The term "figured" in the context of the Bible often refers to something that is represented or symbolized through imagery, parables, or typology. In Scripture, God frequently uses figurative language to convey deeper spiritual truths, allowing believers to gain insight into His divine nature and plan.

Figurative Language in Scripture

The Bible is rich with figurative language, including metaphors, similes, and allegories. These literary devices are used to illustrate complex spiritual realities in a way that is accessible and memorable. For example, Jesus often spoke in parables, using everyday situations to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 13:34-35 , it is written, "Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: 'I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.'"

Typology

Typology is a specific form of figurative language where an element found in the Old Testament is seen as a foreshadowing or "type" of a New Testament reality. For instance, the sacrificial system in the Old Testament is a type that points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:1 states, "The law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves."

Symbolism

Symbols are another form of figured language in the Bible. They are used to represent spiritual truths or divine realities. The Book of Revelation is particularly rich in symbolism, using vivid imagery to describe the end times and the ultimate victory of God. Revelation 1:12-16 describes a vision of Christ with symbolic elements: "I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest. The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire."

Imagery in Prophecy

Prophetic books in the Bible often employ figured language to convey messages from God. The prophets used vivid imagery to communicate warnings, judgments, and promises. For example, in Isaiah 40:31 , the renewal of strength is depicted through the imagery of an eagle: "But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint."

Understanding Figured Language

Interpreting figured language requires discernment and a thorough understanding of the cultural and historical context of the Bible. It is essential to recognize when language is meant to be taken figuratively rather than literally. This understanding helps believers grasp the full depth of God's message and apply it to their lives.

In summary, the use of figured language in the Bible serves to reveal divine truths, illustrate spiritual principles, and connect the Old and New Testaments through typology and symbolism. It enriches the biblical narrative and invites believers to explore the profound mysteries of their faith.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Figure.

2. (a.) Adorned with figures; marked with figures; as, figured muslin.

3. (a.) Not literal; figurative.

4. (a.) Free and florid; as, a figured descant. See Figurate, 3.

5. (a.) Indicated or noted by figures.

4906. maskith -- a showpiece, figure, imagination
... Word Origin from the same as sekvi Definition a showpiece, figure, imagination NASB
Word Usage carved images (1), figured (1), figured stones (1), imagination ...
/hebrew/4906.htm - 6k

2405. chatuboth -- dark-hued stuffs
... carved. Feminine passive participle of chatab; properly, a carving; hence, a tapestry
(as figured) -- carved. see HEBREW chatab. 2404, 2405. chatuboth. 2406 ...
/hebrew/2405.htm - 6k

6614. pethigil -- perhaps an expensive robe
... stomacher. Of uncertain derivation; probably a figured mantle for holidays --
stomacher. 6613, 6614. pethigil. 6615 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6614.htm - 6k

Psalm LX.
... 1. David the king was one man, but not one man he figured; sometimes to wit he figured
the Church of many men consisting, extended even unto the ends of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lx.htm

How that after the Likeness of Moses, of Bezaleel, and of Aaron ...
... and of Aaron meddling them about the Ark of the Testament, we profit on three manners
in this grace of contemplation, for this grace is figured in that Ark. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the three and 6.htm

Blessed is He who Atoned Your Sins, that Ye Might Receive his Body ...
... 2. There are shown in these rods similitudes,"and in the sheep, parables."The Cross
in the rods is figured, and in the sheep the souls of men."His wood ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn vii blessed is he.htm

Hymns on the Nativity. Hymn i. This is the Day that Gladdened Them ...
... The type that the Holy Ghost figured to-day its meaning was [explained.] He
came up as a root before Him, as a root of parched ground. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymns on the nativity hymn.htm

Chapter twenty-two
... Then there came suddenly upon the scene two other characters who had already figured
in the play, a tall, handsome, athletic gentleman dressed in the fashion ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-two.htm

That Some May not Come to Feel the Perfection of this Work but in ...
... Ensample of the first we have by Moses, and of this other by Aaron the priest of
the Temple: for why, this grace of contemplation is figured by the Ark of the ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the one and 6.htm

Blessed be He that Blots Out in Water Misdeeds that are Without ...
... In Eden and in the world, are parables of our Lord;"and what tongue can gather,
the similitudes of His mysteries?"for He is figured all of Him in all things ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn iv blessed be he.htm

The Brazen Serpent and the Golden Cherubim were not violations of ...
... [2966] I say nothing of what was figured by this cure. [2967] Thus, too,
the golden Cherubim and Seraphim were purely an ornament ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxii the brazen serpent and.htm

The Perat?? Derive their System from the Astrologers; this Proved ...
... The stars, looking on one another, are figured according to (the shape of [466] )
a triangle, having an intervening distance of the extent of three zodiacal ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter viii the peratae derive their.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John i. 48,"When Thou Wast under the ...
... A man's dream would not have been recorded, had not some great mystery been figured
in it, had not some great prophecy been to be understood in that vision. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxii on the words.htm

Figured (4 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Figure. 2. (a.) Adorned with figures; marked with figures; as, figured
muslin. ... 4. (a.) Free and florid; as, a figured descant. See Figurate, 3. ...
/f/figured.htm - 8k

Figure (19 Occurrences)
... chords. 22. (n.) To embellish. 23. (vt) To make a figure; to be distinguished
or conspicuous; as, the envoy figured at court. 24. (vt ...
/f/figure.htm - 19k

Imagery (5 Occurrences)
... is elsewhere in the King James Version translated "image" (of stone) (Leviticus
26:1, the Revised Version (British and American) "figured stone"), "pictures ...
/i/imagery.htm - 10k

Embroidery (12 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 16:10 And I clothe thee with embroidery, And I shoe thee with badger's skin,
And I gird thee with fine linen, And I cover thee with figured silk. (YLT). ...
/e/embroidery.htm - 13k

Carved (36 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 26:1 Ye shall make yourselves no idols, neither rear you up for yourselves
carved image, or statue, nor shall ye set up a figured stone in your land ...
/c/carved.htm - 17k

Idols (186 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 26:1 "'You shall make for yourselves no idols, neither shall you raise
up an engraved image or a pillar, neither shall you place any figured stone in ...
/i/idols.htm - 37k

Lotus (2 Occurrences)
... Nymphaea Lotus and N. caerulea, the respectively white-flowered and blue-flowered
lotus of modern Egypt, which, with Nelumbium speciosum, are figured on its ...
/l/lotus.htm - 8k

Greyhound (1 Occurrence)
... It is one of the oldest varieties known, and is figured on the Egyptian monuments.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GREYHOUND. gra'-hound. See DOG. ...
/g/greyhound.htm - 7k

Figurehead (1 Occurrence)

/f/figurehead.htm - 6k

Engraved (62 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 26:1 "'You shall make for yourselves no idols, neither shall you raise
up an engraved image or a pillar, neither shall you place any figured stone in ...
/e/engraved.htm - 26k

What does diadem mean in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Balaam in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

How should a Christian view tradition? | GotQuestions.org

Figured: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus