HermeneuticsHermeneutics

Types and SymbolsTypes and Symbols

Definition of a Type, as Definition of a Type, as Typically UnderstoodTypically Understood

““A type may be defined as an Old Testament A type may be defined as an Old Testament person, event, or thing having historical person, event, or thing having historical reality and designed by God to prefigure reality and designed by God to prefigure (foreshadow) in a preparatory way a real (foreshadow) in a preparatory way a real person, event, or thing so designated in the person, event, or thing so designated in the New Testament and that corresponds to and New Testament and that corresponds to and fulfills (heightens) the type” (Zuck, p. 176).fulfills (heightens) the type” (Zuck, p. 176).

The concept is complicated by the fact that The concept is complicated by the fact that the term the term tu,poj can be used in the NT in ways can be used in the NT in ways other than that spelled out by this definition other than that spelled out by this definition (i.e. Romans 5:12-19 and 1 Cor 10:6).(i.e. Romans 5:12-19 and 1 Cor 10:6).

Extremes of TypologyExtremes of Typology

Types all overthe OT!

No typesat all.

Note: Typology is appealed to much more in covenantal theologythan in dispensational theology.

Zuck’s Necessary Criteria Zuck’s Necessary Criteria for a Typefor a Type

Correspondence – should be genuine and Correspondence – should be genuine and substantial, natural and not forced.substantial, natural and not forced.

Historical Reality – The OT type is real, not Historical Reality – The OT type is real, not imagined or allegorical.imagined or allegorical.

Prefiguring – Must possess some predictive or Prefiguring – Must possess some predictive or foreshadowing element. Here is the rub!foreshadowing element. Here is the rub!

Heightening – The antitype in the NT is greater Heightening – The antitype in the NT is greater than and superior to the type in the OT.than and superior to the type in the OT.

Divine Design – Types are not just observed Divine Design – Types are not just observed similarities; they are resemblances planned by similarities; they are resemblances planned by God. Such types demonstrate the unity of the God. Such types demonstrate the unity of the Bible as a whole.Bible as a whole.

NT Designation – This provides a necessary NT Designation – This provides a necessary control for legitimate types.control for legitimate types.

An Important Observation An Important Observation from Walton’s Articlefrom Walton’s Article

““Typology is the identification of a relationship of Typology is the identification of a relationship of correspondence between New and Old Testament correspondence between New and Old Testament events or people, based on a conviction that there events or people, based on a conviction that there is a pattern being worked out in the plan of God. is a pattern being worked out in the plan of God.

Since this correlation is not identifiable until both Since this correlation is not identifiable until both type and antitype exist, typology is always a type and antitype exist, typology is always a function of hindsight.function of hindsight. One thing is never One thing is never identified as a type of something to come.identified as a type of something to come. Only Only after the latter has come can the correspondence after the latter has come can the correspondence be proclaimed. As a result, one will never find be proclaimed. As a result, one will never find confirmation of the typological value of the type confirmation of the typological value of the type in its initial context” (in its initial context” (Master's Seminary JournalMaster's Seminary Journal, , Volume 13:1, p. 69).Volume 13:1, p. 69).

On what basis do the NT writers identify types On what basis do the NT writers identify types from the OT?from the OT?

Guidelines for Interpreting Guidelines for Interpreting TypesTypes

(in slightly different order (in slightly different order from Zuck)from Zuck)

Note the direct assertions in the NT that Note the direct assertions in the NT that verify the typological correspondence. verify the typological correspondence.

Determine the sense of the type in its Determine the sense of the type in its original context.original context.

Note the specific point or points of Note the specific point or points of correspondence or resemblance between correspondence or resemblance between the type and the antitype. Do not press the type and the antitype. Do not press the correspondence beyond what is the correspondence beyond what is legitimate.legitimate.

Definition of a SymbolDefinition of a Symbol

““A symbol is some object (real or A symbol is some object (real or imagined) or action which is assigned imagined) or action which is assigned a meaning for the purpose of depicting a meaning for the purpose of depicting rather than stating the qualities of rather than stating the qualities of something else” (Zuck, p. 188).something else” (Zuck, p. 188).

A symbol is distinguished from a type A symbol is distinguished from a type in that a type represents something to in that a type represents something to come, but a symbol has no such time come, but a symbol has no such time reference.reference.

Principles for Interpreting Principles for Interpreting SymbolsSymbols

Note the three elements in any symbolic Note the three elements in any symbolic interpretation:interpretation: The object which is the symbolThe object which is the symbol The referentThe referent The point(s) of resemblance between symbol and referentThe point(s) of resemblance between symbol and referent

Remember that most symbols have their base in Remember that most symbols have their base in reality.reality. Exceptions?Exceptions?

Determine what meaning or resemblance, if any, is Determine what meaning or resemblance, if any, is explicitly assigned by the text to the referent. explicitly assigned by the text to the referent. Context strikes again!Context strikes again!

If the passage does not make explicit identification If the passage does not make explicit identification of the symbol, consider the symbol’s use in other of the symbol, consider the symbol’s use in other contexts.contexts. Example: Christ as “the lamb of God” in John 1:29.Example: Christ as “the lamb of God” in John 1:29.

Principles for Interpreting Principles for Interpreting SymbolsSymbols

Be careful to assign the intended meaning to a Be careful to assign the intended meaning to a symbol.symbol. A lion is used to depict both Christ (Rev 5:5) and A lion is used to depict both Christ (Rev 5:5) and

Satan (1 Peter 5:8). What is the significance in each Satan (1 Peter 5:8). What is the significance in each case?case?

Do not assume that because a prophetic Do not assume that because a prophetic passage contains symbols, the entire passage is passage contains symbols, the entire passage is symbolic in meaning.symbolic in meaning. And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and

their armies, assembled to make war against Him who sat upon the horse, and against His army (Rev 19:19).

In prophetic literature, do not symbolize that which should be taken literally. A third of the sun, moon, and stars being struck so as

not to give their light (Rev 8:12). 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Symbolic Numbers, Names, Symbolic Numbers, Names, and Colorsand Colors

Certain numbers are associated with similar Certain numbers are associated with similar concepts in different contexts:concepts in different contexts: 7 is associated with completeness or perfection7 is associated with completeness or perfection 40 is associated with testing or difficulty40 is associated with testing or difficulty

Yet such numbers should still be understood Yet such numbers should still be understood literally first.literally first.

Names in Scripture are often tied to the Names in Scripture are often tied to the circumstances, or to characteristics of an individual, circumstances, or to characteristics of an individual, at the time of naming.at the time of naming.

Colors can also be associated with certain qualities.Colors can also be associated with certain qualities. Purple = royaltyPurple = royalty White = purity, holinessWhite = purity, holiness Red = anger, wrathRed = anger, wrath

Again, caution should be exercised not to press Again, caution should be exercised not to press these beyond what is legitimate.these beyond what is legitimate.

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Parables and AllegoriesParables and Allegories