Bible Dictionary: Figure

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) The form of anything; shape; outline; appearance.

2. (n.) The representation of any form, as by drawing, painting, modeling, carving, embroidering, etc.; especially, a representation of the human body; as, a figure in bronze; a figure cut in marble.

3. (n.) A pattern in cloth, paper, or other manufactured article; a design wrought out in a fabric; as, the muslin was of a pretty figure.

4. (n.) A diagram or drawing; made to represent a magnitude or the relation of two or more magnitudes; a surface or space enclosed on all sides; -- called superficial when enclosed by lines, and solid when enclosed by surface; any arrangement made up of points, lines, angles, surfaces, etc.

5. (n.) The appearance or impression made by the conduct or career of a person; as, a sorry figure.

6. (n.) Distinguished appearance; magnificence; conspicuous representation; splendor; show.

7. (n.) A character or symbol representing a number; a numeral; a digit; as, 1, 2,3, etc.

8. (n.) Value, as expressed in numbers; price; as, the goods are estimated or sold at a low figure.

9. (n.) A person, thing, or action, conceived of as analogous to another person, thing, or action, of which it thus becomes a type or representative.

10. (n.) A mode of expressing abstract or immaterial ideas by words which suggest pictures or images from the physical world; pictorial language; a trope; hence, any deviation from the plainest form of statement.

11. (n.) The form of a syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term.

12. (n.) Any one of the several regular steps or movements made by a dancer.

13. (n.) A horoscope; the diagram of the aspects of the astrological houses.

14. (n.) Any short succession of notes, either as melody or as a group of chords, which produce a single complete and distinct impression.

15. (n.) A form of melody or accompaniment kept up through a strain or passage; a musical or motive; a florid embellishment.

16. (n.) To represent by a figure, as to form or mold; to make an image of, either palpable or ideal; also, to fashion into a determinate form; to shape.

17. (n.) To embellish with design; to adorn with figures.

18. (n.) To indicate by numerals; also, to compute.

19. (n.) To represent by a metaphor; to signify or symbolize.

20. (n.) To prefigure; to foreshow.

21. (n.) To write over or under the bass, as figures or other characters, in order to indicate the accompanying chords.

22. (n.) To embellish.

23. (v. t.) To make a figure; to be distinguished or conspicuous; as, the envoy figured at court.

24. (v. t.) To calculate; to contrive; to scheme; as, he is figuring to secure the nomination.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

FIGURE

fig'-ur, fig'-yur (cemel, cemel; tupos):

The translation of cemel, or cemel, "a likeness or image"; perhaps a transposition of tselem, the usual word for likeness; it is elsewhere translated "idol" and "image" (Deuteronomy 4:16, "the similitude of any figure," the Revised Version (British and American) "in the form of any figure"); of tabhnith, "form or likeness" (Isaiah 44:13, "shapeth it (the idol). after the figure of a man"; compare Deuteronomy 4:16); of miqla`ath, "carving," "carved work" (1 Kings 6:29: "And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubim and palm-trees and open flowers, within and without," only here and in 1 Kings 6:32; 1 Kings 7:31 where the word is translated "carving" and "graying"); in the New Testament "figure" is the translation of tupos, primarily "a mark," "print," "impression," "something made by blows," hence, "figure," "statue," tropically "form," "manner"; a person bearing the form or figure of another, having a certain resemblance, preceding another to come, model, exemplar (Acts 7:43), "the figures (images) which ye made to worship them"; Romans 5:14, "who is the figure (Revised Version, "a figure") of him that was to come," that is, the first Adam was a type of the second Adam, Christ; of antitupon, that which corresponds to a type or model (Hebrews 9:24 the King James Version, "Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself"); the meaning is simply the correspondence, or likeness (of the tabernacle to heaven), therefore the Revised Version (British and American) renders "like in pattern to the true" (1 Peter 3:21, "the like figure whereunto (even) baptism doth also now save us," i.e. baptism is the antitype of the ark "wherein. eight souls were saved (or brought safely) through water," Revised Version "which also after a true likeness (m "in the antitype") doth now save you even baptism"); of parabole, "a placing alongside", a "comparison," "similitude," hence, image, figure, type (Hebrews 9:9, "which was a figure for the time then present," the American Standard Revised Version "which is a figure for the time present," the English Revised Version "parable" and "(now) present," namely, the entrance of the high priest into the Holy of Holies was a type of Christ's entrance into heaven; Hebrews 11:19, "from whence (from the dead) also he received him in a figure," i.e. Abraham received Isaac back from the dead as it were, in the likeness of a resurrection, he not being actually dead, the American Standard Revised Version "from whence he did also in a figure receive him back," the English Revised Version "in a parable"); metaschematizo, "to change the form or appearance," "to transfer figuratively" (1 Corinthians 4:6,"These things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos"; the Geneva version reads "I have figuratively described in my own person"). Paul is "substituting himself and Apollos for the teachers most in repute at Corinth that he might thus avoid personality." "Figure" is supplied in Ecclesiasticus 49:9, with en ombro, "He made mention of the enemies under the figure of the rain," the Revised Version (British and American) "He remembered the enemies in storm," margin "(Greek) rain."

