Literal vs Figurative

How to Determine if a Passage is Literal or Figurative

How do we know when the Bible is speaking literally or figuratively?

The Bible is the literal Word of God, yet it is written in diverse writing styles, including various figures of speech that are not always meant to be taken literally. So how do we know when the Bible is speaking literally or figuratively?

Defining Figurative vs Literal

Let’s first start by defining what we mean by literal versus figurative.

LITERAL = what it actually says and accepting things at face value

Example: “You shall not steal.” (Exodus 20:15) or “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13)

FIGURATIVE or SYMBOLIC = transcends what the text plainly says by painting a picture to emphasize a point

Examples:“Wisdom has built her house” (Proverbs 9:1, NIV)

LITERAL VS REAL

Before we dive into understanding how to read the Bible literally versus figuratively, let’s first address a common misconception of the Bible. Have you ever heard someone say that the Bible was meant to be read “literally”? When someone says this it doesn’t mean that every word should be taken as literal. Instead:

When the Bible is read LITERALLY, it means the Bible’s message is REAL.

The text should be understood as a straightforward, factual account of events, histories, and teachings, as the original hearer would have understood it. It should be considered REAL. 

However, there is an important distinction: figurative language in the Bible does not deny its truth, significance, or spiritual reality. Symbolic language can point to real truths and the original hearers would have understood and known this. They were used to this style of writing and communication. For instance, describing God as a “rock” or “shepherd” is metaphorical but conveys the real attributes of God’s strength or care.

Why is there figurative language in the Bible?

Hebrew poets and writers used word pictures to help capture a thought into the reader’s mind. They often asked rhetorical questions, exaggerated an idea, or used hyperbole to make a point. The language is meant to paint a picture or help us understand the perspective of the writer. 

As our friend, Max Andrs said in his book, 30 Days to Understanding the Bible, “These men were ‘wordsmiths’ and ‘thoughtsmiths’ who played with words and ideas, contrasting them, comparing them, completing them in ways that lifted them above mere prose.”

Here are at least 3 reasons figurative language was used by writers in the Bible:

    1. To Convey Deep Truths. To convey abstract spiritual and theological truths in relatable terms. 
    2. To Engage. To help make texts more memorable and engaging in a heavily oral culture.
    3. To Persuade. To evoke emotion and motivate action. 

This concept shouldn’t be new to us. We use this kind of language today. For example:

      • Good things come in small packages
      • Lit up like a Christmas tree
      • The proof is in the pudding
      • Skating on thin ice
      • The sun rises

Just like today, common sense should be used when determining when it’s figurative or poetic language being used versus something to take literally.

How do we determine if a passage is literal vs figurative?

When we open up our Bibles to read a passage, we should always take into account the AUTHOR, their intended purpose and writing style (poetry, prophecy, apocalyptic, etc) and the HISTORY and cultures of the day, who it was written to and how the original hearers would have heard the message.

Assume LITERAL meaning when:

    • There’s no good reason not to!
    • The surrounding CONTEXT supports the text to be read in its plain sense

Note: Be careful not to assign hidden meaning or spiritualize text that challenges you 

Assume FIGURATIVE/SYMBOLIC meaning when:  

    • The surrounding CONTEXT doesn’t allow a literal interpretation (Is the statement literally impossible?)
    • It’s a dream or vision that uses symbolic language 
    • A literal meaning is immoral or contradicts the author’s purpose or other scripture
    • The literary style/genre uses it often (ie. poetry, prophecy, parables)
    • It’s obviously a figure of speech (Example: “it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” Matthew 19;24, NIV)

12 Types Of Figures Of Speech

There are a lot of different types of figures of speech used in the Bible and in our language today. Check out a few of the more popular ones so that you’ll be familiar with them as you read your Bible.

FIGURE OF SPEECH
DESCRIPTION
BIBLICAL EXAMPLE
Anthropomorphism
Describing God with human features or actions
"The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.” (Psalm 34:15)
Hyperbole
Exaggeration to make a point or for emphasis, likely to underscore the seriousness or urgency of a teaching
“You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.” (Matthew 23:24)
Idiom
Peculiar expression or saying to particular people
“Adam knew Eve his wife” Genesis 4:1 (KJV, ESV)
Irony
A statement that says the opposite of what is meant to make a point or for emphasis
“You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us…” (1 Corinthians 4:8)
Metaphor
Comparison between two things, in which one thing is or represents another (without using like or as)
“I am the vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5)
Metonymy
Where one word or phrase is substituted with another closely associated term
"I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34, sword = division/conflict)
Paradox
A statement that seems absurd, self-contradictory, or contrary to logical thought, but upon closer examination, reveals an underlying truth or deeper insight
“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (Matthew 16:25)
Personification
Attributes of humans ascribed to non-human things, like objects or animals
“The trees clap their hands and the mountains sing for joy” (Isaiah 55:12)
Rhetorical Questions
A question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer
“Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (Genesis 18:14)
Simile
Comparing one thing to another using like or as
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for Thee, O God.” (Psalm 42:1)
Symbolism
Uses objects, numbers, or images to represent abstract ideas or spiritual realities
The "Lamb" in Revelation 5:6 symbolizes Jesus Christ, representing His sacrifice and purity tied to the Passover Lamb in Exodus 12
Synecdoche
Where a part of something is used to represent the whole, or the whole is used to represent a part (can also be a singular for a plural or a plural for a singular), often to emphasize a specific aspect or create a vivid image
“A sword against all the inhabitants of the earth” (Jer 25:29, a single sword represents many swords)

To understand when to read the Bible literally versus figuratively, we must carefully consider and respect these stylistic elements and interpret them appropriately.

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