The Bible is full of symbols and figurative language, and all the more when it comes to prophetic passages. Some look scary, some seem outright weird. And for many of the symbols in prophecy, especially if you’re encountering them for the first time, their meaning isn’t always obvious.
This is especially the case with the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation, which contain many apocalyptic prophecies.
So here’s a resource to help you wrap your mind around the Bible’s symbolism.
You’ll learn about the different symbols used throughout Bible prophecy, how to tell when something is symbolic, and how to interpret these figurative terms. There’s also a chart that lists the meanings and Bible texts for the biblical symbols you’re likely to come across.
We’ll cover:
- What is a biblical symbol?
- How do you know if part of a prophecy is literal or symbolic?
- Why is it important to understand these symbols?
- List of common symbols used in Bible prophecy
- How prophetic symbols in the Bible help us understand God’s Word
Let’s begin by making sure we’re clear on the definition and usage of symbols in the Bible.
What is a biblical symbol?
Symbols were used in Scripture to help describe something in reality that was difficult to describe literally. And in most cases, the symbols represent something complex or highly significant.
So when you read a text containing a symbol, you’re not expected to take it literally in the context it’s used. But to get a full understanding of the Bible passage, you’ll certainly want to determine the symbol’s meaning.
Bible writers used symbolism, metaphors, analogy, allegory, etc., to communicate different principles and lessons for various reasons.
A good example is when Jesus taught in parables. We can look in Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, when He talks of a sower planting seeds. Almost everything in that parable is symbolic, from the sower to the seeds.
So, to fully understand the principles He was teaching, it makes sense to identify and interpret the symbols first.
How do you know if something in the Bible is a symbol?
There are several indicators for biblical symbolism. We’ll look at four of these:
1. If it doesn’t make literal sense in its context, it’s most likely a symbol
A core principle of biblical study and interpretation is to carefully look at the context of every text. The Bible is a book that is meant to be studied.
So if you read a passage and find that something doesn’t seem to fit in a literal sense, identify which people, things, or ideas might be symbols.
For example, in Revelation 12:1-4, we read of “a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.” And a dragon whose “tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth” (NKJV).
We all know this isn’t a possible natural phenomenon. Human beings can’t adorn themselves with celestial bodies. And there aren’t any dragons walking around the earth—especially one that would be big and powerful enough to knock stars out of space.
So in such a case, you don’t have to be a Bible scholar to realize that this language is symbolic and not literal.
Now it’s true that there are passages where the symbols aren’t as obvious as star headbands and impossibly huge dragons. But the same principle of studying context applies to any complex verse of Bible prophecy.
2. When angelic interpreters say that something is a symbol
Thankfully, there are some passages that do the interpretation for us. Sometimes angels are sent to interpret visions or dreams given to prophets, and they outright say that a certain thing is a symbol.
A good example is in Daniel 7:15-17, when Daniel is told that “these huge beasts, four in number, are four kings who will rise from the earth” (CSB).
Later, in chapter 8, Daniel sees another vision involving a ram and a male goat. Then in Daniel 8:16, the angel Gabriel is sent to give Daniel an interpretation. He shows in verses 20-21 that the ram symbolizes the kingdom of the Medes and the Persians, while the male goat represents the Greek Empire.
We also find this in Revelation 17:12, when an angel tells John that the ten horns he saw in his vision symbolized ten kings.
3. When the Bible text itself says something is a symbol
There are some verses that point out or explain intentional symbols. The tricky thing can be, however, that the verse with the interpretation might not be right next to the verse that contains the symbols.
That’s why it’s important to use the whole Bible to guide our interpretations. This way we can ensure that we’re considering the full context.
One example is in Ezekiel 4:6, when God asked Ezekiel to lie on his right side for 40 days, and explicitly said that each of the days represents a year. There are also several other passages in which the day-for-a-year principle also applies, and they aren’t all right next to this reference.
We can also look at the emblems used in the Lord’s Supper. 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 echoes Jesus’ words that the bread and the cup represent His body and blood, offered for the forgiveness of sin. The story of the Lord’s Supper can be found in Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 22.
Additionally, both these examples involve things that sound a little strange if taken literally. So it’s worth some extra study to find out which things are symbols and what they represent.
