Here are a handful of examples demonstrating the Bible’s use of comparisons or analogies.   You might want to copy and paste the list or the post and keep it in your “rhetorical toolbox.”

Such figurative language, analogies, or comparisons are designed to call up pictures in the mind, because that is how we work.  That is how we have been made to think.

 

ALSO . . . . 

If you wanted to do a topical study of the different ways ____????____ is portrayed in the Bible, this kind of list would be helpful.

 

Affliction is compared to . . . .

clouds
fire
a rod
a furnace
darkness
tempest
a flood
great heat
arrows

 

Angels are compared to . . . .

watchers
stars
sons — of God
wind
flaming fire
red/white horses

Christ is compared to . . . .

bread
bridegroom
householder
a servant
a friend
a door
vine
a gate
a shepherd
a lion
a branch
a fountain
a well
a pearl
a treasure
a rose
an advocate
a root — of David
a Lilly – of the valley
a witness
a foundation
a cornerstone
the bright and morning star
a thief in the night
a brass serpent
a judge
a prince
a counselor
the Sun
the first fruits
a mediator

The Church is compared to . . . .

a wife
a virgin
a bush on fire
a mother
a golden candlestick
a flock of sheep
an olive tree

 

God is compared to . . . .

a father
a habitation
a husbandman
a strong tower
a rock
a fortress
a lion
a leopard
a bear
a refuge
a potter
a shield
an arm
a judge
a hiding place
a wall of fire
a cloud
a sanctuary
a river
a promise keeper

 

The Holy Spirit is compared to . . . .

wind
fire
oil – of gladness
seal
an earnest — of an inheritance
a river
water
witness
teacher
dove
a guide

Life is compared to . . . .

a cloud
a swift ship
a weaver’s shuttle
the wind
a flower
a shadow

 

Mankind is compared to . . . .

captives
debtors
a troubled sea
sheep

wicked men are compared to. . . . .

foxes
goats
dogs
vipers
chaff
tares
thieves
bulls
dead men — in sin
painted sepulcher

“Ministers” are compared to . . . .

angels
stars
laborers
watchmen
trumpeters
spokesmen
clouds
planters
builders
stewards
shepherds
rulers
workers

 

Satan is compared to . . . .

a god — of this world
a hunter
a lion
a dragon
a serpent
a fowler
a prince
a viper

 

The Resurrection is compared to . . . .

the morning
waking out of sleep
a reaping day
a marriage day
a coronation day
a twinkling of an eye
the day of the last trumphet

 

Sin is compared to . . . .

a debt
a heavy burden
a stick
a wound
a plague
deadly poison
a sickness
a thief
vomit

 

Saints are compared to . . . .

babes
children
sheep
soldiers
runners
salt
light
pilgrims
palm trees
olive plants
wheat
cedars
myrtle trees
willows
doves
lambs
stewards
kings
priests
lively stones
a priesthood
a field

 

The Word is compared to . . . .

light
gold
silver
honey
fire
milk
strong meat
a net
a hammer
leaven
a sword
a plough
seed
rain
a guide

*As you add to the list above, send me your additions because I am always adding to my toolbox as well! — Ted Martens — TMart2007@gmail.com