The term "similar" in the context of the Bible often refers to likeness or resemblance in character, nature, or appearance. While the word itself may not frequently appear in English translations, the concept is prevalent throughout Scripture, illustrating the ways in which individuals, actions, or spiritual truths mirror one another.

Creation and Humanity

In the creation narrative, humanity is made in the image and likeness of God. Genesis 1:26 states, "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness...'" This foundational concept establishes the inherent dignity and value of human beings, as they reflect God's attributes, albeit imperfectly. The likeness to God encompasses moral, spiritual, and intellectual dimensions, setting humans apart from the rest of creation.

Typology and Foreshadowing

The Bible frequently uses typology, where events, persons, or institutions in the Old Testament are seen as foreshadows or "types" of greater realities revealed in the New Testament. For example, the sacrificial system in the Old Testament is similar to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:1 explains, "The law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves." Here, the sacrifices are similar in purpose but not in efficacy to Christ's atoning work.

Parables and Teachings of Jesus

Jesus often used parables to teach spiritual truths, drawing on familiar experiences to illustrate deeper realities. These accounts use similarities between everyday life and the Kingdom of God to convey lessons. For instance, the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9) uses the act of sowing seeds to describe how different people receive the word of God. The similarity lies in the process of growth and fruitfulness, or lack thereof, depending on the condition of the soil, which represents the heart.

Moral and Ethical Comparisons

The Bible frequently draws comparisons between righteous and unrighteous behavior, encouraging believers to emulate godly examples. In Philippians 3:17 , Paul urges, "Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you." Here, the similarity is in the conduct that aligns with Christian virtues, contrasting with the ways of the world.

Christlikeness

The ultimate goal for believers is to become more like Christ, reflecting His character and love. Romans 8:29 states, "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son..." This transformation involves a process of sanctification, where believers grow in holiness and righteousness, becoming similar to Christ in their thoughts, actions, and attitudes.

Unity in Diversity

The concept of similarity also extends to the unity of believers within the body of Christ. Despite diverse backgrounds and gifts, Christians are called to be one in spirit and purpose. Ephesians 4:3-4 exhorts, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit..." The similarity here is in the shared faith and mission, reflecting the unity of the Trinity.

In summary, the theme of similarity in the Bible underscores the interconnectedness of God's creation, the continuity of His redemptive plan, and the call for believers to reflect His character in their lives.1. (a.) Exactly corresponding; resembling in all respects; precisely like.

2. (a.) Nearly corresponding; resembling in many respects; somewhat like; having a general likeness.

3. (a.) Homogenous; uniform.

4. (n.) That which is similar to, or resembles, something else, as in quality, form, etc.

4832. summorphos -- to conform to
... to conform to. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: summorphos Phonetic Spelling:
(soom-mor-fos') Short Definition: similar, conformed to Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4832.htm - 6k

3664. homoios -- like, resembling, the same as
... like, resembling, the same as. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: homoios
Phonetic Spelling: (hom'-oy-os) Short Definition: like, similar to Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3664.htm - 6k

3946. paromoios -- much like
... much like. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: paromoios Phonetic Spelling:
(par-om'-oy-os) Short Definition: like, similar Definition: like, similar. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3946.htm - 6k

2470. isos -- equal
... equal, equivalent, identical. 2470 -- ; having the same (similar) level or
value; , in substance or quality (J. Thayer). [2470 () is ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2470.htm - 7k

3937. Parmenas -- "constant," Parmenas, a Christian
... for Parmenides (from a comp. of para and meno) or a similar name Definition "constant,"
Parmenas, a Christian NASB Word Usage Parmenas (1). Parmenas. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3937.htm - 6k

5604. odin -- a birth pang
... 5604 -- properly, the pain of childbirth (travail); (figuratively) the pain to
(introduce) something new, ie to bring in . [5604 () suggests (similar to birth ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5604.htm - 7k

