In biblical literature, symbols are objects, actions, or events that represent deeper spiritual truths or concepts. They serve as a means of communication between God and humanity, often conveying complex ideas in a more understandable form. Symbols are prevalent throughout the Bible, providing insight into God's nature, His relationship with humanity, and His divine plan.

Old Testament Symbols

1. The Ark of the Covenant: The Ark is a central symbol in the Old Testament, representing God's presence among His people. It contained the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna (Hebrews 9:4). The Ark was housed in the Holy of Holies, signifying God's holiness and the covenant between God and Israel.

2. The Tabernacle and Temple: These structures symbolize God's dwelling place among His people. The detailed instructions for their construction (Exodus 25-31) reflect the order and holiness required to approach God. The Tabernacle and Temple also foreshadow the coming of Christ, who is the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity.

3. The Sacrificial System: Sacrifices in the Old Testament symbolize atonement and reconciliation with God. The shedding of blood, as seen in the sin offerings, points to the necessity of a substitute to bear the penalty of sin, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:22).

4. The Passover Lamb: The Passover lamb is a symbol of deliverance and redemption. During the Exodus, the blood of the lamb protected the Israelites from the plague of the firstborn (Exodus 12:13). This symbol finds its fulfillment in Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

New Testament Symbols

1. Baptism: Baptism symbolizes the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It represents the washing away of sin and the believer's new life in Christ (Romans 6:3-4).

2. The Lord's Supper: Also known as Communion, this rite symbolizes the body and blood of Christ, given for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus instituted it as a memorial of His sacrifice (Luke 22:19-20). It serves as a reminder of the New Covenant and the unity of believers in Christ.

3. The Cross: The cross is the central symbol of Christianity, representing the sacrificial death of Jesus for the redemption of humanity. It is a symbol of suffering, love, and victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 1:18).

4. The Good Shepherd: Jesus uses the symbol of the shepherd to describe His relationship with His followers. As the Good Shepherd, He lays down His life for the sheep, providing guidance, protection, and care (John 10:11-14).

Apocalyptic Symbols

The books of Daniel and Revelation are rich with symbolic imagery, often depicting future events and spiritual realities. These symbols require careful interpretation, often drawing on Old Testament imagery and themes.

1. The Beast: In Revelation, the beast symbolizes oppressive political powers and false religious systems that oppose God and persecute His people (Revelation 13:1-10).

2. The New Jerusalem: This symbol represents the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to dwell with His people. It is a vision of the eternal state, where God and humanity are united in perfect harmony (Revelation 21:1-4).

3. The Tree of Life: Found in both Genesis and Revelation, the Tree of Life symbolizes eternal life and the restoration of paradise lost through sin (Revelation 22:2).

Symbols in the Bible serve as powerful tools for teaching and understanding spiritual truths. They invite believers to explore the depths of God's revelation and to live in light of His eternal purposes.1. (n.) A visible sign or representation of an idea; anything which suggests an idea or quality, or another thing, as by resemblance or by convention; an emblem; a representation; a type; a figure; as, the lion is the symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience.

2. (n.) Any character used to represent a quantity, an operation, a relation, or an abbreviation.

3. (n.) An abstract or compendium of faith or doctrine; a creed, or a summary of the articles of religion.

4. (n.) That which is thrown into a common fund; hence, an appointed or accustomed duty.

5. (n.) Share; allotment.

6. (n.) An abbreviation standing for the name of an element and consisting of the initial letter of the Latin or New Latin name, or sometimes of the initial letter with a following one; as, C for carbon, Na for sodium (Natrium), Fe for iron (Ferrum), Sn for tin (Stannum), Sb for antimony (Stibium), etc. See the list of names and symbols under Element.

7. (v. t.) To symbolize.

2768. keras -- a horn
... Spelling: (ker'-as) Short Definition: a horn Definition: (a) a horn, (b) a
horn-like projection at the corner of an altar, (c) a horn as a symbol of power. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2768.htm - 6k

4561. sarx -- flesh
... stripped of the skin), ie (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension)
the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4561.htm - 8k

4716. stauros -- an upright stake, hence a cross (the Rom. ...
... 38, 16:24, etc.). The represents unspeakable pain, humiliation and suffering --
and ironically is also symbol of ! At , Jesus won ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4716.htm - 8k

2463. iris -- a rainbow
... rainbow. Perhaps from ereo (as a symbol of the female messenger of the pagan deities);
a rainbow ("iris") -- rainbow. see GREEK ereo. (iris) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2463.htm - 6k

