The Symbolic Language of the Bible: Sword - Wrinkle

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 15
 
Symbol
Meaning
Reference
Sword
Keen searching judgment of the Word of God
Hebrews 4:12
 
War and bloodshed; judgment
Revelation 6:4
 
Magisterial authority and power
Romans 13:4
Table
Communion; fellowship
1 Corinthians 10:21; Psalms 23:5; Leviticus 24:6
Tail
False prophets and false teaching
Isaiah 9:14, 15; Revelation 12:4
Talents
Gifts for public service
Matthew 25:14-30
Tares
Religious but unsaved professors
Matthew 13:25-30
Teeth
Cruelty, mischievous power
Daniel 7:5, 7, 19; Psalms 58:6
Tempest
Afflictions; judgment
Job 9:17; Psalms 11:6
Thighs
Strength
Daniel 2:32; Genesis 32:25; Psalms 45:3
Thorns
Generally what is unprofitable
Hebrews 6:8; Matthew 13:7
 
God’s instruments in chastening His people
2 Corinthians 12:7; Numbers 33:55
Thousands of thousands
Countless myriads
Revelation 5:11; Daniel 7:10
Throne
Seat of established authority
Isaiah 66:1; Matthew 25:31; Revelation 4:2
Tongue
Speech; remorse and torment; mere profession
Proverbs 12:18; Luke 16:24; 1 John 3:18
Tower
Safety
Psalms 61:3; Proverbs 18:10; 2 Samuel 22:51
Travail
Anguish of spirit and great anxiety
Jeremiah 4:31; Galatians 4:19
Trees
Eminent political persons
Ezekiel 31:5, 9; Revelation 8:7; Daniel 4:20-22
Trumpet
Loud and public summons
Zechariah 9:14; Revelation 8:2; Jeremiah 51:27; Joel 2:1, 15; Isaiah 27:13
 
The trump of 1 Thessalonians and 1 Corinthians will sound for Christians only
1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:52
Unicorn
Great strength; the agonies of death
Numbers 23:22; Psalms 22:21
Vail of the tabernacle, with its colors, cherubim, and material
Christ is absolute purity, in His varied glories and character heavenly and earthly as a man
Exodus 26:31; Hebrews 10:20
Vine
Israel—the responsible fruit-bearing system on earth
Psalms 80; Jeremiah 2:21
 
Christ on earth morally replacing Israel
John 15:5
Vipers
Poisonous doctrines and ways
Matthew 3:7; 12:34; Job 20:16
Virgins
Separation from the world, its idolatry, and ways
Revelation 14:4; 2 Corinthians 11:2
Vulture
Quickness of sight; keen vision
Job 28:7
Walls
Divine and also human security
Isaiah 26:1; Revelation 21:14, 18; Deuteronomy 1:28
Water
The weakness of man
Psalms 22:14; 2 Samuel 14:14
 
The sanctifying and cleansing character of the Word of God
Ephesians 5:26; John 15:3
Waters
Nations acting under certain moral influences
Revelation 8:11; 16:4, 5; 17:15
Waves
Divinely inflicted judgments
Psalms 42:7; Jonah 2:3; Psalms 88:7
Well
Source of blessing and refreshment
Psalms 84:6; John 4:14; Genesis 49:32
Wheat
Genuine profession
Jeremiah 23:28; Matthew 12:24-30
Wheels
Course of providential government on earth
Ezekiel 1:16; 10:10-17
Whirlwind
Manifestation of Divine power
Zechariah 9:14; Isaiah 66:15
White
Purity
Revelation 1:14; 3:4; 14:14; Mark 16:5
Whoredoms
Religious corruption; spiritual idolatry
Ezekiel 16; Revelation 18
Widow
Desolateness
Revelation 18:7; Isaiah 1:23; 47:8
Wilderness
An afflicted and desolate condition
Revelation 12:6; 17:3
Wind
Unseen, yet powerful operations of the Spirit of God
John 3:8; Acts 2:2
 
Instability
Ephesians 4:14; James 1:6
 
False and vain expectations
Hosea 12:1; Isaiah 26:18
 
Divine manifestation in judgment or in grace
Isaiah 57:12; Daniel 2:35; Ezekiel 37:9
Wine
The mere excitement of nature; joy; judgment
Ephesians 5:18; Judges 9:13; Jeremiah 35:5; Leviticus 10:9; Isaiah 63:2, 3
Wings
Protection; shelter; rapidity of action
Psalms 91:4; 36:7; Luke 13:34; Ezekiel 1; Revelation 9:9; 12:14
Wolves
Enemies of God and destroyers of His people
John 10:12; Acts 20:29; Matthew 7:15
Woman
Weakness and imperfection
Isaiah 3:12; 19:16
 
The false church as well as the true bride; Israel also, or any religious system
Matthew 13:33; Galatians 4:22-24; Revelation 2:20
Word, the
The expression of what Christ is personally and essentially
John 8:25; 1:1, 2
Worm
Abject and contemptible creature; eternal misery
Job 25:6; Psalms 22:6; Mark 9:44, 46, 48
Wrinkle
Expressive of care and old age
Deuteronomy 28:48; Matthew 11:29, 30