Collection of Bible Symbols
• 22 min. read • grade level: 12
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THE interpretation of the symbols here given will be found to throw considerable light upon many otherwise obscure passages in God's Word. We have sought to make the list as complete as possible, and believe that the general reader of Scripture will find it useful in numerous instances. It may be of advantage to some to refer to these symbols in their daily reading.
Every species of idolatrous worship,
1 Kings 11:5-7; Dan. 9:27;12:11; Ezek. 8
Confirmed hardness of heart to God,
Israel's unfaithfulness to Jehovah, in giving herself up to idolatry
Jer. 3:8,9; Ezek. 23:36,37.
Active, secret, and deadly evil
Psa. 140:3; Gen. 49:17; Prov. 23:32
Moral influences acting upon man
Eph. 2:2; Rev. 9:2; 16:17
Christ meeting the responsibility of the sinner in judgment
Christ in the value of His person the ground and object of the saint's worship
Fruit produced by the Spirit in resurrection-life
Confidence and security founded on what is divine
A representative or messenger Expressive of office not of nature; the context determines which is meant.
Matt. 18:10; Rev. 2 and 3
Consecration, appointment, power conferred
Lev. 8:10-20; Ex. 29:7; 2 Cor.1:21 1 John 2:27; Acts 10:13
Apples of Gold pictures of Silver
Fruit of Divine righteousness set in the beauty and stability of the atonement
Christ the Bridegroom in His own preciousness
Divine strength. Human Power
Christ in His wondrous and adorable person as Man (the shittim wood), as God (the gold) Seat of Divine strength Figure of Israel’s relationship with God
Ex. 25:10-22 Psa. 132:8 Rev. 11:19
Judgments or chastenings,
Deep humiliation, and thorough self-judgment, Witness of the judgment of sin,
Man in nature and ungovernable,
Seat and source of the future ecclesiastical apostasy,
An unhealthy Christian state
Defense against the various forms of evil from without
Man Divinely measured. A time of famine
2 Sam. 10:5; Lev. 14:9; Jer. 48:37
Powerful and destructive enemy. Persian Empire,
Acting without feeling of responsibility toward God, Imperial power acting without reference to God
Dan. 4:16; 1 Cor. 15:32 Dan. 7
Numerous enemies The Assyrian in latter-day judgment upon Israel
Deut. 1:44; Psa. 118:12 Isa. 7:18
The declared testimony of the Holy Ghost to Christ's acceptance and work within the veil
Rom. 16:18; John 7:38; Rev. 10:9, 10
Overwhelming sorrows of a judicial character
Speedy agents for good or evil. Spiritual wickedness
Mourning. Moral defilement
Jer. 4:28; Rev. 6:5; Sol. 1:5,6
Without spiritual perception
Dreadful slaughter, The pollutions of human nature Life forfeited by sin, but claimed by a holy God Complete apostasy from God and truth
Rev. 14:20 Ezek. 16:6 Lev. 17:10-14; 3:17 Rev. 16:3
Heavenly character. The leading color used in... the construction of the coverings, curtains, and veil of the Tabernacle
Record of open judgment A register of Christian profession written in time Register of real believers written in eternity
Rev. 10:2 Rev. 3:5 Rev. 13:8
Place of rest and deepest affection
John 1:18; Isa. 40:11; Luke 16:23
Distant conflict. Deceit and falsehood
One loaf, Christ for the communion of the Church—one being the expression of her unity
Twelve loaves, Christ for the communion of Israel -twelve being the expression of her unity
Grecian Empire, Strength and endurance Christ's ability in bearing the responsibility of the sinner, as in the brazen altar, Christ's ability in sustaining the responsibility of the saint, as in the brazen laver, Firmness of Divine judgment
Dan. 2:39 Psa. 107:16; Zech. 6:1; Mic. 4:13 Ex. 27:1-7 Ex. 38:8 Rev. 1:15
Moral condition a safeguard for the heart and conscience
Moral restraint upon nature
Psa. 32:9; James 3:2; Isa. 30:28
Utter ruin and intense anguish
Christ a sacrifice offered to God in the strength and vigor of perfect manhood
Cruel and powerful enemies
A religion which would attach man to earth; or, the union of human and Divine principles
Artificial light. Divine light and favor
The fullness of the Spirit's light resting upon believers, The perfect display of the moral glories of Christ as seen in His adorable person
God's instruments of judgment upon the Gentile oppressors of His people, Israel
Earthly greatness Man displayed in his best and fairest forms
Ezek. 17; Amos 2:9. Lev. 14:4-6; Num. 19:6
Imperial powers The governmental power and authority of Jehovah,
Zech. 6:1 Psa. 68:17; Isa. 66:15
The moral supports of God's throne exercised administratively in government, as justice and judgment,
Exod, 37:7; 1 Kings 6:28; Ezek. 10:5; Psa. 91:1
The Church, both in its glorified and apostate states,
Man as dead material the subject of the sovereign power of God
No foot-hold in suffering
Dan. 7:13; Psa. 104:3; Rev. 1:7
The presence of Jehovah, but His glory veiled
Ex. 33:9, 10; 34:15-18; Luke 9:35; Lev. 16:2
Gen. 38:3; 1 Chron. 29:2; Isa. 54:11
Those who would saddle the law upon Christians
Divine restraint. Compellings of love
Christ in glory the food of a heavenly people
Delegated authority Victorious power
Ezek. 16:12 Rev. 9:7; 19:12.
Kingly dignity, There are four crowns set before the saints:
First, the crown of gold common to the redeemed,
Second, the crown of life for the martyr,
Third, the crown of righteousness for the servant and witness Forth, the crown of glory for the shepherds' of God's flock
The sinners' portion, Divine wrath, The believers' portion, Divine favor,
The curtains of the Tabernacle were inside, and set forth Christ and His glories for us. The curtains of the court were outside, and set forth Christ and His glories to be displayed by us....
Sharp and sudden temptations
Apostacy from God and truth Divine and judicial judgment upon man
An expression of utter contempt, Uncleanness Persons without conscience or feeling Satan
Matt. 15:27; Phil. 3:2 Prov. 26:11 Psa. 22:16 Psa. 22:20
Divine opening and liberty for service Liberty for communion with Christ
1 Cor. 16:9; Rev. 3:8 Rev. 3:20
Beauty. Harmlessness. Spotlessness.
Psa. 68:13; Matt. 10:16; Sol. 6:9
Cruel Egyptian power. Satan
Utter insensibility to judgment. Carnal excitement,
Utter contempt and abhorrence
Utmost depths of humiliation
Emblem of strength, safety, tenderness, and care,
Sure and thorough judgment
Luke 17:37; Job 39:29, 30
King of Babylon. King of Egypt
Human attention Divine attention Devoted obedience
Matt. 12; Rev. 2:3. Ps. 24:25 Psa. 40:6
Prophetically, the Roman Empire
Prophetically, the convulsion of settled order of things
Isa. 29:6; Rev. 6:12; 16:18
Personal appropriation of Christ; entering by faith into the reality of His death
Communion and fellowship generally
1 Cor. 10:16; 5:11; Acts 11:3-9; Sol. 5:1; Matt. 26:26
The priests' eating of the sin and other offerings expressed their thorough identification with what those sacrifices respectively set forth
(See Exodus and Leviticus).
Divine perception and intelligence Direction and guidance
2 Chron. 16: 9; Rev. 4:8 Num. 10:31; Psa. 123:2.
Intelligence The Divine presence
Rev. 4:7; Ezek. 1:10 Ex. 33:13-23.
Fruitfulness, abundance, excellence
Psa. 63:5; Num. 13:20; Psa. 92:14; Ezek. 34:20.
Utter insensibility of heart and conscience towards God
Isa. 6:10; Psa. 119:70; Deut. 32:15.
The fat of the sacrifices set forth the holy energy and devotedness of will which led the Blessed One to death
Christian walk and ways Under the feet; thorough subjection
Eph. 6:15; John 13:1-10 1 Cor. 15:27; Eph. 1:22; Rom. 16:20
Luke 21:29; 13:6, 7; Hos. 9:10
Security, prosperity, peace
Zech. 3:10; Mic. 4:4; 1 Kings 4:25.
Action of the Word of God
Dignity, not necessarily of birth
The severity of Divine judgment
The nature of man as such, or that principle of life and action in man which, in its very nature is opposed to God,
Gen. 6:3; Rom. 7:5; Gal. 5:16-19; Eph. 2:3
Mere human life, without reference to its character,
Luke 3:6; Phil. 1:22; Matt. 24:22
Ezek. 9:4; Rev. 14:9;13:16
Deut. 10:16; Ex. 4:25; Hab. 2:16.
Ezek. 20:46; Jer. 21:14; Isa. 10:18, 19
Illicit intercourse with the world
Rev. 2:20, 21;17:2; Ezek. 16:15
Ps. 36:9; Rev. 8:10; 7:17; Isa. 41:18
Isa. 18:6; Rev. 19:17, 18
The moral perfectness of Christ displayed in what He was and in what He did
All went up to God as a sweet savor
Matt. 13:42, 50; Rev. 1:15
The kingdoms and powers of the world
Rev. 3:4: 16:16; Ex. 28:40-43
Gen. 19:1; Rev. 21:12, 13
Open gate denotes security
Prepared and ready for service
Rev. 15:6; Psa. 109:19; Ex. 29:9
Practical separation from evil
Alexander, the Macedonian king
The living wicked at Christ's return
Historically, the future Russian Prince and his land; Thus literally to be understood
The wicked on the earth at the close of the millennial reign; thus symbolically to he understood
Divine glory, Divine righteousness, Divine nature of the Lord
Apostates ready for judgment
Prosperity of a temporary character
James 1:10, 11; Rev. 8:7; Isa. 40:6, 7; 1 Peter 1:24
Sudden and severe judgment
Isa. 30:30; Ezek. 13:13; Josh. 10:11
Subjection. The woman's glory
Masculine energy and dignity
1 Cor. 11:14; Num. 6:18, 19
Christ's personal place of power and favor Security. Power and judgment
Mark 16:19 Psa. 16:8; Ex. 15:6; 21:8
A corrupting religious system or people
Ezek. 16; Hosea; Rev. 17:5; Jer. 3:1-10
Discriminating and separating judgment A special season of grace
Matt. 13:30; Rev. 14:15; Joel 3:13 Matt. 9:37, 38; John 4:35
Seat of moral government, intelligence, and power
Isa. 7:8, 9; 9:14, 15; Gen. 59:26; Zech. 6:11; 1 Cor. 11:3-10
Seat of the feelings, affections, and understanding,
Prov. 6:18; Luke 6:45; Hos. 7:11; Luke 24:25; John 12:40; Col. 3:16
Scene of authority and light
Matt. 24:29; Rev. 6:13; 8:10
Divine certainty of salvation
The moral judgment of evil according to God
Seat of royal government Perpetuity
Psa. 2:6; 15:1; 24:3 Deut. 33:15; Job 13:7
Agility, fearlessness, liberty, affection,...
2 Sam. 22:34; Psa. 18:33; Hab. 3:19; Prov. 5:19; Sol. 2:7; 3:5
Mere natural affection; forbidden to be offered in the sacrifices
Divine security, founded on the righteousness of God (Gold) and the blood of Christ ( Silver)
Psa. 75:10; 132:17; 1 Sam. 2:1; Rev. 5:6
Successful power in war and conquest,......
