Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ConceptRepresentation in the biblical context refers to the act of one person standing in for another or acting on behalf of a group. This concept is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, where individuals often serve as representatives of others, whether in covenantal, legal, or spiritual matters. Representation can be seen in various forms, including familial, tribal, national, and spiritual.
Old Testament Examples1.
Adam as Representative of Humanity: Adam is often viewed as the representative head of the human race. His actions in the Garden of Eden had consequences for all humanity.
Romans 5:12-19 discusses how sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, affecting all people.
2.
Abraham and the Covenant: Abraham serves as a representative of the covenant people. In
Genesis 12:1-3, God makes a covenant with Abraham, promising that through him all nations would be blessed. This covenantal relationship extends to his descendants, representing the people of Israel.
3.
Moses and the Israelites: Moses acts as a representative of the Israelites before God. In
Exodus 19:3-6, Moses ascends Mount Sinai to receive the Law on behalf of the people. He intercedes for them, as seen in
Exodus 32:11-14, when he pleads with God to spare the Israelites after the incident of the golden calf.
4.
The High Priest: The high priest serves as a representative of the people before God, especially on the Day of Atonement.
Leviticus 16 describes how the high priest enters the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the nation.
New Testament Examples1.
Jesus Christ as the Ultimate Representative: Jesus is the ultimate representative of humanity. He is often referred to as the "second Adam" (
1 Corinthians 15:45-49), representing a new creation. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus acts on behalf of humanity to reconcile them to God.
Hebrews 9:24 states, "For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God."
2.
Apostles as Representatives of the Church: The apostles serve as representatives of the early Church, spreading the Gospel and establishing Christian communities. In
Acts 1:8, Jesus commissions them to be His witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
3.
Believers as Ambassadors for Christ: Christians are called to be representatives of Christ in the world.
2 Corinthians 5:20 states, "Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God."
Theological ImplicationsRepresentation carries significant theological implications, particularly in understanding the nature of sin, salvation, and the role of Christ. The concept underscores the idea of substitutionary atonement, where Christ represents humanity and bears the penalty for sin. It also highlights the communal aspect of faith, where individuals are part of a larger body and act on behalf of one another.
Practical Applications1.
Intercessory Prayer: Believers are encouraged to pray for others, acting as representatives before God.
James 5:16 emphasizes the power of intercessory prayer: "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail."
2.
Evangelism and Witnessing: Christians are called to represent Christ in their daily lives, sharing the Gospel and living out their faith.
Matthew 5:14-16 encourages believers to be the "light of the world," representing Christ's love and truth.
3.
Leadership and Responsibility: Those in positions of leadership within the Church are seen as representatives of their congregations, tasked with guiding and nurturing the spiritual growth of their communities.
Hebrews 13:17 advises believers to obey their leaders, who "keep watch over your souls as those who must give an account."
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of representing, in any sense of the verb.
2. (n.) That which represents.
3. (n.) A likeness, a picture, or a model; as, a representation of the human face, or figure, and the like.
4. (n.) A dramatic performance; as, a theatrical representation; a representation of Hamlet.
5. (n.) A description or statement; as, the representation of an historian, of a witness, or an advocate.
6. (n.) The body of those who act as representatives of a community or society; as, the representation of a State in Congress.
7. (n.) Any collateral statement of fact, made orally or in writing, by which an estimate of the risk is affected, or either party is influenced.
8. (n.) The state of being represented.
Greek
1504. eikon -- an image, ie lit. statue, fig.representation...representation. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: eikon Phonetic Spelling:
(i-kone') Short Definition: an image, likeness, bust Definition: an
...5481. charakter -- a tool for engraving
... charakter Phonetic Spelling: (khar-ak-tare') Short Definition: an exact reproduction
Definition: an impression,representation, exact reproduction; a graving...
Library
Representation of the Cross in the Palace, and of Daniel at the...
... Book III. Chapter XLIX."Representation of the Cross in the Palace, and
of Daniel at the Public Fountains. On the other hand one...
Accordingly, as the Prophet Interpreted the Matter, the Image...
... Book II. Chapter III. Accordingly, as the prophet interpreted the matter,
the image which was seen furnished arepresentation?...
Celsus Goes on to Say: "That I May Give a TrueRepresentation of...
... Chapter XV. Celsus goes on to say: "That I may give a TRUErepresentation
of their faith? Celsus goes on to say: "That I may give...
Simon Interprets his System by the MythologicalRepresentation of...
... Chapter XIV."Simon Interprets His System by the MythologicalRepresentation of Helen
of Troy; Gives an Account of Himself in Connection with the Trojan...
Simon's Interpretation of the Mosaic Hexaemeron; his Allegorical...
... Book VI. Chapter IX."Simon's Interpretation of the Mosaic Hexa?�meron; His
AllegoricalRepresentation of Paradise. When, therefore...
Of the Union of the Blessed Spirits with God, in the vision of the...
... When we look upon anything, though it is present to us, it is not itself united
to our eyes, but only sends out to them a certainrepresentation or picture of...
The Love which Withers.
... This entirerepresentation of hardening is in such open and irreconcilable conflict
with all the feelings of the human heart that it is impossible to suppose...
The Seed Growing Secretly.
... he knows not how. Thisrepresentation is palpably incongruous with the
attributes and character of the Lord. The things that are...
Regeneration and Faith.
... It is evident that God's Word, and therefore our symbols of faith, offers a modified
representation of these things which, superficially considered, seems to...
Whether "Likeness" is Properly Distinguished from "Image"?
... Objection 2: Further, the nature of the image consists not only in therepresentation
of the Divine Persons, but also in therepresentation of the Divine...
Thesaurus
Representation (6 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) That which represents. 3. (n.) A likeness, a picture, or a model; as,
a
representation of the human face, or figure, and the like.
...Trinity
... Must not God have an absolutely perfectrepresentation of Himself-that is,
arepresentation in which everything that is in Him is found?...
Delineation (1 Occurrence)
... as by lines, diagrams, sketches, etc.; drawing an outline; as, the delineation of
a scene or face; in drawing and engraving,representation by means of lines...
Picture (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The art of painting;representation by
painting. 2. (n.) Arepresentation of anything (as a person...
Figure (19 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Therepresentation of any form, as by drawing, painting, modeling, carving,
embroidering, etc.; especially, arepresentation of the human body; as, a...
Plan (58 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A draught or form; properly, arepresentation drawn on a plane, as a map
or a chart; especially, a top view, as of a machine, or therepresentation or...
Priest (500 Occurrences)
... of Hebrews 10:21, see Thayer's Lexicon, under the word hiereus): I. NATURE OF THE
PRIESTLY OFFICE 1. Implies Divine Choice 2. ImpliesRepresentation 3. Implies...
Hades (11 Occurrences)
... hand, Death and Hades are represented as prisons from which Christ, in virtue of
His own resurrection, has the power to deliver, arepresentation which again...
Idol (56 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) An image orrepresentation of anything.
2. (n.) An image of a divinity; arepresentation or symbol...
Foliage (14 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A cluster of leaves, flowers, and branches; especially, therepresentation
of leaves, flowers, and branches, in architecture, intended to ornament and...
Resources
What is the all-seeing eye? | GotQuestions.orgWho/what is Baphomet? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Hindu Trimurti? How is it different from the Christian Trinity? | GotQuestions.orgRepresentation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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