Topical Bible: House: Architecture of Figurative

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In biblical literature, the term "house" often transcends its literal architectural meaning, serving as a rich metaphor for various spiritual and communal concepts. The Bible employs the imagery of a house to convey ideas about family, lineage, spiritual dwelling, and the community of believers.

1. House as Family and Lineage

The concept of a house frequently represents a family or lineage. This is evident in the promises made to David regarding his dynasty. In 2 Samuel 7:11-16, God promises David, "The LORD declares to you that He Himself will establish a house for you." Here, "house" signifies a lasting dynasty, a promise of enduring lineage and legacy. Similarly, the "house of Jacob" refers to the descendants of Jacob, emphasizing the familial and tribal connections within Israel.

2. House as a Spiritual Dwelling

The house is also a metaphor for spiritual dwelling and the presence of God among His people. In the Old Testament, the Temple in Jerusalem is often referred to as the "house of the LORD." For instance, in 1 Kings 8:13, Solomon declares, "I have indeed built You an exalted house, a place for You to dwell forever." This highlights the Temple as a physical and spiritual center where God's presence resides.

In the New Testament, the concept of a spiritual house evolves with the coming of Christ. Believers themselves become the temple of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Peter 2:5, it is written, "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." This passage illustrates the transformation from a physical structure to a community of believers as the dwelling place of God.

3. House as the Community of Believers

The New Testament further expands the metaphor of a house to describe the Church, the body of Christ. In Ephesians 2:19-22, Paul writes, "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone." Here, the "household of God" signifies the unity and fellowship of believers, built upon the teachings of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone.

4. House as a Symbol of Stability and Security

In the parable of the wise and foolish builders, Jesus uses the imagery of a house to teach about the importance of a solid foundation. In Matthew 7:24-25, He says, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock." The house here symbolizes one's life and spiritual stability, with the foundation representing adherence to Christ's teachings.

5. House as a Metaphor for the Body

The apostle Paul uses the metaphor of a house to describe the human body as a temporary dwelling. In 2 Corinthians 5:1, he writes, "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." This passage contrasts the temporary nature of our physical bodies with the eternal nature of the heavenly dwelling promised to believers.

Throughout Scripture, the metaphor of a house serves as a powerful symbol, illustrating concepts of family, spiritual presence, community, stability, and the eternal hope found in Christ. The multifaceted use of this imagery underscores the depth and richness of biblical teaching, inviting believers to reflect on their place within God's household.

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Psalm 87:1
His foundation is in the holy mountains.
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Isaiah 28:16
Therefore thus said the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believes shall not make haste.
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Isaiah 48:13
My hand also has laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand has spanned the heavens: when I call to them, they stand up together.
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Romans 15:20
Yes, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation:
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1 Corinthians 3:11
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
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Ephesians 2:20
And are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
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1 Timothy 6:19
Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
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Hebrews 6:1
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
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Revelation 21:14
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
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Library

After Christ: with Christ
... effects, except in a very secondary and figurative fashion ... for the attachment thereto
of a 'house not made ... hands,' and yet conformed in its architecture to the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/after christ with christ.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple - the Sign,' which is not a Sign.
... No wonder that, in the figurative language of the ... to this desecration of His Father's
House, which, by a ... of which they fully know the architecture, manner, and ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v the cleansing of.htm

The Leaven.
... that the women of the house were the ... know, the different and opposite figurative
significations of ... throughout Europe, in the architecture, sculpture, paintings ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/iv the leaven.htm

The First Epistle of St. Peter
... The metaphor is abruptly changed, from child-life to architecture, but there is
no change ... messianic Stone as of no value for the fabric of God's House, but in ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the first epistle of st.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... ALLEGORICAL, FIGURATIVE, AND SYMBOLICAL. ... and, behold, "I saw a man clothed with rags,
standing in a certain place, with his face from his own house, a book in ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm