The concept of resemblance in the Bible often pertains to the likeness or similarity between individuals, objects, or spiritual truths. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both physical and spiritual parallels that convey deeper theological meanings.

Creation and the Image of God

The foundational instance of resemblance in the Bible is found in the creation narrative. Genesis 1:26-27 states, "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness... So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.'" This passage highlights humanity's unique resemblance to God, not in physical form, but in spiritual and moral capacities, such as rationality, relationality, and dominion over creation.

Christ as the Image of God

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is described as the ultimate representation of God. Colossians 1:15 declares, "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Here, Christ embodies the perfect resemblance of God, revealing His nature and character to humanity. This resemblance is not merely external but intrinsic, as Jesus is both fully God and fully man.

Believers Conformed to Christ's Image

The resemblance theme extends to the transformative process believers undergo. Romans 8:29 states, "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers." This verse underscores the spiritual journey of Christians being molded into the likeness of Christ, reflecting His character and virtues.

Moral and Ethical Resemblance

The Bible also addresses the moral and ethical resemblance between individuals and their actions. In Ephesians 5:1-2 , Paul exhorts believers, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God." This call to imitation is a call to resemble God's love and holiness in daily conduct.

Resemblance in Parables and Teachings

Jesus frequently used parables to illustrate spiritual truths through resemblance. For instance, in Matthew 13:31-32 , the kingdom of heaven is likened to a mustard seed, which, though small, grows into a large tree. Such parables use familiar images to convey the nature and growth of God's kingdom, drawing on the concept of resemblance to make complex truths accessible.

Warnings Against Negative Resemblance

Scripture also warns against resembling the world or sinful behaviors. Romans 12:2 advises, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This admonition highlights the danger of adopting worldly patterns and encourages believers to pursue a life that reflects God's will and righteousness.

Conclusion

The theme of resemblance in the Bible serves as a powerful tool for understanding human identity, the nature of Christ, and the ethical and spiritual transformation expected of believers. Through various narratives and teachings, Scripture calls individuals to reflect God's image, embody Christ's character, and resist conformity to worldly standards.2215. zizanion -- zizanium (a kind of darnel resembling wheat)
... dziz-an'-ee-on) Short Definition: spurious wheat, darnel Definition: spurious wheat,
darnel; a plant that grows in Palestine which resembles wheat in many ways ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2215.htm - 6k

1504. eikon -- an image, ie lit. statue, fig. representation
... 2 Cor 4:4; Col 1:15). "1504 () , of which it not merely resembles, but from
which " (R. Trench). 1504 () then is more than a "shadow ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1504.htm - 7k

Christ's Sermon on the Mount in Manner and Contents it So ...
... Chapter XIV."Christ's Sermon on the Mount In Manner and Contents It So
Resembles the Creator's Dispensational Words and Deeds. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xiv christs sermon on the.htm

Further Explanation of the Same Subject; Explains this Prayer. The ...
... 1. The spiritual espousals.2. The prayer of union resembles a betrothal.3. Before
the spiritual nuptials temptations are dangerous.4. The great good done by ...
/.../the interior castle or the mansions/chapter iv further explanation of.htm

The Epistle to the Ephesians.
... 18). The pneumatology of Ephesians resembles that of John, as the christology
of Colossians resembles the christology of John. It ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 95 the epistle to.htm

His Dictum that the Manner of the Likeness must Follow the Manner ...
... But if so, he ought to have declared that the child is like the parent, not that
the "manner of the likeness" resembles the "manner of the generation." But this ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 32 his dictum that.htm

Of the Way of Error and of Truth: that it is Single, Narrow, and ...
... For as that way of wisdom contains something which resembles folly, as we showed
in the preceding book, so this way, which belongs altogether to folly ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap vii of the way of.htm

Pythagoras' Astronomic System.
... of Plato. For the sun (being of the nature of) fire, [670] resembles the
soul, but the earth (resembles the) body. And, separated ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxiii pythagoras astronomic system.htm

The Persecution which Occurred at Antioch, on the Orontes. The ...
... 5; Soc. iv. 17, 18. Soz. resembles Soc. in both incidents. Soc. resembles Ruf. in
the Edessa story; neither mention the prefect's name, as does Soz. Philost. ...
/.../chapter xviii the persecution which occurred.htm

Wesley in the Isle of Man
... Douglas exceedingly resembles Newlyn in Cornwall both in its situation, form, and
buildings; only it is much larger and has a few houses equal to most in ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley in the isle of.htm

How Holy Charity Produces the Love of Our Neighbour.
... see a neighbour who is created to the image and likeness of God, ought we not to
say one to another: Observe and see this creature, how he resembles the Creator ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xi how holy charity.htm

The Epistle to the Colossians.
... the birthplace of the lame slave Epictetus, who, with Seneca and Marcus Aurelius,
ranks among the first heathen moralists, and so closely resembles the lofty ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 94 the epistle to.htm

Resembles (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Resembles (3 Occurrences). ... With the Lord one day resembles
a thousand years and a thousand years resemble one day. (WEY). ...
/r/resembles.htm - 7k

Eye (145 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) That which resembles the organ of sight, in form, position, or appearance. ...
16. (n.) That which resembles the eye in relative importance or beauty. 17. ...
/e/eye.htm - 54k

Ezranehemiah
... The Hebrew closely resembles that of Daniel, Haggai and Chronicles, much more so
than it does that of Ecclesiasticus, which was written probably about 180 BC ...
/e/ezranehemiah.htm - 22k

Ezra-nehemiah
... The Hebrew closely resembles that of Daniel, Haggai and Chronicles, much more so
than it does that of Ecclesiasticus, which was written probably about 180 BC ...
/e/ezra-nehemiah.htm - 22k

Resembling (19 Occurrences)

/r/resembling.htm - 12k

Resembled (18 Occurrences)

/r/resembled.htm - 12k

Philistines (224 Occurrences)
... and 727 BC, Tiglath-pileser attacked the Pilisti, and mentions a king of Ashkelon
named Mitinti ("my gift"), and his son Rukufti whose name resembles that of ...
/p/philistines.htm - 75k

Joseph (248 Occurrences)
... This story in its essential elements much resembles the Joseph story. But
such events as it records are common: why not such stories? ...
/j/joseph.htm - 91k

Zerah (22 Occurrences)
... The name "Zerah" is a "very likely corruption" of "Usarkon" (U-Serak-on), which
it closely resembles (see Petrie, Egypt and Israel, 74), and most writers now ...
/z/zerah.htm - 19k

Kenites (8 Occurrences)
... Balaam, seeing them from the heights of Moab; puns upon their name, which resembles
the Hebrew ken, "a nest," prophesying their destruction although their nest ...
/k/kenites.htm - 13k

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