Examples of Human Types and Antitypes in Scripture
Typology in Scripture
The concept of typology in Scripture involves understanding certain persons, events, or institutions in the Old Testament as prefiguring or foreshadowing aspects of the New Testament, particularly Christ or the Christian experience. The Greek word "tupos" (type) is used in the New Testament to denote a model or pattern, and its derivatives are translated as "example," "ensample," "figure," or "type" [3].
Old Testament Types and Antitypes
The Old Testament contains numerous examples of types that are fulfilled in the New Testament. For instance, Adam is considered a type of Christ, as both are seen as representative figures: Adam as the source of sin and death, and Christ as the source of righteousness and life (Romans 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:45) [1]. The Paschal Lamb is another significant type, prefiguring Christ's sacrifice. The lamb's characteristics, such as being a male of the first year, without blemish, and chosen beforehand, are seen as typological precursors to Christ's role as the Lamb of God (Exodus 12:3-7; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:19) [2].
Other examples include Abel, whose offering is seen as a type of Christ's sacrifice (Hebrews 11:4; Matthew Henry on Hebrews 11:4) [4], and Melchizedek, who is considered a type of Christ as a priest-king (Hebrews 5:10; 7:1-17). The brazen serpent raised by Moses is also seen as a type of Christ's crucifixion, symbolizing salvation through faith (Numbers 21:9; John 3:14-15) [1].
New Testament Interpretation of Types
The New Testament writers frequently interpret Old Testament events and figures typologically. For example, the author of Hebrews explains how the Old Testament priesthood and sacrifices are types or shadows of Christ's priestly work (Hebrews 8:5; 10:1). The apostle Paul also uses typology when discussing the Israelites' experience in the wilderness, seeing their experiences as "examples" or "types" for the Christian community (1 Corinthians 10:6, 11) [3].
Patristic Understanding of Typology
Early Church Fathers, such as John Chrysostom, continued this typological interpretation. Chrysostom saw the history of Abraham as a reproof to Jewish pride and as a pattern of hospitality, highlighting the typological significance of Old Testament figures in understanding Christian doctrine and practice [5].
Significance of Typology
The use of typology in Scripture and by early Christian interpreters underscores the unity and coherence of the biblical narrative. It demonstrates how the Old Testament prefigures and is fulfilled in the New Testament, particularly in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This approach to biblical interpretation emphasizes the theological and Christocentric nature of Scripture, revealing a deeper layer of meaning that connects the testaments.
The recognition of types and antitypes in Scripture enriches the understanding of Christian doctrine and the significance of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. It highlights the continuity between the Old and New Testaments, showing how the earlier texts contain foreshadowings and anticipations of the later revelation [1, 2, 3].
Sources
- 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”
- 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Type — Occurs only once in Scripture (1 Cor. 10:11, A.V. marg.). The Greek word tupos is rendered "print" (John 20:25), "figure" (Acts 7:43; Rom. 5:14), "fashion" (Acts 7:44), "manner" (Acts 23:25), "form" (Rom. 6:17), "example" or "ensample" (1 Cor. 10:6, 11; Phil. 3:17; 1 Thess. 1:7; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12). It properly means a "model" or "pattern" or "mould" into which clay or wax was pressed, that it might take the figure or exact shape of the mould. The word "type" is generally used to denote a resemblance between something present and something future, which”
- Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 11:4: The apostle, having given us a more general account of the grace of faith, now proceeds to set before us some illustrious examples of it in the Old Testament times, and these may be divided into two classes: - 1. Those whose names are mentioned, and the particular exercise and actings of whose faith are specified. 2. Those whose names are barely mentioned, and an account given in general of the exploits of their faith, which it is left to the reader to accommodate, and apply to the particular persons from what he gathers up in the sacred story. We have here those”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: 567 INDEX OF SUBJECTS. Abraham , his history a reproof to Jewish pride, 97 ; a pattern of hospitality, 276 ; his faith, 349 , 385 , 391 , 395 ; his justification, 388 ; why circumcised, 389 ; his true children, 389 , 391 ; his hospitality, 504 ; zeal for truth, 504 ; prayer for Sodom, 546 . Abuse, the best answer to, 242 ; disgraceful, 244 ; its reaction, 510 ; see Reviling . Acts of the Apostles, little known in Chrysostom's time, 1 ; how profitable as sequel to the Gospels, 1 ; an inspired book, 2 ; important for doctrine, 3 ; written by St. Luke, ”