2473. isopsuchos -- like-minded
... like minded. From isos and psuche; of similar spirit -- likeminded. see GREEK isos.
see GREEK psuche. (isopsuchon) -- 1 Occurrence. 2472, 2473. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2473.htm - 7k

3663. homoiopathes -- of like feelings or affections
... homoiopathes Phonetic Spelling: (hom-oy-op-ath-ace') Short Definition: of like feelings
Definition: of like feelings, having similar passions and feelings, of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3663.htm - 6k

4793. sugkrino -- to combine, compare
... [4793 ("comparative evaluating") results in " understanding" as elements
in a comparison are grasped as similar or dissimilar.]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4793.htm - 7k

3666. homoioo -- to make like
... make like, compare, resemble. From homoios; to assimilate, ie Compare; passively,
to become similar -- be (make) like, (in the) liken(-ess), resemble. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3666.htm - 7k

2755. chare yonim -- doves' dung
... of chere' and the plural of yownah; excrements of doves {or perhaps rather the plural
of a single word charapyown {khar-aw-yone'}; of similar or uncertain ...
/hebrew/2755.htm - 6k

1902. higgayon -- resounding music, meditation, musing
... Intensive from hagah; a murmuring sound, ie A musical notation (probably similar
to the modern affettuoso to indicate solemnity of movement); by implication, a ...
/hebrew/1902.htm - 6k

904. Bigthan -- a eunuch of Ahasuerus
... Bigthan, Bigthana. Or Bigthanad {big-thaw'naw}; of similar derivation to Bigtha';
Bigthan or Bigthana, a eunuch of Xerxes -- Bigthan, Bigthana. ...
/hebrew/904.htm - 6k

6497. peqaim -- gourd (shaped) ornaments
... a semi-globe. From an unused root meaning to burst; only used as an architectural
term of an ornament similar to paqqu'ah, a semi-globe -- knop. ...
/hebrew/6497.htm - 6k

757. Arki -- a native of a place in Palestine
... Archi, Archite. Patrial from another place (in Palestine) of similar name with
'Erek; an Arkite or native of Erek -- Archi, Archite. see HEBREW 'Erek. ...
/hebrew/757.htm - 6k

5508. sochereth -- a stone (used in paving)
... black marble. Similar to cocherah; probably a (black) tile (or tessara) for laying
borders with -- black marble. see HEBREW cocherah. 5507, 5508. ...
/hebrew/5508.htm - 6k

5035. nebel -- a skin bottle, skin, jar, pitcher
... Or nebel {nay'-bel}; from nabel; a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty);
hence, a vase (as similar in shape when full); also a lyre (as having a ...
/hebrew/5035.htm - 5k

8428. tavah -- probably to pain, wound
... A primitive root (or perhaps ident. With tavah through a similar idea from scraping
to pieces); to grieve -- limit (by confusion with tavah). see HEBREW tavah. ...
/hebrew/8428.htm - 6k

5288. naar -- a boy, lad, youth, retainer
... Of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age) -- babe, boy, child, damsel (from the
margin), lad, servant, young (man). see HEBREW na'ar. 5287, 5288. ...
/hebrew/5288.htm - 6k

Similar Hymns.
... Olney Hymns John Newton. VI. CAUTIONS. SIMILAR HYMNS. Book I. Hymn [70]8, [71]20,
[72]85, [73]87, [74]91, [75]104, [76]125, [77]139, [78]141. Book II. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/similar hymns 6.htm

Similar Hymns.
Olney Hymns. <. Olney Hymns John Newton. IV. COMFORT. SIMILAR HYMNS.
Book I. Hymn [44]4, [45]7, [46]9, [47]11, [48]25, [49 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/similar hymns 4.htm

Similar Hymns.
... Olney Hymns John Newton. II. Seeking, Pleading, and Hoping. SIMILAR HYMNS. Book
I. Hymn [12]45, [13]69, [14]82, [15]83, [16]84, [17]96. Book II. Hymn [18]29. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/similar hymns 2.htm

