This document is a brainstorm or table of biblical concepts, symbols, and potential typological connections (e.g., Old Testament shadows pointing to New Testament fulfillments like Jesus, the Church, or spiritual realities), This is a comprehensive list. The document lists items like "Bread," "Manna," "Lamb," and "Temple," which are classic biblical metaphors or symbols. This is drawn from reliable sources on biblical symbolism to explain each one's primary metaphorical meaning, its "links" (connections to other symbols or concepts in the Bible, often typological), and key Bible references.
This is not an exhaustive list of all biblical metaphors (as the Bible contains thousands, grouped thematically for clarity, with additions of closely related symbols for completeness (e.g., adding "Dove" under Holy Spirit). I've prioritized typological links, such as how Old Testament elements foreshadow Christ or spiritual truths.
These often symbolize God's presence, sacrifice, and access to holiness.
| Metaphor/Symbol | Represents | Links Within the Bible | Bible References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temple | God's dwelling place among people; in NT, the body of believers or Christ's body | Links to Church (as the new temple), House (spiritual household), Holy of Holies (innermost access to God), Body of Christ (corporate believers) | 1 Kings 6(Solomon's temple); John 2:19-21(Jesus as temple); 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (believers as temple); Ephesians 2:19-22(household of God) |
| Holy of Holies | Innermost sanctuary; access to God's presence through sacrifice | Links to Blood of Jesus (atonement allowing entry), High Priest (mediator), Incense (prayers ascending) | Exodus 26:33-34; Hebrews 9:1-12(Christ entering heavenly sanctuary); Hebrews 10:19-22(confidence to enter through Jesus' blood) |
| High Priest | Mediator between God and people; Jesus as ultimate high priest | Links to Priest (general role), Jesus (fulfillment), Incense (offering prayers), Burning Menorah (light in service) | Exodus 28(Aaron's role); Hebrews 4:14-16(Jesus as sympathetic high priest); Hebrews 7:24-25(eternal priesthood) |
| Priest | Servant in God's house; NT believers as priests | Links to High Priest (chief), Showbread (offering), Incense (prayers), Oil (anointing) | Exodus 19:6(kingdom of priests); 1 Peter 2:9(royal priesthood); Revelation 1:6(made us priests) |
| Incense | Prayers of the saints rising to God | Links to Prayer (direct connection), Holy Spirit (empowering prayer), Burning Menorah (light accompanying worship) | Exodus 30:7-8; Psalm 141:2(prayers as incense); Revelation 5:8(golden bowls of incense as prayers) |
| Burning Menorah | Light of God's presence and guidance; constant illumination | Links to Light (divine truth), Oil (fuel as Holy Spirit), Temple objects (furnishings symbolizing worship) | Exodus 25:31-40(design); Zechariah 4:2-6(not by might but by Spirit); Revelation 4:5(seven lamps as spirits of God) |
| Showbread (Bread offering) | Sustaining presence of God; fellowship with Him | Links to Bread (Word/Life), Manna (provision), Jesus' body/flesh (broken for us) | Exodus 25:30; Leviticus 24:5-9; John 6:51(Jesus as living bread) |
| Drink offering | Poured-out life or sacrifice; joy in service | Links to Wine/Fruit of Vine (blood/covenant), Cup (suffering/judgment), Blood of Jesus | Genesis 35:14; Philippians 2:17(Paul's life as drink offering); 2 Timothy 4:6 |
| Lamb offering flesh | Sacrifice for sin; innocent substitute | Links to Lamb (Jesus), Jesus' body/flesh (eaten in communion), Body of Christ | Leviticus 1:10-13; John 1:29(Lamb of God); 1 Corinthians 5:7(Christ our Passover lamb) |
| Oil | Anointing and empowerment by Holy Spirit | Links to Holy Spirit (presence), Burning Menorah (fuel), Priest (anointing) | Exodus 30:22-33; Zechariah 4:6(not by power but Spirit); Acts 10:38(Jesus anointed with Holy Spirit) |
| Cup | Meted-out suffering, judgment, or blessing | Links to Wine (blood), Drink offering (poured out), Blood of Jesus (new covenant) | Psalm 23:5(cup overflows); Matthew 26:39(cup of suffering); 1 Corinthians 11:25 (cup of new covenant) |
| Temple objects (general) | Elements of worship foreshadowing Christ | Links to all above (e.g., Menorah, Incense, Showbread); represent access, light, prayer, sacrifice | Exodus 25-31(tabernacle furnishings); Hebrews 9:1-10(earthly copies of heavenly) |
These emphasize atonement, sin, and salvation.
