The contents of these
Bible studies evolved from notes compiled in the course of preparing lectures for
small Bible study classes, in the course of which I became aware that in the
typological language of the Bible, particularly the Old Testament, there was a wealth
of teaching unrecognized, and therefore neglected, by the vast majority of
Christians. The study of biblical
typology has added a new dimension to my own personal study of Scripture, and it is
with a view to helping others enjoy that experience that these studies are now made
available on the Internet.
A word of caution!
Like prophecy, biblical typology has been discredited in the minds of many by
the vagaries of those whose fanciful
interpretations insult rather than instruct the intelligence.
The interpretation of biblical types, like the interpretation of Scripture in
general, is governed by laws which when ignored render the interpretation at best
worthless, and at worst, dangerous. A
fundamental law governing the study of typology is that the correct interpretation
will always be in harmony with the general teaching of Scripture, and will shed
additional light on that teaching. It
will never contradict the obvious truths of Scripture.
Another basic principle governing the study of the Bible’s types is that
what a symbol means in one place is what it means throughout the whole Book.
For example, the wind (singular) is always a type of the Holy Spirit, see Jn
3:8, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but
canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born
of the Spirit.” Winds (plural)
represent spirits, good or bad, the context indicating which category is meant.
Silver always speaks of
redemption; gold, of divine glory; brass, of judgment; iron, of strength; water, of
the written Word; leprosy, of sin; leaven, of wrong doctrine.
The list could be multiplied. Compass
directions also have consistent meaning throughout Scripture.
The east, for example, always signifies sin and departure from God; the west,
approach to God; the north, intelligence; the south, faith. For a fuller explanation of the types in general see the notes on
Genesis chapter 1.
The studies are
presented in a verse by verse format so that the reader may easily find information
for a specific verse by simply clicking on it. I
pray that your study of these notes will afford you as much pleasure as their
preparation has brought me.
Please note, that the
italicized words following some of the proper names in the Scripture verses are the
meanings of those names and are not part of the King James translation itself, e.g.
in Genesis 48:7 "...Bethlehem house
of bread." I have
inserted them simply for the convenience of the readers.
