Typology in the Old Testament Narrative and Prophecy
Typology in the Old Testament refers to the study of how certain persons, events, or institutions in the Old Testament prefigure or foreshadow corresponding realities in the New Testament, particularly concerning Jesus Christ and the Christian church. This concept is closely linked with prophecy, which is understood as a "miracle of knowledge" involving a declaration of future events beyond human foresight [1]. The overarching prediction woven throughout the Old Testament is the coming and work of the Messiah, and prophecy served to sustain faith in this future event [1].
Prophets in the Old Testament were individuals through whom God communicated, often referred to as "men of God," "prophets of God," or "holy men of God" [2]. God spoke to them in various ways, including audible voices and through angels [2, 3]. While prophecy often involves direct predictions, such as those concerning the Messiah [1, 7], it also encompasses a broader sense of speaking a special word from God, which can include ethical instruction and divine revelation [9, 13]. For instance, Isaiah's prophecies include both predictions of Israel's restoration from Babylon and "new" predictions concerning the Messiah [7]. Similarly, Zechariah's visions of the Lord being king envision the ultimate fulfillment of many psalms and reaffirm Israel's creed against idolatry [8].
The New Testament frequently draws connections between Old Testament narratives and prophecies and their fulfillment in Christ. For example, Matthew's Gospel explicitly states that events in Jesus' life fulfill prophecies from Isaiah [4, 6]. The ethical qualities predicted for the godly remnant of Israel in the Old Testament are seen as perfectly expressed in Jesus the Messiah [5]. The "word of prophecy" from the Old Testament is considered a strong and convincing argument for the truth of the Gospel, foretelling the power and coming of Jesus Christ [10, 11]. This prophetic testimony is so central that the "testimony of Jesus" is equated with "the Spirit of prophecy" [12].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Prophecy — Or prediction, was one of the functions of the prophet. It has been defined as a "miracle of knowledge, a declaration or description or representation of something future, beyond the power of human sagacity to foresee, discern, or conjecture." (See [509]PROPHET.) The great prediction which runs like a golden thread through the whole contents of the Old Testament is that regarding the coming and work of the Messiah; and the great use of prophecy was to perpetuate faith in his coming, and to prepare the world for that event. But there are many subordinate an”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prophets — God spoke of old by -- Ho 12:10; Heb 1:1. The messengers of God -- 2Ch 36:15; Isa 44:26. The servants of God -- Jer 35:15. The watchmen of Israel -- Eze 3:17. Were called Men of God. -- 1Sa 9:6. Prophets of God. -- Ezr 5:2. Holy prophets. -- Lu 1:70; Re 18:20; 22:6. Holy men of God. -- 2Pe 1:21. Seers. -- 1Sa 9:9. Were esteemed as holy men -- 2Ki 4:9. Women sometimes endowed as -- Joe 2:28. God communicated to His secret things. -- Am 3:7. At various time and in different ways. -- Heb 1:1. By an audible voice. -- Nu 12:8; 1Sa 3:4-14. By angels. -- Da 8:15-”
- Hebrews “Hebrews 1:1 (YLT) — In many parts, and many ways, God of old having spoken to the fathers in the prophets,”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 4:14: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet-- (Isa 9:1-2 or, as in Hebrew, Isa 8:23, and Isa 9:1). saying--as follows:”
- Zephaniah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Zephaniah 3:12: 3:12 Jesus the Messiah perfectly expresses the ethical qualities predicted for the godly remnant of Israel (Isa 42:1-4; 53:3, 7-9; Zech 9:9; see Matt 11:28-30; 12:15-21; Phil 2:1-8; 1 Pet 2:23).”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 12:17: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying-- (Isa 42:1).”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 42:9: former things--Former predictions of God, which were now fulfilled, are here adduced as proof that they ought to trust in Him alone as God; namely, the predictions as to Israel's restoration from Babylon. new--namely, predictions as to Messiah, who is to bring all nations to the worship of Jehovah (Isa 42:1, Isa 42:4, Isa 42:6). spring forth--The same image from plants just beginning to germinate occurs in Isa 43:19; Isa 58:8. Before there is the slightest indication to enable a sagacious observer to infer the coming event, God foretells it.”
- Zechariah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Zechariah 14:9: 14:9 the Lord will be king: Zechariah envisions the ultimate fulfillment of many psalms (see Pss 47–48, 93, 97-99). • there will be one Lord: This promise reaffirms Israel’s creed (Deut 6:4) and signals a final end of all idolatry.”
- Zechariah (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Zechariah 7:9: Execute true judgment - See Isa 58:6, Isa 58:7; JeremiahJer 7:23; Mic 6:8, chap. 8.”
- 2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 1:19: In these words the apostle lays down another argument to prove the truth and reality of the gospel, and intimates that this second proof is more strong and convincing than the former, and more unanswerably makes out that the doctrine of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is not a mere fable or cunning contrivance of men, but the wise and wonderful counsel of the holy and gracious God. For this is foretold by the prophets and penmen of the Old Testament, who spoke and wrote under the influence and according to the direction of the Spirit of God. Here no”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 1:19: Though this word of prophecy is generally understood of the writings and prophecies of the Old Testament concerning Christ, yet different ways are taken to fix the comparison: some think the sense is, that they are more sure than the cunningly devised fables, Pe2 1:16 but as these have no certainty nor authority in them, but are entirely to be rejected, the apostle would never put the sacred writings in comparison with them: and it is most clear, that the comparison lies between this word of prophecy, and the testimony of the apostles, who were eye and ear witnesses ”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 1:2: bare record of--"testified the word of God" in this book. Where we would say "testifies," the ancients in epistolary communications use the past tense. The word of God constitutes his testimony; Rev 1:3, "the words of this prophecy." the testimony of Jesus--"the Spirit of prophecy" (Rev 19:10). and of all things that, &c.--The oldest manuscripts omit "and." Translate, "whatsoever things he saw," in apposition with "the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ."”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 3:5: 3:5 his holy apostles: See 1:1. • The order of the terms apostles and prophets (see 2:20) suggests that Paul is speaking of New Testament, not Old Testament, prophets. In both the Old Testament and the New Testament, the gift of prophecy is concerned less with predicting the future than with speaking a special word from God (see 1 Cor 12:10).”