4. When something is used in multiple places in Scripture to illustrate a concept
When something has similar wording as a biblical symbol described elsewhere, it’s likely to be a symbol, too.
This can be true even when the related passages are found in different parts of the Bible, written by different authors many years apart—or even written in different languages.
A good example is found in Daniel 7:3-8 and Revelation 13:1-2.
In Daniel, we see four beasts coming out of the sea. One was like a lion with wings, another like a lopsided bear, the next like a leopard with four heads, and the last had no comparison—it was dreadful and terrible, very strong, with huge iron teeth, and it had ten horns.
Here we see creatures that are not considered natural or can hardly be taken literally. And what makes them so unnatural is that their descriptions involve very specific, unusual traits, such as extra heads or parts of other animals. So it’s safe to accept that they’re symbols.
Then in Revelation, we again read about a beast coming out of the sea. And though it’s just one beast, it has features of the four beasts found in Daniel 7. It has the body of a leopard, the mouth of a lion, the feet of a bear, and ten horns.
Because of how specific the descriptions are, the similarities are undeniable. Yet these two passages are found in different parts of the Bible.
Daniel 7 is in the Old Testament. It was written by Daniel the prophet in the Aramaic language, in the 6th Century BC, in Babylon (present-day Iraq).1
Revelation, on the other hand, is found at the very end of the New Testament. It was written by John the apostle, in the Greek language, in the first century AD, while he was in exile on the Island of Patmos in Greece.
This reinforces that these verses are not meant to be taken literally, and that they carry significant meaning.
But for now, here’s an overview of why it’s so important to study these symbols to grasp the full meaning.
Want to learn even more about prophecy in the Bible? Find out what’s in store for humanity by starting your own online Bible study.
Why is it important to understand all these symbols?
Biblical symbolism packs in a lot of meaning and significance that is otherwise difficult to express, especially in prophecy. There are so many ideas or events to describe, and the readers of the Bible (and often the writers as well!) didn’t always have a frame of reference for properly understanding a literal description.
For example, how would you describe the democratic system to a four-year-old? Or how would you explain robotic surgery, the principle of flight, or how computers work if you were talking to someone in Moses’ time?
You’d have to start with something that already exists in someone’s frame of reference. Then you’d use that for a symbol and speak in comparisons.
Then you’d use the meaning typically applied to the symbolic item to help them understand the meaning involved in the concept you’re explaining.
That’s why, when the Bible describes the love and power of Jesus Christ, we see phrases like “Good Shepherd” or “Lion of Judah” or “bread of life.” Jesus was never a shepherd or a lion or a loaf of bread—but He exhibited qualities that we associate with those things.
These symbols add depth. Rather than just saying, “Jesus cares for us,” we know that He watches over us intently and constantly, like how a shepherd watches over sheep. We feel a lot more meaning coming from that description than from the simple statement.
But to help determine the correct meaning of the symbols, let’s cover some guiding principles.
Look for meanings of symbols within Scripture
The meanings of prophetic symbols can often be found within Scripture, even if you have to do some searching (2 Timothy 3:16).
One way to do this is to look for other occurrences of the same symbol throughout the Bible. What are the descriptions like? How is the meaning described? What characteristics are attributed alongside, or directly to, the symbol?
For example, all throughout the Bible, oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit. We find this symbol in the parable of the ten virgins. They needed oil for their lamps to provide light, so they could see what they were doing and where they were going (Matthew 25:1-13).
This was in a prophetic parable, too. Jesus was talking about how important it is to be ready for when He returns at the Second Coming. He was warning His followers not to become distracted or complacent, and we guard against this by maintaining our connection with His Holy Spirit.
This symbol also calls back to Exodus 27:20-21, where we learn about the lampstand in the sanctuary. It was to be kept full with “pure oil from crushed olives for the light, in order to keep the lamp burning regularly” (CSB). It reminded the Israelites that the Holy Spirit would always be there to guide us—but it’s still up to us to choose to nurture that connection.
Additionally, we see oil used to anoint people, whether in dedication to service or in prayers for healing. The oil itself didn’t bring about power or healing, but it symbolized the act of surrender to the Holy Spirit, and being open to His guidance and influence.
