The term "likened" is used in the Bible to describe the act of comparing or illustrating one thing by using another. This literary device is often employed by Jesus in His parables and teachings to convey spiritual truths through familiar earthly concepts. The use of "likened" helps to bridge the gap between the divine and human understanding, making complex theological ideas more accessible to the audience.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the concept of likening is often used by the prophets and poets to describe the nature and actions of God, as well as the behavior of His people. For example, in Isaiah 40:18, the prophet asks, "To whom can you liken God? To what image can you compare Him?" . This rhetorical question emphasizes the incomparability and uniqueness of God, challenging the Israelites to recognize His supreme authority and majesty.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently uses the term "likened" in His parables to illustrate the Kingdom of Heaven. In Matthew 13:24, Jesus begins the Parable of the Weeds by saying, "The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field" . Here, Jesus uses the familiar image of a farmer sowing seeds to explain the coexistence of good and evil in the world until the final judgment.

Another notable instance is found in Matthew 7:24-27, where Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount by likening those who hear His words and act on them to a wise man who built his house on the rock. "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is likened to a wise man who built his house on the rock" (Matthew 7:24). This comparison underscores the importance of obedience to Christ's teachings as the foundation for a stable and enduring life.

Theological Implications

The use of "likened" in Scripture serves several theological purposes. It highlights the pedagogical method of Jesus, who often taught in parables to reveal truths to those willing to listen and understand. By likening spiritual realities to everyday experiences, Jesus made His teachings relatable and memorable.

Furthermore, the act of likening underscores the transcendence of God and His Kingdom. While human language and understanding are limited, the use of analogies and comparisons allows believers to grasp a glimpse of divine truths. This method also invites believers to engage their imagination and reflection, encouraging a deeper exploration of their faith.

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, the concept of being "likened" to something greater serves as a reminder of their identity in Christ. Just as Jesus used parables to illustrate the Kingdom of Heaven, Christians are called to reflect the values and principles of that Kingdom in their daily lives. By embodying the teachings of Christ, believers become living parables, likened to the light and salt of the earth, as described in Matthew 5:13-16.

In summary, the biblical use of "likened" is a powerful tool for teaching and understanding spiritual truths. It invites believers to see beyond the surface and to seek the deeper meanings embedded in the Word of God.(imp. & p. p.) of Liken.

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxv. 1, "Then Shall the Kingdom ...
... Sermon XLIII. On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xxv. 1, "then shall the kingdom
of heaven be likened unto ten virgins.". [XCIII. Ben.] ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xliii on the words.htm

Whether it is Proper to the Rational Nature to be Adopted?
... To this Word, therefore, something may be likened in three ways. ... In this way the
rational creature, even in its nature, is likened to the Word of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is proper to 4.htm

Exposition Continued: the King and the Servants.
... Book XIV. 7. Exposition Continued: the King and the Servants. "The kingdom
of heaven," He says, "is likened," [6078] etc. But if ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/7 exposition continued the king.htm

The Householder and his Treasury.
... And since he who is likened to any one is different from the one to whom he is likened,
the scribe "who is made a disciple unto the kingdom of heaven" will be ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/15 the householder and his.htm

Whether Men were Freed from the Punishment of Sin through Christ's ...
... Reply to Objection 2: As stated above (A[1], ad 4,5), in order to secure the
effects of Christ's Passion, we must be likened unto Him. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether men were freed from.htm

A Sermon of the Reverend Father Master Hugh Latimer, Preached in ...
... nay, as for him, I will never believe him while I live, nor never trust him; for
he likened our blessed lady to a saffron-bag:" where indeed I never used that ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/a sermon of the reverend.htm

Who are the Wise?
... He is likened to a man who was foolish enough to build his house upon the
sand. ... He is likened to a man who built his house upon a rock. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/who are the wise.htm

How that after the Likeness of Moses, of Bezaleel, and of Aaron ...
... Sometime we profit only by grace, and then we be likened unto Moses, that for all
the climbing and the travail that he had into the mount might not come to see ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the three and 6.htm

Of Purity
... Purity of body is likened to the whiteness of lilies and to the cleanness
of the angels. In withstanding, it is likened to the redness ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xxii of purity.htm

Whether the Sacramental Character is the Character of Christ?
... Consequently, it is clear that the sacramental character is specially the character
of Christ, to Whose character the faithful are likened by reason of the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the sacramental character is.htm

Likened (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Liken. Multi-Version Concordance
Likened (9 Occurrences). Matthew 7:24 Every one therefore ...
/l/likened.htm - 9k

Liken (12 Occurrences)
... To be noted only is that, in Hebrews 7:3, "made like unto the Son of God," the sense
really is "likened to," "presented by the writer with the qualities of ...
/l/liken.htm - 16k

Fire (602 Occurrences)
... 1:4; Revelation 1:14, etc.). God's word is also likened unto fire (Jeremiah 23:29). ...
The influence of the Holy Ghost is likened unto fire (Matthew 3:11). ...
/f/fire.htm - 78k

Bdellium (2 Occurrences)
... Occurs only in Genesis 2:12, where it designates a product of the land of Havilah;
and in Numbers 11:7, where the manna is likened to it in colour. ...
/b/bdellium.htm - 8k

Salmon (7 Occurrences)
... 48). In Psalm 68:14 the change from war to peace is likened to snow on the
dark mountain, as some interpret the expression. Others ...
/s/salmon.htm - 11k

Reign (468 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Matthew 13:24 Another simile he set before them, saying: 'The reign of the
heavens was likened to a man sowing good seed in his field, (YLT). ...
/r/reign.htm - 42k

Sheep (413 Occurrences)
... and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:14 f). The people without leaders
are likened to sheep without a shepherd (Numbers 27:17 1 Kings 22:17 2 ...
/s/sheep.htm - 52k

Likeness (52 Occurrences)
... To be noted only is that, in Hebrews 7:3, "made like unto the Son of God," the sense
really is "likened to," "presented by the writer with the qualities of ...
/l/likeness.htm - 29k

Forth (1639 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven
is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: (KJV). ...
/f/forth.htm - 36k

Games (2 Occurrences)
... Exceeding smallness was likened to the eye of a needle (Matthew 19:24 parallel Mark
10:25 Luke 18:25), or to a grain of mustard (Matthew 13:31 parallel Mark 4 ...
/g/games.htm - 40k

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