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Grounding Allegories in Eternal Biblical Truths

Allegory, as a figure of speech, involves representing one thing in order to evoke the representation of another, carrying both an immediate, historical sense and an ultimate meaning derived from the things signified by the words [1]. This dual nature allows biblical allegories to be grounded in eternal truths, often drawing connections between physical realities and spiritual principles.

The concept of a "foundation," for instance, serves as a powerful allegory throughout scripture. Literally, a foundation is the lowest part of a building upon which it rests, described as being made of stone, deeply laid, and strongly constructed, often joined by cornerstones [3]. This literal understanding is then extended metaphorically to various aspects of existence: the heavens, the earth, the world, mountains, and even kingdoms are said to have foundations [3]. God is depicted as the one who laid the foundation of the earth "of old," or "in the beginning," demonstrating His wisdom as a master builder and ensuring the stability of creation [7, 13]. This act of creation, establishing the earth's foundation, is a testament to God's enduring power and faithfulness [13].

In a spiritual sense, this allegorical use of "foundation" extends to the church and its core beliefs. Commentators like John Gill interpret Psalm 87:1, "His foundation is in the holy mountains," as referring to the church, which is founded upon Christ and the apostles [8]. Matthew Henry similarly suggests that the psalmist, contemplating the glories of the temple built in Zion upon Mount Moriah, breaks out into this expression, seeing the temple as a foundation for argument or a beginning of the psalm's theme [9]. The "holy mountains" can thus be understood as a metaphor for the divine establishment and enduring nature of God's dwelling among His people. The stability and permanence of a physical foundation become an allegory for the steadfastness of God's covenant and His church, which are "established forever and ever" and "done in truth and uprightness" [5].

Another significant allegorical concept is that of "groves" and "altars." Literally, groves were often found on hilltops and used as resting places [2]. However, their biblical significance is predominantly negative, as they were frequently associated with idolatrous worship. Idols were worshipped in groves, and these groves were often planted near altars dedicated to false gods [2, 4]. The Israelites were explicitly commanded not to plant groves near God's altar, and the groves of the Canaanites were to be destroyed [2, 4]. Kings like Ahab and Manasseh were condemned for planting groves for idol worship, while righteous kings like Gideon, Hezekiah, Asa, and Jehoshaphat actively destroyed them [2]. This historical narrative of groves and altars serves as an allegory for the constant struggle against idolatry and the importance of pure worship. The destruction of these physical symbols of false worship represents the spiritual imperative to remove anything that competes with the worship of the one true God.

The concept of God as a "Rock" also functions allegorically. While a rock provides literal stability and shelter, in scripture, it signifies God's unwavering faithfulness and firmness [12]. The psalmist affirms, "he is my Rock," expressing confidence in God's steadfastness and His commitment to His covenant and promises [12]. This allegorical understanding of God as a Rock provides comfort and assurance, especially in times of affliction.

Afflictions themselves are often presented allegorically as tools for spiritual growth and divine revelation. While literally painful or difficult experiences, they are understood to be beneficial in promoting God's glory, exhibiting His power and faithfulness, teaching His will, and turning individuals back to Him [6]. Afflictions can lead people to seek God in prayer, convince them of sin, and prevent them from departing from God [6]. This allegorical interpretation transforms suffering from a purely negative experience into a means through which God works for the good of His people.

The enduring nature of God's promises and His kingdom is also expressed through allegorical language. John Gill, in his commentary on Psalm 89:28, interprets "His seed also will I make to endure for ever" not as a literal lineage of kings but as the spiritual seed of the Messiah—those given to Him by the Father, adopted through Him, and regenerated by His Spirit [11]. This spiritual interpretation elevates the promise beyond a temporal, earthly kingdom to an eternal, spiritual one. Similarly, the phrase "God is my King of old" (Psalm 74:11) is understood by Gill to refer to Christ, who has been exercising His kingly office for the good of His church from everlasting, providing comfort and stability through all circumstances [10].

Even the act of remembering God's works is presented as a means of strengthening faith. The psalmist's resolve to "remember the works of the Lord" (Psalm 77:11) is not merely a historical recollection but an allegorical act of drawing strength from past divine interventions to overcome present doubts and fears [14]. This remembrance of God's works of creation, providence, and grace, including redemption through Christ, serves as a powerful antidote to unbelief [14].

The use of allegory in biblical texts allows for a deeper, multi-layered understanding of divine truths. By grounding abstract spiritual concepts in concrete, relatable imagery—foundations, groves, rocks, and afflictions—the scriptures communicate eternal principles in a way that resonates across generations and cultures. This method ensures that while the immediate context may be historical, the underlying message remains perpetually relevant, reflecting the enduring nature of God's character and His relationship with humanity.