Intense spiritual desires,............
Man in his worst estate,.........
Lev. 14; Num. 19:6; 1 Kings 4:33
Any object of life or center for the heart short of God
1 John 5:21; Col. 3:5; Phil. 3:19; 1 Cor. 10:14
One who represents another,.........
Gen. 1:26; Col. 1:15; Acts 19:35
Christ in the value and fragrance of His person offered to God
Prayers of future suffering saints
The future brief but awful period of Israel's suffering at the hands of Jehovah
Dan. 3:40; 7:7; Job 40:18
Our preciousness to God. Marks of Divine favor
Mal. 3:17; Ezek. 16:17; Isa. 61:10
The right to exercise Divine authority and government
Isa. 22:22; Rev. 1:18;3:7; Matt. 16:19
The inward feelings and affections
Familiar yet holy expression of love
1 Cor. 16:20; 1 Peter 5:14
Divine expression of love
Communication between heaven and earth
Gentle, meek, tender, unresisting
Luke 10:3; Acts 8:32; Isa. 11:6; 40:11
The word occurs nearly thirty times in the Revelation but is there associated with strength, glory, and worship
The great Passover sacrifice
The daily morning and evening sacrifice
Religious profession in possession of light and privilege—The Spirit's perfect light in the sanctuary -the presence of God
No measurements are given of the laver, wherein the priests daily washed their hands and feet. God's remedy for cleansing the daily defilements of His people is not blood but water-i.e., the constant application of the Word of God to the thoughts, words, and actions of the believer. Christ is the laver; the Word of God is the water.
Judgment of evil and evil men
Religious profession Millennial blessing and healing
Psa. 1:3; Matt. 21:19 Rev. 22:2; Ezek. 47:12
1 Cor. 5:5-8; Gal. 5:9; Matt. 16:6
Dan. 2:33; Sol. 5:15; Psa. 147:10
Grecian Empire in its rapid conquests
Uncleanness in heart and life
Obedience connected with the judicial power of God
Loveliness and virgin purity
Lev. 13:16; Rev. 15:6; 19:8-14
Majesty. Royal power Babylonian Empire in its imperial greatness
Gen. 49:9; Rev. 5:5; Ezek. 1:10 Dan. 7:4
Church presented to God in her actual state at Pentecost, hence the presence of leaven ( evil) in these loaves
Utter and wide-spread destruction
Joel 1.4; 2: 25; Psa. 78:46; Rev. 9:3-7
Inward strength; bracing up of the inner man,...
1 Peter 1:13; Luke 12:35; Eph. 6:14.
A humbled Christ for our wilderness circumstances,
Appropriation or possession
Zech. 2:2; Ezek. 40; Rev. 11:1; 21:15
Christ as the nourishment of the new nature
1 Cor. 10:3; John 6:27,55
The throne of God, where in righteousness and grace, because of the sprinkled blood, Jehovah could meet His guilty people
Ex. 25:21, 22; Lev. 16; Rom. 3:25.
Christ is the true mercy-seat.
Pollutions of the world Utter moral degradation
2 Peter 2:22. Isa. 10:6; Job 30:19.
Elementary truth for babes in Christ
Derived light and authority New MOON—Israel's re-appearance in the latter day
Sol. 6:10; Rev. 8:12; 12:1 Psa. 81:3; Ezek. 46:1
Source of religious corruption or blessing
Gal. 4:22-31; Rev. 2:20-23; 17:5
Stability and greatness, political and moral
Dan. 2:35; Jer. 51:25; Psa. 125:1, 2
What in itself is small and insignificant
Steadfast, firmly established
Isa. 22:23-25; Zech. 10:4; Ezra 9:8
Spiritual destitution. Without Christ
Psa. 9:15; Prov. 1:17; Hab. 1:16
Might and prosperity,............
