motivated rather than stylistically incidental. Although the corresponding verses may address the same general theme, their structural differences construct distinct conceptualizations of the underlying reality. In particular, ellipsis and accretion affect the degree of semantic restriction or expansion: the presence of an additional linguistic element generally broadens the conceptual scope of the verse and increases the range of potential referents. Thus, verbal similarity does not entail semantic identity; rather, formal variation functions as a significant mechanism for perspective-taking and meaning construction in the Quranic discourse.