What Are A number of the Examples of the Literal and Figurative Interpretations of Scripture?

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Examples of the Literal and Figurative Interpretations of Scripture
How can we decide whether or not Scripture is to be interpreted actually or figuratively? Generally, this may be determined by analyzing sure phrases in context.
A literal interpretation implies that a reference to an individual or factor means precisely what it says.
A figurative interpretation implies that a reference symbolizes somebody or one thing else.
What if it’s troublesome to find out whether or not one thing is supposed to be taken actually or figuratively? I’d counsel three issues:
●First, use frequent sense.
●Second, examine Scripture with Scripture, i.e., discovering different passages which discuss the identical topic as a way to see if there’s any clue as to the right implication.
●And third, pray to God the Father within the title of Son that via the Holy Spirit, He’ll information us find the right understanding.
SOME EXAMPLES OF SCRIPTURE THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN LITERALLY.
Matthew 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, That is my beloved Son, in whom I’m nicely happy.
Matthew 5:35 Nor by the earth; for it’s his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it’s the metropolis of the good King.
Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter noticed it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I’m a sinful man, O Lord.
John 8:58 Jesus stated unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Earlier than Abraham was, I’m.
Simply because somebody says one thing, which was meant to be taken actually, doesn’t imply that those that are listening will agree with the declaration. For instance, within the verse talked about above from the gospel of John,the Jews didn’t consider what Jesus stated about His life previous that of Abraham’s when He declared that earlier than Abraham was, I am. Nevertheless, this doesn’t nullify the reality of what He stated.
SOME EXAMPLES OF SCRIPTURES THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN FIGURATIVELY.
Genesis 41:25-26 And Joseph stated unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he’s about to do. The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
The seven good kine are symbolic of seven years. Likewise, the seven good ears are symbolic of seven years.
John 15:1 I’m the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Jesus is symbolic of being like a real vine.
Matthew 12:50 For whosoever shall do the desire of my Father which is in heaven, the identical is my brother, and sister, and mom.
Whosoever does God’s will is symbolic of being the brother, sister, or mom of Jesus.
Now that we’ve checked out some clear examples of Scriptures that could possibly be interpreted actually or figuratively, let’s see in case you can reply the next query.
Are the next examples to be interpreted figuratively or actually?
LITERAL OR FIGURATIVE VIEW?
Let’s start by opening our Bibles to the e book of Exodus.
Keep watch over the place the phrases that is, that’s, or it’s getting used and whether or not what they discuss with ought to be taken actually.
Instructed Studying: Exodus 12:1-12
4 hundred thirty years of Jewish captivity in Egypt had been coming to a detailed. God advised the folks to sacrifice a lamb, apply its blood to the doorposts of their houses, after which eat it. That very same night time an angel of the Lord would go by, and the homes marked with the animals’ blood had been spared the loss of life of the firstborn son and animal. Likewise, these homes with out proof of blood skilled the loss of life of the firstborn son and animal. This occasion, referred to as the twelfth plague, precipitated Pharaoh to lastly change his thoughts and permit God’s folks to go away their bondage in Egypt.
Moses, the one whom God selected to guide God’s folks out from Egypt to a distant land of promise, together with Aaron, his brother, who would quickly develop into the primary excessive priest of divine service, had been advised by Jehovah to proceed observing this occasion, being newly designated because the Feast of Passover, on the tenth day of the identical month in every successive 12 months when each a sacrificial lamb and unleavened bread had been to be eaten. This observance was to be continued throughout the time of Jesus’ incarnation on the earth. And by the way in which, when the Jews, who noticed the Passover, would make a proclamation over the unleavened bread, they’d say these phrases, “That is the bread of affliction our ancestors ate once they got here from Egypt.”4 Are you able to reply a query associated to the unleavened bread? Effectively, right here it’s.
Ought to the assertion concerning the unleavened bread that may be eaten sooner or later when observing the Passover being the bread of affliction that their ancestors ate once they got here from Egypt be taken actually or figuratively?