The Revised Version (British and American) has "a figure" margin "an interpretation," for "the interpretation" (Proverbs 1:6; the word is melitsah, only here and Habakkuk 2:6, meaning properly what is involved and needs interpretation; in Habakkuk 2:6 it is translated "taunting proverb," the Revised Version, margin "riddle"); "figured stone" for "image of stone" (Leviticus 26:1); "figured stones" for "pictures" (Numbers 33:52).

W. L. Walker

Greek

5262. hupodeigma -- a figure, copy, example
... a figure, copy, example. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: hupodeigma
Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-od'-igue-mah) Short Definition: a figure, copy ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5262.htm - 6k

4976. schema -- figure, shape
... figure, shape. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: schema Phonetic Spelling:
(skhay'-mah) Short Definition: fashion, habit, form, appearance Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4976.htm - 7k

5179. tupos -- typically
... typically. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: tupos Phonetic Spelling:
(too'-pos) Short Definition: a figure, model, type Definition: (originally ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5179.htm - 7k

3902. parasemos -- marked amiss, marked at the side, marked with a ...
... Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: parasemos Phonetic Spelling:
(par-as'-ay-mos) Short Definition: marked with Definition: marked with; a figure- ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3902.htm - 6k

3850. parabole -- to expose oneself to danger
... necessarily). [For extensive notes and commentary on Jesus' "Kingdom-parables"
see 932 ().]. comparison, figure, parable, proverb. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3850.htm - 7k

1203. despotes -- lord, master
... 1203 (from , "husband") -- properly, an authority figure ("master") who
exercises complete jurisdiction (wields unrestricted power). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1203.htm - 7k

5481. charakter -- a tool for engraving
... From the same as charax; a graver (the tool or the person), ie (by implication)
engraving (("character"), the figure stamped, ie An exact copy or (figuratively ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5481.htm - 7k

4964. suschematizo -- to conform to
... mold). Word Origin from sun and schematizo (to assume a certain form, figure)
Definition to conform to NASB Word Usage conformed (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4964.htm - 7k

499. antitupos -- struck back, corresponding to
... representative, counterpart. Neuter of a compound of anti and tupos; corresponding
("antitype"), ie A representative, counterpart -- (like) figure (whereunto). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/499.htm - 7k

2158. euschemon -- comely
... 2158 (an adjective, derived from 2095 , "well, good" and 4976, "outward form, figure")
-- properly, of good form, well-fashioned and hence "seemly" (desirable ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2158.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

4906. maskith -- a showpiece, figure, imagination
... 4905b, 4906. maskith. 4907 . a showpiece, figure, imagination. Transliteration:
maskith Phonetic Spelling: (mas-keeth') Short Definition: images. ...
/hebrew/4906.htm - 6k

8403. tabnith -- construction, pattern, figure
... 8402, 8403. tabnith. 8404 . construction, pattern, figure. Transliteration:
tabnith Phonetic Spelling: (tab-neeth') Short Definition: likeness. ...
/hebrew/8403.htm - 6k

8561. timorah -- palm (tree) figure
... 8560, 8561. timorah. 8562 . palm (tree) figure. Transliteration: timorah
Phonetic Spelling: (tim-more') Short Definition: trees. ...
/hebrew/8561.htm - 6k

