The prophecies of Daniel and Revelation were given while the prophets were in hostile foreign lands. One reason God covered the prophecies in symbols was to protect the messages. But the Lord promised that these symbols will be given to His children yet be hidden to the rest of the world. “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand” (Luke 8 :10).
The best method of interpreting Bible symbols is to allow the Bible to interpret itself. Here is a list of symbols and their Bible interpretations:
Animals and their Parts
- Horse = Strength and Power in Battle Job 39:19, Psalms 147:10, Proverbs 21:31
- Dragon = Satan or his agency Isaiah 27:1;30:6, Psalm 74:13-14; Rev. 12:7-9; Ezekiel 29:3; Jeremiah 51:34
- Beast = Kingdom/government/political power Daniel 7:17, 23
- Lamb = Jesus/sacrifice John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7
- Lion = Jesus/Powerful King Rev. 5:4-9; and in the OT Babylon Jeremiah 50:43-44, Dan. 7:4,17,23
- Bear = Destructive Power / Medo Persia Proverbs 28:15, 2 Kings 2:23-24, Daniel 7:5
- Leopard = Greece Daniel 7:6
- Serpent = Satan Revelation 12:9; 20:2
- Tongue = Language / Speech Exodus 4:10
- Wolf = Disguised Enemies Matthew 7:15
- Dove = Holy Spirit Mark 1:10
- Ram = Medo Persia Daniel 8:20
- Goat = Greece Daniel 8:21
- Horn = King or kingdom Daniel 7:24; 8:5, 21, 22; Zechariah 1:18, 19; Revelation 17:12
- Wings = Speed / Protection / Deliverance Deuteronomy 28:49, Matthew 23:37
Colors
- White = Purity Revelation 19:8
- Blue = Law Numbers 15:38-41
- Purple = Royalty Mark 15:17, Judges 8:26
- Red/Scarlet = Sin/corruption Isaiah 1:18; Nahum 2:3; Revelation 17:1-4
Metals, Elements, and Natural Objects
- Gold = Pure Character Precious and Rare Isaiah 13:12
- Silver = Pure Words & Understanding Proverbs 2:4, 3:13-14, 10:20, 25:11, Psalms 12:6
- Brass, Tin, Iron, Lead, Silver dross = Impure Character Ezekiel 22:20-21
- Water = Holy Spirit / Everlasting Life John 7:39, 4:14, Revelaton 22:17, Ephesians 5:26
- Waters = Inhabited area/people, nations Revelation 17:15
- Fire = Holy Spirit Luke 3:16
- Tree = Cross; People / Nation Deuteronomy 21:22-23, Psalm 92:12, 37:35
- Seed = Descendants / Jesus Romans 9:8, Galatians 3:16
- Fruit = Works / Actions Galatians 5:22
- Fig Tree = A Nation that should bear fruit Luke 13:6-9
- Vineyard = Church that should bear fruit Luke 20:9-16
- Field = World Matthew 13:38, John 4:35
- Harvest = End of World Matthew 13:39
- Reapers = Angels Matthew 13:39
- Thorns / Thorny Ground = Cares of this life Mark 4:18-19
- Stars=Angels/messengers = Revelation 1:16, 20; 12:4, 7-9; Job 38:7
- Jordan = death Romans 6:4, Deuteronomy 4:22
- Mountains = Political or religio-political powers Isaiah 2:2, 3; Jeremiah 17:3; 31:23; 51:24, 25; Ezekiel 17:22, 23; Daniel 2:35, 44, 45
- Rock = Jesus/truth 1 Corinthians 10:4; Isaiah 8:13, 14; Romans 9:33; Matthew 7:24
- Sun = Jesus/the gospel Psalm 84:11; Malachi 4:2; Matthew 17:2; John 8:12; 9:5
- Winds=Strife/commotion/”winds of war” Jeremiah 25:31-33; 49:36, 37; 4:11-13; Zechariah 7:14
Miscellaneous Objects
- Lamp = Word of God Psalm 119:105
- Oil = Holy Spirit Zechariah 4:2-6; Revelation 4:5
- Sword = Word of God Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12
- Bread = Word of God John 6:35, 51, 52, 63
- Wine=blood/covenant/doctrines Luke 5:37
- Honey = happy life Ezekiel 20:6, Deuteronomy 8:8-9
- Clothing = Character Isaiah 64:6, Isaiah 59:6
- Crown = A Glorious Ruler or Rulership Proverbs 16:31, Isaiah 28:5, Isaiah 62:3
- Ring = Authority Genesis 41:42-43, Esther 3:10-11
- Angel = Messenger Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26; Hebrews 1:14
- Babylon = apostasy/confusion/rebellion Gen. 10:8-10; 11:6-9; Rev. 18:2, 3; 17:1-5
- Mark = Sign or seal of approval or disapproval Ezekiel 9:4; Romans 4:11; Revelation 13:17; 14:9-11; 7:2, 3
- Seal = Sign or mark of approval or disapproval Romans 4:11; Revelation 7:2, 3
- White Robes=Victory/righteousness Revelation 19:8; 3:5; 7:14
- Jar / Vessel=Person ,Jeremiah 18:1-4, 2 Corinthians 4:7
- Time = 360 Day Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32; 7:25; Daniel 11:13
- Times = 720 Days Daniel 7:25, Revelation 12:6,14, 13:5
- Day = Literal year Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34
- Trumpet = loud warning of God’s approach Exodus 19:16-17, Joshua 6:4-5.
- Ships= Commerce, trade, economics Psalms 107:23, Proverbs 31:14, Isaiah 60:9
Actions, Activities, and Physical States
- Healing = Salvation Luke 5:23-24
- Leprosy / Sickness = Sin Luke 5:23-24
- Famine = Death of Truth Amos 8:11
People and Body Parts
- Woman, Pure = True Church Jeremiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-27
- Woman, Corrupt = Apostate church -Ezekiel 16:15-58; 23:2-21; Hos. 2:5; 3:1; Rev. 14:4
- Thief = Suddenness of Jesus’ coming 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4; 2 Peter 3:10
- Hand = Deeds / Works / Actions Ecclesiastes 9:10, Isaiah 59:6
- Forehead = Mind Deuteronomy 6:6-8, Romans 7:25; Ezekiel 3:8, 9
- Feet = Your Walk / Direction Genesis 19:2, Psalm 119:105
- Eyes = Spiritual Discernment Matthew 13:10-17, 1 John 2:11
- Skin = Christ’s righteousness Exodus 12:5, 1 Peter 1:19, Isaiah 1:4-6
- Harlot = Apostate church/religion Isaiah 1:21-27; Jeremiah 3:1-3; 6-9
- Heads = Major powers/rulers/governments Revelation 17:3, 9, 10
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
