Biblical Figures as Prefigurations of Christ in Scripture
The concept of prefiguration in Scripture highlights how certain biblical figures, events, or institutions in the Old Testament foreshadow or anticipate the person and work of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. These earlier elements serve as "types" that find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is the "antitype" [5, 7].
One prominent example of a prefiguration is Adam. The Apostle Paul refers to Adam as a "type of him who was to come" (Romans 5:14), indicating that Adam, as the head of humanity, prefigured Christ, who is the head of a new humanity [3]. While Adam brought sin and death into the world, Christ brings righteousness and life [8]. Similarly, Abel, whose innocent blood was shed, is seen as a type of Christ, whose blood speaks a better word than Abel's [3]. Abraham, the father of many nations, also serves as a type, with the promise made to him finding its ultimate spiritual fulfillment in Christ [3].
The Old Testament priesthood, particularly figures like Aaron, prefigured Christ's role as the great High Priest. Aaron's sacrificial duties and his mediation between God and Israel pointed forward to Christ's once-for-all sacrifice and his ongoing intercession [3, 7]. The ark of the covenant, representing God's presence among His people, and the sacrifices offered on the Day of Atonement, are also understood as types of Christ's redemptive work [3].
Other figures and events that prefigure Christ include:
- Moses as a prophet, foreshadowing Christ as the ultimate Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15-16; Acts 3:22) [2].
- David as king, prefiguring Christ as the eternal King (2 Samuel 8:15; Ezekiel 37:24) [2, 3].
- The brazen serpent in the wilderness, lifted up for healing, which Jesus himself referenced as a type of his own crucifixion for the salvation of humanity (Numbers 21:9; John 3:14-15) [3].
- The cities of refuge, which offered sanctuary to those who had unintentionally killed someone, prefigured Christ as a refuge for sinners [3].
The New Testament explicitly states that Christ is the "image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15) [6], and that earlier elements were "an image of the things which are to come; but the body is Christ's" (Colossians 2:17) [5]. This means that while the Old Testament provided shadows or outlines, Christ is the full and perfect reality [7]. The early church recognized Christ as the fulfillment of these Old Testament types, understanding that the entire narrative of Scripture points to Him [1, 4].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Types of Christ — Adam -- Ro 5:14; 1Co 15:45. Abel -- Ge 4:8,10; Heb 12:24. Abraham -- Ge 17:5; Eph 3:15. Aaron -- Ex 28:1; Heb 5:4,5; Le 16:15; Heb 9:7,24. Ark -- Ge 7:16; 1Pe 3:20,21. Ark of the Covenant -- Ex 25:16; Ps 40:8; Isa 42:6. Atonement, sacrifices offered on the day of -- Le 16:15,16; Heb 9:12,24. Brazen serpent -- Nu 21:9; Joh 3:14,15. Brazen altar -- Ex 27:1,2; Heb 13:10. Burnt offering -- Le 1:2,4; Heb 10:10. Cities of refuge -- Nu 35:6; Heb 6:18. David -- 2Sa 8:15; Eze 37:24; Ps 89:19,20; Php 2:9. Eliakim -- Isa 22:20-22; Re 3:7. First-fruits -- Ex 22”
- Hebrews “looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. -- Hebrews 12:2”
- Colossians “Colossians 2:17 (BBE) — For these are an image of the things which are to come; but the body is Christ's.”
- Colossians “who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. -- Colossians 1:15”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 10 (introduction): CONCLUSION OF THE FOREGOING ARGUMENT. THE YEARLY RECURRING LAW SACRIFICES CANNOT PERFECT THE WORSHIPPER, BUT CHRIST'S ONCE-FOR-ALL OFFERING CAN. (Heb. 10:1-39) Previously the oneness of Christ's offering was shown; now is shown its perfection as contrasted with the law sacrifices. having--inasmuch as it has but "the shadow, not the very image," that is, not the exact likeness, reality, and full revelation, such as the Gospel has. The "image" here means the archetype (compare Heb 9:24), the original, solid image [BENGEL] realizing to us”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 15:46: And as we have borne the image of the earthy,.... Which regards not so much the sinful image of the first man upon the soul, or the depravity of the powers and faculties of it, as his image of frailty and mortality on the body, having like him a body subject to infirmities and death: we shall also bear the image of the heavenly; which likewise regards not so much the spiritual image of Christ stamped on the soul in regeneration, when Christ is formed in the heart, and the new man is created after his likeness, and which more and more appears, through every t”