Topical Encyclopedia
The term "alluded" refers to the act of making an indirect reference to something. In the context of the Bible, allusions are often used by the biblical authors to connect their writings with other parts of Scripture, thereby enriching the text with deeper meaning and continuity. Allusions can be found throughout both the Old and New Testaments, serving as a literary device to draw connections between different events, prophecies, and teachings.
Old Testament AllusionsThe Old Testament is rich with allusions that connect various narratives and themes. For example, the account of the binding of Isaac in
Genesis 22 is alluded to in later texts as a foreshadowing of sacrificial themes, particularly in relation to the sacrificial system established in the Mosaic Law. The imagery of the "ram caught in the thicket" (
Genesis 22:13) is often seen as an allusion to substitutionary atonement, a theme that is further developed in the sacrificial laws of Leviticus.
The Psalms frequently allude to earlier events and promises.
Psalm 110:4, "The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: 'You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek,'" alludes to the mysterious figure of Melchizedek from
Genesis 14:18-20. This allusion is later picked up in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Hebrews, to explain the eternal priesthood of Christ.
New Testament AllusionsThe New Testament writers often allude to Old Testament passages to demonstrate the fulfillment of prophecy and to establish Jesus Christ as the Messiah. For instance,
Matthew 1:23 alludes to
Isaiah 7:14, "Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel" , to affirm the virgin birth of Jesus as a fulfillment of prophecy.
The Apostle Paul frequently uses allusions in his epistles to connect the teachings of Christ with the Hebrew Scriptures. In
Romans 5:14, Paul alludes to Adam as "a pattern of the One to come" , drawing a parallel between Adam and Christ to explain the concept of original sin and redemption.
The book of Revelation is replete with allusions to Old Testament imagery and prophecy.
Revelation 5:5 refers to Jesus as "the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David" , alluding to
Genesis 49:9-10 and
Isaiah 11:1, respectively. These allusions serve to affirm Jesus' messianic credentials and His fulfillment of the Davidic covenant.
Theological SignificanceAllusions in the Bible serve to underscore the unity and coherence of Scripture. They demonstrate the divine inspiration of the Bible, as themes and prophecies are woven together across different books and authors. Allusions also invite readers to engage deeply with the text, encouraging them to explore the connections between different parts of Scripture and to understand the broader narrative of God's redemptive plan.
By recognizing and studying these allusions, believers can gain a richer understanding of biblical theology and the continuity of God's revelation throughout history.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
imp. & p. p.) of Allude.
2. (imp. & p. p.) of Allure.
Library
In the Quarrel EarlierAlluded to Between the Energetic...
... Chapter 44 In the quarrel earlieralluded to between the energetic Progressive
and the obstinate Conservative or? In the quarrel...
When the Scriptures are Quoted, orAlluded To, they are Quoted...
... PART I. SECTION II. When the Scriptures are quoted, oralluded to, they
are quoted with peculiar respect? When the Scriptures...
Appendix (Referred to in Note 1)
... it is another illustration of it. The textalluded to is contained in l
Tim.5.8; where St. Paul is giving general directions relative...
Christ Teaches that Faith must Prove Itself by Works. (Matt. xxv....
... In regard to the latter it may be asked, "What judgment isalluded to, and who are
to be judged?" One reply is, that the judgment of unbelievers alone is meant...
Of Him whom the Superior came Upon and Found in his Cell, Deluded...
... Look lest any of the catechumens." The Roman missal does not now contain this feature,
but it was certainly originally found in it for it isalluded to by...
Chapter ix.
... I. That the historical books of the New Testament, meaning thereby the four Gospels
and the Acts of the Apostles, are quoted, oralluded to, by a series of...
Nature of the Renderings
... The almost unavoidable differences between them and the American Revisers, as to
our own language, arealluded to by them in terms both friendly and wise, and...
Resignation
... with faith. The apathy and hardihood to which I havealluded are very far
from the trust and piety of a religious spirit. The fatalist...
Perseverance of Saints.
... But it should be remarked, that observation cannot be conclusive upon this subject,
because we cannot certainly know, that any of the cases justalluded to are...
The Early Fathers Appealed To, and Observed to Bear Favourable...
... Gospel. To an inattentive reader, the passagealluded to might seem to
be only the fragment of a Creed; but this is not the case....
Thesaurus
Alluded (1 Occurrence)... & pp) of Allude. 2. (imp. & pp) of Allure. Multi-Version Concordance
Alluded (1
Occurrence). John 6:71 He
alluded to Judas, the son of Simon the Iscariot.
...Nostrils (22 Occurrences)
... A cruel custom of war, in which the vanquished had their noses and ears cut off
by their remorseless conquerors, isalluded to in Ezekiel 23:25....
Nose (23 Occurrences)
... A cruel custom of war, in which the vanquished had their noses and ears cut off
by their remorseless conquerors, isalluded to in Ezekiel 23:25....
Asherah (40 Occurrences)
... Such religious symbols ("groves") are frequentlyalluded to in Scripture (Exodus
34:13; Judges 6:25; 2 Kings 23:6; 1 Kings 16:33, etc.)....
Punishments (31 Occurrences)
... similar to our handcuffs fastened on the wrists and ankles and attached to each
other by a chain (Judges 16:21 2 Samuel 3:34 2 Kings 25:7); alsoalluded to in...
Burial (25 Occurrences)
... was specifically forbidden by the Mosaic law (Leviticus 19:28; Leviticus 21:5
Deuteronomy 14:1). But excessive mourning for the dead is oftenalluded to in...
Zechariah (55 Occurrences)
... But the earthquake which is herealluded to took place at least a century and a
half before the date assigned for the composition of Zechariah 14....
Kings (350 Occurrences)
... In the threefold division of the Scriptures by the Jews, these books are ranked
among the "Prophets." They are frequently quoted oralluded to by our Lord and...
Naaman (19 Occurrences)
... He was cured of his leprosy by dipping himself seven times in the Jordan, according
to the word of Elisha. His cure isalluded to by our Lord (Luke 4:27). Int....
Nero
... persecution. He is repeatedlyalluded to in Scripture (Acts 25:11; Philippians
1:12, 13; 4:22). He died AD 68. Noah Webster's Dictionary....
Resources
What is the day of the Lord? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Perea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the witching hour, and is it in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgAlluded: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
