Understanding Types and Shadows in Biblical Application
In biblical application, "types" and "shadows" refer to elements within the Old Testament that prefigure or foreshadow realities found in the New Testament, particularly concerning Christ and the Christian dispensation [1]. The term "shadow" is used in passages like Colossians 2:17, Hebrews 8:5, and Hebrews 10:1 to denote this typical relationship between the Old Covenant and the New [1].
The concept implies that certain institutions, events, or persons in the Old Testament were not ends in themselves but served as preparatory illustrations of greater spiritual truths to be fully revealed in Christ. For example, the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, with its offerings for sin, is understood as a shadow pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ [1]. Similarly, the Old Testament priesthood and tabernacle services are seen as shadows of Christ's high priestly ministry and the heavenly sanctuary [1].
The idea of a "shadow" suggests an outline or an imperfect representation of a coming reality. Just as a shadow indicates the presence of an object without being the object itself, so too did Old Testament types point to Christ without being the full manifestation of His person and work. The "shadow of death," for instance, is used to describe thick darkness [7]. The spread of clouds and darkness can be seen as a covering [4, 6], while God's light can spread upon these clouds [5, 8], suggesting a revelation that dispels obscurity.
The Bible itself does not offer a theoretical explanation for the mystery of prayer, but it does provide types and examples of prayer [2]. This approach of understanding types and shadows extends to various biblical themes, where earlier manifestations serve as a "covert" or "refuge" [3] that anticipates a more complete fulfillment. The "light" that spreads over darkness [5, 8] can be seen as an analogy for how the New Testament illuminates the meaning of Old Testament shadows.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Shadow — Used in Col. 2:17; Heb. 8:5; 10:1 to denote the typical relation of the Jewish to the Christian dispensation.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — The object of this article will be to touch briefly on-- + The doctrine of Scripture as to the nature and efficacy of prayer; + Its directions as to time, place and manner of prayer; + Its types and examples of prayer. + Scripture does not give any theoretical explanation of the mystery which attaches to prayer. The difficulty of understanding real efficacy arises chiefly from two sources: from the belief that man lives under general laws, which in all cases must be fulfilled unalterably; and the opposing belief that he is master of his own destiny, and need ”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 61:4: I will abide--So I desire to do (compare Psa 23:6). trust in the covert, &c.--make my refuge, in the shadow (compare Psa 17:8; Psa 36:7).”
- Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 36:29: Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds,.... Or "of a cloud" (l), a thick cloud, a single one; which sometimes at the beginning is very small, about the size of a man's hand, Kg1 18:44; and which in a little time spreads all over the heavens, and covers them with black clouds and darkness; none can understand, describe, and tell by what means so small a cloud at first appearance is spread to such a prodigious extent; and which is done partly for the use of God himself, to be a pavilion or tent around him, Psa 18:11; and partly for the use of men, either to ”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 36:30: light--lightning. it--His tabernacle (Job 36:29). The light, in an instant spread over the vast mass of dark clouds, forms a striking picture. spread--is repeated from Job 36:29 to form an antithesis. "He spreads not only clouds, but light." covereth the bottom--roots. of the sea--namely, with the light. In the storm the depths of ocean are laid bare; and the light "covers" them, at the same moment that it "spreads" across the dark sky. So in Psa 18:14-15, the discovering of "the channels of waters" follows the "lightnings." UMBREIT translates: "”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 10:22: The ideas of order and light, disorder and darkness, harmonize (Gen 1:2). Three Hebrew words are used for darkness; in Job 10:21 (1) the common word "darkness"; here (2) "a land of gloom" (from a Hebrew root, "to cover up"); (3) as "thick darkness" or blackness (from a root, expressing sunset). "Where the light thereof is like blackness." Its only sunshine is thick darkness. A bold figure of poetry. Job in a better frame has brighter thoughts of the unseen world. But his views at best wanted the definite clearness of the Christian's. Compare with his wor”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 34:22: shadow of death--thick darkness (Amo 9:2-3; Psa 139:12).”
- Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 36:30: Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it,.... Upon his tabernacle; that is, upon the clouds, which are his tabernacle; either the light of the sun, whereby the clouds are dispersed and blotted out; an emblem of the blotting out of sin, or the forgiveness of it, Isa 44:22, which is like a clear shining after rain, Sa2 23:4, or on a thin cloud, whereby the rainbow is formed, an emblem of peace and reconciliation by Christ; or lightning, which bursting out of the dark cloud is spread over it, when it seems to be all in flames. Cocceius renders it, "he spreads the light about”