Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5409 metaphor

An image which suggests similarities between two different ideas, without implying that they are identical. Scripture uses metaphors extensively, as a way of illustrating aspects of its teaching.

Examples of metaphors for God

Father

Deuteronomy 32:6; Isaiah 64:8; Malachi 2:10; Ephesians 4:6

Rock

Deuteronomy 32:4 See also 1 Samuel 2:2; 2 Samuel 22:2; Psalm 62:2; Psalm 78:35

Shepherd

Psalm 23:1 See also Psalm 28:9; Psalm 80:1; Ezekiel 34:11-16

Examples of metaphors for Jesus Christ

Bread of life

John 6:35-51

Good shepherd

John 10:11,14

Light of the world

John 8:12; John 9:5

Examples of metaphors for the Holy Spirit

Counsellor

John 14:16,26; John 15:26; John 16:7

Breath

Genesis 2:7; Job 32:8; Job 33:4; Job 34:14

Wind

John 3:8

Examples of metaphors for the church

Bride

Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:2-9; Revelation 22:17

Household of God

Ephesians 2:19; 1 Timothy 3:15

Body of Christ

Romans 12:4; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:24

See also

1040  God, fatherhood
1215  God, feminine descriptions
1220  God as shepherd
1240  God, the Rock
1670  symbols
2203  Christ, titles of
2315  Christ as Lamb
2330  Christ as shepherd
3110  Holy Spirit, titles of
5438  parables
7020  church, the