Definition and Usage:
The term "sample" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept of a sample, as a representative part or a small quantity of something intended to show what the whole is like, can be related to various biblical principles and narratives. In Scripture, the idea of a sample can be seen in the context of examples, patterns, or firstfruits, which serve as a representation or foretaste of what is to come.

Biblical Examples:

1. Firstfruits:
The concept of firstfruits in the Bible can be seen as a type of sample. The Israelites were commanded to offer the firstfruits of their harvest to God as a sign of gratitude and acknowledgment of His provision. This offering was a sample of the entire harvest, symbolizing the dedication of the whole to God. In the New Testament, Christ is referred to as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep, indicating His resurrection as a sample and guarantee of the future resurrection of believers. "But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20).

2. Examples and Patterns:
The Bible often uses individuals and events as examples or patterns for instruction and warning. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently points to the experiences of the Israelites as samples for the Church to learn from. "Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come" (1 Corinthians 10:11). These examples serve as samples of behavior to emulate or avoid.

3. The Tabernacle and Temple:
The earthly tabernacle and later the temple served as a sample or shadow of the heavenly realities. The detailed instructions given to Moses for the construction of the tabernacle were a pattern of the heavenly sanctuary. "They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: 'See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain'" (Hebrews 8:5).

4. The Life of Jesus:
Jesus Christ's life and ministry serve as the ultimate sample for believers. His actions, teachings, and character provide a perfect example for Christians to follow. "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps" (1 Peter 2:21). His life is a sample of perfect obedience and love, setting a standard for His followers.

Theological Implications:

The concept of a sample in biblical terms often points to the idea of representation and foreshadowing. It underscores the importance of living examples and patterns that guide believers in their faith journey. The use of samples in Scripture highlights God's intentional design in using tangible, earthly representations to convey spiritual truths and promises. Through these samples, believers are encouraged to look forward to the fulfillment of God's promises and to live in a manner that reflects the character and purposes of God.1. (n.) Example; pattern.

2. (n.) A part of anything presented for inspection, or shown as evidence of the quality of the whole; a specimen; as, goods are often purchased by samples.

3. (v. t.) To make or show something similar to; to match.

4. (v. t.) To take or to test a sample or samples of; as, to sample sugar, teas, wools, cloths.

5296. hupotuposis -- an outline, sketch, fig. an example
... Transliteration: hupotuposis Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-ot-oop'-o-sis) Short Definition:
a pattern, example Definition: a pattern, example; a form, sample. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5296.htm - 6k

Christ, by Raising the Dead, Attested in a Practical Way the ...
... in a way which is inconsistent with His actual disposal of the thing; nay more,
from a fear that, since He was not powerful enough to show us a sample of the ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter xxxviii christ by raising the.htm

The Kingdom Foreshadowed
... The following is a sample of the first four speeches: Historical Introduction. ... Analyze
the argument of Chapters 3 and 4. The following is a sample: ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/i the kingdom foreshadowed.htm

List of Illustrations.
... THE SHRINE AND ALTAR OF MERCURIUS SOBRIUS 34. KANTHAROS IN THE COURT OF S. CAECILIA
39. SAMPLE OF A DRINKING-CUP 43. A GRANARY OF OSTIA 47. ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/list of illustrations.htm

David's Anger
... 'May they feel with Dathan and Abiram the damnation of Gehenna,' {285} is a fair
sample of the formulae which are found in the writings of men who, while they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon iii davids anger.htm

Preface
... Knox. A pretty sample of the sentiment of this party appears in a biography
(1905) of the Reformer by a minister of the Gospel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lang/john knox and the reformation/preface.htm

The Sunday Christian.
... home. A disposition to carp at professors of religion was manifested from
this time; the whole were judged by Rowley as a sample. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/the sunday christian.htm

Receiving Agents.
... Savannah, JCA Johnston. Augusta, Timothy Edwards. Riceboro', AH Sample. Wrightsboro',
Joseph Barnes, PM Bethsaida, Oliver Morse, PM Mount Zion, MH Carrington. ...
/.../leland/the national preacher vol 2 no 7 dec 1827/receiving agents.htm

Saving Faith.
... do." "Yes," said my son, "but what do you believe?" "Oh," he said, "I believe in
Jesus Christ, and of course I shall be saved." That is a sample of thousands. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter ii saving faith.htm

Verbal Inspiration
... and the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put My words in thy mouth" (Jer.1:9).
The above are only a sample of scores of similar passages which might be sighted ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter thirteen verbal inspiration .htm

Introduction.
... The opinion of one of the latest commentators on Daniel (Marti, T?�bingen,
1901, p. xx) may be taken as a fair sample of this view. ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/introduction.htm

Sample (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (vt) To take or to test a sample or samples of; as, to sample sugar, teas,
wools, cloths. Multi-Version Concordance Sample (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/sample.htm - 7k

Example (54 Occurrences)
... 10). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) One or a portion taken to show the
character or quality of the whole; a sample; a specimen. 2 ...
/e/example.htm - 26k

Say (11805 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp.) Saw. 2. (n.) Trial by sample; assay; sample;
specimen; smack. 3. (n.) Tried quality; temper; proof. ...
/s/say.htm - 7k

Furnish (8 Occurrences)
... for defense. 3. (n.) That which is furnished as a specimen; a sample; a supply.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FURNISH. fur'-nish ...
/f/furnish.htm - 11k

Taste (46 Occurrences)
... of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king and his lords, his wives and
his concubines, might drink therefrom" (Daniel 5:2). (b) "To sample," "to eat ...
/t/taste.htm - 59k

Ephesians (4 Occurrences)
... He speaks to the Ephesians as a type or sample of the church universal." The
church's foundations, its course, and its end, are his theme. ...
/e/ephesians.htm - 48k

Pattern (28 Occurrences)
... a machine. 2. (n.) A part showing the figure or quality of the whole; a
specimen; a sample; an example; an instance. 3. (n.) Stuff ...
/p/pattern.htm - 19k

Sampled (1 Occurrence)

/s/sampled.htm - 6k

Samothracia (1 Occurrence)

/s/samothracia.htm - 7k

Specimen (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A prime representative; a sample; as, a specimen
of a man's handwriting; a specimen of painting; a specimen of one's art; a part ...
/s/specimen.htm - 7k

Is carbon dating a reliable method for determining the age of things? | GotQuestions.org

What is inductive Bible study? | GotQuestions.org

How does radiometric dating fit with the view of a young earth? | GotQuestions.org

Sample: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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