Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical hermeneutics, the term "figuratively" refers to the use of language that conveys meaning beyond the literal interpretation of words. This approach is essential for understanding various passages in the Bible where symbolic, metaphorical, or allegorical language is employed to communicate deeper spiritual truths.
Biblical Examples of Figurative Language1.
Metaphors and Similes: The Bible frequently uses metaphors and similes to illustrate spiritual concepts. For instance, Jesus refers to Himself as the "bread of life" (
John 6:35), indicating that He is essential for spiritual sustenance, much like bread is for physical nourishment. Similarly,
Psalm 23:1 states, "The LORD is my shepherd," using the metaphor of a shepherd to describe God's guidance and care.
2.
Parables: Jesus often taught in parables, which are short, allegorical accounts that convey moral or spiritual lessons. The Parable of the Sower (
Matthew 13:3-9) uses the imagery of a farmer sowing seeds to illustrate how different people receive and respond to the Word of God.
3.
Symbolism: The Book of Revelation is rich with symbolic language. For example,
Revelation 1:20 explains the symbolism of the seven stars and seven lampstands, representing the angels of the seven churches and the churches themselves. This symbolic language conveys complex spiritual realities and prophetic visions.
4.
Hyperbole: Hyperbolic expressions are used to emphasize a point. In
Matthew 5:29-30 , Jesus speaks about gouging out an eye or cutting off a hand if they cause one to sin. This hyperbolic language underscores the seriousness of sin and the drastic measures one should take to avoid it.
5.
Personification: The Bible often attributes human characteristics to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. In
Proverbs 8:1-3 , wisdom is personified as calling out in the streets, inviting people to embrace her teachings.
Theological ImplicationsUnderstanding figurative language in the Bible is crucial for accurate interpretation and application of Scripture. It allows readers to grasp the intended spiritual messages and moral teachings that transcend the literal words. Recognizing when a passage is meant to be understood figuratively rather than literally helps prevent misinterpretation and misapplication of biblical texts.
Guidelines for Interpretation1.
Contextual Analysis: Consider the literary, historical, and cultural context of the passage. Understanding the context helps determine whether a passage should be read figuratively or literally.
2.
Scriptural Harmony: Interpret figurative language in harmony with the rest of Scripture. The Bible often uses consistent imagery and themes, which can aid in understanding figurative expressions.
3.
Guidance of the Holy Spirit: Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in discerning the meaning of figurative language. Prayerful study and reliance on the Spirit's illumination are essential for grasping the spiritual truths conveyed through figurative expressions.
By recognizing and interpreting figurative language, believers can deepen their understanding of God's Word and its application to their lives.
Greek
5083. tereo -- to watch over, to guard... watch over. 5083 (from , "a guard") -- properly, maintain (preserve);
(
figuratively) (watch), . Word Origin from a prim. word teros
...2204. zeo -- to boil, be hot
... 2204 (onomatopoetic for the sound of boiling water, perhaps a primitive verb) --
properly, to bubble over because enough to (J. Thayer); (figuratively) to show...
2205. zelos -- to have warmth of feeling for or against, to be...
... perhaps derived from 2204 , "to boil") -- properly, burning emotion (inner feeling
boiling over, "boiling from heat," J. Thayer); (figuratively) something very...
4198. poreuomai -- to go
... 4198 (from , "passageway") -- properly, to , moving something from one destination
(port) to another; (figuratively) to go or depart, which is attached to...
2583. kanon -- a rule, standard
... area, province. 2583 -- properly, a rod (bar) used as a , originally, a
used as a ; (figuratively) a ; a or (see Gal 6:16). 2583...
4647. skolops -- anything pointed, spec. a stake, thorn
... 4647 -- properly, anything with a , a ; (figuratively) an instrument producing
pain, discomfort (acute irritation), used only in 2 Cor 12:7....
4442. pur -- fire
... fire. 4442 -- . In Scripture, fire is often usedfiguratively -- like with
the "fire of God" which all it touches into and. , like...
4722. stego -- to cover closely (so as to keep water out)...
... 4722 -- properly, to place under , to -over (with a roof); (figuratively) to because ,
ie bearing up (forbearing) because under (). Word Origin a prim....
4638. skenoma -- a tent
... 4638 -- properly, a pitched tent ("tabernacle," Ac 7:46); (figuratively) the physical
body, serving as God's vehicle (dwelling place) -- ie as believers live...
4921. sunistemi and sunistano -- to commend, establish, stand near...
... is'-tay-mee) from sun and histemi (including its collateral forms); to set together,
ie (by implication) to introduce (favorably), or (figuratively) to exhibit...
Strong's Hebrew
4294. matteh -- a staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe... Or (feminine) mattah {mat-taw'}; from natah; a branch (as extending);
figuratively,
a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (
figuratively, correction
...6763. tsela -- rib, side
... Or (feminine) tsaltah {tsal-aw'}; from tsala'; a rib (as curved), literally (of
the body) orfiguratively (of a door, ie Leaf); hence, a side, literally (of a...
4578. meeh -- internal organs, inward parts, belly
... From an unused root probably meaning to be soft; used only in plural the intestines,
or (collectively) the abdomen,figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a...
1061. bikkurim -- first fruits
... first fruit ripefiguratively, hasty fruit. From bakar; the first-fruits of the
crop -- first fruit (-ripe (figuratively)), hasty fruit. see HEBREW bakar....
