How does the Bible use symbolism?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Metaphor and symbolism using people, places, things, as well as animals, were powerful word tools in the Jewish culture. These literary devices gave deeper, concrete meaning to abstract concepts. Most of the symbols used in the Bible are easily recognizable to modern English readers, but a few have cultural references that are a little more difficult to translate. Understanding these symbols enhances our comprehension of Scripture and its intended message. Ultimately, biblical symbolism helps illustrate God's character, His promises, and His relationship with humanity.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Below are just a few of the hundreds of uses of symbolism in the Bible:
• Abraham's descendants will be like dust, stars, or sand: God promised Abraham that he would father many nations. Dust, stars, and sand were used as word-pictures to represent how many people that would include (Genesis 13:16; 15:5; 26:4; 28:14; 32:12; Exodus 32:13; Isaiah 48:19; Jeremiah 33:22; see also Hebrews 11:12).
• Apple of His eye: This is actually an Old English translation. The original Hebrew phrase refers to the reflection of a "tiny man" in the pupil of God's eye. It means someone to whom God pays attention because He is delighted in him (Psalm 17:8; Proverbs 7:2; Zechariah 2:8).
• Bull: Bulls are strong and powerful. They often symbolized mighty warriors (Psalm 22:12; Ezekiel 39:18).
• Circumcised hearts: Circumcision was the outward sign God used to make His people identifiable, but an outward sign does not mean the person follows God in his heart. A circumcised heart follows God faithfully and willingly (Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4; 2:28–29).
• Dog: A dog was a filthy, unclean, occasionally dangerous nuisance. It was also an unflattering epithet for Gentiles (Exodus 22:31; 1 Samuel 17:43; see also Matthew 15:26).
• Donkey: A wild donkey was stubborn, uncontrollable, and cared only for its own desires. A donkey with a pack, as in Genesis 49, represented submission. In a different way, a donkey was used to show humility. Jesus the King rode into Jerusalem on a donkey colt instead of a war horse because He is the Prince of Peace and a servant (Genesis 16:12; 49:14–15; Zechariah 9:9; see also Matthew 21:5).
• Eagle: An eagle was fast, powerful against its enemies, and protective of its young (Deuteronomy 32:11; Isaiah 40:31).
• Flowing with milk and honey: A land flowing with milk and honey is a fertile land with grass for dairy animals and flowering plants for bees. It describes the Promised Land where the Israelites were to live (Exodus 3:8, 17; 13:5; 33:3; Leviticus 20:24; Numbers 13:27; 14:8; 16:13–14; Deuteronomy 6:3; 11:9; 26:9, 15; 27:3; 31:20; Joshua 5:6; Song of Solomon 4:11; 5:1; Isaiah 7:22; Jeremiah 11:5; 32:22; Ezekiel 20:6, 15).
• Gathered to your people: "Gathered to your people" is a symbolic way of saying death (Genesis 25:8; Genesis 49:33; Numbers 20:24; Deuteronomy 32:50).
• Gnash teeth: In Bible times, to gnash or grind one's teeth at someone was to show anger or envy (Psalm 37:12; see also Acts 7:54; Matthew 13:42).
• God hides His face [from someone]: To hide one's face from someone is to ignore him or to refuse to work in his favor (Deuteronomy 31:17–18; Psalm 13:1; Isaiah 59:2).
• God is a rock: A rock is a strong, stable foundation on which great empires can be built. God is the immovable force that anchors us (Deuteronomy 32:4; 1 Samuel 2:2; 2 Samuel 22:3, 32; Psalm 18:2, 31; 62:7; Isaiah 44:8).
• God "remembers" people: Although God cannot forget, saying He remembers emphasizes His loving care, faithfulness, and action (Genesis 8:1; Exodus 2:24; 1 Samuel 1:19; Psalm 105:8).
• God's face shine on [someone]: For God to turn His face toward people is to act on their behalf. For Him to shine His face on people is for Him to bless them with great favor (Numbers 6:25–26; Psalm 67:1; Daniel 9:17).
• Kingdom of priests: That means Israel would be a liaison between the world and God (Exodus 19:6; see also 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6).
• Lamp as guidance or wisdom: A lamp illuminates the safest and best way to go, just as wisdom does (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 6:23).
• Lift up your head: To lift up someone's head is to restore them to honor (Genesis 40:13; Psalm 3:3; Psalm 27:6).
• Light of life: Literally, the light of life is the sun, which does not shine in tombs. In John, Jesus speaks of walking in the light of Himself, who is life and brings life to the world (Job 33:30; Psalm 56:13; see also John 8:12).
• Outstretched arm: An outstretched arm is a symbol of power and might (Exodus 6:6; Deuteronomy 4:34; Jeremiah 32:21).
• Ox: Like a bull, an ox symbolizes strength and power. But a wild ox was uncontrollable and deadly (Numbers 23:22; Deuteronomy 33:17).
• Pure heart: The heart is the core of our motivation. Our heart determines how we act. To have a pure heart is to be motivated by good and right things (Psalm 24:4; see also Matthew 5:8; 1 Timothy 1:5).
• Put God to the test: To test God is to place a challenge before Him, half-expecting He will not come through (Deuteronomy 6:16; Psalm 95:9; see also Matthew 4:7).
• Serpent: Symbolically, the serpent was an animal that was crafty and dangerous. Several times it is identified with Satan. When referencing a sea serpent, it meant something powerful and mysterious (Genesis 3:1–15; Numbers 21:6–9; Isaiah 27:1; see also Revelation 12:9).
