Symbolism and Metaphor in Extrabiblical Examples and Interpretation
Symbolism and metaphor are fundamental to biblical expression, conveying deeper meanings beyond literal interpretation. A "parable" (Greek: parabole) literally means "placing beside" or "comparison," and it can refer to proverbs, prophetic utterances, enigmatic sayings, or extended comparisons of earthly things with heavenly truths [1, 2]. Similarly, an "allegory" is a figure of speech where one thing represents another, containing both an immediate historical sense and an ultimate signified meaning [4].
Biblical texts frequently employ symbols to represent divine presence or theological concepts. Fire, for instance, symbolizes God's presence and power, whether in approval or destruction, as seen in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2) or the consuming fire on the altar [3, 5, 14]. This symbol is considered fitting for Jehovah due to its immaterial, mysterious, visible, warming, comforting, and consuming qualities [3].
Metaphors are also used to describe various aspects of the divine and human experience. The phrase "as the stars of heaven" is identified as a metaphor [10]. Marriage is a common biblical symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people, while adultery symbolizes Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness [12, 13]. Even seemingly straightforward descriptions can be metaphorical, such as "they shall cover" in Exodus 10:5, which Abraham Ibn Ezra interprets metaphorically [6].
Beyond direct symbolism, the Bible uses "signs" (otot) in various ways. These can be miraculous proofs of a divine mission, as seen in the "signs and wonders" performed by Christ and the apostles [7]. Signs can also refer to celestial phenomena like eclipses or shooting stars, which Abraham Ibn Ezra connects to omens mentioned in Jeremiah 10:2 [9]. In some contexts, a "sign" can denote a distinguishing mark or a wonderful event, such as the conversion of the Jews mentioned in Isaiah 66:19 [11].
The use of such figurative language requires careful interpretation, as the literal meaning often points to a deeper spiritual or theological reality. For example, the poetic elements in Ecclesiastes 12:3, such as "guards" and "strong men," are understood as metaphors for parts of the human body like legs and shoulders [8].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another.--McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expand”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (Gr. parabole), a placing beside; a comparison; equivalent to the Heb. mashal, a similitude. In the Old Testament this is used to denote (1) a proverb (1 Sam. 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chr. 7:20), (2) a prophetic utterance (Num. 23:7; Ezek. 20:49), (3) an enigmatic saying (Ps. 78:2; Prov. 1:6). In the New Testament, (1) a proverb (Mark 7:17; Luke 4:23), (2) a typical emblem (Heb. 9:9; 11:19), (3) a similitude or allegory (Matt. 15:15; 24:32; Mark 3:23; Luke 5:36; 14:7); (4) ordinarily, in a more restricted sense, a comparison of earthly with heavenly things, "an eart”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Fire — is represented as the symbol of Jehovah's presence and the instrument of his power, in the way either of approval or of destruction. (Exodus 3:2; 14:19) etc. There could not be a better symbol for Jehovah than this of fire, it being immaterial, mysterious, but visible, warming, cheering, comforting, but also terrible and consuming. Parallel with this application of fire and with its symbolical meaning are to be noted the similar use for sacrificial purposes and the respect paid to it, or to the heavenly bodies as symbols of deity, which prevailed among so many ”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Allegory — a figure of speech, which has been defined by Bishop Marsh, in accordance with its etymology as, "a representation of one thing which is intended to excite the representation of another thing." ("A figurative representation containing a meaning other than and in addition to the literal." "A fable or parable; is a short allegory with one definite moral."--Encyc. Brit.) In every allegory there is a twofold sense--the immediate or historic, which is understood from the words, and the ultimate, which is concerned with the things signified by the words. The alle”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Fire — (1.) For sacred purposes. The sacrifices were consumed by fire (Gen. 8:20). The ever-burning fire on the altar was first kindled from heaven (Lev. 6:9, 13; 9:24), and afterwards rekindled at the dedication of Solomon's temple (2 Chr. 7:1, 3). The expressions "fire from heaven" and "fire of the Lord" generally denote lightning, but sometimes also the fire of the altar was so called (Ex. 29:18; Lev. 1:9; 2:3; 3:5, 9). Fire for a sacred purpose obtained otherwise than from the altar was called "strange fire" (Lev. 10:1, 2; Num. 3:4). The victims slain for sin off”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 10:5: AND THEY SHALL COVER. Metaphorically speaking.”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 2:4: them--rather, "God also [as well as Christ, Heb 2:3] bearing witness to it," &c., joining in attestation of it." signs and wonders--performed by Christ and His apostles. "Signs" and miracles, or other facts regarded as proofs of a divine mission; "wonders" are miracles viewed as prodigies, causing astonishment (Act 2:22, Act 2:33); "powers" are miracles viewed as evidences of superhuman power. divers miracles--Greek, "varied (miraculous) powers" (Co2 12:12) granted to the apostles after the ascension. gifts, &c.--Greek, "distributions." The gift ”
- Ecclesiastes (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ecclesiastes 12:3: 12:3 The NLT translates the Hebrew metaphors (guards . . . strong men . . . servants . . . women) and also provides an interpretation of these poetic elements (legs . . . shoulders . . . teeth . . . eyes).”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Genesis 1:14: FOR SIGNS AND FOR SEASONS. For signs , i.e., for minutes, and for seasons , i.e., for hours. For signs may also be interpreted as referring to the eclipse of the moon and the sun and also to shooting stars. The last-mentioned phenomena are to be included among the signs produced by the lights of the firmament because they are caused by the stars. This meaning of signs is like signs in And be not dismayed at the signs (omens) of heaven (Jer. 10:2). Anyone who explains the lamed of le-otot (for signs) as superfluous is mistaken. 107 I.E.’s point is that the lame”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 1:10: [AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN.] This is a metaphor.”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 66:19: And I will set a sign among them,.... Either a miraculous sign, something wonderful, as the word is often used, Exo 4:8, not the effusion of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, in the presence of men of all nations; or the miracles wrought in the Gentile world by the apostles, in confirmation of the Gospel; but rather the wonderful conversion of the Jews, Isa 66:8, or those wonders, the time of the end of which is inquired, Dan 12:6 or else some distinguishing sign or mark is meant; such an one as was set on Cain, and on those that sighed and mourned for the sins of ”
- Ezek (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezek 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”
- Ezekiel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezekiel 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”
- Exodus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Exodus 3:2: the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire--It is common in Scripture to represent the elements and operations of nature, as winds, fires, earthquakes, pestilence, everything enlisted in executing the divine will, as the "angels" or messengers of God. But in such cases God Himself is considered as really, though invisibly, present. Here the preternatural fire may be primarily meant by the expression "angel of the Lord"; but it is clear that under this symbol, the Divine Being was present, whose name is given (Exo 3:4, Exo 3:6), and elsew”