The Bible is a complete book, even though it has several different authors writing in different styles at different times. But it’s all tied together with the same spiritual thread. Its passages are meant to work together, especially when it comes to prophecy and symbolism.
Be careful not to impose our own meaning on symbols.
However, even as we’re studying, there are things we need to be careful of. Since some of the symbols could be familiar objects or situations to us, it can be easy to default to our own associations or interpretations—without even realizing it at first. That’s why it’s so important to test everything, keeping it all in harmony with the rest of Scripture.
In 2 Peter 1:20-21, we read “that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (NKJV).
Whatever is expressed in Scripture, God wants us to know. So He provides a way for us to know and understand the concepts in His Word.
So instead of looking to human philosophies to explain biblical concepts, or relying on our own initial reactions to the symbolism in prophecy, we can trust that God will help us find the answers.
And that leads us to this next very important element of understanding prophecy in the Bible.
Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance
Just as we should do before reading the Bible, we should also make sure we do this before conducting deeper study on biblical topics. Especially topics like prophecy.
This is essential. We are already promised all throughout Scripture that the Holy Spirit has been given to us for our guidance, growth, and protection (John 14:26, 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11). And when we open ourselves up to Him, we might be amazed at the things we learn!
Always study the context of the passage containing the symbol
To better understand how some things are explained in the Bible, it’s helpful to look up information about the history or culture of the time each passage is written in. That kind of context helps us know about common associations or ideas that bring significance to certain verses.
Here are some steps for applying contextual information to verses with symbols.
- First, look at the immediate context—the passage of Scripture that contains the symbol.
As mentioned earlier, one of the ways to identify a symbol is if it doesn’t make literal sense in its context. If that’s the case, look for how it could tie into other things in the texts immediately surrounding it.
- Second, look at the wider context—the chapter and book that contain the symbol.
In many cases, meanings (or clues to meanings) of symbols are given within the chapter or the book the symbol is found in.
For meaning within the chapter, we’ve seen in the previous point how later verses of Revelation 17 provide the meaning of symbols given in earlier verses.
We can also return to the book of Daniel for another example.
In Daniel 2, God gave King Nebuchadnezzar a dream with a statue of a man made of several metals and clay. And each metal symbolized the characteristics of various world empires that would rule in succession. Verse 38 specifically says that the head of gold represents the Babylonian empire.
Then Daniel 7 gives further details of those same four kingdoms, this time represented as beasts (Daniel 7:17).
And then Daniel 8 expands upon the prophetic significance by describing a ram and male goat. These animals represented two of the four kingdoms that followed the Babylonian Empire, Medo-Persia and Greece.
So by examining the context of rival kingdoms and ruling empires in the book of Daniel and comparing the prophetic dreams and visions, we can see how symbols in other places can work together, building upon one another to express different elements of the same prophecy.
- Third, look at the context of the whole Bible
Beyond the verse, chapter, and book, it’s also important to look throughout the entire Bible. You can use a concordance to look up all the times a certain word or phrase is used. And the way it’s used in each place can help build a more complete picture of a symbol’s meaning.
An example is the symbol of a woman that we saw earlier in Revelation 12:1. We find verses all over the Bible that describe a woman as a symbol of God’s church on earth.2
This principle of Scripture building upon itself is what the prophet Isaiah meant when he said, “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little” (Isaiah 28:10, NKJV).
And we find a perfect example in Jesus when He told His disciples of the prophecies about Himself as the Messiah. He took them through the entirety of the Old Testament (because the New Testament hadn’t been written yet).
Luke 24:27 says that “beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (NKJV).
Remember that some symbols have multiple meanings, and some things are represented by multiple symbols
While studying the meanings of the symbols you find, you may notice some that seem to represent more than one thing. And at times, they can even represent opposite meanings!
But here’s how to make sense of when that happens. By studying each of the passages, we can find out what aspects of a symbol are emphasized.
Take the example of a lion:
- In some cases it refers to Jesus or God (Revelation 5:5; Hosea 11:10).
- Other times, it refers to Satan (1 Peter 5:8).
- In a case we looked at earlier, it represents the Babylonian Empire (Daniel 7:4).
