The Bible contains many metaphors that enrich its meaning and impact. Here are some notable examples of metaphor from both the Old and New Testaments:
1. God as a Fortress or Strong Tower
Several verses use the metaphor of God being a fortress or strong tower, conveying the idea of God as a source of strength and protection:
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)
“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)
2. People as Sheep and God/Jesus as the Shepherd
One of the most common biblical metaphors is comparing people to sheep and God or Jesus as the shepherd. This evokes ideas of God’s guidance, provision, and care for His people:
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” (Psalm 23:1)
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
3. God’s Word as a Lamp or Light
God’s Word or wisdom is often compared to a lamp or light, representing how it shows the way and provides guidance:
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
4. The Church as the Body of Christ
A well-known metaphor, especially in the New Testament, is the Church as the body of Christ. This speaks to unity in diversity, interdependence, and shared purpose:
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)
5. God’s Judgment as Wine Being Poured Out
God’s wrath and judgment are depicted through the metaphor of wine being poured out into a cup for people to consume:
“Wake yourself, wake yourself, stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord the cup of his wrath, who have drunk to the dregs the bowl, the cup of staggering.” (Isaiah 51:17)
“The great day of the Lord is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there. A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness.” (Zephaniah 1:14-15)
6. God’s Word as Food or Sustenance
God’s Word is compared to food or bread that nourishes believers:
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” (1 Peter 2:2)
“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”” (Matthew 4:4)
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” (Jeremiah 15:16)
7. Satan as a Lion
Satan is metaphorically referred to as a lion, conveying ideas of power, ferocity, and destructive potential:
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
“The devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10)
8. Sin as Leprosy
The destructive and contagious effects of sin are captured through comparing it to leprosy:
“The leprosy of sin spreads inwardly in the heart and soul and outwardly in the conduct.”
“But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2)
9. Life as a Vapor
The fleeting nature of life is conveyed by the metaphor of vapor or breath:
“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:14)
“All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls.” (1 Peter 1:24)
10. Strength and Stability as a Rock
A rock represents solidity and firmness as an image of strength:
“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” (Isaiah 26:4)
“All his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:4)
11. Children as Arrows in a Quiver
Children are depicted as arrows in a quiver, emphasizing their potential might and direction:
“Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” (Psalm 127:5)
“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.” (Psalm 127:4)
12. A Wise Person as a Tree of Life
A tree of life represents the reviving and life-giving nature of wisdom:
“A wise person’s words bring healing like a life-giving tree, but a fool’s words crush the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4)
“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
13. Righteousness as Armor
Righteousness is portrayed as protective armor:
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.” (Ephesians 6:14)
“The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12)
14. A Hardened Heart as Stone
A metaphor for stubbornness against God is a hard heart depicted as stone:
“But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.” (Exodus 8:15)
“You shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall call to them, but they will not answer you. And you shall say to them, ‘This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord their God, and did not accept discipline; truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips.” (Jeremiah 7:27-28)
15. God’s Deliverance as an Eagle
God’s powerful deliverance and protection is mirrored by the imagery of an eagle:
“Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft.” (Deuteronomy 32:11)
“Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:30-31)
16. Endurance as Metals Refined in Fire
Persevering through trials is portrayed by metals like gold being refined and purified through fire:
“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried and chosen you in the furnace of affliction.” (Isaiah 48:10)
“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.” (Revelation 3:18)
17. God’s Judgment as Harvest Time
The time of God’s judgment and *retribution is depicted as a harvest:
“Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, ‘Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'”” (Matthew 13:30)
“He who sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.” (Proverbs 22:8)
18. The Tongue as a Fire
The powerful and destructive potential of speech is captured in the metaphor of the tongue as a fire:
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” (James 3:6)
“A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.” (Proverbs 16:27)
19. A Humble Heart as Low Ground
Humility is conveyed through the metaphor of low or level ground:
“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2)
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)
20. Life’s Trials as Refining Fire
The trials of life are purifying like a refining fire, burning away impurities:
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” (Job 23:10)
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (James 1:2-3)
These metaphors enrich the meaning of the biblical text, providing vivid imagery that captures complex theological truths. They showcase the artistry of the Bible writers while memorably imparting deeper significance.
The wide range of metaphors in the Bible – from pastoral to agricultural, architectural, familial, regal, and elemental – provide layered perspectives on the nature of God, humanity, sin, judgment, wisdom and other profound concepts. Their lasting resonance speaks to the masterful art of divine inspiration.