Bible Symbols

Why cloak Bible prophecies in Symbols?
Luke 8:10 And He said, To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.'

Many of the apocalyptic prophecies were given while the prophets were in a hostile foreign land. One reason God cloaked the prophecies in symbols was to protect the messages.

Animals and their Parts
  • Horse = Strength and Power in Battle Job 39:19, Psalms 147:10, Proverbs 21:31
  • Dragon = Satan or his agency Isaiah 27:1;30:6, Psalm 74:13-14; Rev. 12:7-9; Ezekiel 29:3; Jeremiah 51:34
  • Beast = Kingdom/government/political power Daniel 7:17, 23
  • Lamb = Jesus/sacrifice John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7
  • Lion = Jesus/Powerful King i.e. Babylon Rev. 5:4-9, Jer. 50:43-44, Dan. 7:4,17,23
  • Bear = Destructive Power / Medo Persia Proverbs 28:15, 2 Kings 2:23-24, Daniel 7:5
  • Leopard = Greece Daniel 7:6
  • Serpent = Satan Revelation 12:9; 20:2
  • Tongue = Language / Speech Exodus 4:10
  • Wolf = Disguised Enemies that hunt in a time of darkness Matthew 7:15
  • Dove = Holy Spirit Mark 1:10
  • Ram = Medo Persia Daniel 8:20
  • Goat = Greece Daniel 8:21
  • Horn = King or kingdom Daniel 7:24; 8:5, 21, 22; Zechariah 1:18, 19; Revelation 17:12
  • Wings = Speed / Protection / Deliverance Deuteronomy 28:49, Matthew 23:37


Colors
  • White = Purity Revelation 3:4,5; 7:14; 19:14
  • Blue = Law Numbers 15:38-39
  • Purple = Royalty Mark 15:17, Judges 8:26
  • Red/Scarlet = Sin/corruption Isaiah 1:18; Nahum 2:3; Revelation 17:1-4


Metals, Elements, and Natural Objects
  • Gold = Pure Character Precious and Rare Isaiah 13:12
  • Silver = Pure Words & Understanding Proverbs 2:4, 3:13-14, 10:20, 25:11, Psalms 12:6
  • Brass, Tin, Iron, Lead, Silver dross = Impure Character Ezekiel 22:20-21
  • Water = Holy Spirit / Everlasting Life John 7:39, 4:14, Rev. 22:17, Eph. 5:26
  • Waters = Inhabited area/people, nations Revelation 17:15
  • Fire = Holy Spirit Luke 3:16
  • Tree = Cross; People / Nation Deut. 21:22-23, Psalm 92:12, 37:35
  • Seed = Descendents / Jesus Romans 9:8, Galatians 3:16
  • Fruit = Works / Actions Galatians 5:22
  • Fig Tree = A Nation that should bear fruit Luke 13:6-9
  • Vineyard = Church that should bear fruit Luke 20:9-16
  • Field = World Matthew 13:38, John 4:35
  • Harvest = End of World Matthew 13:39
  • Reapers = Angels Matthew 13:39
  • Thorns / Thorny Ground = Cares of this life Mark 4:18-19
  • Stars = Angels/messengers = Revelation 1:16, 20; 12:4, 7-9; Job 38:7
  • Jordan = death Romans 6:4, Deuteronomy 4:22
  • Mountains = Political or religio-political powers Isaiah 2:2, 3; Jeremiah 17:3; 31:23; 51:24, 25; Ezekiel 17:22, 23; Daniel 2:35, 44, 45
  • Rock = Jesus/truth 1 Corinthians 10:4; Isaiah 8:13, 14; Romans 9:33; Matthew 7:24
  • Sun = Jesus/the gospel Psalm 84:11; Malachi 4:2; Matthew 17:2; John 8:12; 9:5
  • Winds = Strife/commotion/"winds of war"Jeremiah 25:31-33; 49:36, 37; 4:11-13; Zechariah 7:14


