The Bible contains different types of literature, including historical narratives, poetry, prophecy, and letters. Among these different genres, allegory can also be found in places throughout Scripture.
What is allegory? Allegory is a literary device in which people, places, and events represent abstract ideas or principles. In allegory, the literal sense suggests a secondary symbolic meaning.
Here are some examples of potential allegory in the Bible:
The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:4-15)
In the Parable of the Sower, a sower sowing seed represents Jesus and his preaching of the gospel. The different types of ground the seed falls on represent different responses people can have to the message of the gospel. The parable conveys the importance of having a receptive heart to receive Christ’s teaching.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)
In this parable, ten virgins waiting for a bridegroom are used to represent the need for preparedness and vigilance for Christ’s second coming. The allegory emphasizes being spiritually ready at all times for the return of Christ.
The Good Shepherd Discourse (John 10:1-18)
Jesus presents himself as the good shepherd caring for his sheep, in contrast to false shepherds who do not properly care for the flock. The metaphor of Jesus as the shepherd communicates him being the true leader and provider for God’s people.
The Woman and the Dragon (Revelation 12)
The woman depicted in labor pains representing Israel bringing forth the Messiah is contrasted with a dragon seeking to destroy the child. This allegory conveys the cosmic conflict between God and Satan, between the kingdom of God and the powers of evil.
Beyond specific parables and metaphors, some scholars think sections in the Old Testament like the Song of Solomon may contain allegory. For example, some interpret the poetic love song to be about God’s love for Israel. However, there are different views on whether the Song of Solomon should be understood allegorically or literally.
In the New Testament, debate also surrounds how to interpret passages like Galatians 4:21-31 which uses Hagar and Sarah as an allegory. So while allegory exists in Scripture, discerning it must be done carefully.
Principles for identifying allegory in the Bible
When examining if a passage contains allegory, here are some principles to keep in mind:
- Look for clear textual clues – Does the passage present itself as a metaphor or parable meant to signify something beyond literal meaning?
- Be cautious not to read in unintended allegory – Symbols and deeper meaning should be grounded in authorial intent.
- Allegory should align with the overall biblical narrative – Look at how potential allegorical meanings fit within the grand storyarc of the Bible.
- Don’t build doctrine solely on uncertain allegory – Doctrinal teaching should rely most heavily on didactic passages of Scripture.
- Consider scholarly discussion – Consult commentaries and experts about debated allegorical passages.
Why use allegory in Scripture?
If used properly, allegory in the Bible can be an important literary device for communicating deeper spiritual truths. Here are some reasons allegory is employed in the biblical writings:
- To vividly conceptualize abstract ideas – Using symbolic language and metaphor engages the imagination to understand intangible concepts about God, salvation, ethics, etc.
- To surprise the mind into awakening – Unexpected allegory can jolt readers out of assumptions to see old truths in new ways.
- To engage story-oriented listeners – Within an ancient oral culture, allegorical narratives with archetypal characters and dramatic tension could capture an audience.
- To add layers of meaning – Allegory allows complex, interwoven layers of significance beyond just the surface reading.
At the same time, allegory has risks if mishandled. Readers may impose incorrect meanings, extract esoteric secrets not intended by authors, or become distracted from the plain message of Scripture. So wisdom is needed to discern true allegory designed by God’s inspiration to enrich biblical understanding.
Allegorical interpretation in church history
The use of allegorical and symbolic interpretations of Scripture was common in the early church. Greek-influenced scholars like Origen saw deeper spiritual meanings encoded mysteriously in the literal text.
This approach was influential, but sometimes led to excessive allegorizing where church teachers found imaginative symbolic meanings that stretched the original intent of authors. Rules were developed to try to govern allegorical interpretation, but abuses still occurred.
In the Reformation, reformers emphasized the primacy of Scripture’s literal sense, while still acknowledging typology and allegory under the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Protestant interpreters tended to favor restraint in finding allegory compared to early exponents like Origen.
Modern interpreters debate whether allegory should be seen as part of an author’s original intent or as a secondary application. But either way, identifying solid textual clues is key to establishing true underlying allegory.
As with all interpretive approaches, allegorical analysis should be employed judiciously. The main objective should be discerning the primary literal meaning and flow of biblical revelation. Allegory may supplement but should not supplant or distort the text’s central message.