5566. semel -- an image, statue
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition an image, statue NASB Word
Usage figure (1), idol (4). figure, idol, image. Or cemel ...
/hebrew/5566.htm - 6k

4734. miqlaath -- carving
... carved figure, carving, graving. From qala'; a sculpture (probably in bas-relief) --
carved (figure), carving, graving. see HEBREW qala'. 4733, 4734. ...
/hebrew/4734.htm - 6k

4426. melitsah -- satire, a mocking poem
... 4425, 4426. melitsah. 4427 . satire, a mocking poem. Transliteration: melitsah
Phonetic Spelling: (mel-ee-tsaw') Short Definition: figure. ...
/hebrew/4426.htm - 6k

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

8404. Taberah -- "burning," a place in the desert
... Word Origin from baar Definition "burning," a place in the desert NASB Word Usage
Taberah (2). figure, form, likeness, pattern, similitude. ...
/hebrew/8404.htm - 6k

8389. toar -- outline, form
... be drawn, mark out. From ta'ar; outline, ie Figure or appearance -- + beautiful,
X comely, countenance, + fair, X favoured, form, X goodly, X resemble, visage. ...
/hebrew/8389.htm - 6k

6754. tselem -- an image
... From an unused root meaning to shade; a phantom, ie (figuratively) illusion,
resemblance; hence, a representative figure, especially an idol -- image, vain shew ...
/hebrew/6754.htm - 6k

Library

The Choice of Gideon was a Figure of Our Lord's Incarnation, The
... Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, on the Holy Spirit. To the Emperor Gratian. Book I. The
choice of Gideon was a figure of our Lord's Incarnation, the. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/the choice of gideon was.htm

Whether the Paschal Lamb was the Chief Figure of this Sacrament?
... OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the Paschal Lamb
was the chief figure of this sacrament? Objection 1: It ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the paschal lamb was.htm

That the Figure Synecdoche, in which the Part Stands for the Whole ...
... Book VI. Chapter XXIII. That the figure Synecdoche, in which the part stands
for the whole, is very familiar to the Holy Scripture. ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xxiii that the figure.htm

Joshua was a Figure of Christ.
... Chapter CXIII."Joshua was a figure of Christ. "What I mean is this. Jesus
(Joshua), as I have now frequently remarked, who was ...
/.../chapter cxiii joshua was a figure.htm

Noah is a Figure of Christ, who Has Regenerated us by Water, and ...
... Chapter CXXXVIII."Noah is a figure of Christ, who has regenerated us by
water, and faith, and wood: [ie, the cross.]. "You know ...
/.../chapter cxxxviii noah is a figure.htm

Fragment viii. Under the Figure of Egypt He Described the World...
... Part II."Dogmatical and Historical. Fragment VIII. Under the figure of
Egypt he described the world� Under the figure of Egypt ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/fragment viii under the figure.htm

Let the Doctor Figure to Himself the Gaudy Pageantry of a Divine ...
... Address 77: Let the doctor figure to himself the gaudy pageantry of a
divine high mass in� Let the doctor figure to himself the ...
/.../address 77 0 0 let the doctor.htm

A Natural Figure of Speech must not be Literally Pressed.
... A Treatise on the soul and its origin, Chapter 28."A Natural Figure of
Speech Must Not Be Literally Pressed. He goes on to remark ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 28 a natural figure of.htm

Figure, Image, Truth: Law, Grace, Glory; Man Created Immortal ...
... Discourse IX."Tusiane. Chapter II."Figure, Image, Truth: Law, Grace, Glory;
Man Created Immortal: Death Brought in by Destructive Sin. ...
/.../chapter ii figure image truth law.htm

God's Figure: Simon's Objection Therefrom Refuted.
... Homily XVII. Chapter VIII."God's Figure: Simon's Objection Therefrom Refuted.
"But ... everything? How can He be everywhere if He has figure? ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter viii gods figure simons objection.htm

Thesaurus

Figure (19 Occurrences)
... of any form, as by drawing, painting, modeling, carving, embroidering, etc.; especially,
a representation of the human body; as, a figure in bronze; a figure...
/f/figure.htm - 19k

Shape (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) To form or create; especially, to mold or
make into a particular form; to give proper form or figure to. ...
/s/shape.htm - 14k

