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Characteristics of Non-Scriptural Examples in Biblical Texts

Biblical texts frequently employ non-scriptural examples, or types, to illuminate theological truths and foreshadow future events, particularly the person and work of Jesus Christ. These examples draw from historical figures, rituals, and objects within the Old Testament, establishing connections that deepen understanding of New Testament realities [5, 9, 10].

One prominent category of non-scriptural examples is the "type of Christ." These types are not merely illustrations but are understood as divinely ordained prefigurations. For instance, the Paschal Lamb is identified as a type of Christ [1, 9]. The characteristics of the Paschal Lamb—being a male of the first year, without blemish, taken from the flock, chosen beforehand, examined for four days, killed by the people at a specific place and time, and its blood shed and sprinkled—are seen as directly corresponding to aspects of Christ's life, sacrifice, and crucifixion [1]. Similarly, Adam is considered a type of Christ (Romans 5:14), as are Abel, Abraham, Aaron, the ark, the Ark of the Covenant, the brazen serpent, and various offerings and cities of refuge [5]. Augustine extensively discusses how figures like Ishmael and Isaac serve as types for the two covenants, emphasizing that such parallels are not coincidental but carry significant meaning [10]. John Chrysostom also notes Abraham's offering of Isaac as a type of the Lord's death [11].

Beyond direct types of Christ, the Bible uses non-scriptural examples to illustrate moral and spiritual principles. Sincerity, for example, is presented with Christ as its ultimate example (1 Peter 2:22), and ministers are exhorted to embody it (Titus 2:7) [2]. Sincerity is contrasted with "fleshly wisdom" and is shown to be essential in love for God and Christ, service to God, faith, love for one another, and the preaching of the gospel [2]. Conversely, presumption is characterized as a trait of the wicked and Antichrist, exemplified in opposing God, willful sin, self-righteousness, spiritual pride, and seeking precedence [6]. The builders of Babel are cited as an example of presumption [6].

The use of parables also falls under the umbrella of non-scriptural examples, though they are distinct from types. A parable, in the Greek parabole, signifies a comparison or similitude, illustrating one subject by another [7]. While sometimes referring to short proverbs or enigmatic maxims, parables primarily serve to convey spiritual truths through relatable, often fictional, narratives [7].

Biblical authors and later interpreters frequently draw connections between Old Testament narratives and New Testament fulfillments or ethical teachings. For instance, the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides extensive cross-references that link Old Testament events and commands to New Testament concepts. Nehemiah's call to "Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes" (Nehemiah 4:14) is cross-referenced with numerous passages emphasizing God's power and presence in battle, including Exodus 14:14 and Deuteronomy 20:3, and even New Testament exhortations like Matthew 10:28 and Hebrews 13:6, which speak of fearing God rather than man [3]. Similarly, Nehemiah's declaration, "The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build" (Nehemiah 2:20), is linked to passages about divine favor and blessing, such as Psalms 20:5 and Acts 10:4 [4]. These cross-references highlight how biblical texts themselves encourage readers to find broader applications and connections within the scriptural narrative, often using historical events as examples for contemporary or future instruction.