Examples of potential allegory in specific biblical books
Genesis
- The Garden of Eden representing innocence and paradise
- The tree of life symbolizing source of eternal life
- The serpent epitomizing deception and evil
Exodus
- Egypt as a symbol of oppression and slavery
- Parting of the Red Sea representing salvation and deliverance
- Wilderness wandering picturing spiritual purification
Psalms
- God as light representing illumination and guidance
- Evildoers as lions epitomizing ferocity and destructiveness
- God’s wings as a mother bird sheltering the young conveying protective love
Proverbs
- Lady Wisdom portraying virtue, prudence, and blessing
- Adulteress symbolizing temptation, forbidden fruit, and ruin
- Path of righteousness as light versus way of the wicked as darkness
Song of Solomon
- Descriptions of lovers potentially representing God and Israel or Christ and the church
- Intimate dialogue depicting the ideal love relationship between the Lord and his people
Isaiah
- Suffering servant representing the Messiah and his atoning work
- People as vine or vineyard growing wild conveying their spiritual fruitlessness
- Beasts depicting conquering earthly kingdoms that oppress others
Ezekiel
- Babylon as a lion ravaging others, symbolizing its fierce conquests
- Valley of dry bones representing Israel’s national and spiritual restoration
- Four living creatures epitomizing aspects of God’s sovereign rule
Daniel
- Four metals in statue symbolizing declining world empires
- Son of Man as God’s messianic deliverer establishing eternal kingdom
- Beasts from sea embodying pagan rulers opposed to the holy ones
Hosea
- Unfaithful wife portraying Israel’s idolatry and covenant betrayal
- Hosea’s marriage representing God’s faithfulness despite Israel’s waywardness
Jonah
- Jonah fleeing as disobedience to God’s call
- Three days in belly of fish prefiguring Christ’s death and resurrection
- People of Nineveh representing spiritual renewal through repentance
This sampling provides examples of potential allegory scattered throughout the Old Testament. Interpreters debate precisely which images may contain allegorical meaning. But poetry and prophecy lend themselves most readily to deeper symbolic significance beyond literal reference.
Allegory in the teachings of Jesus
Jesus frequently employed allegory in his teaching through parables and vivid metaphors. Some key examples include:
- Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) – Samaritan helping wounded traveler represents love for neighbor transcending ethnic divisions.
- Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7) – Shepherd pursuing lost sheep conveys God’s seeking after the lost to bring salvation.
- Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) – Younger wayward son pictures sinners turning back to the Father for forgiveness.
- “I am” statements – Jesus uses symbolic metaphors like “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12) and “I am the true vine” (John 15:1).
- Kingdom of God compared to seed growing secretly (Mark 4:26-29) – Represents mysterious spiritual growth amidst difficulty.
The allegorical stories and images Jesus crafted captured people’s imagination and opened their minds to comprehend theological realities. His teaching integrated physical and spiritual realms into one symbolic unity.
Allegory in the New Testament epistles
The New Testament letters contain important allegory explaining the cosmic drama of salvation history. For example:
- Adam representing fallen humanity (Romans 5:12-21) – Paul contrasts Adam and Christ as symbolic heads of sinful vs. redeemed humanity.
- Hagar and Sarah as two covenants (Galatians 4:21-31) – Hagar allegorically represents the Law and slavery, Sarah represents grace and freedom.
- Noah’s ark symbolizing salvation (1 Peter 3:20-21) – The ark pictures how baptism now saves believers from judgment.
- Biblical figures as examples of faith (Hebrews 11) – Old Testament saints become allegorical models for endurance and righteous living.
This allegorical use develops deeper meanings from Old Testament stories while relating them to new covenant realities. The epistles contain typology as well, seeing Old Testament patterns and persons as foreshadowing Christ.
Allegory in Revelation
The apocalyptic book of Revelation is filled with symbolic visions that many interpreters see having allegorical significance. Here are a few prominent examples:
- The dragon pursuing the woman (Revelation 12) – Represents Satan seeking to destroy the church birthed by Israel.
- Mark of the beast (Revelation 13) – Depicts allegiance to ungodly authority required to buy or sell.
- Babylon the great prostitute (Revelation 17-18) – Epitomizes world system opposed to God that will be destroyed.
- New Jerusalem (Revelation 21) – Signifies the glorious consummation of God’s kingdom in eternity.
Careful exegesis is needed to properly understand Revelation’s sweeping symbolic visions. But the allegory conveys the climax of the spiritual battle between good and evil when Christ returns to make all things new.
Conclusions about allegory in Scripture
In summary, here are some key conclusions about the presence of allegory in the Bible:
- Allegory exists in biblical writings, especially in parables, prophecy, poetry, and apocalyptic literature.
- Principles of interpretation should be followed to determine where allegory is truly present based on textual indicators and authorial intent.
- Allegory can enrich biblical understanding by using symbolic language to represent abstract concepts and deepen layers of meaning.
- Allegory should not be imposed arbitrarily, distract from Scripture’s plain sense, or establish doctrine without support from didactic passages.
- With wisdom and discernment, identifying allegory allows glimpsing inspiring vistas of theological truth God has encoded in his Word.
The Bible’s masterful use of allegory reveals and conceals mysteries in varying measure, depending on the reader’s eyes to see. For those with vision enlightened by God’s Spirit, allegory becomes a gateway to beholding wondrous glory just beneath the surface of the text.
