Examples of Allegorizing and Spiritualizing in Scripture
Paul explicitly identifies his reading of Sarah and Hagar as allegory in Galatians 4:24, where he treats the narrative of Isaac the free-born and Ishmael the slave-born as bearing a meaning beyond the historical account [1]. This passage stands as the clearest New Testament instance of allegorical interpretation, demonstrating that the apostolic writers themselves employed this method when drawing theological significance from Old Testament narratives.
Allegory in the Old Testament
The Hebrew Bible contains several passages that function allegorically. Nathan's confrontation of David in 2 Samuel 12:1–4 presents a fictional scenario—a rich man stealing a poor man's lamb—that David initially receives as literal before recognizing its allegorical reference to his own sin [1]. Psalm 80 employs extended allegory when it describes Israel as a vine brought out of Egypt, planted, and then ravaged [1]. Ecclesiastes 12:2–6 offers what commentators identify as an allegorical description of old age, using images of failing light, trembling keepers, and broken cords to represent bodily decline [1].
Figurative Language and Spiritual Meaning
Scripture frequently uses concrete images to convey spiritual realities. The cup appears repeatedly as a figure for divine favor or wrath, as in Psalm 16:5, 23:5, and Matthew 20:22–23 [7]. Revelation 17:2 draws on a long biblical tradition when it depicts adultery as an image for serving other gods, a metaphor rooted in texts like Exodus 34:12–16, Judges 2:17, and Hosea 2 [3]. Similarly, drunkenness in prophetic literature often depicts nations indulging in immoral behavior, as seen in Jeremiah 25:27, 51:7, and Lamentations 4:21 [3].
The image of enemies as a footstool under the Messiah's feet in Psalm 110:1, quoted in Hebrews 1:13, represents absolute subjugation through a symbolic act familiar in the ancient world, where victorious kings would place their foot on a defeated enemy's neck [4]. Jesus himself drew striking illustrations of spiritual truths from familiar objects, as when he used the cleaning of a cup's exterior while leaving the interior filthy to depict hypocrisy [5].
Parables constitute a distinct category of allegory, though they can take various forms—not only stories but also proverbs, similes, metaphors, riddles, and comparisons [6]. Each parable functions as an allegory in the sense that it represents one thing to communicate another [1, 2].
Sources
- 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: 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”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 17:2: 17:2 Adultery with her is a biblical image for serving other gods (see, e.g., Exod 34:12-16; Judg 2:17; Hos 2). • drunk by . . . her immorality: Drunkenness in Scripture often depicts nations that indulge in wanton and immoral behavior (see Rev 18:3, 9; Jer 25:27; 51:7; Lam 4:21; Ezek 23:33).”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 1:13: 1:13 In climactic fashion, the author ends his string of Old Testament quotations (see study note on 1:5-14) by quoting from Ps 110:1 in celebration of Christ’s exaltation (see also study notes on Luke 20:42-43; 22:69; 1 Cor 15:25; Eph 1:19-22). • The image of the Son’s enemies as a footstool under his feet represents their absolute subjugation (see Heb 2:8). In the ancient world, a victorious king would place his foot on the neck or back of an enemy as a symbolic act of domination.”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 11:39: cup and platter--remarkable example of our Lord's way of drawing the most striking illustrations of great truths from the most familiar objects and incidents of life. ravening--rapacity.”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 4:2: 4:2 Parables are often stories (Luke 15:11-32; 18:1-8) but can also be proverbs (Mark 3:24-25; Luke 4:23), similes and metaphors (Matt 5:14; 10:16), riddles (Mark 7:15; 14:58), comparisons (Matt 13:33; Luke 15:3-7), examples (Luke 10:30-35; 12:16-21), or allegories (Mark 4:3-9; 12:1-12).”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 11:6: Their punishment is described by vivid figures denoting abundant, sudden, furious, and utter destruction (compare Gen 19:24; Job 18:15; Psa 7:15; Psa 9:15). cup--is a frequent figure for God's favor or wrath (Psa 16:5; Psa 23:5; Mat 20:22-23).”