Type (12 Occurrences)
... The Greek word tupos is rendered "print" (John 20:25), "figure" (Acts 7:43; Romans
5:14), "fashion" (Acts 7:44), "manner" (Acts 23:25), "form" (Romans 6:17 ...
/t/type.htm - 23k

Outline (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The line which marks the outer limits
of an object or figure; the exterior line or edge; contour. ...
/o/outline.htm - 8k

Wheel (20 Occurrences)
... broken at the cistern" in Ecclesiastes 12:6 is the windlass for drawing the water,
and by the figure the breakdown of the old man's breathing apparatus is ...
/w/wheel.htm - 18k

Fashion (24 Occurrences)
... fashion. 4. (n.) Mode of action; method of conduct; manner; custom; sort;
way. 5. (vt) To form; to give shape or figure to; to mold. 6 ...
/f/fashion.htm - 21k

Lake (45 Occurrences)
... When the same is affirmed of death and Hades (20:14), it is doubtful whether this
is meant as a mere figure for the cessation of these two evils personified ...
/l/lake.htm - 24k

Figurative (20 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Representing by a figure, or by resemblance; typical;
representative. ... See Figure, n., 2. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/f/figurative.htm - 12k

Ring (33 Occurrences)
... 16. (n.) A circular group of persons. 17. (n.) The plane figure included
between the circumferences of two concentric circles. 18. ...
/r/ring.htm - 24k

Eagle (27 Occurrences)
... of the genera Aquila and Haliaeetus. The eagle is remarkable for strength, size,
graceful figure, keenness of vision, and extraordinary flight. ...
/e/eagle.htm - 28k

Bible Concordance

Figure (19 Occurrences)

Mark 4:30 Another saying of His was this: "How are we to picture the Kingdom of God? or by what figure of speech shall we represent it?
(WEY)

Mark 7:17 After He had left the crowd and gone indoors, His disciples began to ask Him about this figure of speech.
(WEY)

John 7:4 For no one does anything in secret, and himself seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, reveal yourself to the world."
(See NIV)

John 10:6 Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they didn't understand what he was telling them.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

John 16:29 His disciples said to him, "Behold, now you speak plainly, and speak no figures of speech..
(Root in WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 7:44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he appointed who spake unto Moses, that he should make it according to the figure that he had seen.
(ASV YLT)

Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS)

1 Corinthians 4:6 Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to think beyond the things which are written, that none of you be puffed up against one another.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

Philippians 2:8 and having been found in figure as a man, humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, and that the death of the cross.
(DBY)

Hebrews 9:9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
(KJV WEY ASV WBS)

Hebrews 11:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
(KJV WEY DBY WBS)

Deuteronomy 4:16 Lest you corrupt yourselves, and make yourself an engraved image in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 1:6 To understand a proverb, and a figure, The words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
(ASV JPS NAS RSV)

Isaiah 44:13 The carpenter stretches out a line. He marks it out with a pencil. He shapes it with planes. He marks it out with compasses, and shapes it like the figure of a man, with the beauty of a man, to reside in a house.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV)

Lamentations 4:7 Her Nazarites were purer than snow, whiter than milk; they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their figure was as sapphire.
(DBY)

Ezekiel 1:26 Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and on the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above.
(See NAS NIV)

Ezekiel 8:3 And He putteth forth a form of a hand, and taketh me by a lock of my head, and lift me up doth a spirit between the earth and the heavens, and it bringeth me in to Jerusalem in visions of God, unto the opening of the inner gate that is facing the north, where 'is' the seat of the figure of jealousy that is making jealous,
(YLT)

Ezekiel 8:5 And He saith unto me, 'Son of man, lift up, I pray thee, thine eyes the way of the north.' And I lift up mine eyes the way of the north, and lo, on the north of the gate of the altar this figure of jealousy, at the entrance.
(YLT)

Subtopics

Figure

Related Terms

Shape (17 Occurrences)

Type (12 Occurrences)

Outline (4 Occurrences)

Wheel (20 Occurrences)

Fashion (24 Occurrences)

Lake (45 Occurrences)

Figurative (20 Occurrences)

Ring (33 Occurrences)

Eagle (27 Occurrences)