Biblical Emblems and Their Meanings

From: Scripture Proper Names and their Interpretations: with the chief Typical Persons, Places and Things in the Old and New Testament By: John Ritchie

Water, The Word in cleansing (Psa. 119:9⁹BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (Psalm 119:9); Eph. 5:26²⁶That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Ephesians 5:26); Heb. 10:22²²Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:22)).

Light, The Word for illumination, guidance (Psa. 119:105, 130; 42:3¹⁰⁵NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)
¹³⁰The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (Psalm 119:130)
³My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? (Psalm 42:3)).

Lamp, The Word as daily companion in walk (Psa. 119:105¹⁰⁵NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105); Pro. 6:23²³For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: (Proverbs 6:23)).

Mirror, The Word shewing what man is (Jas. 1:25²⁵But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1:25)); and Christ (2 Cor. 3:18¹⁸But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18)).

Laver, Means whereby God keeps His people clean (Eph. 5:26,²⁶That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Ephesians 5:26) R.V.).

Milk, The Word in its adaptation to young believers (1 Pet. 2:2²As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (1 Peter 2:2)).

Strong Meat, Deep things of God for mature believers (Heb. 5:12-14¹²For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. ¹³For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. ¹⁴But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:12‑14)).

Hammer, Power of the Word to break the sinner’s heart. (Jer. 23:29²⁹Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? (Jeremiah 23:29)).

Fire, Testing, trial (Mal. 3:2²But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: (Malachi 3:2); 1 Pet. 1:7⁷That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:7)); Divine wrath (Rev. 20:9⁹And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. (Revelation 20:9)).

Dew, Reviving and refreshing of the Spirit (Hos. 14:5⁵I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. (Hosea 14:5); Psa.110:3).

Rain, Abundant blessing, causing fruit (Isa. 55:10-11¹⁰For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: ¹¹So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10‑11); Heb. 6:7⁷For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: (Hebrews 6:7)).

Leaven, Silent diffusion of evil (Matt. 13:33;16:1³³Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. (Matthew 13:33)
¹The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven. (Matthew 16:1); 1 Cor. 5:6⁶Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? (1 Corinthians 5:6); Gal. 5:9⁹A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9)).

Leprosy, Sin in the nature, breaking forth in corrupt life (Lev. 13).

Anchor, The Christian’s hope, security (Heb 6:19¹⁹Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; (Hebrews 6:19); Acts 27:29-30²⁹Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. ³⁰And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under color as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, (Acts 27:29‑30)).

Seal, Authority, preservation, possession (Dan 6:17¹⁷And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. (Daniel 6:17); Matt. 27:66⁶⁶So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. (Matthew 27:66)).

Shield, Defense, shelter (Psa. 5:12; 91:4¹²For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield. (Psalm 5:12)
⁴He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. (Psalm 91:4); Pro. 35; Eph. 6:16¹⁶Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (Ephesians 6:16)).

Sword, Warfare, the Word as given by the Spirit (2 Sam. 12:10¹⁰Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. (2 Samuel 12:10); Eph. 1:13¹³In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)).

Girdle, Preparation, readiness, service (Acts 12:8⁸And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. (Acts 12:8); Judges 18:11¹¹And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with weapons of war. (Judges 18:11)).

Crown, (Stephanos, victor’s crown), reward for service (Jas. 1:12¹²Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12); 1 Pet. 5:4⁴And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (1 Peter 5:4)).

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Scripture Proper Names and their Interpretations: with the chief Typical Persons, Places and Things in the Old and New Testament

• Ages with Their Characteristics and Representatives, The

• Appendix Additional Names and Untranslated Words

• Bible Customs, With Their References

• Bible Symbols and Their Meanings with Some Passages in Which They are Found

• Biblical Emblems and Their Meanings

• Contents

• Dispensations of Scripture, The

• Divine Names and Titles With Their Significance

• Four Gospels Their Subjects, Symbols, and Keyword, The

• Length of Human Life in Various Periods

• Notes, Suggested by the Foregoing Dates

• Scripture Chronologies

• Scripture Numbers and Their Significance

• Symbols, in the Book of Daniel Representing the Entire Period of Gentile Rule

• Symbols, in the Book of Revelation

• Types of Christian Life in Varied Aspects

• Typical Persons in the Old Testament, Types of Christ, His Person, and His Work

• Typical Places of the Old Testament