4735. stephanos -- that which surrounds, ie a crown
... From an apparently primary stepho (to twine or wreathe); a chaplet (as a badge of
royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally; but more ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4735.htm - 7k

5557. chrusos -- gold
... Cognate: 5557 (a noun) -- , used also as a symbol of (" acquisition"). See 5553 ().
Word Origin a prim. word Definition gold NASB Word Usage gold (9). gold. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5557.htm - 6k

896. Baal -- Baal, a Canaanite deity
... Baal. Of Hebrew origin (Ba'al); Baal, a Phoenician deity (used as a symbol of idolatry) --
Baal. see HEBREW Ba'al. (baal) -- 1 Occurrence. 895, 896. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/896.htm - 6k

290. ampelon -- a vineyard
... 20:16). M. Vincent, "The vine was a symbol of the ancient () in the OT.
See Hos 10:1; Mt 21:33,34; Lk 13:6" (, 489). Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/290.htm - 7k

3850b. parabole -- a placing beside, a comparison
... Word Origin from paraballo Definition a placing beside, a comparison NASB Word Usage
parable (31), parables (16), proverb (1), symbol (1), type (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3850b.htm - 5k

4666. smurna -- myrrh (used as an ointment and for embalming)
... Definition: myrrh Definition: myrrh. 4666 -- myrrh; a perfume used as
and the symbol of . . because it ! Word Origin of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4666.htm - 6k

3380. Yerubbesheth -- "shame will contend," a name of Gideon
... Jerubbesheth, a symbol. From riyb and bosheth; shame (ie The idol) will contend;
Jerubbesheth, a symbol. Name for Gideon: see HEBREW riyb. see HEBREW bosheth. ...
/hebrew/3380.htm - 6k

3882. Livyathan -- "serpent," a sea monster or dragon
... animal, ie A serpent (especially the crocodile or some other large sea- monster);
figuratively, the constellation of the dragon; also as a symbol of Bab. ...
/hebrew/3882.htm - 6k

5275. naal -- a sandal, shoe
... A sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or
of something valueless) -- dryshod, (pair of) shoe((-latchet), -s). ...
/hebrew/5275.htm - 6k

6255. Ashteroth Qarnayim -- "Ashtaroth of the double horns," a ...
... From Ashtarowth and the dual of qeren; Ashtaroth of (the) double horns (a symbol
of the deity); Ashteroth-Karnaim, a place East of the Jordan -- Ashtoreth ...
/hebrew/6255.htm - 6k

3378. Yerubbaal -- "let Baal contend," a name of Gideon
... Jerubbaal. From riyb and Ba'al; Baal will contend; Jerubbaal, a symbol. Name of
Gideon -- Jerubbaal. see HEBREW riyb. see HEBREW Ba'al. 3377, 3378. ...
/hebrew/3378.htm - 6k

4159. mopheth -- a wonder, sign, portent
... Origin from an unused word Definition a wonder, sign, portent NASB Word Usage marvel
(1), marvels (3), miracle (1), miracles (1), sign (8), symbol (1), token (1 ...
/hebrew/4159.htm - 6k

3819. Lo Ruchamah -- "without compassion," symbolic name of ...
... Lo-ruhamah. From lo' and racham; not pitied; Lo- Ruchamah, the symbol. Name of a
son of Hosea -- Lo-ruhamah. see HEBREW lo'. see HEBREW racham. 3818, 3819. ...
/hebrew/3819.htm - 6k

170. Oholah -- "she who has a tent," a symbolic name for Samaria
... Aholah. In form a feminine of 'ohel, but in fact for.Oholahh {o-hol-aw'}; from
'ohel; her tent (ie Idolatrous sanctuary); Oholah, a symbol. ...
/hebrew/170.htm - 6k

3484. Yeshurun -- "upright one," poetic name for Isr.
... NASB Word Usage Jeshurun (4). Jeshurun. From yashar; upright; Jeshurun, a symbol.
Name for Israel -- Jeshurun. see HEBREW yashar. 3483, 3484. Yeshurun. 3485 ...
/hebrew/3484.htm - 6k

8347. Sheshak -- a name for Bab.
... NASB Word Usage Sheshach (1), Sheshak (1). Sheshach. Of foreign derivation; Sheshak,
a symbol. Name of Babylon -- Sheshach. 8346, 8347. Sheshak. 8348 . ...
/hebrew/8347.htm - 5k

Description of the Symbol of the Hands among the Manich??ans.
... Chapter 17. "Description of the Symbol of the Hands Among the Manich??ans.
54. We must now notice and discuss the symbol of the hands. ...
/.../chapter 17 name of the.htm

