Analogies and Examples Conveying God's Attributes in Scripture
Scripture employs concrete, sensory language to communicate the nature of God, drawing on human experience to make the invisible visible. The Bible describes God's holiness as incomparable [2], His glory as great and eternal [1], and His power through vivid natural phenomena. These analogies function not as literal descriptions but as bridges between divine reality and human comprehension.
Physical and Natural Imagery
The biblical writers frequently depict God's attributes through natural forces. Psalm 29 celebrates God's dominion over creation by describing His voice in thunder and storm, illustrating His "mighty power" through "terrible and wonderful exhibitions" of nature [8]. Similarly, God's appearance on Sinai provides recurring imagery: Psalm 18:7 draws figures from that theophany to convey divine presence [5]. The glory of the Lord, which tangibly expresses His power and majesty, appeared on Mount Sinai, at the Tabernacle's dedication, and in Solomon's Temple, yet remained "as vast as the heavens" [4]. This glory finds its ultimate expression in Christ, "the image of God" who manifested divine glory to the world [4].
Relational Analogies
God's attributes also emerge through relational metaphors. Psalm 103:13 presents the Lord as "like a father to his children," an analogy that became foundational for Jesus' teaching about God's fatherhood [6]. Deuteronomy 32:10-11 and Matthew 23:37 use protective imagery—God as one who shields His people like the apple of His eye—denoting "the preciousness of God's people in His sight" [3]. The godly are called to imitate these divine attributes: being generous, compassionate, and righteous mirrors God's own character [9].
Christological Focus
The New Testament identifies Christ as the supreme revelation of God's attributes. He is described as "the image of God" in whom God's glory dwells [4], and Hebrews 1:3 presents Him as the radiance of God's glory [1]. John 1:14 declares that the Word became flesh and revealed divine glory in human form [1]. This incarnational reality means that abstract divine attributes—holiness, glory, majesty—become visible in Christ's life, death, and resurrection [4].
Human encounters with divine glory consistently produce awe and fear, as seen in Isaiah 6:5, Daniel's visions, and Revelation 1:17 [7], underscoring that these analogies point toward a reality that exceeds human categories.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glory of God, The — Exhibited in Christ -- Joh 1:14; 2Co 4:6; Heb 1:3. Exhibited in His name. -- De 28:58; Ne 9:5. His majesty. -- Job 37:22; Ps 93:1; 104:1; 145:5,12; Isa 2:10. His power. -- Ex 15:1,6; Ro 6:4. His works. -- Ps 19:1; 111:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11. Described as Great. -- Ps 138:5. Eternal. -- Ps 104:31. Rich. -- Eph 3:16. Highly exalted. -- Ps 8:1; 113:4. Exhibited to Moses. -- Ex 34:5-7; 33:18-23. Stephen. -- Ac 7:55. His Church. -- De 5:24; Ps 102:16. Enlightens the Church -- Isa 60:1,2; Re 21:11,23. Saints desire to behold -- Ps 63:2; 90:16. God”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness of God, The — Is incomparable -- Ex 15:11; 1Sa 2:2. Exhibited in his Character. -- Ps 22:3; Joh 17:11. Name. -- Isa 57:15; Lu 1:49. Words. -- Ps 60:6; Jer 23:9. Works. -- Ps 145:17. Kingdom. -- Ps 47:8; Mt 13:41; Re 21:27; 1Co 6:9,10. Is pledged for the fulfilment of His promises. -- Ps 89:35. His judgments. -- Am 4:2. Saints are commanded to imitate -- Le 11:44; 1Pe 1:15,16. Saints should praise -- Ps 30:4. Should produce reverential fear -- Re 15:4. Requires holy service -- Jos 24:19; Ps 93:5. Heavenly hosts adore -- Isa 6:3; Re 4:8. Should be magnified --”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 17:8: Similar figures, denoting the preciousness of God's people in His sight, in Deu 32:10-11; Mat 23:37.”
- Leviticus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Leviticus 9:6: 9:6 Just as holiness describes God’s person and nature, the glory of the Lord tangibly expresses his power and majesty (see Ezek 1:28; 10:4). His glory was revealed on Mount Sinai (Exod 24:16), at the dedication of the Tabernacle (Exod 40:34-35), and in Solomon’s Temple (1 Kgs 8:11; 2 Chr 7:1). Yet it remained as vast as the heavens (Ps 19:1). The New Testament speaks of Christ’s glory as the image of God (2 Cor 4:4), who manifested God’s glory to the world (John 1:14). He was glorified in his death and resurrection (John 17:1-5). See also Exod 24:15-17.”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 18:7: God's coming described in figures drawn from His appearance on Sinai (compare Deu 32:22).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 103:13: 103:13 The Lord is like a father to his children: This analogy forms the basis for Jesus’ teaching about God’s fatherhood (see Matt 5:43-48; 6:1; 10:19-20; 12:50; Luke 6:36; 12:29-32; John 8:31-59; 15:1-8; see also 2 Sam 7:14; Jer 3:19; 31:9; Mal 1:6; 2 Cor 6:16-18).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 17:6: 17:6-7 Such a response is typical for encounters with God’s glory (e.g., Isa 6:5; Dan 8:17; 10:9, 15-19; Rev 1:17).”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 29 (introduction): Trust in God is encouraged by the celebration of His mighty power as illustrated in His dominion over the natural world, in some of its most terrible and wonderful exhibitions. (Psa 29:1-11) Give--or, "ascribe" (Deu 32:3). mighty--or, "sons of the mighty" (Psa 89:6). Heavenly beings, as angels.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 112:4: 112:4-5 The godly imitate God by being generous, compassionate, and righteous (51:1; 111:1-10; 2 Cor 9:9). They lend money to the poor without charging interest (Pss 15:5; 112:9; Exod 22:25).”