- It can also symbolize a wicked ruler (Proverbs 28:15).
In all these instances, the focus is the lion’s power.
Power is good when used out of love, to protect and guard.
But power can be bad, too, when it’s accompanied by selfish or malicious motives.
For example, a protective lion who guards others from harm is a good thing. But we wouldn’t feel safe around an angry lion that sees us as prey, or as a threat.
So a lion symbolizes Jesus in that He’s powerful, but uses His power to protect and save.
But a lion that symbolizes Satan or wicked rulers shows how sinful, corrupted power will only harm and destroy things.
Another example is leaven/yeast, which represents:
- How one person’s harmful behavior can affect a whole group (1 Corinthians 5:6-8)
- The spreading, uplifting nature of the kingdom of God (Matthew 13:33)
- How false teachings spread (Matthew 16:6, 11-12)
- Hypocrisy and its effects (Luke 12:1)
This symbol draws upon the known behavior and effects of yeast in baking bread. It illustrates how a little bit of something, whether good or harmful, can spread rapidly and change things.
God can use a little bit of good to go a long way, just like faith the size of a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20). And in the same sense, one harmful action or misrepresentation can have ripple effects on a whole community.
So, there are many symbols that are used not to denote good or evil, but to exemplify select characteristics that are associated with them.
You’ll also notice throughout Scripture that some things are represented by several different symbols.
Examples include:
- Jesus represented by a lamb (John 1:29,36), a lion and a root (Revelation 5:5), bread (John 6:35), light (John 8:12), a vine (John 15:1), the bright morning star (Revelation 22:16), and a rock (1 Corinthians 10:4).
- Satan is represented by a dragon (Revelation 14:9), a snake (Genesis 3:4; Revelation 14:9), a lion (1 Peter 5:8), a hungry bird (Matthew 13:4, 18-19) lightning (Luke 10:18), and an extremely bright star (Isaiah 14:12).
These kinds of symbols reveal characteristics that require a more profound description than a literal statement can provide. And they all work together to form a more complete picture.
So it’s crucial that we consider each of the symbols as part of a whole. Emphasizing one characteristic over others can result in an inaccurate representation.
We can see how that happened among the Jews because of their behavior toward Jesus during His earthly ministry. There is Old Testament prophecy that describes the coming Messiah with symbols that portray a suffering savior (Isaiah 53) and others that portray a kingly savior that will establish justice (Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5).
So many of the Jews focused on the latter, since they were so fixated on being under Roman rule. And because of that, they were not prepared to receive Him as the former.
But such mistakes can be avoided through careful study.
Prophetic symbolism helps us to appreciate the depth of meaning in God’s Word
As we’ve established, Bible symbols don’t have to be intimidating because they can be understood by further study of Scripture and using contextual cues.
Through prayerful reading of God’s Word, we can learn so much about what’s in store for us as His followers. We can have a deeper appreciation of the depth of meaning these symbols bring to the concepts they represent.
This isn’t to say that studying prophecy in the Bible will never be difficult or perplexing. But the good news is that you don’t have to try to understand everything on your own. God has promised to give us the Holy Spirit to help us beyond our human understanding to grasp the meaning in the treasures of His Word (John 16:13).
All you need to do is pray for His guidance and understanding every time you study the Word, and God will be your teacher.
You can also find helpful resources, like Bible dictionaries and commentaries. And there’s always a benefit in joining a Bible study group or working with a teacher or Bible worker.
Learning about Bible prophecy indeed takes effort, prayer, and time. But it’s also true that the more you do it, the easier it gets.
To help give you some guidance in your studies, here’s a chart that goes through the symbols involved in prophecy.
