Typology and Symolism in the Old Testament

As summarised from "Old Testament Student Manuel 1"

Symbolism and Typology in the Old Testament

“It is in and through symbolism that man consciously and unconsciously lives, works, and has his being. Those ages, moreover, are accounted the noblest which can best recognize symbolic worth, and prize it the highest.” Thomas Carlyle.

Symbolic language and imagery play a central role in religion; Religious ordinances and rituals are deeply symbolic, and the scriptures are littered with similes, metaphors, parables, allegories, types and symbols.
If the reader doesn’t have an understanding of the symbolism used, often so deeply profound and extensive, then many of the most important and satisfying truths of the gospel will be missed.

The Law of Moses; a Law of Symbolic Significance

“And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering angels and the preparatory gospel; which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments.” D&C 84:26-27.

The fullness of the gospel was taken, but a preparatory gospel dealing with the basic principles of the gospel was given in its place.

“Aspects of the Mosaic form of the covenant were superseded by new signs of the covenant as renewed by Christ. The law of the covenant remains; the covenants rites and signs have been changed, but the forms of the of covenants signs are no less honourable, profound and beautiful in the Mosaic form than in the Christian form. The change does not represent and evolutionary advance or a higher or lower relationship. The covenant was fulfilled in Jesus Christ; but God did not treat Moses, David, Isaiah, Hezekiah, or any of His Old Testament covenant people as lesser in His sight or more childish in ability and hence in need of ‘course rudiments.’”
-Rushdooney, Institutes of Biblical Law.

Why Does the Lord Use So Much Figurative Imagery in the Scriptures?

1. Symbolic language and imagery have the power to convey important truths through many languages and cultures with great power and impact.
2. Phrasing great truths in symbolic language helped preserve them from those who sought to take away the plain and precious parts of the scriptures.
3. Figurative language can convey truth and meaning to all levels of spiritual maturity.
♫Our Lord uses parables on frequent occasions during his ministry to teach gospel truths. His purpose, however, in telling these short stories was to present the truths of his gospel in plainness so that all his hearers would understand. Rather it was so to phrase and hide doctrine involved that only the spiritually literate would understand it, while those whose understandings were darkened would remain in darkness. I is never proper to teach any person more than his spiritual capacity qualifies him to assimilate.
4. Symbols deeply affect the emotions and attitude of an individual.
♫One need only ponder the effect on the emotion of such symbolic objects or acts as a wedding ring, the temple, baptism, the sacrament and so on to understand one reason the Lord teaches through symbols.
5. Spiritual power comes when one is forced to ponder and search out the meaning of symbolic imagery in an attitude of quest.

Some Guidelines for Interpreting the Types and Symbols of the Old Testament

1. Look beyond the symbol for its intended meaning.
-Look beyond it’s denotation to what it connotes.
-Do not become so bound up in your own culture that you miss the imagery behind the symbol.
2. Do the scriptures themselves give the interpretation of the symbol?
-Through careful study of the scriptures, many of the interpretations are quickly found. Often they are given elsewhere in the scriptures.
3. Look for the saviour in the symbols and imagery of the scriptures.
-Since Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice is the central and most fundamental part of the Latter-day Saint religion, virtually all scriptural symbols are Christ centred. See Nephi 11:4.
4. Let the nature of the object used as a symbol contribute to an understanding of its spiritual meaning.
-Studying the history and cultures of these people often helps to see both the significance of the objects used and their spiritual impact.
5. One truth may be taught by numerous symbols; one symbol may convey numerous truths.
6. Before one can fully understand what a symbol is meant to convey, one must understand the spiritual truths being conveyed.