Topical Encyclopedia
Imagery in the Bible refers to the use of vivid and descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating mental pictures and conveying deeper meanings. This literary device is prevalent throughout Scripture, serving to illuminate spiritual truths, moral lessons, and divine revelations. Imagery is employed by biblical authors to engage readers, evoke emotions, and provide insight into the nature of God, humanity, and the world.
Old Testament ImageryThe Old Testament is rich with imagery, often drawing from the natural world and everyday life to communicate profound truths. For instance, the Psalms frequently use imagery to express the majesty and power of God.
Psalm 23:1-2 states, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters." Here, the imagery of a shepherd and serene pastures conveys God's guidance and provision.
Prophetic literature also abounds with imagery. The book of Isaiah uses vivid descriptions to portray both judgment and hope.
Isaiah 40:31 illustrates renewal and strength: "But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint." The imagery of eagles soaring high symbolizes divine empowerment and endurance.
New Testament ImageryIn the New Testament, Jesus frequently employs imagery in His parables and teachings. The parable of the sower in
Matthew 13:3-9 uses agricultural imagery to illustrate the reception of God's word: "A farmer went out to sow his seed... Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil... Other seed fell among thorns... Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop." This imagery helps listeners understand the varied responses to the gospel message.
The apostle Paul also uses imagery to convey spiritual truths. In
Ephesians 6:11-17 , he describes the "armor of God," using the imagery of a soldier's armor to depict the spiritual resources available to believers: "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes... Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place."
Symbolic ImageryImagery in the Bible often carries symbolic meaning, representing deeper spiritual realities. The book of Revelation is particularly noted for its symbolic imagery.
Revelation 1:12-16 describes a vision of Christ: "I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man... His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire." This imagery conveys Christ's purity, wisdom, and penetrating insight.
Imagery and WorshipImagery also plays a significant role in worship and liturgy. The Psalms, as the hymnbook of ancient Israel, are replete with imagery that enhances worship.
Psalm 19:1 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." Such imagery invites worshippers to contemplate the grandeur of creation and the Creator.
ConclusionImagery in the Bible serves as a powerful tool for communication, enabling readers to grasp complex spiritual truths through familiar and tangible concepts. By engaging the senses and the imagination, biblical imagery enriches the narrative and theological depth of Scripture, inviting believers to a deeper understanding and experience of God's word.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Only in the phrase "chambers of his imagery" (
Ezek. 8:12). (see
CHAMBER.)
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The work of one who makes images or visible representation of objects; imitation work; images in general, or in mass.
2. (n.) Fig.: Unreal show; imitation; appearance.
3. (n.) The work of the imagination or fancy; false ideas; imaginary phantasms.
4. (n.) Rhetorical decoration in writing or speaking; vivid descriptions presenting or suggesting images of sensible objects; figures in discourse.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CHAMBERS OF IMAGERYim'-aj-ri, im'-a-jer-i (maskith): The reference (Ezekiel 8:12) is to chambers in the temple where the elders of Israel were wont to assemble and practice rites of an idolatrous character. What the imagery consisted of, we may gather from 8:10: symbolic representations of beasts and reptiles and "detestable things." It is thought that these symbols were of a zodiacal character. The worship of the planets was in vogue at the time of the prophet among the degenerate Israelites.
IMAGERY
im'-aj-ri (maskith, "carved figure"): Only inEzekiel 8:12, "every man in his chambers of imagery," i.e. dark chambers on whose walls were pictures in relief representing all kinds of reptiles and vermin, worshipped by elders of Israel. Some maintain that the cult was of foreign origin, either Egyptian (Bertholet, Commentary on Ezekiel), or Babylonian (Redpath, Westminster Commentary on Ezekiel); others that it was the revival of ancient superstitions of a totemistic kind which had survived in obscure circles in Israel (W.R. Smith, Lectures on the Religion of the Semites, revised edition, 357). The word here rendered "imagery" is elsewhere in the King James Version translated "image" (of stone) (Leviticus 26:1, the Revised Version (British and American) "figured stone"), "pictures" (Numbers 33:52, the Revised Version (British and American) "figured stones";Proverbs 25:11, the Revised Version (British and American) "network"); twice it means imagination, conceit, i.e. a mental picture (Psalm 73:20Proverbs 18:11). "Imagery" occurs once in Apocrypha (Sirach 38:27 the King James Version, eis homoiosai zographian, the Revised Version (British and American) "to preserve likeness in his portraiture").