Isa. 1:30; 6:13; 2:13; Amos 2:9
"Mingled with oil"-sets forth the Conception of Jesus by the Holy Ghost
Anointed with oil-sets forth the truth of Acts 10:28,
Fruitfulness and testimony for God
Rom. 11; Judg. 9:8, 9; Jer. 11:16
Parental forgetfulness. Cruelty
Thorough, severe, and unsparing judgment
Solitariness in suffering
Patience and strength for labor
1 Tim. 5:18; Psa. 144:14; 1 Cor. 9:9
The growth and flourishing state of the righteous
Heaven, or the immediate presence of God
The Church in unity, beauty, costliness
Ability to support, uphold, or maintain
1 Tim. 3:15; Gal. 2:9; Rev. 3:12
Used in the construction of the Tabernacle. The believer upheld and maintained by Divine power variously employed. "Kept by the power of God,"
Fruit of a heavenly character
Ex. 28:33, 34; Sol. 6:11; 8:2
Divine sovereignty exercised in grace or judgment
Jer. 18:1-10; Psa. 2:9; Rom. 9:21
Talents or gifts for public service
John 19:2; Rev. 18:16; Ex. 25:4
Energy in Christian life and service
Blessing from heaven. Refreshing and fruitful
Psa. 84:6; Heb. 6:7; Deut. 32:2
Consecration. Median and Persian power
Man's weakness consecrated to the service of God,
Absolute devotedness and consecration to God
Inconstancy; weakness,......
Isa. 36:6; Matt. 11:7; 2 Kings 18:21
Inward thoughts and feelings,.........
Psa. 26:2; Rev. 2:23; Jer. 20:12
Honor. Royal authority. Love and relationship
Gen. 41:42; Esther 3:8; Luke 15:22
Channel of spiritual blessing
John 7:38; Psa. 65:9; Rev. 22:1, 2
Thoroughness of the judgment of God
Christ risen, our righteousness in the Divine presence
Firm, immovable foundation
Psa. 32:2; Matt. 7:24, 25;16:18
Power displayed in chastening or judgment
Psa. 2:9; Isa. 10:5; 1 Cor. 4:21
The Spouse in her fragrance and beauty
Preservation. Sound words. Perpetuity and incorruption
Matt. 5:13; Col. 4:6; Mark 9:49
Gen. 22:17; 32:12; Psa. 139:18
Glory of the throne of God
Rev. 17:3, 4; 18:16; Num. 4:8
Sign of royal authority. Tribal character of Israel
Esther; Amos 1;5, 8; Gen. 49:10
The instruments of mental distress and anguish
King of the north—great political enemy of the Jews and leader of the peoples attacking Palestine in the last days
Peoples in a state of anarchy and confusion
Rev. 8:8; 13:1; Matt. 13:1
Restlessness of mere nature
2 Tim. 2:19; 1 Cor. 9:2; Eph. 4:30
Marked for blessing and preservation
Pause; consider. Occurs about 70 times in the book of Psalms; also three times in the prophet Habakkuk 3.
Satanic and mere worldly wisdom. Subtlety
2 Cor. 11:3; Isa. 27:1; Gen. 49:17
Civil and ecclesiastical rulers and guides
Gen. 15:1; Psa. 3:3; Eph. 6:16
Gen. 49:13; Rev. 8:9;18:19
The holy humanity of our Lord Jesus
Christian walk and wilderness traveling
Ability; strength to bear or carry burdens
Price of Redemption—the precious blood of Christ
Outward appearance revealing inward condition
Death as to the body; it is never used of the soul
1 Cor. 11:30; John 11:11; 1 Thess. 4:4
Blinding and darkening judgment
Isa. 14:31; Rev. 9:2, 3, 17, 18
Rev. 1:14; Lam. 4:7; Psa. 51:7.
Sockets of Silver and of Brass
Founded, established, secured on the ground of the blood of Christ (silver), and the divine ability of Christ in meeting the judgment of God (brass).
