Symbols & Types

21 symbols woven through the Bible - images that connect Old Testament shadows to New Testament realities.

Explore the Symbols Start with the Lamb →

Sacrifice & Redemption

The Lamb

Innocence, substitutionary sacrifice, Christ

The lamb serves as Scripture's enduring emblem of substitutionary atonement, seen first in Abel's offering that pleased ...
Blood

Life, atonement, covenant ratification

In the scriptures blood stands as the sacred token of life itself, poured out to atone for sin and seal the promises of ...

Life & Spirit

Living Water

The Holy Spirit, cleansing, eternal life

In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses to strike a rock in the wilderness, releasing water to sustain the Israelites...

Provision & Sustenance

Bread / Manna

God's provision, spiritual nourishment, Christ as sustainer

God rained down manna in the wilderness each morning to meet the daily needs of his people, teaching them to rely wholly...

Revelation & Truth

Light

God's presence, truth, righteousness, guidance

Light functions throughout scripture as a vivid emblem of divine revelation that pierces the darkness of sin and ignoran...

Care & Leadership

The Shepherd

Divine care, guidance, protection, sacrificial leadership

Throughout Scripture the shepherd stands as a vivid picture of God's compassionate leadership over his people, tracing f...

Fruitfulness & Abiding

The Vine

Israel, spiritual fruitfulness, union with Christ

Throughout Scripture the vine serves as a powerful emblem of God's people and their calling to bear spiritual fruit for ...

Stability & Foundation

The Rock

God's unchanging nature, Christ as foundation, security

Throughout Israel's wilderness wanderings the rock at Horeb, when struck, poured forth water to sustain the thirsty nati...

Access & Salvation

The Door / Gate

Access to God, salvation, Christ as the only way

Throughout Scripture the door or gate marks the appointed way into God's provision and protection, beginning with the si...

Sin & Salvation

The Serpent / Bronze Serpent

Satan, sin, and paradoxically - Christ lifted up for healing

In the garden the serpent's subtle deception drew Eve into disobedience and unleashed sin's deadly curse upon all humani...

Presence & Purification

Fire

God's presence, purification, judgment, the Holy Spirit

Throughout the scriptures fire often marks the very presence of God among his people, as when it appeared unconsumed in ...

Foundation & Rejection

The Cornerstone

Christ as foundation, rejected by builders but chosen by God

In the Bible, the cornerstone represents the essential stone that aligns and supports an entire structure, as referenced...

Promise & Growth

The Seed

Christ, the Word of God, faith, future harvest

The image of the seed weaves through scripture as a testament to God's promises that begin small yet grow into mighty re...

Presence & Dwelling

The Temple / Tabernacle

God dwelling with humanity, Christ's body, believers as God's house

Throughout the scriptures the tabernacle in the wilderness and later Solomon's temple served as the appointed place wher...

Peace & Spirit

The Dove

The Holy Spirit, peace, purity, new beginnings

After the floodwaters of judgment subsided, Noah's dove returned with an olive branch, announcing peace between God and ...

Authority & Reward

The Crown

Kingship, victory, eternal reward, Christ's sovereignty

Throughout the biblical narrative, the crown stands as a striking symbol of authority, first seen in the crown of thorns...

Eternity & Restoration

The Tree of Life

Eternal life, paradise, God's provision for immortality

In the garden of Eden the tree of life stood as a provision of eternal communion with God, its fruit freely offered befo...

Spirit & Consecration

Oil / Anointing

The Holy Spirit, consecration, healing, joy

In the scriptures oil poured upon chosen individuals marked their consecration for holy service, as when Samuel anointed...

Testing & Preparation

The Wilderness

Testing, preparation, dependence on God, spiritual formation

The wilderness stands as a place of testing and preparation in God's redemptive dealings with His people, as seen when I...

Promise & Covenant

The Rainbow

God's faithfulness, covenant promise, mercy after judgment

After the flood's devastating judgment upon a sinful world, God set the rainbow as a covenant sign that he would never a...

Service & Submission

The Yoke

Bondage, service, discipleship, shared burden

In the scriptures the image of the yoke captures the profound reality of service and submission, revealing how one comes...