In the context of the Bible, the term "picture" can refer to various forms of imagery, both literal and metaphorical, used throughout Scripture to convey spiritual truths, historical events, and divine revelations. The use of pictures, whether in the form of physical images or vivid descriptions, plays a significant role in the biblical narrative and theological understanding.

Biblical Imagery and Symbolism

The Bible frequently employs imagery and symbolism to communicate deeper meanings. For instance, the prophetic books are rich with symbolic visions and pictures. In the book of Daniel, the prophet describes a vision of four great beasts, each representing different kingdoms (Daniel 7:3-7). Similarly, the book of Revelation is filled with vivid imagery, such as the vision of the Lamb and the scroll (Revelation 5:1-14).

Prohibition of Idolatrous Images

The Bible explicitly warns against the creation and worship of idolatrous images. The Second Commandment states, "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath" (Exodus 20:4). This commandment underscores the importance of worshiping God in spirit and truth, without reliance on physical representations.

Teaching and Parables

Jesus Christ often used parables, which are essentially word pictures, to teach spiritual truths. These accounts, such as the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9) and the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), paint vivid pictures in the minds of listeners, illustrating moral and spiritual lessons in a relatable manner.

Art and Worship

While the Bible prohibits the worship of images, it does not forbid the use of art in worship settings. The construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple included artistic designs, such as the cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:18-22) and the intricate carvings and decorations in Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 6:29). These artistic elements were intended to reflect the beauty and majesty of God’s creation and His dwelling place among His people.

Metaphorical Pictures of God

Scripture often uses metaphorical pictures to describe the nature and attributes of God. For example, God is depicted as a shepherd in Psalm 23:1, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" , and as a fortress in Psalm 18:2, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer" . These images help believers understand and relate to God’s character and His relationship with His people.

Conclusion

The use of pictures, both literal and metaphorical, in the Bible serves as a powerful tool for communication, teaching, and worship. Through imagery, God reveals His nature, His will, and His plan for humanity, inviting believers to engage with His Word on a deeper level.Picture

In two of the three passages in which "picture" is used in the Authorized Version it denotes idolatrous representations, either independent images or more usually stones "portrayed," i.e. sculptured in low relief, or engraved and colored. (Ezekiel 23:14) Layard, Nin. and Rob. ii. 306, 308. Moveable pictures, in the modern sense, were doubtless unknown to the Jews. The "pictures of silver" of (Proverbs 25:11) were probably well surfaces or cornices with carvings.

1. (n.) The art of painting; representation by painting.

2. (n.) A representation of anything (as a person, a landscape, a building) upon canvas, paper, or other surface, produced by means of painting, drawing, engraving, photography, etc.; a representation in colors. By extension, a figure; a model.

3. (n.) An image or resemblance; a representation, either to the eye or to the mind; that which, by its likeness, brings vividly to mind some other thing; as, a child is the picture of his father; the man is the picture of grief.

4. (v. t.) To draw or paint a resemblance of; to delineate; to represent; to form or present an ideal likeness of; to bring before the mind.

PICTURE

pik'-tur: This word (in the plural) is found 3 times in the King James Version, namely, Numbers 33:52 Isaiah 2:16 Proverbs 25:11. In Numbers and Proverbs "pictures" represents the Hebrew word maskith, "showpiece" "figure." The context in Numbers suggests that the "pictures" or "carved figures" (the Revised Version (British and American) "figured stones") which the Israelites were to destroy were symbols of Canaanite worship and therefore foreign to the religion of Yahweh. In Proverbs for the King James Version "pictures of silver," the English Revised Version has "baskets (the American Standard Revised Version "network") of silver," but a more probable translation is "carvings of silver." "Pictures" stands for a slightly different word (but from the same root) in Isaiah, namely, sekhuyoth; the Revised Version (British and American) renders "imagery" (the Revised Version margin "watchtowers"). The prophet probably alludes to carved figures (of gods in animal or human shapes) on the prows of vessels.

T. Lewis

878. aphron -- without reason, foolish
... 1 "without" and 5424 , "inner perspective as it regulates behavior") -- properly,
perspective because , ie lacking the "over-all picture" (perspective) needed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/878.htm - 7k

3666. homoioo -- to make like
... homoios Definition to make like NASB Word Usage become like (1), comparable (1),
compare (4), compared (4), like (2), made like (1), picture (1), resembled (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3666.htm - 7k

4994. sophronizo -- to recall one to his senses, admonish
... 4994 (literally "living in divine ") is moving in the "bigger picture" transforming
someone to be "radically-balanced" according to the Lord's will. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4994.htm - 8k

3956. pas -- all, every
... 3956 ("each, every") means "all" in the sense of "each (every) part that applies."
The emphasis of the total picture then is on "one piece at a time." 365 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3956.htm - 9k

2072. esoptron -- a mirror (ie an object for looking into)
... Ancient mirrors (merely made of ) only produced an image (reflection). So, to get
an accurate picture (reflection) the viewer had to look (""). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2072.htm - 7k

3309. merimnao -- to be anxious, to care for
... by sinful (). Positively, 3309 () is used of concern, in proper relation
to the picture (cf. 1 Cor 12:25; Phil 2:20). 3809 ( ) is ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3309.htm - 7k

7914. skiyah -- a Benjamite
... 7913, 7914. skiyah. 7914a . a Benjamite. Transliteration: skiyah Phonetic
Spelling: (sek-ee-yaw') Short Definition: picture. picture ...
/hebrew/7914.htm - 5k

4906. maskith -- a showpiece, figure, imagination
... 1), imaginations (1), settings (1). conceit, imagery, picture, wish. From
the same as Sekuw; a figure (carved on stone, the wall, or ...
/hebrew/4906.htm - 6k

The Genesis Picture.
... The Master Passion The Genesis Picture. ... Let us look a bit at the picture
of God sketched for us in this earliest page of revelation. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/the genesis picture.htm

A Composite Picture.
... Jesus' Habits of Prayer A Composite Picture. It may be helpful to make
the following summary of these allusions. 1. His times of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/a composite picture.htm

A Human Picture of God.
... The Master Passion A Human Picture of God. ... Do you know, I think that is the best
picture of God I have ever run across in any gallery of life? ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/a human picture of god.htm

The Earliest Calvary Picture.
... The Master Passion The Earliest Calvary Picture. ... But they have acknowledged its
love and power as beyond that of any other story or picture. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/the earliest calvary picture.htm

The Early Eden Picture.
... The Purpose in Jesus' Coming The Early Eden Picture. ... The old Book of God opens with
a picture that is fascinating in its simplicity and strength. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the early eden picture.htm

The Great vine Picture.
... IV Closer Wooing (Chapters xiii.-xvii.) The Great Vine Picture. Now
they're walking down the street, silently, the Master in the ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the great vine picture.htm

A Full-Length Picture in Colors.
... The Plan for Jesus' Coming A Full-length Picture in Colors. These are but the
beginnings. ... It is to them we must turn for the full-length picture. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/a full-length picture in colors.htm

The Burnt Offering a Picture and a Prophecy
... THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS THE BURNT OFFERING A PICTURE AND A PROPHECY. ... They were God's
picture-book for these children in religious development. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the burnt offering a picture.htm

Of his Picture Surmounted by a Cross and Having Beneath it a ...
... Book III. Chapter III."Of his Picture surmounted by a Cross and having
beneath it a Dragon. And besides this, he caused to be ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter iii of his picture surmounted.htm

A Dark Picture and a Bright Hope
... EPHESIANS A DARK PICTURE AND A BRIGHT HOPE. 'That ye ... in! Still further, the
words before us add another touch to this picture. They ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/a dark picture and a.htm

Picture (6 Occurrences)
... a representation, either to the eye or to the mind; that which, by its likeness,
brings vividly to mind some other thing; as, a child is the picture of his ...
/p/picture.htm - 10k

Image (126 Occurrences)
... or act, sculptured, drawn, painted, or otherwise made perceptible to the sight;
a visible presentation; a copy; a likeness; an effigy; a picture; a semblance. ...
/i/image.htm - 60k

Apollyon (1 Occurrence)
... He is the central figure in an ideal picture of evil forces represented as originating
in the world of lost spirits and allowed to operate destructively in ...
/a/apollyon.htm - 12k

Draw (212 Occurrences)
... or produce, as a line on any surface; hence, also, to form by marking; to make by
an instrument of delineation; to produce, as a sketch, figure, or picture. ...
/d/draw.htm - 41k

Writing (194 Occurrences)
... II. THE SYMBOLS 1. Object Writing 2. Image Writing 3. Picture Writing 4. Mnemonic
Writing 5. Phonetic Writing III. METHODS IV. INSTRUMENTS ...
/w/writing.htm - 70k

Alphabet (2 Occurrences)
... sounds or letters. It begins with the picture, passes to the ideogram and
syllable, and from the syllable to the letter. This is ...
/a/alphabet.htm - 24k

Pictured (26 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Picture. 2. (a.) Furnished with pictures; represented by a picture
or pictures; as, a pictured scene. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/p/pictured.htm - 15k

Type (12 Occurrences)
... A type, to be such in reality, must possess three well-defined qualities. (1) It
must be a true picture of the person or the thing it represents or prefigures. ...
/t/type.htm - 23k

Light (2869 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) Prosperity; happiness; joy; felicity. 11. (n.) The manner in which the
light strikes upon a picture; that part of a picture which represents those ...
/l/light.htm - 31k

Idea (64 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The transcript, image, or picture of a visible object, that is formed by
the mind; also, a similar image of any object whatever, whether sensible or ...
/i/idea.htm - 27k

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son? | GotQuestions.org

Is it wrong to have pictures of Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

Does the Bible teach mortal and venial sin? | GotQuestions.org

Picture: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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