| Metaphor/Symbol | Represents | Links Within the Bible | Bible References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamb | Innocent sacrifice for sin; Jesus Christ | Links to Blood of Lamb (protection/atonement), Jesus (fulfillment), Sins on Cross (bearing punishment) | Exodus 12:3-13(Passover lamb); Isaiah 53:7(led like lamb to slaughter); John 1:29; Revelation 5:6 |
| Blood of Lamb | Atonement and protection from judgment | Links to Blood of Jesus (ultimate atonement), Door (marked for Passover), Curse (removed) | Exodus 12:7-13; Hebrews 9:22(blood for forgiveness); 1 Peter 1:18-19(redeemed by Christ's blood) |
| Blood of Jesus | Cleansing from sin; new covenant | Links to Blood of Lamb (type), Holy of Holies (access), Sins (forgiven) | Matthew 26:28; Ephesians 1:7(redemption through blood); Hebrews 9:14 |
| Sins on Cross | Bearing of humanity's sin; substitution | Links to Serpent on Wood (lifted up), Cross (instrument), Jesus (bearer) | Isaiah 53:4-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21(made sin for us); 1 Peter 2:24(bore sins on tree) |
| Cross | Instrument of death and redemption | Links to Wood (material), Sins on Cross (purpose), Serpent on Wood (parallel) | Deuteronomy 21:23(cursed on tree); Galatians 3:13(Christ redeemed from curse); Colossians 2:14(canceled debt on cross) |
| Serpent on Wood (or Snake/Serpent) | Healing through faith; foreshadowing crucifixion | Links to Sins on Cross (sin "lifted"), Dragon/Leviathan (Satan defeated), Curse (borne) | Numbers 21:8-9; John 3:14-15(Son of Man lifted up); Revelation 12:9(serpent as Satan) |
| Curse | Consequences of sin; broken by Christ | Links to Sins (cause), Clean/Unclean (status), Burden (weight of sin) | Deuteronomy 27-28; Galatians 3:10-13(Christ became curse) |
| Burden | Weight of sin or responsibility | Links to Sins (load), Yoke (similar, though not in doc), Kingdom to those who obey (relief) | Psalm 38:4; Matthew 11:28-30(come for rest); Galatians 6:2(bear burdens) |
| Sins | Rebellion against God; forgiven through sacrifice | Links to Unholy (state), Darkness (moral), Love (God's response) | Psalm 51:1-2; Isaiah 1:18(though scarlet, made white); 1 John 1:9(confess and forgive) |
These relate to sustenance, guidance, and growth.
| Metaphor/Symbol | Represents | Links Within the Bible | Bible References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bread | Word of God; spiritual sustenance; Jesus' body | Links to Manna (heavenly bread), Unleavened (purity), Jesus' body/flesh (broken) | Deuteronomy 8:3(not by bread alone); John 6:35(bread of life); 1 Corinthians 11:24 (body broken) |
| Wine/Fruit of Vine | Joy, blessing, or blood of covenant | Links to Drink offering (poured), Blood of Jesus (covenant), Cup (shared) | Psalm 104:15(gladdens heart); Matthew 26:29(new covenant); John 15:1-5(vine and branches) |
| Manna | Heavenly provision; Christ as sustenance | Links to Bread (type), Jesus' body/flesh (eternal life), Water from rock (complementary provision) | Exodus 16:4-15; John 6:48-51(bread from heaven); 1 Corinthians 10:3-4(spiritual food/drink) |
| Unleavened | Purity, without sin or corruption | Links to Leavened (sin/inflation), Bread (pure Word), Clean (status) | Exodus 12:15(Passover); 1 Corinthians 5:6-8(purge old leaven) |
| Leavened | Sin, hypocrisy, or corruption | Links to Unleavened (contrast), Unclean (impure), Sins (effect) | Matthew 16:6(leaven of Pharisees); 1 Corinthians 5:6(little leaven affects whole) |
| Water (from rock) | Spiritual refreshment; Holy Spirit or Christ | Links to Rock (source as Christ), Holy Spirit (living water), Manna (paired provision) | Exodus 17:1-7; John 4:14(living water); 1 Corinthians 10:4(drank from spiritual rock, Christ) |
| Jesus' body/flesh | Sacrifice given for life; communion element | Links to Bread (eaten), Body of Christ (corporate), Lamb offering flesh (type) | John 6:51-56; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17(one body) |
| Body of Christ | The Church as unified believers | Links to Church (assembly), Wife of Christ (bride), House (family) | Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 4:12 |
These cover divine, evil, and human conditions.
| Metaphor/Symbol | Represents | Links Within the Bible | Bible References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holy Spirit | God's empowering presence | Links to Wind (movement), Fire (purifying), Oil (anointing), Dove (gentleness, added for expansion) | John 3:8(wind); Acts 2:3-4(fire/tongues); Romans 8:26(helps in prayer) |
| Adversary/Satan | Enemy of God; deceiver | Links to Dragon (power), Leviathan (chaos), Snake/Serpent (subtlety) | Job 1:6-12; 1 Peter 5:8(roaring lion); Revelation 12:9(dragon/serpent) |
| Dragon | Satan or destructive power | Links to Leviathan (sea monster), Adversary/Satan (identity), Serpent (form) | Isaiah 27:1; Revelation 12:3-9; Revelation 20:2 |
| Leviathan | Chaos or evil force; defeated by God | Links to Dragon (similar), Serpent (twisted) | Job 41; Psalm 74:14; Isaiah 27:1 |
| Holy | Set apart for God; purity | Links to Unholy (contrast), Clean (ritual), Light (moral) | Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16(be holy) |
| Unholy | Defiled, separated from God | Links to Unclean (impure), Darkness (sinful), Leavened (corrupted) | Leviticus 10:10; 2 Corinthians 6:17(separate from unclean) |
| Clean | Ritually pure; acceptable to God | Links to Unclean (contrast), Holy (state), Unleavened (pure) | Leviticus 11; Acts 10:15(what God cleanses) |
| Unclean | Impure, requiring cleansing | Links to Leavened (sin), Sins (cause), Curse (result) | Leviticus 11:4-8; Isaiah 6:5(unclean lips) |
| Light | Divine truth, goodness, God Himself | Links to Darkness (contrast), Lord of sky (heavenly rule), Burning Menorah (symbol) | Psalm 27:1(God is light); John 8:12(Jesus as light); 1 John 1:5 |
| Darkness | Sin, ignorance, evil | Links to Light (opposition), Unholy (state), Adversary/Satan (domain) | John 3:19(love darkness); Ephesians 5:8(children of light); 1 John 1:6 |
| Fire | Purification, judgment, or Holy Spirit | Links to Holy Spirit (tongues), Light (illumination), Wind (paired with Spirit) | Exodus 3:2(burning bush); Acts 2:3; Hebrews 12:29(consuming fire) |
| Wind | Holy Spirit's invisible work | Links to Holy Spirit (breath), Fire (Pentecost), Lord of sky (control) | Job 38:1; John 3:8; Acts 2:2 |
| Love | God's nature; sacrificial action | Links to Sins (forgiven by love), Jesus (embodiment), Wife of Christ (relationship) | John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 John 4:8(God is love) |
These involve roles, communities, and eternal realities.
