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"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" - Mark 16:15



Symbolic Words of the Bible




Symbolic objects

The rainbow: a symbol of God’s covenant See also Ge 9:13; Eze 1:28; Rev 4:3
Bread: Word of God John 6:35, 51, 52, 63
Fruit: Works / Actions Galatians 5:22
A stairway: a symbol of the way to God Ge 28:11-13; Jn 1:51
Thunder, lightning, cloud and smoke: symbols of God’s majesty Ex 19:16-18; Ex 24:17; Ps 97:2,4; Rev 4:5; Rev 8:5; Rev 11:19
Thunder: a symbol of God’s voice Ps 29:3; Ps 68:33
Trumpets: a symbol of God speaking Ex 19:19; Rev 8:6
The pillar of cloud and fire: a symbol of guidance Ex 13:21
A throne: a symbol of God’s glory Isa 6:1; Eze 1:26; Rev 4:2; Rev 22:3
Dry bones: a symbol of spiritual death Eze 37:1-2,11
White hair: a symbol of wisdom Da 7:9; Rev 1:14
The wind: a symbol of the Holy Spirit Jn 3:8; Ac 2:2
Fire: a symbol of the Holy Spirit Ac 2:3
Stars and lampstands: symbols of God’s ministers Rev 1:20
A signet ring: a symbol of authority Est 8:10; Hag 2:23
Arrows: symbols of God’s judgments Ps 38:2; Ps 120:4
A sceptre: a symbol of God’s rule Ps 2:9; Rev 2:27; Rev 19:15
The capstone: a symbol of pre-eminence Mt 21:42 pp Mk 12:10-11 pp Lk 20:17; Ps 118:22
A rock: a symbol of stability Ps 18:2; Ps 40:2
The human body: a symbol of interdependence 1Co 12:27
Grass: a symbol of human frailty Ps 90:5-6; 1Pe 1:24
Sword: Word of God Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12
Clothing: Character Isaiah 64:6, Isaiah 59:6
Lamp: Word of God Psalm 119:105
Honey: happy life Ezekiel 20:6, Deuteronomy 8:8-9
Babylon: apostasy/confusion/rebellion Gen. 10:8-10; 11:6-9; Rev. 18:2, 3; 17:1-5
White Robes: Victory/righteousness Revelation 19:8; 3:5; 7:14

Symbolic creatures

The serpent: a symbol of Satan’s subtlety Ge 3:1; Rev 12:9; Rev 20:1-3
Locusts: a symbol of God’s judgment Ex 10:12; Joel 1:4; Rev 9:3
Beasts: symbols of earthly kingdoms Da 7:2-7,17; Da 8:20-22
A dove: a symbol of the Holy Spirit Mt 3:16 pp Mk 1:10 pp Lk 3:22
A lamb: a symbol of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice Rev 5:6

Symbolic actions

Breaking a jar: a symbol of the destruction of Jerusalem Jer 19:10-11
The cursing of a fig-tree: a symbol of judgment Mt 21:18-19 pp Mk 11:12-14
Washing hands: a symbol of innocence Mt 27:24
Being thirsty: a symbol of spiritual need Ps 63:1; Jn 7:37
Baptism: a symbol of salvation in Jesus Christ Ac 22:16; Ro 6:3-4; 1Pe 3:21
The Lord’s Supper: a symbol of union with Christ Mt 26:26-29 pp Mk 14:22-24 pp Lk 22:19-20 pp 1Co 11:23-26
Anointing: a symbol of empowering by God’s Spirit 1Sa 16:13; Lk 4:18; Isa 61:1
Harvesting: a symbol of judgment day Joel 3:12-13; Mt 13:29-30; Rev 14:15
Tearing garments: a symbol of anger and sorrow Ge 37:29,34; Jos 7:6
Spitting: a symbol of contempt Isa 50:6; Mt 26:67 pp Mk 14:65
Shaking off dust: a symbol of rejection Mt 10:14 pp Lk 9:5; Ac 13:51
Sitting in sackcloth and ashes: a symbol of repentance Ps 69:11; Isa 22:12; Jnh 3:5-6; Mt 11:21
Lifting of hands: a symbol of prayer Ps 63:4; 1Ti 2:8
Covering the head: a symbol of submission 1Co 11:3-10

Metals, Elements, and Natural Objects

Gold = Pure Character Precious and Rare Isaiah 13:12
Silver = Pure Words & Understanding Proverbs 2:4, 3:13-14, 10:20, 25:11, Psalms 12:6
Brass, Tin, Iron, Lead, Silver dross = Impure Character Ezekiel 22:20-21
Water = Holy Spirit / Everlasting Life John 7:39, 4:14, Rev. 22:17, Eph. 5:26
Waters = Inhabited area/people, nations Revelation 17:15
Fire = Holy Spirit Luke 3:16
Tree = Cross; People / Nation Deut. 21:22-23, Psalm 92:12, 37:35
Seed = Descendents / Jesus Romans 9:8, Galatians 3:16
Fruit = Works / Actions Galatians 5:22
Fig Tree = A Nation that should bear fruit Luke 13:6-9
Vineyard = Church that should bear fruit Luke 20:9-16
Field = World Matthew 13:38, John 4:35
Harvest = End of World Matthew 13:39
Reapers = Angels Matthew 13:39
Thorns / Thorny Ground = Cares of this life Mark 4:18-19
Stars = Angels/messengers = Revelation 1:16, 20; 12:4, 7-9; Job 38:7
Jordan = death Romans 6:4, Deuteronomy 4:22
Mountains = Political or religio-political powers Isaiah 2:2, 3; Jeremiah 17:3; 31:23; 51:24, 25; Ezekiel 17:22, 23; Daniel 2:35, 44, 45
Rock = Jesus/truth 1 Corinthians 10:4; Isaiah 8:13, 14; Romans 9:33; Matthew 7:24
Sun = Jesus/the gospel Psalm 84:11; Malachi 4:2; Matthew 17:2; John 8:12; 9:5
Winds = Strife/commotion/"winds of war" Jeremiah 25:31-33; 49:36, 37; 4:11-13; Zechariah 7:14

Colors

White = Purity Revelation 3:4,5; 7:14; 19:14
Blue = Law Numbers 15:38-39
Purple = Royalty Mark 15:17, Judges 8:26
Red/Scarlet = Sin/corruption Isaiah 1:18; Nahum 2:3; Revelation 17:1-4


Compiled by Thomas George
editor@Preach-the-Gospel.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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