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Groves — Antiquity of -- Ge 21:33. Often on tops of hills -- 1Ki 14:23; Ho 4:13. Often used as resting places -- 1Sa 22:6. Idols were worshipped in -- De 12:2. Not to be planted near God's altar -- De 16:21. Of Canaanites, to be destroyed -- Ex 34:13; De 7:5; 12:3. For idol worship planted By Ahab. -- 1Ki 16:33. By Manasseh. -- 2Ki 21:3. By Israelites. -- 2Ki 17:16. Fondness of Israel for -- Jer 17:2. Punishment for making and serving -- 1Ki 14:15; Isa 1:28,29; Mic 5:14. Destroyed by Gideon. -- Jdj 6:25-28. Hezekiah. -- 2Ki 18:4. Asa. -- 2Ch 14:3. Jehoshaphat. -- 2Ch”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Foundation — The lowest part of a building, and on which it rests -- Lu 14:29; Ac 16:26. Figuratively applied to The heavens. -- 2Sa 22:8. The earth. -- Job 38:4; Ps 104:5. The world. -- Ps 18:15; Mt 13:35. The mountains. -- De 32:22. The ocean. -- Ps 104:8. Kingdoms. -- Ex 9:18. Laid for Cities. -- Jos 6:26; 1Ki 16:34. Walls. -- Ezr 4:12; Re 21:14. Houses. -- Lu 6:48. Temples. -- 1Ki 6:37; Ezr 3:10. Towers. -- Lu 14:28,29. Described as Of stone. -- 1Ki 5:17. Deep laid. -- Lu 6:48. Strongly laid. -- Ezr 6:3. Joined together by corner stones. -- Ezr 4:12; 1Pe 2:6; Eph”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Altars — Designed for sacrifice -- Ex 20:24. To be made of earth, or unhewn stone -- Ex 20:24,25; De 27:5,6. Of brick, hateful to God -- Isa 65:3. Natural rocks sometimes used as -- Jdj 6:19-21; 13:19,20. Were not to have steps up to them -- Ex 20:26. For idolatrous worship, often erected on roofs of houses -- 2Ki 23:12; Jer 19:13; 32:29. Idolaters planted groves near -- Jdj 6:30; 1Ki 16:32,33; 2Ki 21:3. The Jews not to plant groves near -- De 16:21. For idolatrous worship, to be destroyed -- Ex 34:13; De 7:5. Probable origin of inscriptions on -- De 27:8. Mentioned ”
  5. Psalms “They are established forever and ever. They are done in truth and uprightness. -- Psalms 111:8”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — The world in general -- Ge 1:2. The dry land as divided from waters -- Ge 1:10. God Created. -- Ge 1:1; Ne 9:6. Laid the foundation of. -- Job 38:4; Ps 102:25. Formed. -- Ps 90:2. Spread abroad. -- Isa 42:5; 44:24. Suspended in space. -- Job 26:7. Supports. -- Ps 75:3. Establishes. -- Ps 78:69; 119:90. Enlightens. -- Ge 1:14-16; Jer 33:25. Waters. -- Ps 65:9; 147:8. Makes fruitful. -- Ge 1:11; 27:28. Inspects. -- Zec 4:10. Governs supremely. -- Job 34:13; Ps 135:6. Reigns in. -- Ex 8:22; Ps 97:1. Shall be exalted in. -- Ps 46:10. Is the Lord's -- Ex 9:”
  8. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 87:1: His foundation is in the holy mountains. The Jewish writers connect these words with the title of the psalm, and make the sense to be this; "the foundation" or argument "of it", the psalm, "is concerning the holy mountains" of Zion and Jerusalem; so Aben Ezra, Jarchi, and Kimchi; and the Targum joins them together thus, "by the hands of the sons of Korah is said a song, which is founded by the mouth of the fathers that were of old:'' but the words are a part of the song or psalm, which begins in an abrupt manner, just as Sol 1:2 and may be rendered either "its fou”
  9. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 87:1: Some make the first words of the psalm to be part of the title; it is a psalm or song whose subject is the holy mountains - the temple built in Zion upon Mount Moriah. This is the foundation of the argument, or beginning of the psalm. Or we may suppose the psalmist had now the tabernacle or temple in view and was contemplating the glories of it, and at length he breaks out into this expression, which has reference, though not to what he had written before, yet to what he had thought of; every one knew what he meant when he said thus abruptly, Its foundation is in ”
  10. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 74:11: For God is my King of old,.... Or "but God", or "verily God", &c. (d); for these words contain the church's consolation under all the above melancholy circumstances, taken from what God was, and had been to her, even Christ, who is God over all; he was her King by the constitution and designation of his Father, and so he had been of old, even from everlasting; for so early was he set up as King; and he had in all ages been exercising his kingly office for the good of his church, and continued to do so; and this was her comfort, and is the comfort of saints in the wor”
  11. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 89:28: His seed also will I make to endure for ever,.... Not a race of kings from David, which ended at the Babylonish captivity; not the natural seed of David, not the Messiah himself, who sprung from him, but the Messiah's spiritual seed, which were given him by the Father, adopted through him, regenerated by his Spirit and grace, begotten through his Gospel, and the ministry of it, and born again in his church, and to whom he stands in the relation of the everlasting Father, Isa 9:6. The "enduring" of these "for ever" may denote the final perseverance of particular belie”
  12. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 92:14: To show that the Lord is upright,.... Or righteous, that is, faithful; as he is in his counsels, covenant, and promises, which he makes good by causing his people to grow and flourish, and become fruitful; by carrying on the work of grace upon their souls, and by preserving them to the end safe to his kingdom and glory; by all which it appears that he does not and will not suffer his faithfulness to fail: the Targum is, "that the inhabitants of the earth may show, &c.'' he is my Rock; the psalmist sets his seal to the truth of God's faithfulness, firmness, and co”
  13. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 102:24: Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth,.... The lower part of the creation, the Lord's footstool, called the earth beneath: this has its foundation; though what it is cannot be well said, it cannot be searched out; it is sometimes said to be founded upon the waters, and yet so as not to be removed for ever, Jer 31:37, this shows the wisdom of God, as a wise master builder, and the stability of the earth; and is a proof of the deity of Christ, to whom these words belong: this is said to be done "of old", or "at" or "in the beginning", as Jarchi and the Tar”
  14. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 77:11: I will remember the works of the Lord,.... His works of creation and providence, his government of the world, and particularly his regard for his own people, and his preservation of them, especially the people of Israel, whom he had not cast off, nor would and so might serve to strengthen his faith, that he would not cast him off for ever: and in like manner, what God has done for his people in a way of grace, in their redemption by Christ, and in a work of grace upon their souls, may be improved to the removing of doubts and fears, and unbelief, and for the strength”
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