| Metaphor/Symbol | Represents | Links Within the Bible | Bible References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jesus | Central figure; God incarnate, savior | Links to nearly all (e.g., Lamb, Bread, Rock, King); fulfills OT types | Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-14(Word made flesh); Philippians 2:5-11 |
| Rock/Stone | Stability, foundation; Christ | Links to Peter/Cephas (name meaning rock), Water from rock (provision), Temple (cornerstone) | Deuteronomy 32:4; 1 Corinthians 10:4(Christ as rock); 1 Peter 2:4-8(living stone) |
| Peter/Cephas | Foundation of Church (name means "rock") | Links to Rock/Stone (basis), Church (built upon), Heart (faith) | Matthew 16:18(upon this rock); John 1:42(named Cephas); Acts 4:11(cornerstone) |
| Heart | Inner self, will, affections | Links to Prayer (from heart), Holy/Unholy (state), Love (seat) | Deuteronomy 6:5(love with all heart); Psalm 51:10(clean heart); Romans 10:10(believe in heart) |
| Church | Assembly of believers; body/bride of Christ | Links to Body of Christ (unity), Wife of Christ (intimacy), Temple (dwelling) | Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25-27(Christ loved church) |
| Wife of Christ | Church as bride in covenant | Links to Church (identity), Love (basis), Body of Christ (union) | Isaiah 54:5; Ephesians 5:22-32; Revelation 19:7-9(bride ready) |
| House | Spiritual family or dwelling of God | Links to Temple (grand house), Church (household), Kingdom (inheritance) | 2 Samuel 7:11-13(David's house); Ephesians 2:19(God's household); Hebrews 3:6(Christ over house) |
| Door | Opportunity, entry to salvation | Links to Wood (material of cross/ark), Heaven (entry), Prayer (access) | John 10:9(Jesus as door); Revelation 3:20(knock at door); Colossians 4:3(door for message) |
| Wood | Material for sacrifice or ark; humanity | Links to Cross (wooden), Door (entry), Serpent on Wood (lifted) | Genesis 6:14(ark wood); Deuteronomy 21:23(hung on tree/wood) |
| King | Ruler; Christ as King of kings | Links to Kingdom to those who obey (subjects), Lord of sky (heavenly king), Light (authority) | Psalm 24:7-10(King of glory); 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16 |
| Lord of sky (or Heaven) | God's sovereignty over creation | Links to King (ruler), Wind (control), Light (presence) | Psalm 115:3(God in heavens); Matthew 6:9(Father in heaven); Ephesians 1:20-21(Christ above all) |
| Heaven | God's realm; eternal home | Links to Kingdom to those who obey (entry), Prayer (addressed to), Lord of sky (location) | Matthew 6:9-10(kingdom come); John 14:2(many rooms); Revelation 21:1(new heaven) |
| Kingdom to those who obey | Inheritance for faithful; God's rule | Links to King (ruler), Heaven (location), Persecution (cost) | Matthew 6:33(seek kingdom); Acts 14:22(through hardships enter kingdom); Romans 14:17(righteousness, peace, joy) |
| Prayer | Communication with God | Links to Incense (symbol), Heart (source), Holy Spirit (aid) | Psalm 141:2; Matthew 6:5-13(Lord's Prayer); Romans 8:26(Spirit helps) |
| Persecution | Suffering for faith | Links to Burden (weight), Kingdom (path to), Cross (example) | Matthew 5:10-12(blessed when persecuted); 2 Timothy 3:12(all godly will be); 1 Peter 4:12-16 |
| You (possibly addressing reader/believer) | Individual called to faith; part of Body | Links to Heart (personal), Prayer (action), Kingdom (inheritance) | Deuteronomy 30:19(choose life); Romans 8:28(called according to purpose); Ephesians 2:10(created for works) |
This covers all unique items, with typological links emphasizing how many OT symbols point to Jesus, the Church, or spiritual truths. For further depth, sources like the Dictionary of Bible Themes or lists of symbols provide broader context.