Miscellaneous Objects
  • Lamp = Word of God Psalm 119:105
  • Oil = Holy Spirit Zechariah 4:2-6; Revelation 4:5
  • Sword = Word of God Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12
  • Bread = Word of God John 6:35, 51, 52, 63
  • Wine = blood/covenant/doctrines Luke 5:37
  • Honey = happy life Ezekiel 20:6, Deuteronomy 8:8-9
  • Clothing = Character Isaiah 64:6, Isaiah 59:6
  • Crown = A Glorious Ruler or Rulership Proverbs 16:31, Isaiah 28:5, Isaiah 62:3
  • Ring = Authority Genesis 41:42-43, Esther 3:10-11
  • Angel = Messenger Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26; Hebrews 1:14
  • Babylon = apostasy/confusion/rebellion Gen. 10:8-10; 11:6-9; Rev. 18:2, 3; 17:1-5
  • Mark = Sign or seal of approval or disapproval Ezekiel 9:4; Romans 4:11; Revelation 13:17; 14:9-11; 7:2, 3
  • Seal = Sign or mark of approval or disapproval Romans 4:11; Revelation 7:2, 3
  • White Robes = Victory/righteousness Revelation 19:8; 3:5; 7:14
  • Jar / Vessel = Person Jermiah 18:1-4, 2 Corinthians 4:7
  • Time = 360 Day Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32; 7:25; Daniel 11:13 margin
  • Times = 720 Days Daniel 7:25, Revelation 12:6,14, 13:5
  • Day = Literal year Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34
  • Trumpet = loud warning of God's approach Exodus 19:16-17, Joshua 6:4-5


Actions, Activities, and Physical States
  • Healing = Salvation Luke 5:23-24
  • Leprosy / Sickness = Sin Luke 5:23-24
  • Famine = Dearth of Truth Amos 8:11


People and Body Parts
  • Woman, Pure = True Church Jeremiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-27
  • Woman, Corrupt = Apostate church Ezk. 16:15-58; 23:2-21; Hos. 2:5; 3:1; Rev. 14:4
  • Thief = Suddenness of Jesus' coming 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4; 2 Peter 3:10
  • Hand = Deeds / Works / Actions Ecclesiastes 9:10, Isaiah 59:6
  • Forehead = Mind Deuteronomy 6:6-8, Romans 7:25; Ezekiel 3:8, 9
  • Feet = Your Walk / Direction Genesis 19:2, Psalm 119:105
  • Eyes = Spiritual Discernment Matthew 13:10-17, 1 John 2:11
  • Skin = Christ's righteousness Exodus 12:5, 1 Peter 1:19, Isaiah 1:4-6
  • Harlot = Apostate church/religion Isaiah 1:21-27; Jeremiah 3:1-3; 6-9
  • Heads = Major powers/rulers/governments Revelation 17:3, 9, 10


Bible Study Guides


Is There Anything Left You Can Trust? In these rapidly changing and challenging times—when promises of stability and safety rarely come through; when trusted spiritual leaders prove false; when lying in politics seems to be the norm; when those you depend on the most often hurt you the deepest—is there anything left you can trust? Yes! You can fully trust the B ...
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Videos


Comprehending God and Other Divine Issues Pt. 2 The second of a two-part series on comprehending God. The term "son of God" emphasizes a deep relationship more than some biological creation. Jesus was not created. He is eternally divine. ... Watch

Audio


Symbols and Swords Did you know that turkeys are actually highly intelligent and affectionate animals? They even like to be petted and cuddled. What does this have to do with the Bible? Listen to find out more ... ... Listen

Books


The Name of God An Amazing Fact: A man stopped at a bar in the Los Angeles airport to relax a few minutes before catching his plane. But realizing he had lost track of time, he raced out of the bar and hastily asked directions for the departing gate to Oakland. After hurrying through a maze of terminals, he handed the flight attendant his ... Read

Interesting Webpages



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