Is there allegory in the Bible?

from the old testament

• The book of Hosea is a true account that acts as an allegory for the nation of Israel’s unfaithfulness to the Lord God. Through the symbolic presentation of the marriage of Hosea and Gomer, God’s love for the idolatrous nation of Israel is displayed.

from the new testament

• In the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32), we see not just a son who finds his way home, but also spiritual truths regarding our relationship with God and His heart as a Father.
• The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3–9, 18–23) illustrates different responses to God's Word, as Jesus explained.
• Jesus is called the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29, 36), referring to the sacrificial lambs of the Old Testament and Christ's role as the ultimate sacrifice.
• Paul uses the allegory of Hagar and Abraham to convey a greater spiritual truth in Galatians 4:22–26: "For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother."
• The institution of marriage, while serving a very practical purpose, can also be seen as allegorical for Christ's relationship with the church (Ephesians 5:31–32).

implications for today

There are many well-known allegorical works in the literary canon, such as George Orwell's Animal Farm and Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels. In these texts, allegory provides a lens through which we can critically examine cultural, religious, and political ideas. Yet, allegory isn't always critical; it is often employed to convey spiritual or moral truths within a narrative. Prominent Christian allegorical literature includes John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress and C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia. When truth is embodied in characters or extended metaphors, it becomes more accessible, making allegory an effective tool for communicating biblical principles.

While the ceremonial laws outlined by Moses in the Old Testament are not allegories in themselves, they can be seen as a broader allegory of God's people setting themselves apart from the ways of the world. Allegory can also shed light on historical events that might otherwise seem to lack deeper meaning. For instance, in Galatians 4, Paul interprets the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar as an allegory for the Old and New Covenants. Through this allegory, Paul reveals that we are free in Christ under the New Covenant, contrasting with the bondage of the Old Covenant. This deeper understanding of bondage and freedom becomes clearer when applied to a historical event, where spiritual truths are symbolized through historical figures.

As the Great Storyteller, God uses a variety of storytelling devices to communicate with us. Allegory enriches Scripture by adding layers of meaning behind certain words and narratives. Every method God uses to speak to us ultimately serves to magnify His glory. The foreshadowing and recurring themes produced by allegory are another way for God to astound us, drawing us closer to understanding and recognizing Him.