The practice of identifying types and examples underscores a belief in the Bible's unified, divinely inspired nature, where earlier events and figures are not isolated but contribute to a larger redemptive plan [8, 10]. This interpretive approach allows for a richer understanding of God's consistent character and purposes throughout salvation history.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Paschal Lamb, Typical Nature Of — A type of Christ -- Ex 12:3; 1Co 5:7. A male of the first year -- Ex 12:5; Isa 9:6. Without blemish -- Ex 12:5; 1Pe 1:19. Taken out of the flock -- Ex 12:5; Heb 2:14,17. Chosen before-hand -- Ex 12:3; 1Pe 2:4. Shut up four days that it might be closely examined -- Ex 12:6; Joh 8:46; 18:38. Killed by the people -- Ex 12:6; Ac 2:23. Killed at the place where the Lord put his name -- De 16:2,5-7; 2Ch 35:1; Lu 13:33. Killed in the evening -- Ex 12:6; Mr 15:34,37. Its blood to be shed -- Ex 12:7; Lu 22:20. Blood of, sprinkled on lintel an”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
  3. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Nehemiah 4:14 cross-references: Exodus 14:14, Exodus 14:25, Numbers 14:9, Deuteronomy 1:21, Deuteronomy 1:29, Deuteronomy 10:17, Deuteronomy 20:3, Joshua 1:9, Judges 3:27, 2 Samuel 10:12, 2 Chronicles 20:15, 2 Chronicles 32:7, Nehemiah 1:5, Job 37:22, Psalms 20:7, Psalms 27:1, Psalms 46:11, Psalms 65:5, Psalms 66:3, Psalms 66:5, Psalms 77:10, Psalms 143:5, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 51:12, Isaiah 63:11, Isaiah 64:1, Daniel 11:32, Nahum 1:2, Zechariah 14:3, Matthew 10:28, Hebrews 12:20, Hebrews 12:28, Hebrews 13:6”
  4. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Nehemiah 2:20 cross-references: Exodus 28:29, Leviticus 2:2, Leviticus 24:7, Numbers 10:10, 2 Chronicles 26:5, Ezra 4:3, Nehemiah 1:4, Nehemiah 2:4, Esther 4:11, Psalms 20:5, Psalms 35:27, Psalms 51:18, Psalms 102:13, Psalms 102:17, Psalms 122:6, Ecclesiastes 7:18, Isaiah 56:5, Zechariah 6:14, Acts 8:21, Acts 10:4, Acts 10:31”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Types of Christ — Adam -- Ro 5:14; 1Co 15:45. Abel -- Ge 4:8,10; Heb 12:24. Abraham -- Ge 17:5; Eph 3:15. Aaron -- Ex 28:1; Heb 5:4,5; Le 16:15; Heb 9:7,24. Ark -- Ge 7:16; 1Pe 3:20,21. Ark of the Covenant -- Ex 25:16; Ps 40:8; Isa 42:6. Atonement, sacrifices offered on the day of -- Le 16:15,16; Heb 9:12,24. Brazen serpent -- Nu 21:9; Joh 3:14,15. Brazen altar -- Ex 27:1,2; Heb 13:10. Burnt offering -- Le 1:2,4; Heb 10:10. Cities of refuge -- Nu 35:6; Heb 6:18. David -- 2Sa 8:15; Eze 37:24; Ps 89:19,20; Php 2:9. Eliakim -- Isa 22:20-22; Re 3:7. First-fruits -- Ex 22”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Presumption — A characteristic of the wicked -- 2Pe 2:10. A characteristic of Antichrist -- 2Th 2:4. Exhibited in Opposing God. -- Job 15:25,26. Wilful commission of sin. -- Ro 1:32. Self-righteousness. -- Ho 12:8; Re 3:17. Spiritual pride. -- Isa 65:5; Lu 18:11. Esteeming our own ways right. -- Pr 12:15. Seeking precedence. -- Lu 14:7-11. Planning for the future. -- Lu 12:18; Jas 4:13. Pretending to prophecy. -- De 18:22. Pray to be kept from sins of -- Ps 19:13. Saints avoid -- Ps 131:1. Punishment for -- Nu 15:30; Re 18:7,8. Exemplified Builders of Babel. -- Ge 11”
  7. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another.--McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expand”
  8. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 40: Word of God. When we refer to the Bible as 153 of divine authority, we refer to it as a volume and recognize all the writings which it contains as given by the inspiration of the Spirit. In like manner when Christ or his Apostles quote the “Scriptures,” or the “law and the prophets,” and speak of the volume then so called, they give their sanction to the divine authority of all the books which that volume contained. All, therefore, that is necessary to determine for Christians the canon of the Old Testament, is to ascertain what books wer”
  9. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: ; cure of, 199 , 200 . Parents, obedience to, how limited, 74 ; virtue of, aggravates the children's guilt, 75 . Participation, Christ received not grace by, 47 . Paschal Lamb, a type of Christ crucified, 319 . Passion of Christ, the, foretold darkly, its benefits plainly, 95 ; voluntary, 199 ; a proof that His promise of life to man should be fulfilled, 217 ; in what sense the cause of the Father's love towards Him, ib. ; proves His Resurrection, how, 218 ; His peculiar power shown therein, ib. ; was voluntary, ib. ; not commanded, but consented to”
  10. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 4: Augustine — Anti-Manichaean, Anti-Donatist — FAUSTUS DENIES THAT THE PROPHETS PREDICTED CHRIST. AUGUSTIN PROVES SUCH PREDICTION FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT, AND EXPOUNDS AT LENGTH THE PRINCIPAL TYPES OF CHRIST IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. (part 29): two men, Ishmael and Isaac, are types of the two covenants, can it be supposed that there is no significance in the vast number of particulars which have no historical or natural value? Suppose we were to see some Hebrew characters written on the wall of a noble building, should we be so foolish as to conclude that, because we cannot understand th”
  11. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: HOMILIES ON PHILIPPIANS, COLOSSIANS, AND THESSALONIANS. Aaron, why he was not smitten with leprosy as Miriam, 274 . Abel, suffered through love, 342 ; shall meet Christ, 356 . Abraham, example of good use of riches, 240 ; his offering Isaac a type of our Lord's death, 283 ; bid sacrifice Isaac, that he might be rewarded, 331 ; an example to bereaved parents, 336 ; prayed for Sodom, 342 ; preferred God to all things, 350 ; heard even his wife for God's sake, 350 ; blessed in his family for this, 350 ; not heard for Sodom, 358 ; hi”
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