Grounding Analogies and Examples in Scripture
The Bible frequently employs analogies and examples drawn from the natural world and human experience to convey spiritual truths and theological concepts. These illustrations often ground abstract ideas in concrete, relatable imagery.
One common analogy is that of a "foundation," which refers to the lowest part of a building upon which it rests [1]. This imagery is applied to various elements, including the heavens, the earth, the world, mountains, and even the ocean [1]. Cities, walls, houses, temples, and towers are all described as having foundations, often made of stone, laid deep and strong, and joined by cornerstones [1]. The concept of a foundation is used metaphorically to represent stability and permanence. For instance, the righteous are compared to a well-laid and firm foundation [7], suggesting their enduring nature. Conversely, the uncovering of foundations can signify destruction and judgment, as seen in the prophecy against Samaria [2]. The trembling of the earth's foundations is depicted as a sign of God's presence as lawgiver, judge, or rescuer [8].
Gardens provide another rich source of biblical imagery, often associated with fertility, beauty, and spiritual retreat. Scripture mentions various kinds of gardens, including those with herbs, cucumbers, fruit trees, and spices [3]. They were often enclosed, refreshed by fountains, and cared for by gardeners [3]. Gardens served as places for entertainment, retirement, and even burial [3]. The blasting of gardens is presented as a form of punishment [3].
Agricultural metaphors are also prevalent. The image of "ground" can represent productivity and blessing, while unproductive land bearing thorns and thistles symbolizes a curse and judgment [6]. The burning of such a field is an image of divine judgment [6]. The act of binding sheaves in a field is used in Joseph's dream to illustrate future submission [4]. Grass, described as a green herb that springs from the earth, is a symbol of transient life and God's provision [5]. God is depicted as the one who originally created grass, causes it to grow, and uses it to adorn the earth [5].
The destruction of cities like Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a powerful example of God's severe judgment against sin [9]. The resulting "salt pits" and barren ground symbolize permanent judgment, as sowing the earth with salt made it infertile [9]. These vivid examples from the physical world help to illustrate spiritual principles and divine actions throughout the biblical narrative.
Sources
- 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”
- Micah “Therefore I will make Samaria like a rubble heap of the field, like places for planting vineyards; and I will pour down its stones into the valley, and I will uncover its foundations. -- Micah 1:6”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gardens — Often made by the banks of rivers -- Nu 24:6. Kinds of, mentioned in scripture Herbs. -- De 11:10; 1Ki 21:2. Cucumbers. -- Isa 1:8. Fruit trees. -- Ec 2:5,6. Spices, &c. -- Song 4:16; 6:2. Often enclosed -- Song 4:12. Often refreshed by fountains -- Song 4:15. Taken care of by gardeners -- Joh 20:15. Lodges erected in -- Isa 1:8. Often used for Entertainments. -- Song 5:1. Retirement. -- Joh 18:1. Burial places. -- 2Ki 21:18,26; Joh 19:41. Idolatrous worship. -- Isa 1:29; 65:3. Blasting of, a punishment -- Am 4:9. Jews ordered to plant, in Babylon -- Jer 29”
- Genesis “for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and behold, your sheaves came around, and bowed down to my sheaf.” -- Genesis 37:7”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Grass — A green herb -- Mr 6:39. Called Grass of the earth. -- Re 9:4. Grass of the field. -- Nu 22:4. Springs out of the earth -- 2Sa 23:4. God Originally created. -- Ge 1:11,12. The giver of. -- De 11:15. Causes to grow. -- Ps 104:14; 147:8. Adorns and clothes. -- Mt 6:30. Often grew on the tops of houses -- Ps 129:6. When young, soft and tender -- Pr 27:25. Refreshed by rain and dew -- De 32:2; Pr 19:12. Cattle fed upon -- Job 6:5; Jer 50:11. Ovens often heated with -- Mt 6:30. Destroyed by Locusts. -- Re 9:4. Hail and lightning. -- Re 8:7. Drought. -- 1Ki 17:1; 1”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 6:7: 6:7-8 ground: Good, productive land is an image of blessing, contrasted with the curse of unproductive land that bears thorns and thistles. To burn such a field is an image of judgment (2 Sam 23:4-7; Isa 10:17; 33:12; Ezek 19:12-13; Matt 3:10).”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 10:25: (Compare Psa 1:4; Psa 37:9-10, Psa 37:36). righteous . . . foundation--well laid and firm (Mat 7:24-25).”
- Job (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Job 9:5: 9:5-6 When God moves the mountains and when the foundations of the earth tremble, it is a sign of his presence as lawgiver (Exod 19:18), judge (Jer 4:24), or rescuer (Ps 18:7; Isa 13:13; 29:6).”
- Zephaniah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Zephaniah 2:9: 2:9 The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as an example of God’s severe judgment of sin, both in the Old Testament (Deut 29:23; Isa 1:9; Jer 23:14; Amos 4:11) and in the New Testament (Luke 10:12; Rom 9:29; 2 Pet 2:6). • salt pits: A ruinous waste (Deut 29:23; Ps 107:34; Jer 17:6). Sowing the earth with salt was a mark of permanent judgment (see Judg 9:45) because it made the ground barren.”