Your guide to interpreting symbols used in Bible prophecy [Table]
The following is a list of the most common and significant symbols used within prophetic passages of Scripture. Keep this on hand while studying the Bible or during your daily devotions.
| Symbol | Bible Reference | Meaning |
| Babylon | Genesis 10:8-10; 11:6-9 Revelation 18:2, 3; 17:1-5 | Apostate religious system |
| Bear | Daniel 7:5, 17, 23 | Medo-Persian Empire, which is the second kingdom that ruled after Babylon in the list of four kingdoms shown in Daniel 7, according to historical records. |
| Beast | Daniel 7:5-7, 17, 23 Revelation 13:2 | Empire/kingdom/political power/government |
| Bread | John 6:35, 51-52, 63 | Word of God |
| Circumcision | Genesis 17:11 Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6 Jeremiah 4:4; 9:25 Romans 2:25-29; 4:11 Philippians 3:3 Colossians 2:11-13 | Physical – Covenant between God and His people Spiritual – Conversion or sanctification |
| Day | Numbers 14:34 Ezekiel 4:6 Daniel 8:14 Revelation 12:6 | Literal prophetic year |
| Dove | Mark 1:10 Luke 3:22 | Holy Spirit |
| Dragon | Revelation 12:7-9; 13:4; 20:2 | Satan or his agent |
| Lamb | Exodus 29:41 Leviticus 4:32-35 John 1:29 Revelation 5:6; 6:16-17; 17:14; 21:27; 22:3 | Sacrifice Jesus |
| Lion | Hosea 11:10 Revelation 5:5 1 Peter 5:8 Daniel 7:4 Proverbs 28:15 | God Jesus Satan Babylonian Empire A wicked ruler |
| Egypt | Exodus 5:2 Revelation 11:8 | Willful defiance against God |
| Eye salve | Revelation 3:18 | Spiritual discernment |
| Goat | Daniel 8:5,7-9, 21 Matthew 25:33 | Greece Wicked or deceitful people, called out by Jesus at the Second Coming |
| Heart of stone | Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26 | Spiritual resistance, lacking perception of who God is |
| Horn | Daniel 7:7-8, 23; 8:21-22 Revelation 17:12 | King/general |
| Horse | Job 39:18-19 Proverbs 21:31 Psalms 147:10 Revelation 6 | Military prowess or strength in battle |
| Lamp/light | Psalm 119:105 | God’s Word |
| Leopard | Daniel 7:6, 17, 23 | Greece, which is the third kingdom that came to power after Babylon in the list of four kingdoms in Daniel 7, according to historical records. |
| Mountain | Isaiah 2:2-3; Daniel 2:35, 44-45 Jeremiah 17:3; 31:23; 51:24-25 Ezekiel 17:22-23 | Religiopolitical power Places of worship The Kingdom of God |
| Oil | Zechariah 4:12 Matthew 25:1-13 | Holy Spirit |
| Ram | Daniel 8:3, 6-7, 20 | Medo-Persian Kingdom |
| Raiment/clothing | Isaiah 64:6 Zechariah 3:3-5 Revelation 3:18 | Character, as a blank slate Righteous/pure character (white clothing) Corrupted character (stained or soiled clothing) |
| Rainbow | Genesis 9:13-14 Ezekiel 1:28 Revelation 10:1 | God’s grace/glory |
| Red/scarlet | Isaiah 1:18 Nahum 2:3 Revelation 17:1-4 | Sin or corruption |
| Serpent/Snake | Genesis 3:1, 14 Genesis 49:17 Matthew 23:33 Revelation 12:9, 14, 15; 20:2 | Satan Craftiness Hypocrisy The Devil |
| Sheep | Numbers 27:17 1 Kings 22:17 2 Chronicles 18:16 Psalm 23:1; 44:11, 22 Isaiah 53:6, 7 Jeremiah 23:1; 50:6 Ezekiel 34:11-12, 17 Matthew 9:36; 10:6; 26:31 John 10:11, 16, 26 | God’s people (Christians/followers of Jesus/Israel), especially in the context of needing a shepherd (God) |
| Sodom | Genesis 19 Jude 1:7 Revelation 11:8 | Sexual Immorality |
| Stars | Revelation 1:16, 20; 12:4, 7-9 Job 38:7 | Angels or messengers of God |
| Sword | Ephesians 6:17 Hebrews 4:12 | Word of God |
| Wings | Deuteronomy 28:49 Matthew 23:37 Daniel 7:6 | Speed/swiftness Protection |
| White | Isaiah 1:18 Revelation 3:4-5; 7:14; 19:14 | Purity |
| Woman | Ephesians 5:21-33 Revelation 12:1-2 Revelation 17:3-5 | Church God’s true church (pure woman) Apostate church (harlot woman) |