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.

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)

Interested in learning more about how to determine if a passage is literal or figurative? Check out this article.