What are some examples of metaphor in the Bible?

Answer

A metaphor is a literary device that implies a comparison between two dissimilar things to clarify or elaborate on an idea. The Bible extensively employs metaphors, particularly when discussing Christ.

A metaphor asserts that one thing is another. This differs slightly from a simile, which directly compares using “like” or “as.” Nevertheless, it is understood that in a metaphor, the two subjects are not literally identical. For instance, when someone says, “Fred is a couch potato” or “Fred is the black sheep of the family,” they are not suggesting that Fred is a delicious tuber or a livestock animal. If we hear these statements, we grasp the intended meaning: Fred spends excessive time inactive on the couch and is distinct, likely negatively, from his family members.

The Bible incorporates various literary devices. Being a collection of diverse genres from poetry to historical accounts to letters, it is crucial to discern when a passage should be taken literally to avoid misconceptions.

Metaphors in the Bible facilitate comprehension of profound truths. Jesus frequently employed metaphors to convey messages about Himself, as illustrated below:

Jesus proclaimed, “I am the bread of life” «And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. », (John 6:35). This statement puzzled some individuals. “The Jews then argued among themselves, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?'” «The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? », (John 6:52). However, Jesus did not mean He was a loaf of bread literally. Instead, He meant that He provides life and sustains us spiritually, similar to how bread sustains the body.

“I am the light of the world” «Then Jesus spoke again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. », (John 8:12). Jesus did not mean He physically illuminated the world like the sun. Instead, He referred to His role in dispelling spiritual darkness and guiding towards life and truth.

“I am the door of the sheep” «Then Jesus said to them again, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. », (John 10:7). This analogy holds deep meaning. Here, we, as humanity, are symbolized by the sheep—vulnerable, somewhat foolish beings reliant on a shepherd for protection. Jesus is the entrance to the sheepfold, the secure refuge of the sheep. He is the sole pathway to safety and peace.

Jesus also conveyed His messages through numerous parables, which were essentially elaborate metaphors. The Tree and Its Fruit (Matthew 12:33-37;Luke 6:43-45), The Strongman’s House (Matthew 12:29-30;Luke 11:21-23), The Sower and the Seed (Matthew 13:3-9;Mark 4:1-9;Luke 8:4-8), The Wheat and the Tares (Matthew 13:24-30), The Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:44), The Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45-46), The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-42), The Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:3-7), and many more.

The Psalms are replete with metaphors. Psalm 23:1 famously declares, “The Lord is my shepherd.” Psalm 18:2 contains numerous metaphors: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Each metaphor offers a profound insight into the nature of God.

The prophetic books also frequently utilize metaphors as God and the prophets seek to elucidate the reality of Israel’s circumstances, their connection to God, and often their transgressions, as seen in the examples below:

Isaiah 64:8: “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” We are not literally clay, but God shapes us in specific ways.

Ezekiel 34:15–16: “I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.” TThe sheep represent God’s people. Concerning the fat and strong, God is not expressing hatred towards individuals who are physically fat or strong. Instead, these are symbols for those who exploit the needy and oppress the helpless.

The writers of the New Testament epistles also employed metaphors. Paul compares the Christian journey to running a race (Galatians 5:7;1 Corinthians 9:24) and uses wages as a metaphor for the consequences of sin «For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.», (Romans 6:23). He refers to the church as the body of Christ «Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. », (e:g:, 1 Corinthians 12:27). Peter describes false teachers as “springs without water and mists driven by a storm” «These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. », (2 Peter 2:17).

The Bible also uses metaphors to depict itself. Psalm 119:105 states, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Hebrews 4:12 explains, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Scripture is not literally a lamp or literally sharp, but these metaphors create vivid imagery in our minds.

The Bible contains numerous examples of metaphor. Often, we can recognize the use of this literary device through contextual clues. Is the passage written as poetry? Are two dissimilar things in a sentence being compared? Does the statement make sense when read literally?

Why is metaphor important in the Bible? What insights can we gain from this contrast? Metaphors in the Bible help clarify complex ideas, expanding our comprehension.