In biblical terms, "signification" refers to the meaning or representation of words, symbols, or events as they convey divine truths or messages. The concept of signification is crucial in understanding the deeper meanings embedded within the Scriptures, as it often involves interpreting the symbolic language and typology found throughout the Bible.

Old Testament Signification

In the Old Testament, signification is often seen in the use of symbols and types that point to greater spiritual realities. For example, the sacrificial system established in the Mosaic Law is rich with signification, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Passover lamb, as described in Exodus 12, signifies Christ, "our Passover lamb, [who] has been sacrificed" (1 Corinthians 5:7).

Prophetic literature also employs signification extensively. The visions and dreams given to prophets like Daniel and Ezekiel are filled with symbolic imagery that signifies future events and divine truths. For instance, Daniel's vision of the statue in Daniel 2 signifies the succession of world empires, culminating in the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.

New Testament Signification

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently uses parables, which are accounts with deeper spiritual significations. These parables, such as the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9), convey truths about the Kingdom of God and the varied responses of individuals to the gospel message.

The miracles of Jesus also carry significant meaning beyond their immediate physical effects. For example, the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:1-14) signifies Jesus as the Bread of Life, pointing to His ability to satisfy spiritual hunger.

The Apostle Paul often writes about the signification of Old Testament events and laws in light of Christ's work. In Galatians 4:24, Paul refers to the account of Hagar and Sarah as an allegory, signifying the two covenants: one from Mount Sinai, bearing children into slavery, and the other from the Jerusalem above, which is free.

Apocalyptic Signification

The Book of Revelation is replete with symbolic language and imagery, requiring careful interpretation to understand its signification. The visions given to John are filled with symbols that signify the ultimate victory of Christ and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. For instance, the Lamb standing as though slain (Revelation 5:6) signifies Christ's sacrificial death and His authority to open the scroll of God's judgment and redemption.

Theological Implications

Understanding signification in the Bible is essential for grasping the full depth of God's revelation. It requires a careful and prayerful approach to Scripture, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit to discern the spiritual truths conveyed through symbolic language. The study of signification helps believers to see the unity and coherence of the biblical narrative, as well as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.1. (n.) The act of making known by signs or other means.

2. (n.) That which is signified or made known; that meaning which a sign, character, or token is intended to convey; as, the signification of words.

880. aphonos -- without voice, ie speechless
... From a (as a negative particle) and phone; voiceless, ie Mute (by nature or choice);
figuratively, unmeaning -- dumb, without signification. see GREEK a. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/880.htm - 6k815. eshel -- a tamarisk tree
... grove, tree. From a root of uncertain signification; a tamarisk tree; by extension,
a grove of any kind -- grove, tree. 814, 815. eshel. 816 . ...
/hebrew/815.htm - 5k

3298. Yaareshyah -- a Benjamite
... Jaresiah. From an unused root of uncertain signification and Yahh; Jaareshjah, an
Israelite -- Jaresiah. see HEBREW Yahh. 3297, 3298. Yaareshyah. 3299 . ...
/hebrew/3298.htm - 6k

2415. choter -- branch or twig, a rod
... 1), shoot (1). rod. From an unused root of uncertain signification; a twig --
rod. 2414, 2415. choter. 2416 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2415.htm - 5k

2407. Chattush -- three Israelites
... NASB Word Usage Hattush (5). Hattush. From an unused root of uncertain signification;
Chattush, the name of four or five Israelites -- Hattush. 2406, 2407. ...
/hebrew/2407.htm - 6k

4997. nod -- a skin bottle, skin
... bottle. Or noywd {node}; also (feminine) no)dah {no-daw'}; from an unused root of
uncertain signification; a (skin or leather) bag (for fluids) -- bottle. ...
/hebrew/4997.htm - 6k

3850. Lod -- a city in Benjamin near Joppa
... Lod From an unused root of uncertain signification; Lod, a place in Palestine --
Lod. 3849, 3850. Lod. 3850a . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3850.htm - 5k

2651. chophen -- the hollow of the hand
... fists, both hands, handful. From an unused root of uncertain signification; a fist
(only in the dual) -- fists, (both) hands, hand(-ful). 2650, 2651. ...
/hebrew/2651.htm - 6k

3391. yerach -- month
... month, moon. From a unused root of uncertain signification; a lunation, ie Month --
month, moon. 3390, 3391. yerach. 3392 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3391.htm - 6k

