In biblical literature, the term "figures" often refers to symbolic representations, metaphors, or types that convey deeper spiritual truths. These figures are used throughout Scripture to illustrate and illuminate the divine message, providing insight into God's nature, human experience, and the unfolding of redemptive history.

Figures of Speech

The Bible employs various figures of speech to communicate its messages effectively. These include metaphors, similes, allegories, and parables. For instance, Jesus frequently used parables—simple accounts with profound spiritual meanings—to teach His followers. In Matthew 13:34, it is noted, "Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable."

Typology

Typology is a significant aspect of biblical figures, where an event, person, or institution in the Old Testament prefigures a greater reality in the New Testament. For example, the Passover lamb in Exodus 12 is a type of Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The Apostle Paul refers to Adam as a "type" of Christ in Romans 5:14, illustrating how Adam's actions prefigure the redemptive work of Jesus.

Symbolism

Symbols are prevalent throughout the Bible, serving as figures that convey spiritual truths. The use of light and darkness, for example, symbolizes good and evil, knowledge and ignorance. In John 8:12, Jesus declares, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life." Here, light symbolizes the truth and guidance found in Christ.

Prophetic Figures

Prophetic literature is rich with figures that convey God's messages to His people. Prophets often used symbolic actions and visions to communicate divine truths. Ezekiel, for instance, performed symbolic acts to illustrate the coming judgment on Israel (Ezekiel 4:1-3). The book of Revelation is replete with vivid imagery and figures, such as the seven seals, trumpets, and bowls, which depict the unfolding of God's final plan for humanity.

Christological Figures

The Old Testament contains numerous figures that foreshadow the coming of Christ. Melchizedek, the priest-king of Salem, is a figure of Christ's eternal priesthood, as explained in Hebrews 7. The bronze serpent lifted by Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 21:8-9) is a figure of Christ's crucifixion, as Jesus Himself explains in John 3:14-15: "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life."

Conclusion

Figures in the Bible serve as powerful tools for conveying spiritual truths, enriching the reader's understanding of God's word. Through figures of speech, typology, symbolism, prophetic imagery, and Christological foreshadowing, the Scriptures reveal the depth and complexity of God's redemptive plan for humanity.1823. demuth -- likeness, similitude
... Word Origin from damah Definition likeness, similitude NASB Word Usage figure (1),
figures like (1), figures resembling (1), form (4), like (4), likeness (8 ...
/hebrew/1823.htm - 6k

224. Urim -- part of the high priest's breastplate
... Urim. Plur of 'uwr; lights; Urim, the oracular brilliancy of the figures in the
high-priest's breastplate -- Urim. see HEBREW 'uwr. 223b, 224. Urim. 225 . ...
/hebrew/224.htm - 6k

Of the Figures and Limbs of Animals.
... Chap. V."Of the Figures and Limbs of Animals. In the beginning, when God
was forming the animals, He did not wish to conglobate ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap v of the figures and.htm

There are Various Figures in the Old Testament of the Wood of the ...
... Chapter LXXXVI."There are various figures in the Old Testament of the
wood of the cross by which Christ reigned. And when I had ...
/.../chapter lxxxvi there are various figures.htm

Table of Figures
... TABLE OF FIGURES. Figure 1. Pattern of a sacred Essene scapular which Moses had
once worn. 19 Figure 2. Patterns of an Essene sacred silk vestment and cloak. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/table of figures.htm

Divine Things Wrapped up in Figures Both in the Sacred and in ...
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies. Book IV. Chapter IV."Divine Things Wrapped
Up in Figures Both in the Sacred and in Heathen Writers. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter iv divine things wrapped up.htm

Argument. --But There was a Limit to the Use of These Shadows or ...
... Chapter V. Argument."But There Was a Limit to the Use of These Shadows or Figures;
For Afterwards, When the End of the Law, Christ, Came, All Things Were ...
/.../novatian/on the jewish meats/chapter v argument but there was.htm

Of the Four Living Creatures in the Apocalypse, which have Been ...
... Chapter VI."Of the Four Living Creatures in the Apocalypse, Which Have Been Taken
by Some in One Application, and by Others in Another, as Apt Figures of the ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter vi of the four living.htm

The Two Advents were Signified by the Two Goats Other Figures of ...
... Chapter CXI."The two advents were signified by the two goats Other figures of the
first advent, in which the Gentiles are freed by the blood of Christ. ...
/.../chapter cxi the two advents were.htm

He Returns to the Mosaic Laws, and Proves that they were Figures ...
... Chapter XL."He returns to the Mosaic laws, and proves that they were figures
of the things which pertain to Christ. "The mystery ...
/.../chapter xl he returns to the.htm

That the Ark which Noah was Ordered to Make Figures in Every ...
... Book XV. Chapter 26."That the Ark Which Noah Was Ordered to Make Figures
In Every Respect Christ and the Church. Moreover, inasmuch ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 26 that the ark which.htm

The Early Life of St. Joseph
... I saw him making all kinds of figures on the ground with sticks, and the boys had
to walk on these figures; then I saw the boys walking on other figures and ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/v the early life of.htm

Figures (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Figures (11 Occurrences). John 16:25 I have spoken
these things to you in figures of speech. But the time ...
/f/figures.htm - 9k

Flourish (26 Occurrences)
... or production. 3. (vi) To use florid language; to indulge in rhetorical
figures and lofty expressions; to be flowery. 4. (vi) To ...
/f/flourish.htm - 18k

Figure (19 Occurrences)
... to shape. 17. (n.) To embellish with design; to adorn with figures. 18.
(n.) To indicate by numerals; also, to compute. 19. (n.) To ...
/f/figure.htm - 19k

Figured (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Figure. 2. (a.) Adorned with figures; marked with figures; as,
figured muslin. ... See Figurate, 3. 5. (a.) Indicated or noted by figures. ...
/f/figured.htm - 8k

Figurative (20 Occurrences)
... and expressions. 3. (a.) Abounding in figures of speech; flowery; florid;
as, a highly figurative description. 4. (a.) Relating ...
/f/figurative.htm - 12k

Potter (14 Occurrences)
... (See Perrot and Chipiez, History of Art in Chaldea and Assyria, I, figures 159,
160, II, figures 163, 168.) Examples of pottery of this early period are shown ...
/p/potter.htm - 28k

Plainly (25 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). John 16:25 I have spoken these things
to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming ...
/p/plainly.htm - 14k

Pottery (11 Occurrences)
... (See Perrot and Chipiez, History of Art in Chaldea and Assyria, I, figures 159,
160, II, figures 163, 168.) Examples of pottery of this early period are shown ...
/p/pottery.htm - 27k

Speech (107 Occurrences)
... John 16:25 I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the
time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures...
/s/speech.htm - 36k

Holies (23 Occurrences)
... It was divided from the holy Ceiled by curtains which bore cherubic figures embroidered
in blue and purple and scarlet (Exodus 26:1), it contained no furniture ...
/h/holies.htm - 17k

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Figures: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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