The commonest of creatures objects of Divine care
Psa. 84:3; Matt. 10:29, 31
Divine graces. Moral graces
Loathing and utter rejection
Sign of wilderness journeying
Psa. 23:4; Mark 6:8; Heb. 11:21
Emblem of power and of judgment
Subordinate lights and rulers
Rev. 8:12; 12.1; Dan. 8 10
Staves of Shittim Wood and Gold
Christ in the dignity of his person (wood as man and gold as God) sustaining us in our wilderness path
Supreme glory, light, and authority
Rev. 1:16; 8:12; 12:1; Mal. 4:12
Last meal before midnight; grace or judgment
Luke 14:16-24; Rev. 3:20; 19:9, 17
Uncleanness in nature and practice
2 Peter 2:22; Isa. 66:3,17; Deut. 14:8
Keen searching judgment of the Word of God
War and bloodshed. Judgment
Magisterial authority and power
1 Cor. 10:21; Psa. 23:5; Lev. 24:6
False prophets and false teaching
Religious but unsaved professors
Cruelty. Mischievous power
Dan. 7:5, 7, 19; Psa. 58:6
Dan. 2:32; Gen. 32:25; Psa. 45:3
Generally what is unprofitable
God's instruments in chastening His people
Seat of established authority
Isa. 66:1; Matt. 25:31; Rev. 4
Speech. Remorse and torment. Mere profession
Prov. 12:18; Luke 16:24; 1 John 3:18
Psa. 61:3; Prov. 18:10; 2 Sam. 22:51
Anguish of spirit and great anxiety
Ezek. 31:5, 9; Rev. 8:7; Dan. 4
1 Zech. 9:14; Rev. 8:2; Jer. 51:27; Joel 3:15; Isa. 27:13
The trump of 1 Thess. 4:16; 1 Cor. 15:52, will sound for Christians only.
Great strength. The agonies of death
Vail of the Ta- bernacle, with its Colors, Cherubim, and Material
Christ in absolute purity, in His varied glories and character heavenly and earthly as a man
Israel—the responsible fruit-bearing system on earth
Christ on earth morally replacing Israel
Poisonous doctrines and ways
Matt. 3:7; 12:34; Job 15:16
Separation from the world, its idolatry and ways
Quickness of sight; keen vision
Divine and also human security
Isa. 26:1; Rev. 21:14, 18; Deut. 1:28
The sanctifying and cleansing character of the Word of God
Nations acting under certain influences
Rev. 8:11; 16:4, 5; 17:15
Judgments divinely inflicted
Psa. 42:7; Jonah 2:3; Psa. 88:7
Source of blessing and refreshment
Psa. 84:6; John 4:14; Gen. 49:22
Jer. 23:28; Matt. 13:24-30
Course of providential government on earth
Manifestation of Divine power
Rev. 1:14; 3:4; 14:14: Mark 16:5
Religious corruptions. Spiritual idolatry
Rev. 18:7; Isa. 1:23; 47:8
An afflicted and desolate condition
Unseen, yet powerful operations of the Spirit of God
False and vain expectations
Divine manifestation in judgment or in grace
Isa. 57:13; Dan. 2:35; Ezek. 37:9.
The mere excitement of nature. Joy. Judgment,
Eph. 5:18; Judg. 9:13; Jer. 25:15; Lev. 10:9
Protection. Shelter. Rapidity of action
Psa. 91:4; 36:7; Luke 13:34; Ezek. 1; Rev. 9:9; 12:14
Enemies of God and destroyers of His people
John 10:12; Acts 20:29; Matt. 7:15
Weakness and imperfection
The false church as well as the true bride; Israel also, or any religious system
Matt. 13:33; Gal. 4:22-24; Rev. 2:20
The expression of what Christ is personally and essentially
Abject and contemptible creature. Eternal misery
Job 25:6; Psa. 22:6; Mark 9:44, 46, 48