Frequent sense would say that the unleavened bread they had been about to eat is symbolic, i.e., it’s to be seen as a illustration of the bread of affliction their ancestors ate once they had been in Egypt.
Exodus 12:1, 3, 11 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron within the land of Egypt, saying, Communicate ye unto all of the congregation of Israel, saying, Within the tenth day of this month they shall take to them each man a lamb, in keeping with the home of their fathers, a lamb for an home: And thus shall ye eat it; along with your loins girded, your sneakers in your ft, and your workers in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it’s the Lord’s passover.
As we proceed to examine this story, there’s one other determine of speech that seems which must be interpreted as being literal of figurative. The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and stated that the lamb was to be eaten in haste: it’s the Lord’s Passover. The phrase haste has two meanings. First, it pertains to devouring the lamb as a result of circumstances. It may possibly additionally imply to be correctly dressed and able to journey. So far as stating that the lamb to be eaten is the Lord’s Passover, do you suppose this expression ought to be taken as literal or figurative? What do you suppose?
I feel you’d agree that frequent sense would say no; the lamb is figurative, i.e., it’s a illustration of the Lord passing over the homes of the Israelites. It also needs to be famous that once we see the phrases it’s, this doesn’t essentially imply that the reference ought to be taken actually. Agree? By the way in which, this might additionally lengthen to every time the remarks that is, or that’s getting used.
One other statement for us to think about is whether or not you’ve ever observed that some church buildings recite specific phrases at sure instances throughout their worship service, and I ponder if this observe was derived from the one talked about right here. For instance, when the Passover lambs had been slain, both within the temple or in an individual’s dwelling, it was believed that Psalms 113-118, the psalms of reward often known as the Hallel, had been chanted. After consuming the lamb and taking the fifth cup of wine (one above the quantity allotted for the feast), [called] the Nice Hallel, Psalm 136, can be learn. After every verse, the response can be, “For His [lovingkindness] is eternal.”5
From right here, let’s proceed to the e book of Mark. Right here’s the query to think about.
Ought to we bodily hurt ourselves, in order that our members can be unable to inflict hurt to somebody?
Mark 9:43 And if thy hand offend thee, minimize it off: it’s higher for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two fingers to enter hell, into the hearth that by no means shall be quenched
The phrase offend might imply to trigger somebody to sin. Frequent sense would say that the phrase hand refers to part of the physique that’s an instrument of an inward inclination. Would you say that the literal hand is inflicting an issue or that which offers the motive for the hand to do evil issues, i.e., the wicked coronary heart? Ought to we take what this verse is saying actually and sever the hand or symbolically in regard to addressing what’s inflicting these inward inclinations, i.e., the ideas of 1’s coronary heart?
The instance that we’ll have a look at subsequent is the one which has precipitated a lot competition as as to whether the weather of the bread and wine are to be taken actually or figuratively. That is discovered within the e book of John.
John 6:53-54 Then Jesus stated unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Besides ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye haven’t any life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life; and I’ll elevate him up on the final day.
With these ideas in thoughts, let’s take one other have a look at the verses from the gospel of John that pertain to Jesus’ response to the Jews when He stated that He was the bread that got here down from heaven and that whosoever ate of His flesh and drank of His blood will obtain everlasting life. What do you suppose? Was Jesus talking actually or figuratively regarding consuming His flesh and consuming His blood? I’m positive that relying on how the church you attend has expressed its views on such will decide your response.
Isn’t this the way in which most of us would function? Management says this, and that ends all dialogue. After I was a younger believer, I’d reply equally. Hopefully, after we’ve been within the Christian religion for a variety of years, we’ll start to query a number of the pulpit’s doctrinal pronouncements and examine whether or not the teachings are grounded within the full counsel of the Phrase.
From right here, the e book of John will present one other comparability. And right here is the query to ponder.
When Jesus stood and declared loudly that whosoever believed in Him would have rivers of
dwelling water flowing out of their stomach, was this to be taken actually or figuratively?