D. Miall Edwards
Greek
4536. salpigx -- a trumpet... people. ["The trumpet was the signal employed to call the hosts of Israel ,
and is common in prophetic
imagery (Is 27:13). Cf. The
...Strong's Hebrew
4906. maskith -- a showpiece, figure, imagination... stones (1), imagination (1), imaginations (1), settings (1). conceit,
imagery,
picture, wish. From the same as Sekuw; a figure (carved
...Library
Chambers ofImagery
... THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL CHAMBERS OFIMAGERY. 'Then said He unto me, Son of man,
hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel...
The Hiding-Place
... I do not need to point out the exquisite beauty of theimagery or the pathos
and peace that breathe in the majestic rhythm of the words....
That Divine and Heavenly Things are Appropriately Revealed, Even...
... 171] horses, and spear-bearing leaders of the host [172] , and whatever else was
transmitted by the Oracles to us under multifarious symbols of sacredimagery....
Tenderness.
... revealed in these touching words: "How often would I have gathered thy children
together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings." Theimagery is homely...
New Teaching in Parables' - the Parables to the People by the Lake...
... vigour of youth. Theimagery of the Sermon on the Mount' indicates that
winter's rain and storms were just past. [2778] Under that...
Prefatory Notice.
... the PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, and HOLY WAR, are apparently little aware of the glowing
genius, and fervent piety, and strong sense, and picturesqueimagery, and racy...
Kingo, the Hymnwriter
... Hisimagery is rich and skillfully applied.... This hymn presents all the finest traits
of Kingo's poetry, its vividimagery, forceful style and robust faith....
The Revelation of Peter. Introduction.
... influence. It has, in itsimagery, little or no kinship with the Book of
Daniel, the Book of Enoch, or the Revelation of S. John....
The Gifts to the Flock
... every one. Theimagery of the sheep and the fold is still, of course, in
His mind, and colours the form of the representation. But...
The Revelation of St. John the Divine
... No book in the New Testament is so steeped as the Revelation in theimagery of the
Old Testament; Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah are constantly used....
Thesaurus
Imagery (5 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary Only in the phrase "chambers of his
imagery" (Ezek.
8:12). (see CHAMBER.).
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CHAMBERS OF
IMAGERY.
...Chambers (68 Occurrences)
... CHAMBERS OFIMAGERY. im'-aj-ri, im'-a-jer-i (maskith): The reference (Ezekiel
8:12) is to chambers in the temple where the elders...
Beauty (98 Occurrences)
... Such is theimagery that from beginning to end is pictured as the home of
ethics-at first in its untried innocence and at last in its stalwart righteousness....
Songs (100 Occurrences)
... Devout souls have expressed their fervent love to God in the sensuousimagery
of Canticles. Theimagery could not become too fervid...
Song (207 Occurrences)
... Devout souls have expressed their fervent love to God in the sensuousimagery
of Canticles. Theimagery could not become too fervid...
Habakkuk (3 Occurrences)
... be used in the worship of God. It is "unequalled in majesty and splendour
of language andimagery.". The passage in 2:4, "The just...
Archaeology
... the Old Testament from Babel). (4) BibleImagery: The theory of the
correctness of theimagery of the Bible. This is another of...
Criticism (1 Occurrence)
... the Old Testament from Babel). (4) BibleImagery: The theory of the
correctness of theimagery of the Bible. This is another of...
Amos (12 Occurrences)
... undulating hills of one of the bleakest districts of Palestine, "the waste howling
wilderness," which must have suggested some of the startlingimagery of the...
Earth (10501 Occurrences)
... earth"; Isaiah 65:17, "I create new heavens and a new earth"; 2 Peter 3:13 compared
with 2 Peter 3:4-6 Revelation 21:1 compared with theimagery of paradise...
Resources
What is the meaning of Agnus Dei? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to 'run the race set before us' (Hebrews 12:1)? | GotQuestions.orgSince God is not male, should we stop using masculine pronouns to refer to God? | GotQuestions.orgImagery: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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