Anyone who has read more than a few chapters of the Bible soon comes to realize that the Scriptures contain some things that are meant to be understood figuratively or symbolically rather than literally – as when Jesus said that he was a door (John 10:9). But sometimes it is not quite so easy to tell if the intended meaning of a word or passage is literal or figurative – how are we to know in such cases?
It is always an error to think that everything the Bible says is meant literally – or that it is all meant figuratively. The best underlying principle of interpretation is to take every word or passage in its normal literal sense unless we have an indication not to do so. Here are six simple rules to follow in applying this principle:
1. Genre: Words should be interpreted literally unless the literary type of the text suggests otherwise. When David wrote that “The Lord God is a sun and shield” (Psalm 84:11) or that the sun was like: “a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy” (Psalm 19:4-5) he was clearly speaking poetically and we interpret the words not literally but for the concepts they suggest. Prophecy must also often be interpreted symbolically as in the vision recorded in Daniel 5, where we find “a goat with a prominent horn between his eyes” who “came from the west” (Daniel 8:5), which clearly equates with ancient Macedonian Greece (vs. 21) and its king, Alexander the Great.
2. Context: Words or passages should be interpreted literally unless the immediate or wider context suggests otherwise. When Jesus spoke in parables he described himself in symbolic form, as a Cornerstone, a Door, a Vine, Bread, Light, and Water. The immediate context clearly shows these were parables, and we do not interpret them literally. In the same way, when we consider everything the Bible says, that larger context shows us, for example, that we should not think he meant it literally when Jesus said that we should “cut off our hand” if it offends us (Matthew 5:29–30).
3. Expression: The biblical writers used expressions and figures of speech in their ancient languages just as we do today. We may sometimes need the help of Bible translators to explain those expressions – as when Genesis 30:2 tells us “his nose burned,” meaning the man was angry. But often biblical expressions are similar or identical to ones we might use today – as when Revelation 7:1 speaks of “the four corners of the earth” and it would be foolish to think this was meant literally.
4. Impossibility: Words or passages should be interpreted literally unless such a meaning would imply an impossibility. For example, in the Old Testament we read “The cities are great, and walled up to heaven” (Deuteronomy 1:28), and in the New Testament “You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:24). In such cases what is said would obviously be literally impossible and must be figurative.
5. Absurdity: Words or passages must be interpreted literally unless the result would imply an absurdity. When Jesus said “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up,” (John 11:11) this would not be an impossible situation, but it would be absurd to think Lazarus – who had been buried for days – was simply asleep.
6. Contradiction: Words or passages must be interpreted literally unless the sense would lead to a contradiction. This is often seen when someone says something sarcastically, while actually meaning the opposite – as when Job told his friends “Doubtless you are the only people who matter, and wisdom will die with you!” (Job 12:2).
Fortunately, the Bible often interprets its own symbols and figurative speech – just as in the book of Revelation we are told seven stars are symbols of seven angels (1:20), seven lamp stands represent seven churches (1:20), and bowls of incense represent the prayers of the saints (5:8). But when the Bible does not directly interpret its own language, we can most often figure out whether the intended meaning is a literal or figurative one by following the six simple rules given above.
*For more information on this and other aspects of effective Bible study, download our free e-book: Understanding the Bible: Three Steps to Enrich and Deepen Your Knowledge of the Scriptures, here.
