Clear Interpretation and Explanation of Allegory or Example
An allegory is a figure of speech that represents one thing in order to evoke the representation of another, carrying a meaning beyond its literal interpretation [1]. It involves a twofold sense: an immediate, historical meaning understood from the words, and an ultimate meaning conveyed by the things signified [1]. The term "allegory" is used in Galatians 4:24, where the apostle Paul allegorically refers to the history of Isaac and Ishmael [3].
Every parable can be considered an allegory [3]. The Greek word for parable, parabole, signifies "placing beside or together," implying a comparison or similitude [4, 5]. In the New Testament, parabole has a broad application, sometimes referring to short proverbs, dark prophetic utterances, enigmatic maxims, or expanded metaphors [4]. For instance, Nathan's address to David in 2 Samuel 12:1-4 is an allegorical narrative [3]. Other biblical examples include the allegorical description of old age in Ecclesiastes 12:2-6 and the allegory of the vine in Psalm 80 [3]. Ezekiel 17 also begins with an allegory or parable, which is then immediately explained [8].
The book of Proverbs mentions understanding "a proverb and an allegory, the words of the wise and their enigmas" (Proverbs 1:6 Darby) [2]. Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (Rashi) explains that this means directing attention to understand verses through both allegory and figure, not neglecting the figure itself [6]. For example, when Proverbs 2:16 speaks of being saved "from a strange woman and a foreign one," idolatry is meant allegorically, but the figure of the woman also requires understanding [6]. John Gill notes that a wise person will not only attain wise counsels but also understand proverbial sayings and their interpretation [10].
While parables are a type of allegory, it is important to distinguish how they function. Parables are stories that typically draw an analogy between a common aspect of life and a spiritual truth [12]. To understand a parable, one should identify the central analogy, consider its historical context, and understand it within the Gospel text [12]. It is cautioned against finding speculative allegorical meanings in every element of a parable that were not intended [12]. For example, the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9) addresses the responses to Jesus' message [12].
Paul's use of allegory in Galatians 4:24, concerning Hagar and Sarah, is a significant instance [7]. John Gill notes that Philo the Jew had allegorized Sarah and Hagar before Paul, with Sarah representing virtue and Hagar representing arts and sciences [7]. However, Paul's allegorization of the bondwoman and the free woman and their offspring is considered a more effective use [7]. An allegory is a continuous metaphor where one thing is expressed by another [7].
It is also important to recognize when a passage is not an allegory. For example, Romans 7:2-3, which discusses a woman being bound to her husband by law until his death, is not an allegory where every element has a theological counterpart [9]. Instead, Paul uses it as an illustration to make two points: death can release a person from obligation, and freedom from one relationship allows for a new one [9]. This illustration is then applied in Romans 7:4 [9]. Similarly, in Ezekiel 1:28, the description of the rainbow is understood as the "appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord," where every detail is in its utmost perfection, rather than each element being a distinct allegory [11].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Allegory — a figure of speech, which has been defined by Bishop Marsh, in accordance with its etymology as, "a representation of one thing which is intended to excite the representation of another thing." ("A figurative representation containing a meaning other than and in addition to the literal." "A fable or parable; is a short allegory with one definite moral."--Encyc. Brit.) In every allegory there is a twofold sense--the immediate or historic, which is understood from the words, and the ultimate, which is concerned with the things signified by the words. The alle”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 1:6 (Darby) — to understand a proverb and an allegory, the words of the wise and their enigmas.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Allegory — Used only in Gal. 4:24, where the apostle refers to the history of Isaac the free-born, and Ishmael the slave-born, and makes use of it allegorically. Every parable is an allegory. Nathan (2 Sam. 12:1-4) addresses David in an allegorical narrative. In the eightieth Psalm there is a beautiful allegory: "Thou broughtest a vine out of Egypt," etc. In Eccl. 12:2-6, there is a striking allegorical description of old age.”
- 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (Gr. parabole), a placing beside; a comparison; equivalent to the Heb. mashal, a similitude. In the Old Testament this is used to denote (1) a proverb (1 Sam. 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chr. 7:20), (2) a prophetic utterance (Num. 23:7; Ezek. 20:49), (3) an enigmatic saying (Ps. 78:2; Prov. 1:6). In the New Testament, (1) a proverb (Mark 7:17; Luke 4:23), (2) a typical emblem (Heb. 9:9; 11:19), (3) a similitude or allegory (Matt. 15:15; 24:32; Mark 3:23; Luke 5:36; 14:7); (4) ordinarily, in a more restricted sense, a comparison of earthly with heavenly things, "an eart”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Proverbs 1:6: to understand an allegory and a figure That they should direct their attention to understand the verses through two methods: the allegory and the figure. They should understand what he compares to the figure, but they should not neglect the figure itself, for that, too, requires understanding. When he states, “To save you from a strange woman and a foreign one” (2:16), idolatry is meant; this is the allegory, and also the figure—for he expressed his allegory in terms of a woman—should be understood by it, [meaning that] you shall beware of a stra”
- Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 4:23: Which things are an allegory,.... Or "are allegorized": so Sarah and Hagar were allegorized by Philo the Jew (p), before they were by the apostle. Sarah he makes to signify virtue, and Hagar the whole circle of arts and sciences, which are, or should be, an handmaid to virtue; but these things respecting Hagar and Sarah, the bondwoman and the free, and their several offspring, are much better allegorized by the apostle here. An allegory is a way of speaking in which one thing is expressed by another, and is a continued metaphor; and the apostle's meaning is, that t”
- Ezekiel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ezekiel 17 (introduction): This chapter begins with a new allegory or parable, Eze 17:1-10; to which an explanation is immediately subjoined, Eze 17:11-21. In the remaining verses the prophet, by a beautiful metaphor, makes an easy and natural transition to the Messiah, and predicts the security, increasing prosperity, and ultimate universality of his kingdom, Eze 17:22-24. From the beauty of its images, the elegance of its composition, the perspicuity of its language, the rich variety of its matter, and the easy transition from one part of the subject to another, this chapter f”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 7:2: 7:2-3 These verses are not an allegory, in which every element of the story has a theological counterpart. Paul simply cites an illustration to make two basic points: Death can release a person from obligation to the law, and freedom from one relationship can allow a person to establish a new one. Paul applies the illustration in 7:4.”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 1:6: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation,.... This may be connected either with the first verse, "the proverbs of Solomon", &c. are written, as for the above ends and purposes, so for these; or with Pro 1:5, a wise and understanding man, by hearkening and attending to what is here delivered, will not only attain to wise counsels, but to the understanding of proverbial sayings, and to see into the "elegancy" (m), the eloquence and beauty of them, as the word signifies; and be able to interpret them to others in a clear, plain, way and manner; the words of the”
- Ezekiel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ezekiel 1:28: As the appearance of the bow - Over the canopy on which this glorious personage sat there was a fine rainbow, which, from the description here, had all its colors vivid, distinct, and in perfection - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. In all this description we must understand every metal, every color, and every natural appearance, to be in their utmost perfection of shape, color, and splendor. "And this," as above described, "was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord." Splendid and glorious as it was, it was only the "appearanc”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 13:3: 13:3-9 This parable (interpreted in 13:18-23) addresses the mostly negative responses of the Jewish nation to Jesus and his message. • Parables (Greek parabolē) are stories that usually express an analogy between a common aspect of life and a spiritual truth. To understand a parable, it is necessary to locate the central analogy and understand it in its historical context and in the context of the Gospel text; then the central message can be understood. Speculative allegorical meanings that were not intended should not be found in every element of a parable.”