In the context of the Bible, the concept of "compares" often involves the use of similes, metaphors, and analogies to convey spiritual truths, moral lessons, and divine principles. The Scriptures frequently employ comparisons to illustrate the nature of God, the character of humanity, and the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Comparisons in the Teachings of Jesus

Jesus Christ frequently used comparisons in His parables and teachings to communicate profound truths in a relatable manner. For instance, in the Parable of the Mustard Seed, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds but grows into the largest of garden plants (Matthew 13:31-32). This comparison highlights the seemingly small beginnings of God's Kingdom and its eventual expansive growth.

Similarly, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus compares His followers to "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" (Matthew 5:13-14). These comparisons emphasize the transformative and illuminating role that believers are to play in the world, preserving goodness and revealing truth.

Comparisons in Wisdom Literature

The Book of Proverbs is replete with comparisons that offer practical wisdom and moral instruction. Proverbs 25:11 states, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver" . This comparison underscores the value and beauty of timely and appropriate speech.

Another example is found in Proverbs 27:17: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" . This metaphor illustrates the mutual benefit and growth that result from constructive relationships and accountability among individuals.

Comparisons in the Psalms

The Psalms often use comparisons to express the majesty of God and the nature of human experience. Psalm 103:15-16 compares human life to grass and flowers: "As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more" . This imagery conveys the transient nature of human life in contrast to the eternal nature of God.

Psalm 42:1 provides another vivid comparison: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God" . This simile captures the deep spiritual thirst and longing for God that characterizes the life of the believer.

Comparisons in the Epistles

The apostle Paul frequently uses comparisons to explain theological concepts and ethical teachings. In 1 Corinthians 12:12, Paul compares the Church to a body: "The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body" . This analogy illustrates the unity and diversity within the body of Christ, emphasizing the importance of each member's unique role and function.

In Ephesians 5:25-27, Paul compares the relationship between Christ and the Church to that of a husband and wife: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word" . This comparison highlights the sacrificial love and sanctifying work of Christ for His Church.

Comparisons in Prophetic Literature

The prophets often used comparisons to convey messages of judgment and hope. In Isaiah 40:31, the prophet compares those who hope in the Lord to eagles: "But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles" . This imagery conveys the strength and endurance that come from trusting in God.

Jeremiah 18:6 uses the metaphor of a potter and clay to describe God's sovereignty over Israel: "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel" . This comparison illustrates God's authority and ability to shape the destiny of His people according to His will.7737a. shavah -- to agree with, be like, resemble
... root Definition to agree with, be like, resemble NASB Word Usage alike (1),
commensurate (1), compare (1), compares (1), composed (2), equal (1), interest ( ...
/hebrew/7737a.htm - 5k

Introductory Tertullian Compares the Heresy to the Old Eleusinian ...
... Chapter I."Introductory Tertullian Compares the Heresy to the Old Eleusinian
Mysteries. Both Systems Alike in Preferring Concealment ...
/.../against the valentinians/chapter i introductory tertullian compares the.htm

He Compares this Erroneous view with the Teaching of the Pelagians ...
... Book VI. Chapter XIV. He compares this erroneous view with the teaching
of the Pelagians. Otherwise if Christ who was born of Mary ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xiv he compares this.htm

He Compares this Notion and Reasonable Suspicion of the Devil with ...
... He compares this notion and reasonable suspicion of the devil with the obstinate
and inflexible idea of his opponents, and shows that this last is worse and ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xii he compares this.htm

Trypho Compares Jesus with Perseus; and Would Prefer [To Say] that ...
... Chapter LXVII."Trypho compares Jesus with Perseus; and would prefer [to say] that
He was elected [to be Christ] on account of observance of the law. ...
/.../chapter lxvii trypho compares jesus with.htm

He Compares the Doctrine of the Platonists Concerning the Logos ...
... Book VII. Chapter IX."He Compares the Doctrine of the Platonists Concerning the
Logos With the Much More Excellent Doctrine of Christianity. 13. ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter ix he compares the doctrine.htm

Our Divine Master Compares the Religion of the Learned Pharisees " ...
... Address 34: Our divine master compares the religion of the learned Pharisees
"to whited sepulchers? Our divine master compares ...
/.../address 34 0 0 our divine master.htm

The Faith of Abraham.
... From the eighth to the tenth verse the Apostle compares Abraham's faith with that
of Noah; after a short episode concerning Sarah, he compares Abraham's faith ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xi the faith of.htm

But Upon those who have Used Dissimulation Like David...
... He compares them to children, as not having manfully withstood the idolaters, but
to prudent children, because by artifice they avoided doing sacrifice. ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon v but upon those.htm

But after This, Celsus, Having a Suspicion that the Great Works ...
... have recorded as of a marvellous nature; and he adds: "Well, let us believe that
these were actually wrought by you." But then he immediately compares them to ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxviii but after this.htm

In the Next Place, Ridiculing after his Usual Style the Race of ...
... In the next place, ridiculing after his usual style the race of Jews and Christians,
he compares them all "to a flight of bats or to a swarm of ants issuing ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxiii in the next.htm

Compares (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Compares (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 3:15 She is
more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst ...
/c/compares.htm - 6k

Dove (27 Occurrences)
... endearment. In Songs 1:15; Songs 4:1; Songs 5:12, he compares the eyes of
his bride full, tender, beautiful, with those of a dove. In ...
/d/dove.htm - 28k

Compared (29 Occurrences)

/c/compared.htm - 14k

Vine (76 Occurrences)
... to a vine (Psalm 80:8), and Christ says of himself, "I am the vine" (John 15:1).
In one of his parables also (Matthew 21:33) our Lord compares his Church to a ...
/v/vine.htm - 46k

Zalmunna (9 Occurrences)
... WR Smith (Lectures on the Religion of the Semites, 2nd edition, 417, note) compares
with this call to Gideon's son the choice of young men or lads as ...
/z/zalmunna.htm - 13k

Zethar (1 Occurrence)
... ZETHAR. ze'-thar (zethar; Oppert, Esther, 25, compares Persian zaitar, "conqueror";
see BDB; Septuagint Abataza): A eunuch of Ahasuerus (Esther 1:10). ...
/z/zethar.htm - 7k

Zebah (9 Occurrences)
... WR Smith (Lectures on the Religion of the Semites, 2nd edition, 417, note) compares
with this call to Gideon's son the choice of young men or lads as ...
/z/zebah.htm - 13k

Night (3322 Occurrences)
... Thus, Moses compares the brevity of time, the lapse of a thousand years, to "a watch
in the night" (Psalm 90:4). Adversity is depicted by it in such places as ...
/n/night.htm - 15k

Oded (3 Occurrences)
... Pekah besieged Jerusalem, but failed to capture it (compare Isaiah 7:1-17; Isaiah
8:5-8 a). As Curtis points out (Chronicles, 459, where he compares Exodus 21:2 ...
/o/oded.htm - 10k

Jeshurun (4 Occurrences)
... 405 AD) has dilectus in Deuteronomy 32:15, elsewhere rectissimus; Aquila, Symmachus,
Theodotion have "upright." For the form, Duhm compares zebhulun, Zebulun. ...
/j/jeshurun.htm - 10k

What is spiritual darkness? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that husbands are to love their wives? | GotQuestions.org

Is the original Bible still in existence? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus