In biblical terms, the concept of "portray" involves the depiction or representation of ideas, events, or individuals through various means, such as words, images, or actions. This concept is significant in understanding how biblical narratives and teachings are communicated and internalized by believers.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of portrayal is often linked to the use of imagery and symbolism. The prophets frequently used vivid imagery to convey God's messages to the people of Israel. For example, in Ezekiel 4:1, the prophet is instructed to portray the siege of Jerusalem on a clay tablet: "Now you, son of man, take a brick, place it before you, and draw on it the city of Jerusalem." This act of portrayal serves as a visual prophecy, illustrating the impending judgment and siege that Jerusalem would face.

The use of imagery and portrayal is also evident in the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple, where specific designs and symbols were used to represent spiritual truths and divine presence. The cherubim, lampstands, and other elements were not merely decorative but served to portray deeper theological meanings about God's holiness and covenant with His people.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, portrayal takes on a more personal and incarnational dimension with the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The Gospels portray Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the embodiment of God's Word. In John 1:14, it is written, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Here, the portrayal of Jesus is not just in words but in His very being and actions, revealing God's character and plan for salvation.

The Apostle Paul also uses the concept of portrayal in his epistles. In Galatians 3:1, he writes, "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes, Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified." Paul emphasizes that the portrayal of Christ's crucifixion was so vivid and clear in his preaching that it should have been as if the Galatians had witnessed it themselves. This underscores the power of the Gospel message to convey the reality of Christ's sacrifice.

Theological Implications

Theologically, portrayal in the Bible serves to bridge the gap between the divine and human understanding. Through the use of symbols, narratives, and the incarnation of Christ, God communicates His truths in ways that are accessible and relatable to humanity. This portrayal invites believers to engage with the Scriptures not just intellectually but experientially, allowing the truths of the Bible to shape their lives and faith.

In the broader Christian tradition, the concept of portrayal extends to the use of art, music, and liturgy as means of expressing and experiencing the divine. These forms of portrayal continue to play a vital role in worship and spiritual formation, helping believers to visualize and internalize the truths of their faith.1. (v. t.) To paint or draw the likeness of; as, to portray a king on horseback.

2. (v. t.) Hence, figuratively, to describe in words.

3. (v. t.) To adorn with pictures.

4270. prographo -- to write before
... prog-raf'-o) Short Definition: I write previously Definition: (a) I write previously
(aforetime); I write above (already), (b) I depict or portray openly, (c ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4270.htm - 6k2710. chaqaq -- to cut in, inscribe, decree
... ruler's staff (1), scepter (3). appoint, decree, governor, grave, lawgiver,
note, portray, print,. A primitive root; properly, to ...
/hebrew/2710.htm - 6k

Of the First Secondary Power, Imagination by Name; and of the ...
... IMAGINATION is a power through the which we portray all images of absent and present
things, and both it and the thing that it worketh in be contained in the ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the five and 5.htm

On the Creation of the World
... of this seventh day after the principle of all matters pertaining to the number
of seven; and as far as I shall be able, I will endeavour to portray the day of ...
/.../victorinus/on the creation of the world/on the creation of the.htm

What is the Divine Gloom?
... But, if the Divine initiations are above such, what would any one say respecting
those still more uninitiated, such as both portray the Cause exalted above all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dionysius/mystic theology/caput i what is the.htm

Introduction.
... the infinite love and sacrifice of the Saviour than the enduring labors and tenderness
of a shepherd, so nothing here below could better portray the multiple ...
//christianbookshelf.org/callan/the shepherd of my soul/introduction.htm

Preface
... Preface. The aim of this book is to help thoughtful readers of the gospels to discern
more clearly the features of him whom those writings inimitably portray. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/preface.htm

A Knowledge of God
... Let your imagination picture the home of the saved, and remember that it will
be more glorious than your brightest imagination can portray. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 10 a knowledge of.htm

Preface
... 1. It is indeed always worth while to portray the illustrious lives of the saints,
that they may serve as a mirror and an example, and give, as it were, a ...
/.../lawlor/st bernard of clairvauxs life of st malachy of armagh/preface.htm

The Marvelous Influence of the Bible Declares Its Super-Human ...
... Take down from off the walls of our best Art Galleries those pictures which portray
scenes and incidents in the history of Israel and the life of our Lord and ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter eight the marvelous influence.htm

Of the Prodigal Son.
... the sequel arrange for the Christian sinner, in the person of the younger son, to
obtain pardon, unless in the person of the elder they first portray the Jewish ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter viii of the prodigal son.htm

The Shipwreck of Pilate
... this moment, when Jesus came forth, bleeding from the cruel stripes and wearing
the purple robe and crown of thorns, as the one in which to portray the Man of ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter viii the shipwreck of.htm

Portray (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To paint or draw the likeness of; as, to portray
a king on horseback. ... Multi-Version Concordance Portray (3 Occurrences). ...
/p/portray.htm - 7k

Represent (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To portray by pictorial or plastic art; to delineate; as, to represent
a landscape in a picture, a horse in bronze, and the like. ...
/r/represent.htm - 10k

Portrait (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Hence, any graphic or vivid delineation or description of a person; as,
a portrait in words. 3. (vt) To portray; to draw. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/p/portrait.htm - 7k

Job (60 Occurrences)
... The patriarchal conditions, wherein the family is the social and communal unit,
enable him to portray worship and conduct in their primal elements: religious ...
/j/job.htm - 62k

Wings (81 Occurrences)
... Sometimes the wings of a stork are used to portray strong flight, as in the vision
of Zechariah: "Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there came ...
/w/wings.htm - 34k

Worship (332 Occurrences)
... atsabh, "carve," "fabricate," "fashion," is once given "worship," ie "make (an object
of) worship" (Jeremiah 44:19, the American Revised Version margin "portray...
/w/worship.htm - 66k

Inscribe (3 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV). Ezekiel 4:1 You also, son of man, take a tile, and lay
it before yourself, and portray on it a city, even Jerusalem: (See NAS). ...
/i/inscribe.htm - 7k

Flatter (5 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To portray too favorably; to give a too favorable idea of; as, his portrait
flatters him. 7. (vi) To use flattery or insincere praise. ...
/f/flatter.htm - 8k

Fancy (1 Occurrence)
... something without proof. 8. (vi) To love. 9. (vt) To form a conception
of; to portray in the mind; to imagine. 10. (vt) To have ...
/f/fancy.htm - 8k

Trace (7 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 4:1 Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee,
and portray upon it a city, even Jerusalem: (See JPS). ...
/t/trace.htm - 10k

What were the Shammaite and Hillelite interpretations of Jewish Law? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from the tribe of Issachar? | GotQuestions.org

Was Jesus white? | GotQuestions.org

Portray: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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