Understanding Typology in the Old Testament
Typology in the Old Testament refers to the study of "types," which are persons, events, or institutions in the Old Testament that prefigure or foreshadow corresponding realities in the New Testament, particularly Christ and the Christian church [1]. The Greek word tupos, from which "type" is derived, means a "model," "pattern," or "mould" [1]. While the word "type" appears only once in the King James Version margin of 1 Corinthians 10:11, the concept is pervasive throughout Scripture [1].
The New Testament authors frequently interpret Old Testament narratives and figures typologically. For instance, Paul refers to Adam as a "type" of Christ (Romans 5:14) [3]. The paschal lamb in Exodus is explicitly identified as a type of Christ, sharing characteristics such as being a male of the first year, without blemish, and its blood being shed for protection (Exodus 12:3-7; 1 Corinthians 5:7) [2]. Other examples of types of Christ include Abel, Abraham, Aaron, the ark of the covenant, the brazen serpent, and the cities of refuge [3].
This interpretive method highlights the continuity between the Old and New Covenants, demonstrating that God's plan of salvation was progressively revealed [8]. The Old Testament Scriptures, when understood fully, provide wisdom that leads to Christ Jesus, and conversely, Christ Jesus is necessary for a complete understanding of the Old Testament [5]. For example, Peter applies descriptions of ancient Israel from the Old Testament (e.g., Exodus 19:5-6) to his primarily Gentile Christian audience, indicating that Christians are now God's people in the new covenant era [10].
Typological interpretation differs from mere allegory or metaphor, as it posits a historical connection and divine design between the type and its antitype [6, 7]. The Old Testament often describes God in human terms (anthropomorphism) to help the human mind grasp His ways, but this does not limit God [4]. Similarly, the "call-answer motif" frequently appears in the Old Testament, depicting an intimate relationship between the petitioner and the Lord, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ [9]. Ancient biblical teachers would often cite and explain Old Testament texts, highlighting significant words, a practice known as midrash, which often involved discerning these typological connections [11].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Type — Occurs only once in Scripture (1 Cor. 10:11, A.V. marg.). The Greek word tupos is rendered "print" (John 20:25), "figure" (Acts 7:43; Rom. 5:14), "fashion" (Acts 7:44), "manner" (Acts 23:25), "form" (Rom. 6:17), "example" or "ensample" (1 Cor. 10:6, 11; Phil. 3:17; 1 Thess. 1:7; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12). It properly means a "model" or "pattern" or "mould" into which clay or wax was pressed, that it might take the figure or exact shape of the mould. The word "type" is generally used to denote a resemblance between something present and something future, which”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Paschal Lamb, Typical Nature Of — A type of Christ -- Ex 12:3; 1Co 5:7. A male of the first year -- Ex 12:5; Isa 9:6. Without blemish -- Ex 12:5; 1Pe 1:19. Taken out of the flock -- Ex 12:5; Heb 2:14,17. Chosen before-hand -- Ex 12:3; 1Pe 2:4. Shut up four days that it might be closely examined -- Ex 12:6; Joh 8:46; 18:38. Killed by the people -- Ex 12:6; Ac 2:23. Killed at the place where the Lord put his name -- De 16:2,5-7; 2Ch 35:1; Lu 13:33. Killed in the evening -- Ex 12:6; Mr 15:34,37. Its blood to be shed -- Ex 12:7; Lu 22:20. Blood of, sprinkled on lintel an”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Types of Christ — Adam -- Ro 5:14; 1Co 15:45. Abel -- Ge 4:8,10; Heb 12:24. Abraham -- Ge 17:5; Eph 3:15. Aaron -- Ex 28:1; Heb 5:4,5; Le 16:15; Heb 9:7,24. Ark -- Ge 7:16; 1Pe 3:20,21. Ark of the Covenant -- Ex 25:16; Ps 40:8; Isa 42:6. Atonement, sacrifices offered on the day of -- Le 16:15,16; Heb 9:12,24. Brazen serpent -- Nu 21:9; Joh 3:14,15. Brazen altar -- Ex 27:1,2; Heb 13:10. Burnt offering -- Le 1:2,4; Heb 10:10. Cities of refuge -- Nu 35:6; Heb 6:18. David -- 2Sa 8:15; Eze 37:24; Ps 89:19,20; Php 2:9. Eliakim -- Isa 22:20-22; Re 3:7. First-fruits -- Ex 22”
- Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 8:2: 8:2 to prove your character (literally to know what is in your heart): God already knew the Israelites’ innermost thoughts (Pss 51:6; 139:1, 4, 23); he wanted their character to come out in their actions. • to find out whether: The Old Testament often describes God in human terms, even in ways that appear to limit God. Anthropomorphism (assigning human characteristics to God) and anthropopathism (assigning human feelings or emotions to God) are ways of representing God on a human level so the human mind can better grasp his ways, but God is not limited in his ”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:14: 3:14-15 from childhood: Timothy’s Jewish grandmother and mother, Lois and Eunice (see Acts 16:1-3), provided his education in the Old Testament Scriptures (see 2 Tim 1:5), and their lives reinforced their teaching. • The Old Testament Scriptures give the wisdom to receive . . . Christ Jesus. In turn, Jesus Christ is needed to understand the Old Testament Scriptures fully.”
- Nah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Nah 3:15: 3:15 The Old Testament often uses locusts as a metaphor for armies (see Joel 2:1-11).”
- Nahum (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Nahum 3:15: 3:15 The Old Testament often uses locusts as a metaphor for armies (see Joel 2:1-11).”
- Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 1:1: Here the apostle begins with a general declaration of the excellency of the gospel dispensation above that of the law, which he demonstrates from the different way and manner of God's communicating himself and his mind and will to men in the one and in the other: both these dispensations were of God, and both of them very good, but there is a great difference in the way of their coming from God. Observe, I. The way wherein God communicated himself and his will to men under the Old Testament. We have here an account, 1. Of the persons by whom God delivered his mind”
- 1 Kings (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Kings 18:37: 18:37 The call-answer motif appears frequently in the Old Testament, often depicting the petitioner’s intimate relationship to the Lord (Job 14:15; Pss 4:1; 91:15; 102:2; Isa 65:24; Jer 33:3).”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 2:9: 2:9 Peter applies descriptions of the Israelites in the Old Testament (see, e.g., Exod 19:5-6) to his primarily Gentile audience, indicating that they—like all Christians—are truly God’s people in the new covenant era.”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 3:12: 3:12-19 The author of Hebrews discusses the terms heart, day, today, hear, enter, rest, unbelief, and oath, all drawn from Ps 95. Bible teachers of the ancient world would cite and then explain an Old Testament text, often highlighting significant words from the text, just as preachers do today. This form of exposition was called midrash. 3:12 hearts . . . not evil and unbelieving: An evil heart stubbornly sets its will against the Lord due to unbelief, causing a person to turn away from the living God.”