Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  4000 Creation  »  4800 Natural and supernatural phenomena  »  4846 shadow

Primarily a symbol of protection, of the brevity of life and of the experience of death, in contrast to God's character and work.

Shadow as a general symbol of protection

Isaiah 30:2-3 See also Judges 9:15; Jeremiah 48:45; Hosea 14:7; Jonah 4:5-6; Mark 4:32

A symbol of God's protection

Psalm 91:1 See also Psalm 17:8; Psalm 36:7; Psalm 57:1; Psalm 63:7; Psalm 121:5; Isaiah 4:5-6; Isaiah 25:4-5; Isaiah 49:2; Isaiah 51:16

A symbol of the protection given by God's chosen one

Isaiah 32:2; Lamentations 4:20; Ezekiel 17:22-23

Shadow as a symbol of life

Of the brevity of life

Psalm 144:4 See also 1 Chronicles 29:15; Job 8:9; Job 14:2; Psalm 102:11; Psalm 109:23; Ecclesiastes 6:12; Ecclesiastes 8:13

Of life's sadness and despair

Isaiah 59:9 See also Job 3:3-5; Job 7:2-3; Job 16:16; Job 17:7

Shadow as a symbol of the experience of death

Job 38:17; Psalm 23:4 See also Job 10:21-22

Shadow in contrast to God

Shadow contrasts with God's unchanging nature

James 1:17

God's light pierces all shadow

Job 12:22 See also Job 34:22; Psalm 139:11-12; Daniel 2:22

God's salvation reaches to those whose life is in shadow

Matthew 4:16 See also Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 60:1-2; Luke 1:79

OT ceremonies as a shadow of the reality in Jesus Christ

Colossians 2:16-17 See also Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 10:1

Real shadows

Judges 9:36; Nehemiah 13:19; Songs 2:17; Songs 4:6; Jeremiah 6:4

Real shadows invovled in miracles

2 Kings 20:9-11 pp Isaiah 38:8; Acts 5:15

See also

1160  God, unchangeable
1320  God as Saviour
1403  God, revelation
1416  miracles
1436  reality
1460  truth
4809  darkness
4833  light
5480  protection
5490  refuge
9020  death