Interpreting Allegories and Examples in Their Original Context
Allegory is a figure of speech where a representation of one thing is intended to evoke the representation of another, carrying both an immediate, historical meaning and an ultimate meaning signified by the words [1]. The term "allegory" is used in Galatians 4:24, where the apostle Paul allegorically interprets the history of Isaac and Ishmael [3, 7]. John Gill notes that Philo the Jew also allegorized Sarah and Hagar, though the apostle's allegorization is considered superior [7].
In biblical texts, allegories can be found in various forms. Nathan's address to David in 2 Samuel 12:1-4 is an allegorical narrative, and Psalm 80 contains an allegory comparing Israel to a vine brought out of Egypt. Ecclesiastes 12:2-6 offers an allegorical description of old age [3].
The term "parable" (Greek parabolē) signifies a comparison or similitude, literally meaning "placing beside" [4, 5]. While every parable can be considered an allegory [3], the New Testament uses parabolē broadly. It can refer to short proverbs (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20), dark prophetic utterances (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49), enigmatic maxims (Psalm 78:2; Proverbs 1:6), or expanded metaphors [4]. In the New Testament, parabolē can denote a proverb (Mark 7:17; Luke 4:23), a typical emblem (Hebrews 9:9; 11:19), a similitude or allegory (Matthew 15:15; 24:32; Mark 3:23; Luke 5:36; 14:7), and most commonly, a comparison of earthly things with heavenly truths [5].
When interpreting parables, it is crucial to identify the central analogy and understand it within its historical context and the broader Gospel narrative [6]. 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 (Matthew 5:14; 10:16), riddles (Mark 7:15; 14:58), comparisons (Matthew 13:33; Luke 15:3-7), examples (Luke 10:30-35; 12:16-21), or even allegories (Mark 4:3-9; 12:1-12) [9]. For instance, the parable in Matthew 13:3-9, interpreted in 13:18-23, addresses the Jewish nation's response to Jesus's message [6].
It is important to avoid finding speculative allegorical meanings in every element of a parable if such meanings were not originally intended [6]. For example, Paul's illustration in Romans 7:2-3, concerning a woman released from her husband by death, is not an allegory where every detail has a theological counterpart. Instead, Paul uses it to make two specific points: death releases one from obligation to the law, and freedom from one relationship allows for a new one, which he then applies in Romans 7:4 [8]. The book of Proverbs itself encourages understanding "a proverb and an allegory, the words of the wise and their enigmas" [2].
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”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 1:6 (Darby) — to understand a proverb and an allegory, the words of the wise and their enigmas.”
- 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: 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (Gr. parabole), a placing beside; a comparison; equivalent to the Heb. mashal, a similitude. In the Old Testament this is used to denote (1) a proverb (1 Sam. 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chr. 7:20), (2) a prophetic utterance (Num. 23:7; Ezek. 20:49), (3) an enigmatic saying (Ps. 78:2; Prov. 1:6). In the New Testament, (1) a proverb (Mark 7:17; Luke 4:23), (2) a typical emblem (Heb. 9:9; 11:19), (3) a similitude or allegory (Matt. 15:15; 24:32; Mark 3:23; Luke 5:36; 14:7); (4) ordinarily, in a more restricted sense, a comparison of earthly with heavenly things, "an eart”
- 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”
- 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.”
- 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).”