The term "The Figure" is not explicitly found in the Bible; however, it can be understood as a representation or symbol of a person, event, or concept that holds significant theological or spiritual meaning within the biblical narrative. In Scripture, figures often serve as types, shadows, or foreshadowings of greater truths revealed in the New Testament. This entry explores several key figures in the Bible, examining their roles and significance in God's redemptive plan.

Adam as a Figure of Christ

Adam, the first man created by God, is considered a figure of Christ in the sense that he serves as a type or foreshadowing of the "last Adam," Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul draws this parallel in Romans 5:14, stating, "Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the One to come." . Adam's disobedience brought sin and death into the world, while Christ's obedience brings righteousness and life.

Melchizedek as a Figure of Christ's Priesthood

Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High, is another significant figure who prefigures Christ's eternal priesthood. In Genesis 14:18-20, Melchizedek blesses Abram and receives a tithe from him. The author of Hebrews expounds on this figure, stating, "This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means 'king of righteousness'; then also, 'king of Salem' means 'king of peace.'" (Hebrews 7:1-2). Melchizedek's priesthood is without genealogy, resembling the eternal priesthood of Christ.

The Bronze Serpent as a Figure of Salvation

In the wilderness, God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole so that anyone bitten by a serpent could look at it and live (Numbers 21:8-9). This bronze serpent serves as a figure of Christ's crucifixion, as Jesus Himself explains in John 3:14-15: "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life." . The bronze serpent symbolizes the lifting up of Christ on the cross, providing salvation to all who look to Him in faith.

The Passover Lamb as a Figure of Christ's Sacrifice

The Passover lamb, sacrificed during the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, is a profound figure of Christ's sacrificial death. The blood of the lamb, applied to the doorposts, spared the Israelites from the plague of the firstborn (Exodus 12:13). The Apostle Paul identifies Christ as our Passover lamb in 1 Corinthians 5:7: "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." . This figure highlights the substitutionary atonement of Christ, whose blood delivers believers from the bondage of sin and death.

Jonah as a Figure of Christ's Death and Resurrection

The prophet Jonah, who spent three days and nights in the belly of a great fish, serves as a figure of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus refers to Jonah's experience as a sign of His own resurrection in Matthew 12:40: "For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." . Jonah's deliverance from the fish prefigures Christ's victory over the grave.

These figures, among others, illustrate the rich tapestry of typology woven throughout the biblical narrative, pointing to the fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus Christ. Through these figures, believers gain a deeper understanding of the continuity and coherence of God's redemptive work from Genesis to Revelation.