Evaluating Allegories and Examples in Biblical Interpretation
Biblical interpretation often involves distinguishing between allegories and examples, both of which convey meaning beyond a literal reading. An allegory is a figure of speech where a representation of one thing is intended to excite the representation of another, containing a twofold sense: an immediate or historic meaning and an ultimate meaning signified by the words [1]. The term "allegory" appears in Galatians 4:24, where the apostle Paul uses the history of Isaac and Ishmael allegorically [2]. John Gill notes that Philo the Jew also allegorized Sarah and Hagar, though Paul's allegorization is considered more effective [6]. Allegories are essentially extended metaphors or continued metaphors [6]. Examples of allegorical narratives in the Bible include Nathan's address to David in 2 Samuel 12:1-4, the description of old age in Ecclesiastes 12:2-6, and Psalm 80's depiction of Israel as a vine brought out of Egypt [2].
Parables are a specific type of allegory, often defined as short allegories with a single definite moral [1]. The Greek word parabolē signifies "placing beside or together," indicating a comparison or similitude [4]. In the New Testament, parables can range from short proverbs to enigmatic maxims or expanded metaphors [4]. For instance, the parables of Jesus, such as the sower in Matthew 13:3-9, use common aspects of life to illustrate spiritual truths [5]. Interpreting parables requires identifying the central analogy within its historical and Gospel context, rather than seeking speculative allegorical meanings in every detail [5].
In contrast to allegories, biblical examples serve as illustrations or models for behavior or warning. The Bible presents Christ as an example (1 Peter 2:21; John 13:15), as well as pastors to their flocks (Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 5:3) [3]. The experiences of the Jews are cited as a warning (Hebrews 4:11), and the prophets are presented as examples of suffering affliction (James 5:10) [3]. It is important to distinguish between an allegory, where elements have theological counterparts, and an illustration that makes a specific point without every detail carrying symbolic weight. For example, Paul's discussion of marriage in Romans 7:2-3 is an illustration to make two basic points about release from obligation and establishing new relationships, not an allegory where every element has a theological counterpart [9]. David's experiences in the Psalms are often seen as examples or types, with some passages susceptible to application to Christ as a sufferer, though not necessarily applying confessions of sin to Him [7, 8].
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”
- 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.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Example — Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).”
- 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”
- 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.”
- 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”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 38:21: (Compare Psa 22:19; Psa 35:3). All terms of frequent use. In this Psalm the language is generally susceptible of application to Christ as a sufferer, David, as such, typifying Him. This does not require us to apply the confessions of sin, but only the pains or penalties which He bore for us. Next: Psalms Chapter 39”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 32:7: His experience illustrates the statement of Psa 32:6.”
- 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.”