Instructed Studying: John 7:2-53
37-39 Within the final day, that nice day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, because the scripture hath stated, out of his stomach shall circulate rivers of dwelling water. (However this spake he of the Spirit, which they that consider on him ought to obtain: for the Holy Ghost was not but given; as a result of that Jesus was not but glorified.)
Jesus attended the Feast of Tabernacles (Weeks), which lasted for eight days and was celebrated instantly after the harvest of corn, wine, and oil, close to the top of September and the start of October. The title of the feast got here from the time when their ancestors lived within the wilderness in cubicles (tents), in keeping with Leviticus 23:43. To commemorate this, tents had been erected across the temple, public locations, courts, gardens, and on the flat roofs of homes.
When the feast started, all the folks would minimize down branches from palm timber, willow, myrtle and tie them collectively. Then, they’d carry these preparations with them once they entered the synagogue and pray.
On the seventh day of the feast, they’d stroll across the altar seven instances, singing Hosanna.
On the eighth day, a priest would draw water from the pool at Siloam, place it in a golden vessel that contained wine, after which pour it out over the morning sacrifice because the folks sang.
On the ultimate day of this feast, Jesus stood and declared loudly that whosoever believed in Him would have rivers of dwelling water flowing out of their stomach. If He stated this was to be taken actually, it might have precipitated a stir. The listeners most likely would have thought that He was mentally ailing. What would have been your response?
If we learn on, what Jesus was really referring to was, the individual of the Holy Spirit who can be obtained by anybody who repented and believed in Him following His loss of life, burial, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. This actuality occurred on the day of Pentecost (the Feast of Harvest, the day of first fruits, or the day of Shavuot). Due to this fact, the expression rivers of dwelling water are figurative and discuss with the receiving of the Holy Spirit.
We have now yet one more correspondence to take a look at. The e book of Luke is the place that is discovered. The query we’ll contemplate is that this.
Can some earthy object flip into one thing human?
Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, That is my physique which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise additionally the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the brand new testomony in my blood, which is shed for you.
Was Jesus saying that the bread would flip into His literal physique and the cup His literal blood, or was what He stated to be taken figuratively in that the bread was symbolic of His physique (sufferings on the cross) and the wine symbolic of His blood (loss of life on the cross) that signified the brand new testomony (covenant) of a brand new kingdom that was to be ushered in, on the day of Pentecost, that may be resident inside every individual once they responded to the gospel of Christ thus receiving the indwelling Holy Spirit?
Hopefully, we’ll proceed to current numerous causes, execs, and cons, that can help both the literal or figurative interpretation of Scripture with respect to the weather of communion.
Do you know that some church buildings may use one other unfamiliar strategy to find out whether or not or not the weather of the bread and wine are to be taken actually or figuratively? How is that? through the use of Outdated Testomony Scriptures. Huh? Whaaaat? I’m positive you’re pondering, that is ridiculous. How might verses from the Outdated Testomony give any perception about this dialogue since communion is one thing that was first talked about within the 4 gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? Hopefully, you’ve calmed down sufficient to search out out.
Earlier than you flip the web page, I’ve offered one thing for you that will help you relax. No, it’s not an exlax bar. It’s a short article on this concept of figuring out whether or not a passage of Scripture is to be taken actually or figuratively.
LITERAL OR FIGURATIVE?
Talking concerning the written Phrase of God, Jesus Christ stated, “Thy Phrase is reality” (John 17:17). In terms of religious issues past the realm of man’s 5 senses, the Phrase of God is the one credible witness. In stark distinction to the obscure, groundless theories and speculations originating within the minds of males, God, the Writer of life, presents clear, simple solutions to man’s most urgent questions. [Thus,] we should diligently look into God’s Phrase, the literature of eternity, and let Him communicate for Himself concerning the deep problems with life, corresponding to evil, [sin,] and struggling.
The Bible is the usual of all literature, and God the Writer of all authors. As literature, the Phrase of God accommodates a wealthy number of linguistic ideas, [expressions,] and usages. Like every creator, God has the suitable to make use of language as He deems acceptable to His functions. E.W. Bullinger, an eminent British Bible scholar (1837-1913), recognized the usage of greater than 200 figures of speech within the Bible. These figures enormously enrich its literary [value but more importantly,] are important to our understanding and utility of God’s guide for dwelling.
Every reader of God’s Phrase is entrusted with a sure diploma of non-public duty. Those that endeavor to review, perceive and interpret the Bible should develop into very delicate to the literary gadgets it [employs] as a result of its examine will not be merely for cultural amusement. Our very lives, each temporal and everlasting, rely upon an correct understanding of God’s phrases, that are the very “phrases of life.”
One’s idea of the Bible determines the angle with which he approaches it. In the event you consider it as an impersonal “rulebook,” [you’ll] are likely to seek the advice of it solely in regard to [“infractions”] slightly than be motivated to review it with the intent of creating a private relationship with its Writer. In the event you suppose [it’s] solely a historical past e book, it’s possible you’ll learn it with a bit of greater than a indifferent curiosity.
Some have simplistically tried to cut back it to a strictly literal doc, thus trapping themselves in a maze of contradictions they’re compelled to disregard or deny. Others have so divorced the phrases of Scripture from the traditional linguistic constraints of grammar, semantics, [syntax,] and logic that the Writer’s unique intent is misplaced in a fog of non-public hypothesis.
When God makes statements of [fact] or makes use of language in the way in which [it’s] usually used, we should always absolutely take word. When He departs from customary utilization of phrases, syntax, [grammar,] and statements true to truth, we should take double word, for such departures serve to speak reality higher [than literal] statements of truth. How can we inform when a biblical assertion is literal or figurative? E.W. Bullinger asks and solutions this most pertinent query:
It might be requested, “How are we to know then, when phrases are to be taken of their easy, unique type (i.e., actually), and when they’re to be taken in another and peculiar type (i.e., as a Determine)? The reply is that, every time and wherever [it’s] potential, the phrases of Scripture are to be understood actually, however when a press release seems to be opposite to our expertise, or to recognized truth, or revealed [truth,] or appears to be at variance with the final instructing of the Scriptures, then we might fairly count on that some determine is employed [Emphasis ours]. And as [it’s] employed solely to name our consideration to some specifically designed emphasis, [we’re] directly certain to diligently study the determine for the aim of discovering and studying the reality that’s thus emphasised.6
One can simply see how [critical knowledge] of figures of speech is to understanding God’s written communication to man. With out such information, the sincere reader comes head to head with overwhelming contradictions that, if not resolved, can not however undermine his confidence that the Scriptures are really “God-breathed.” [It’s] our competition that Scripture being the Phrase of God presupposes its inherent accuracy and consistency. [Thus,] we should discover the figurative language pertinent to the topic of evil, [sin,] and struggling.
As the one credible witness of everlasting and religious verities, the Bible provides testimony in a wide range of methods — some literal, some figurative. Taking literal statements figuratively and figurative statements actually is a root explanation for main doctrinal [errors] within the orthodox Christian Church. This has too usually resulted within the Phrase of God being twisted, [distorted,] and misrepresented. If “God IS love” (1 John 4:8), then He can not do something that isn’t loving, and any verses that appear to point that He does can’t be taken actually. As [you’ll] see, understanding the figurative language in God’s Phrase is significant in the case of reconciling the reality that God is love with the issue of evil, [sin,] and struggling.7
Endnotes
4IVP Bible Background Commentary Computer Research Bible model 5, 2005, 25 March 2009˂http://www.biblesoft.com>.
5The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary Computer Research Bible model 5, 2005, 26 March 2009˂http://www.biblesoft.com>.
6E.W. Bullinger, Figures of Speech Used within the Bible (Baker Guide Home, Grand Rapids MI, 1978), web page xv.
7“LITERAL OR FIGURATIVE,” Spirit & Fact 13 January 2023
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