The Value of the Symbol of the Mouth among the Manich??ans, who ...
... On the Morals of the Manich??ans. Chapter 11. "The Value of the Symbol of the Mouth
Among the Manich??ans, Who are Found Guilty of Blaspheming God. 20. ...
/.../chapter 11 name value of.htm

Of the Symbol of the Breast, and of the Shameful Mysteries of the ...
... On the Morals of the Manich??ans. Chapter 18. "Of the Symbol of the Breast,
and of the Shameful Mysteries of the Manich??ans. 65. ...
/.../chapter 18 name the symbol.htm

Symbol of the Creature; and of Spirit; and of the Different Orders ...
... Book IV. Chapter XLIX."Symbol of the Creature; And of Spirit; And of the
Different Orders of Animals. But Aratus says, near this ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xlix symbol of the creature.htm

Another Mode of Interpreting the Symbol of Wheat and Barley.
... THE FIRST PART Another mode of interpreting the symbol of Wheat and Barley.
It is possible that these allusions to wheat and barley ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/another mode of interpreting the.htm

An Abortive Symbol against Syncretism, 1655.
... AN ABORTIVE SYMBOL AGAINST SYNCRETISM, 1655. ... With the death of Calovius the controversy
died out, and his symbol was buried beyond the hope of a resurrection. ...
/.../ 49 an abortive symbol.htm

On the Arian Symbol "Unoriginate. " this Term Afterwards Adopted ...
... Chapter VII."On the Arian Symbol "Unoriginate." This term afterwards adopted
by them; and why; three senses of it. A fourth sense. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter vii on the arian symbol.htm

Whether the Articles of Faith are Appropriately Set Forth in a ...
... Article Nine Whether the Articles of Faith are appropriately Set Forth in a Symbol.
Whether the Articles of Faith are appropriately Set Forth in a Symbol ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article nine whether the articles.htm

Whether it is for the Chief Pontiff to Draw up the Symbol of the ...
... Article Ten Whether it is for the Chief Pontiff to Draw Up the Symbol of the Faith.
Whether it is for the Chief Pontiff to Draw Up the Symbol of the Faith ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/nature and grace/article ten whether it is.htm

Whether it is Suitable for the Articles of Faith to be Embodied in ...
... TREATISE ON THE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES (QQ -46)OF FAITH (TEN ARTICLES) Whether it is
suitable for the articles of faith to be embodied in a symbol? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is suitable for.htm

Symbol (8 Occurrences)
... an idea or quality, or another thing, as by resemblance or by convention; an emblem;
a representation; a type; a figure; as, the lion is the symbol of courage ...
/s/symbol.htm - 9k

Darkness (177 Occurrences)
... Darkness (Isaiah 13:9, 10; Matthew 24:29) also is a symbol of the judgments
that attend on the coming of the Lord. It is a symbol...
/d/darkness.htm - 41k

Asherah (40 Occurrences)
... Ishtar. Its symbol was the stem of a tree deprived of its boughs, and rudely
shaped into an image, and planted in the ground. Such ...
/a/asherah.htm - 24k

Code (6 Occurrences)
... The unprovable charge of sorcery is dealt with in an especially interesting manner
(section symbol 2). The accused in this case has to submit to an ordeal at ...
/c/code.htm - 40k

Immersion
... Triune immersion is the symbol of baptism into the Triune God. All believers
in the Trinity should see the consistency of this symbol. ...
/i/immersion.htm - 14k

Trine
... Triune immersion is the symbol of baptism into the Triune God. All believers
in the Trinity should see the consistency of this symbol. ...
/t/trine.htm - 14k

Triune
... Triune immersion is the symbol of baptism into the Triune God. All believers
in the Trinity should see the consistency of this symbol. ...
/t/triune.htm - 13k

Palm (49 Occurrences)
... 7:7), "upright" (Jeremiah 10:5). Its branches are a symbol of victory (Revelation
7:9). "Rising with slender stem 40 or 50, at times even 80, feet aloft, its ...
/p/palm.htm - 35k

Cross (157 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The sign or mark of the cross, made with the finger, or in ink, etc., or
actually represented in some material; the symbol of Christ's death; the ...
/c/cross.htm - 50k

Feet (2931 Occurrences)
... from louo, "to bathe entire body") needeth not save to wash (niptein-"to wash a
part of the body") his feet." Jesus was not instituting a new symbol to take ...
/f/feet.htm - 17k

What is the meaning of the Chi-Rho symbol? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Christian fish symbol mean (ixthus / icthus)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the ankh symbol? | GotQuestions.org

Symbol: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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