• Shadow of God's wing: A chick hidden beneath its mother's wing is invisible from predators. Similarly, God may "hide us in the shadow of His wing" to conceal and protect us from enemies (Psalm 17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 63:7).
• Sheep: God often compares His followers to sheep. He is our shepherd, and we are lost and vulnerable without His loving care (Psalm 23:1; Isaiah 53:6; see also John 10:11).
• Stiff-necked: To be stiff-necked is simply to be stubborn—to refuse to turn from the chosen path or consider alternatives (Exodus 32:9; Deuteronomy 9:6; see also Acts 7:51).
• Undivided heart/united heart/one heart: In a group of people, a unified heart means they all have the same motivation and goals. In an individual, it means to be concentrated on one thing, such as God, and not tempted by distraction or doubt (Psalm 86:11; Jeremiah 32:39; Ezekiel 11:19; see also Acts 4:32).
• Wait on the Lord (KJV): To wait on the Lord is to patiently rely on His timing and wisdom (Psalm 27:14; Isaiah 40:31; Lamentations 3:25).
• Walk with God: To walk with God means to go the same direction He is going in His company. It is lifelong obedience to and communion with Him (Genesis 5:22; 6:9; Deuteronomy 10:12; Joshua 22:5; 1 Kings 8:23; Micah 6:8).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Below are just a few of the hundreds of uses of symbolism in the Bible:
• Shake dust off feet: Devout Jews in Jesus's time would shake the dust off their sandals when they left a Gentile town to show they would not take any pagan practices or beliefs with them. Jesus told His disciples to do the same when leaving a Jewish house that did not accept Him as Messiah (Matthew 10:14; Mark 6:11; Luke 9:5).
• Whitewashed tombs: A whitewashed tomb is clean on the outside but full of bones and decaying flesh. Similarly, someone can appear to be a good person but be filled with death inside (Matthew 23:27; Luke 11:44).
• Heap burning coals on an enemy's head: Some commentators take this phrase to mean being kind to an enemy will cause the enemy pain. Considering the surrounding text, however, it more likely refers to rekindling a hearth fire. When a family's fire went out, they would send a member to a neighbor with a pot on their head. The neighbor would put hot coals in the pot. God tells us to care for our enemies' needs ( Romans 12:20; see also Proverbs 25:22).
• Ramah will mourn, Rachel will weep: The Jeremiah passage refers to the mourning the Hebrews faced when Babylonian armies captured Judah. The quote in Matthew compares that event to Herod killing the babies in Bethlehem after Jesus's birth ( Matthew 2:18; see also Jeremiah 31:15).
• Winnowing fork, threshing floor: Farmers used a winnowing fork to toss grain into the air. The valuable grain would fall back onto the threshing floor while the useless chaff would blow away. The symbol is of Jesus separating His true followers from the world (Matthew 3:12; Luke 3:17).
• End of the age: The end of the age refers to the end times in general, and the process of judgment in particular (Matthew 13:39, 40, 49; 24:3; 28:20).
• Sons of hell: Sons of hell is a euphemism for someone who is evil (Matthew 23:15).
• Slave/servant of Christ: Paul spoke strongly about how unbelievers are slaves to sin while believers are slaves to Christ; both naturally follow the will of their master (Romans 6:16–22; Galatians 1:10; Philippians 1:1).
• Lion: God, Jesus, and Satan have all been compared to a lion. A lion represents strength and confidence. It is practically invincible unless God empowers His people to destroy it ( 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 5:5; see also Genesis 49:9).
• Wolves: Wolves are tenacious predators who destroy and consume, so they symbolize dangerous and destructive people (Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:29).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

We use symbols every day to communicate deeper truths, just as the Bible does. A heart represents love, a flag stands for a nation, and a wedding ring signifies commitment. These symbols carry meaning beyond their physical form, helping us express ideas that words alone cannot fully capture. In the same way, biblical symbols like sheep, lions, and eagles reveal spiritual realities about God, His people, and His enemies. When we recognize the power of symbols in Scripture, we gain a deeper understanding of God's truth and how He communicates with us. By paying attention to these symbols, we can grow in wisdom and apply their lessons to our lives.

UNDERSTAND

• The Bible uses symbols to convey deeper spiritual truths.
• Some symbols require cultural context to fully understand.
• Understanding symbols deepens our comprehension of God’s character and His relationship with us.

REFLECT

• How do you see the use of symbols to convey or illustrate deeper truths today?
• How do you recognize and interpret what is a symbol in the Bible?
• How do symbols deepen your understanding of what God wants us to know?

ENGAGE

• How do the cultural contexts of biblical symbols help us understand their meanings?
• How does recognizing symbols in the Bible affect the way we interpret other parts of Scripture?
• How can we use symbols today to express our faith and communicate deeper truths about God?