4864. maseth -- an uprising, utterance, burden, portion
... From nasa'; properly, (abstractly) a raising (as of the hands in prayer), or rising
(of flame);figuratively, an utterance; concretely, a beacon (as raised); a...
5102. nahar -- to flow, stream
... A primitive root; to sparkle, ie (figuratively) be cheerful; hence (from the sheen
of a running stream) to flow, ie (figuratively) assemble -- flow (together...
4334. mishor -- a level place, uprightness
... mee-shore'}; from yashar; a level, ie A plain (often used (with the article prefix)
as a properly, name of certain districts);figuratively, concord; also...
4339. meshar -- evenness, uprightness, equity
... From yashar; evenness, ie (figuratively) prosperity or concord; also straightness,
ie (figuratively) rectitude (only in plural with singular sense; often...
4609. ma'alah -- what comes up
... Feminine of ma'aleh; elevation, ie The act (literally, a journey to a higher place,
figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally...
6635. tsaba -- army, war, warfare
... Or (feminine) tsbadah {tseb-aw-aw'}; from tsaba'; a mass of persons (or
figuratively, things), especially reg. Organized for war...
Library
Of the Excellence of the Perfect Man who isFiguratively Spoken of...
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter X. Of the excellence of the
perfect man who isfiguratively spoken of as ambidextrous....
The Precept About Touching the Menstruous Woman not to be...
... Book III. Chapter 21 [XII.]"The Precept About Touching the Menstruous Woman Not
to BeFiguratively Understood; The Necessity of the Sacraments....
All who Walk According to Truth are Children of God.
... ye be converted, and become as little chidren, ye shall not enter into the kingdom
of heaven;" [1051] not in that place speakingfiguratively of regeneration...
Neither do they Confess that they are Awed by those Citations from...
... awed by those citations from the Old Testament which are alleged as examples of
lies: for there, every incident may possibly be takenfiguratively, although it...
On Proverbs. From the Commentary of St. Hippolytus on Proverbs.
... vision of the soul; and when he gives the exhortation, "Eat honey, my son, that
it may be sweet to thy palate," he uses "honey"figuratively, meaning divine...
Psalm CXXI.
... Of God, is understood the sunfiguratively: of the Church, is understood the moon
figuratively.... Understand hence, brethren, that it is spokenfiguratively....
I Desire to Die.
... [850] Comp. 1 1 Corinthians 15:32, where the word is also usedfiguratively.... [856]
Comp. 1 1 Corinthians 15:32, where the word is also usedfiguratively....
Who the Instructor Is, and Respecting his Instruction.
... Since, then, we have shown that all of us are by Scripture called children; and
not only so, but that we who have followed Christ arefiguratively called babes...
Figurative Senses have their Foundation in Literal Fact Besides...
... For it was notfiguratively that the Virgin conceived in her womb; nor in
a trope did she bear Emmanuel, that is, Jesus, God with us....
The Meaning of Leaven. Jesus' Knowledge of the Heart.
... continued to use metaphorical language, the disciples would have understood that
the discourse of the Saviour was about the teaching,figuratively called leaven...
Thesaurus
Figuratively (4 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Figuratively (4 Occurrences).
...Figuratively speaking,
he also did receive him back from the dead. (WEB WEY RSV NIV).
...Filth (21 Occurrences)
... The word once translated "filth" in the Old Testament is tso'ah, "excrement" or
"dung," elsewhere translated "dung" (Isaiah 4:4, usedfiguratively of evil...
Filthiness (16 Occurrences)
... The word once translated "filth" in the Old Testament is tso'ah, "excrement" or
"dung," elsewhere translated "dung" (Isaiah 4:4, usedfiguratively of evil...
Filthy (22 Occurrences)
... The word once translated "filth" in the Old Testament is tso'ah, "excrement" or
"dung," elsewhere translated "dung" (Isaiah 4:4, usedfiguratively of evil...
Dust (182 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.)Figuratively, a worthless thing. 6. (n.)Figuratively, a low or mean
condition. 7. (n.) Gold dust. 8. (n.) Coined money; cash....
Go (17871 Occurrences)
... various applications, of the movement of both animate and inanimate beings, by whatever
means, and also of the movements of the mind; alsofiguratively applied...
Key (8 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 22:22). The word is usedfiguratively of power or authority or office (Isaiah
22:22; Revelation 3:7; Revelation 1:8; Comp. 9:1; 20:1; Comp....
Blot (23 Occurrences)
... Oftenfiguratively; as, to blot out offenses....Figuratively: "To blot out sin" is
to forgive sin fully (Psalm 51:1, 9 Acts 3:19 Colossians 2:14)....
Sow (61 Occurrences)
... wheat. Also usedfiguratively: To spread abroad; to propagate. 9... Also used
figuratively: To scatter over; to besprinkle. 10. (vi) To...
Gate (248 Occurrences)
... framework which closes or opens a passage. Also,figuratively, a means
or way of entrance or of exit. 3. (n.) A door, valve, or...
Resources
What is the difference between fornication and adultery? | GotQuestions.orgHow can a Christian avoid being a doormat for other people? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the kingdom of God suffers violence? | GotQuestions.orgFiguratively: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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