Similar Hymns.
Olney Hymns. <. Olney Hymns John Newton. I. Solemn Addresses to Sinners.
SIMILAR HYMNS. Book I. Hymn [1]75, [2]91. Book II. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/similar hymns.htm

Similar Hymns.
Olney Hymns. <. Olney Hymns John Newton. III. CONFLICT. SIMILAR
HYMNS. Book I. Hymn [19]10, [20]13, [21]21, [22]22, [23 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/similar hymns 3.htm

Similar Hymns.
... Olney Hymns John Newton. VII. PRAISE. SIMILAR HYMNS. Book I. Hymn [84]57, [85]58,
[86]59, [87]79, [88]80. Book II. Hymn [89]37, [90]38, [91]39, [92]41, [93]42. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/similar hymns 7.htm

Similar Hymns.
Olney Hymns. <. Olney Hymns John Newton. V. DEDICATION and SURRENDER SIMILAR
HYMNS. Book I. Hymn [63]27, [64]50, [65]70, [66]93, [67]122. Book II. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/similar hymns 5.htm

By Collating Similar Passages with 1 Sam. ...
... Two Books Concerning Repentance. Book I. Chapter IX. By collating similar passages
with 1 Sam.? By collating similar passages with 1 Samuel 3:25, St. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ix by collating similar.htm

It was for These and Similar Mysterious Reasons, with which Moses ...
... Chapter XLVI. It was for these and similar mysterious reasons, with which
Moses and the prophets were? It was for these and similar ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlvi it was for.htm

Pythagoras' Cosmogony; Similar to that of Empedocles.
... Book VI. Chapter XX."Pythagoras' Cosmogony; Similar to that of Empedocles.
The Pythagoreans therefore declare their opinion concerning ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xx pythagoras cosmogony similar to.htm

Similar (13 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Homogenous; uniform. 4. (n.) That which is similar to, or resembles, something
else, as in quality, form, etc. ...Similar (13 Occurrences). ...
/s/similar.htm - 11k

Like (10728 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Having the same, or nearly the same, appearance, qualities, or
characteristics; resembling; similar to; similar; alike; -- often with in and the ...
/l/like.htm - 14k

Match (4 Occurrences)
... potassium. 2. (n.) A person or thing equal or similar to another; one able
to mate or cope with another; an equal; a mate. 3. (n ...
/m/match.htm - 9k

Library
... them was consequently broken. Similar tablets, but in lesser number, were
found in the adjoining chambers. After Layard's departure ...
/l/library.htm - 16k

Antichrist (4 Occurrences)
...Similar but yet differing in many points is the description of Antiochus
Epiphanes in Daniel 8:9-12, 23-25. II. In the New Testament. ...
/a/antichrist.htm - 26k

Aramaic (12 Occurrences)
... New Syriac shows a similar facility in regard to Arabic and Persian. ... The pronouns
exhibit a similar resemblance to Hebrew and also to Biblical Aramaic. ...
/a/aramaic.htm - 31k

Genealogy (29 Occurrences)
... In Timothy and Titus refers probably to the Gnostic (or similar) lists of successive
emanations from Deity in the development of created existence. ...
/g/genealogy.htm - 70k

Buying (12 Occurrences)
... Dealers in similar goods and articles flock together here, as do the artisans of
like trades in all oriental cities." Such shops can yet be seen in quite ...
/b/buying.htm - 23k

Throne (181 Occurrences)
... 2:30 Hebrews 12:2); Christ Himself refers to His future state of glory (Matthew
25:31) and guarantees His faithful disciples a similar distinction (Matthew 19 ...
/t/throne.htm - 48k

Nicolaitans (2 Occurrences)
... Their doctrine was similar to that of Balaam, "who taught Balak to cast a
stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, ...
/n/nicolaitans.htm - 10k

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