Whether Words are Required for the Signification of the Sacraments ...
... TREATISE ON THE SACRAMENTS (QQ -90)WHAT IS A SACRAMENT? (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether
words are required for the signification of the sacraments? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether words are required for.htm

Corollary Taken Out of Achmet, of the Signification of Hail, Fire ...
... A MEMORABLE SENTENCE, Corollary taken out of Achmet, of the signification of Hail,
Fire, and Trees, in the interpretation of Dreams. Chap. cxci. ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/corollary taken out of achmet.htm

And in the Same Way Other Objects are not Single in their ...
... Book 3 Chapter 37. And in the same way other objects are not single in
their signification? 37. And in the same way other objects ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 37 and in the.htm

That Even among their Own Worshippers the Name "Demon" Has Never a ...
... Book IX. Chapter 19."That Even Among Their Own Worshippers the Name "Demon"
Has Never a Good Signification. But as some of these ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 19 that even among their.htm

Irony* (Two Articles) [*Irony Here must be Given the Signification ...
... IRONY* (TWO ARTICLES) [*Irony here must be given the signification of the Greek
{eironia}, whence it is derived: dissimulation of one's own good points.]. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/irony two articles irony here.htm

Whether any Name Can be Applied to God in Its Literal Sense?
... Therefore as to the names applied to God"-viz. the perfections which they signify,
such as goodness, life and the like, and their mode of signification. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether any name can be 2.htm

Whether Irregularity Attaches to Bigamy?
... the sacraments. Now there is a defect in a sacrament when the entire
signification of the sacrament is not found therein. And the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether irregularity attaches to bigamy.htm

Whether Abstract Essential Names Can Stand for the Person?
... if we wish to express ourselves correctly, we must take into account not only the
thing which is signified, but also the mode of its signification as above ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether abstract essential names can.htm

Whether a Second Marriage is a Sacrament?
... iv, D, 42). Therefore no sacrament is conferred therein. Objection 3: Further,
signification is essential to a sacrament. But the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a second marriage is 2.htm

Whether the Sacraments are Instituted by God Alone?
... God alone. Objection 2: Further, a sacrament is a kind of sign. Now sensible
things have their own natural signification. Nor can ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the sacraments are instituted.htm

Signification (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) That which is signified or made known; that meaning which a sign, character,
or token is intended to convey; as, the signification of words. ...
/s/signification.htm - 7k

Asherah (40 Occurrences)
... 3. Her Symbol: In Assyrian asirtu, which appears also under the forms asratu, esreti
(plural) and asru, had the further signification of "sanctuary ...
/a/asherah.htm - 24k

Eternal (166 Occurrences)
... sometimes in the sense of unlimited duration, sometimes in the sense of a cycle
or an age, and sometimes, in later Hebrew, in the signification of world. ...
/e/eternal.htm - 46k

Praetorian (2 Occurrences)
... 4. Bearing on Paul's Captivity and Trial: The important bearing will be seen which
this signification of "praetorium" in this passage has on the question of ...
/p/praetorian.htm - 15k

Precious (128 Occurrences)
... STONES, PRECIOUS. " 1. Ancient and Modern Names 2. Change of Signification of Names ...
2. Change of Signification of Names: Confusion is introduced in another way. ...
/p/precious.htm - 71k

Stones (244 Occurrences)
... STONES, PRECIOUS. " 1. Ancient and Modern Names 2. Change of Signification of Names ...
2. Change of Signification of Names: Confusion is introduced in another way. ...
/s/stones.htm - 74k

Guard (185 Occurrences)
... 4. Bearing on Paul's Captivity and Trial: The important bearing will be seen which
this signification of "praetorium" in this passage has on the question of ...
/g/guard.htm - 55k

Value (138 Occurrences)
... anything. 3. (n.) Precise signification; import; as, the value of a word;
the value of a legal instrument. 4. (n.) Esteem; regard. ...
/v/value.htm - 37k

Voices (76 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world,
and none of them is without signification. (KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT). ...
/v/voices.htm - 29k

Kettle (2 Occurrences)
... rendered "caldrons," and in Job 41:20 (Hebrew 12), "pot." Psalm 81:6 (Hebrew 7)
(the King James Version "pots") belongs rather to another signification of the ...
/k/kettle.htm - 8k

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