Types, shadows, patterns, and figures in the Bible

The study of types, shadows, patterns and figures in the Bible can be rewarding, eye-opening, and life-changing. But done poorly, or with wrong motives, it can be frustrating, dangerous, and fraught with peril.

• By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (Hebrews 11:7)
• Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. (Matthew 2:16)
• And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. (Acts 5:38-39)

A type, shadow, pattern, or figure is a prophetic foretelling of future events. A pre-echo. Like God is so excited about what he is going to do that he drops hints. Like a father preparing his child for what is going to happen. With enough detail that careful students can be prepared. But not so much detail that anyone can change the future.

Science fiction writers about time travel scenarios should study the Bible for the rules of successful predestination. God has inspired writers to give detailed accounts of what is going to happen, but not so detailed that anyone can fake it or change it. God has not created any causal loops or bizarre paradoxes in time.

Here are 3 basic types, shadows, figure, and patterns

1) Adam, the first man, a type of all sinful mankind and a type of Christ

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression,  who is the figure of him that was to come.  (Romans 5:12-14; Genesis 3:1-7; Genesis 7:1-5; 2 Peter 3:1-9)

• But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:17)
• For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22)
• And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.  (1 Corinthians 15:45)
• The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.  (1 Corinthians 15:47)
• And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (1 Corinthians 15:49)

 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift.  For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) (Romans 5:15-17)

 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.  For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:18-21)

The trail of Adam typology within the OT ultimately leads to a future king, a son of David, who will bring the knowledge of God over the face of the earth. Remarkably, Isaiah 11:5-9 describes the reign of this future king using images taken right from the garden of Eden. –The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy (pg., 164)

• Chronological study of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
• The controversy of the Bible
• The controversy of evil (If God is good, why does he allow evil?)

2) The “Prophet like Moses” types and shadows from the Old Testament

Matthew’s presentation of Jesus relies extensively on typological readings of the OT. Matthew’s Gospel places particular emphasis on two overlapping OT figure in the Pentateuch: Moses and Israel.  A glance at the structure of Matthew reveals a systematic presentation of Jesus as the Prophet like Moses and Israel’s greatest representative.  Matthew’s purpose in beginning his Gospel with a genealogy is to trace the line of the promise see to the person of Jesus. Likewise, a primary function of the book of Genesis in the Torah is to blaze a trail leading from the seed of the woman in Gn3:15 to the coming Messiah in Gn 49:8-12 (see also Nm 24:17-19). In Mt 2, there are numerous allusions to the story of exodus. Jesus’ parents rescued baby Jesus from the hands of Herod just as Moses’ parents rescued the baby Moses from the hands of Pharaoh (v.13). Jesus was brought out of Egypt just as Israel was (v.13). Jesus’ return to Israel to “save them from their sins” (Mt 1:21) is described using wording borrowed from the Septuagint describing Moses’ return to Egypt to rescue Israel from their bondage. –The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy (pg., 165)

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. (Matthew 2:19-21; Isaiah 61:1-11; Matthew 13:53-58; Mark 6:1-6; Luke 2:39-40; Luke 4:16-30)

And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace. And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life. And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand. (Exodus 4:18-20)

• 12 eyewitness accounts from men who saw God
• Jesus Christ is the Messiah
• Spiritual adultery against a jealous God

3) The pattern of the tabernacle in the wilderness

Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for,  See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. (Hebrews 8:1-6; Exodus 25:40)

Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:  The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices,  that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. (Hebrews 9:6-10; Exodus 25:1-9; Exodus 40:1-33)

 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (Hebrews 10:1-4; Psalm 147:1-20; Romans 3:1-8)

• The trinity of the tabernacle in the wilderness
• What is the One True Church? (many ekklēsía one sṓma)
• Spiritual adultery against a jealous God

Here are 3 ways to know Biblical types, shadows, figures, and patterns are legit

Throughout history it has been necessary to sift the wheat from the chaff, the truth from the propaganda, the real news from the fake news. This is not new today. This is not unique to the Bible or Christianity. Here are 3 simple ways to double-check types, shadows, and figures for legitimacy.

• Can I choose the meaning of the Bible?
• How to test prophecy in the last days
• Biblical exhortation about interpreting eschatology

1) When the Bible says something is a type, shadow, figure, or pattern you can trust it

The Biblical writers were often inspired to tell us when something was a type and shadow. We can trust these. But we need to be very careful going beyond what the Bible says. Sometimes ungodly men will twist the scriptures by saying something is a type and shadow.

2) Types, shadows, figures, and patterns are consistent with rest of the Bible

Types and shadows can help illuminate concepts. But types and shadows never change the meaning of scripture. If the Bible says something is evil, but someone comes along and uses “types and shadows” to claim that thing is actually holy, it is easy to know they are wrong, deceived, or lying.

3) When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense, lest it result in nonsense

“When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.”–Dr. David L. Cooper (1886-1965), founder of The Biblical Research Society

• The common sense Golden Rule of Interpretation
• 6 important considerations for Bible study
• Faith cometh by hearing

But if someone tries to lead you in some other way using types, shadows, figures, or patterns be very skeptical. Especially if they are leading you contrary to the written word of God, the indwelling Holy Spirit, your God-given intelligence, or your God-given conscience. If they say, some certain thing really means something completely different, run!

• I fear that you will be corrupted by religion
• The fear of religion is a dangerous trap
• A form of godliness (show of religion, piety, holiness, outward righteousness)

For deeper study: