Approved by hand
Typology
People, events and institutions in the Old Testament that point ahead to Christ, led by the places the New Testament says so itself.
The shape of this lensA shadow and the substance
Summary
Every pair on this page was proposed with its evidence and approved one at a time by Marcus Brown. Rows carry the work they came from.
- 116 pairs published
- 1 more lens stands on the same shelf.
- 13 lenses in all, each one its own page.
- Law
- History
- Wisdom
- Major Prophets
- Minor Prophets
- Gospels
- Acts
- Pauline Epistles
- General Epistles
- Apocalyptic
8 more pairs are anchored to a person or a theme rather than to a single verse, so they have no one place on this line. They are listed below with the rest.
Law
60 pairsThe five books of Moses: the exodus, the tabernacle, the sacrifices.
The shadow
Leviticus 16:21Then he is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to put them on the goat’s head and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man appointed for the task.
The substance
Isaiah 53:6We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.
On the Day of Atonement the live goat carries “all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited” (Lev 16:21–22); Isaiah says “the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa 53:6). The same sin-bearing verb carries both: nasaʾ, “to bear”: the goat “shall bear upon him all their iniquities” (Lev 16:22), and the Servant “hath borne our griefs” (Isa 53:4) and “bare the sin of many” (53:12). Isaiah adds a second verb of his own, sabal, “to carry as a load” (53:4, 11). The Epistle of Barnabas already reads the two goats of Leviticus 16 of Christ. Where scholars push back: Who or what “Azazel” names in Leviticus 16 (a place, a demon, or the goat's own removal) is disputed, and the answer changes how far the picture can be pressed.
thematic/lexical; Epistle of Barnabas 7 (PD)
The shadow
Genesis 3:15And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
The substance
Romans 16:20The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Genesis 3:15 is the first promise of a deliverer: the seed of the woman crushing the serpent's head. Paul speaks it as a promise still being kept: “the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly” (Rom 16:20). Where scholars push back: Read at its plainest level the verse can be taken as an account of why snakes and people fear one another; the Aramaic Targum Pseudo-Jonathan on Genesis 3:15 resolves that enmity “in the days of the King Messiah,” and Bereshit Rabbah 23:5 reads the promised “other seed” of Genesis 4:25 as the Messiah, so the messianic reading is ancient, not modern.
Edersheim, Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Appendix IX (public domain)
The shadow
Exodus 12:13The blood on the houses where you are staying will distinguish them; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
The substance
1 Peter 1:19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.
'When I see the blood, I will pass over you' -> redeemed 'with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish.'
1 Pet 1:18-19; TSK
The shadow
Exodus 12:6You must keep it until the fourteenth day of the month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight.
The substance
1 Corinthians 5:7Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
The Passover lamb -> 'Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.' Depth-2 cross-link from the lintel scene.
1 Cor 5:7
Show all 60 pairs
The shadow
Deuteronomy 18:15The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.
The substance
Acts 3:22For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to Him in everything He tells you.
A prophet like Moses would arise
The shadow
Genesis 22:18And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
The substance
Acts 3:25And you are sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers when He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.’
Through Abraham's seed all nations blessed
The shadow
Genesis 12:3I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”
The substance
Galatians 3:8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”
In Abraham's seed all nations would be blessed
The shadow
Genesis 3:15And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
The substance
Galatians 4:4But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
The seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head
The shadow
Genesis 22:2“Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”
The substance
John 3:16For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Take your son, your only son, whom you love
The shadow
Leviticus 5:15“If someone acts unfaithfully and sins unintentionally against any of the LORD’s holy things, he must bring his guilt offering to the LORD: an unblemished ram from the flock, of proper value in silver shekels according to the sanctuary shekel; it is a guilt offering.
The substance
Isaiah 53:10Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.
Guilt/trespass offering (reparation plus a fifth) prefigures Christ satisfying for debt; 'his soul an offering for guilt'
Lev 5; Isa 53:10; Jukes 1854 (PD)
The shadow
Genesis 4:4while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
The substance
Hebrews 11:4By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
Abel's accepted blood-sacrifice -> the acceptable sacrifice of Christ. Pairs with the Abel scene.
Gen 4:4; Heb 11:4; 12:24; Fairbairn 1845
The shadow
Exodus 24:8So Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
The substance
Hebrews 9:20saying, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”
Hebrews quotes 'the blood of the covenant' (Exod 24:8) verbatim as the shadow of Christ's covenant-inaugurating blood (Heb 9:18-20).
quote-explicit; explicit-nt
The shadow
Genesis 49:10The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.
The substance
Revelation 5:5Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
'the LION of the tribe of Judah hath overcome' - Judah's scepter, the tree's trunk, realized.
public-domain quotation
The shadow
Numbers 21:8Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.”
The substance
John 3:14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
Serpent lifted up in the wilderness
The shadow
Numbers 19:6The priest is to take cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet wool and throw them onto the burning heifer.
The substance
Hebrews 9:19For when Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people,
KEYSTONE: purification triad (scarlet, kokkinos) -> Hebrews binds blood + water + scarlet wool + hyssop into one rite. The canon's own knot.
Heb 9:19-22
The shadow
Exodus 26:31Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
The substance
Hebrews 10:20by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,
The barrier veil becomes the torn flesh: 'through the veil, that is, his flesh.' The temple-veil scene.
Heb 10:19-20; Exod 26:31
The shadow
Exodus 25:31Then you are to make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. It shall be made of one piece, including its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals.
The substance
John 8:12Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
The golden lampstand, sole light of the holy place, prefigures Christ the light of the world.
Exod 25:31-40; John 8:12; Jukes 1854
The shadow
Exodus 25:30And place the Bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times.
The substance
John 6:35Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.
The bread of the Presence continually before the LORD prefigures Christ the bread of life.
Exod 25:30; John 6:35; Habershon 1898
The shadow
Genesis 17:10This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised.
The substance
Colossians 2:11In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands.
Physical circumcision (Abrahamic sign) prefigures the heart-circumcision 'of Christ' in baptism - the sign fulfilled inwardly.
text (Col 2:11-12); explicit-nt
The shadow
Leviticus 16:15Aaron shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and bring its blood behind the veil, and with its blood he must do as he did with the bull’s blood: He is to sprinkle it against the mercy seat and in front of it.
The substance
Hebrews 9:12He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.
The high priest's yearly entry with blood -> Christ once with his own blood into the greater tabernacle.
Heb 9:7-12
The shadow
Exodus 29:38This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar, each day: two lambs that are a year old.
The substance
John 1:29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
The daily lamb (morning and evening) prefigures 'the Lamb of God' offered once for all.
Exod 29:38-42; John 1:29; Habershon 1898
The shadow
Exodus 25:10And they are to construct an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.
The substance
Hebrews 9:4containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.
The ark bearing the law and the mercy seat prefigures Christ in whom law and mercy meet.
Exod 25:10-22; Heb 9:4; Habershon 1898
The shadow
Numbers 17:8The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron’s staff, representing the house of Levi, had sprouted, put forth buds, blossomed, and produced almonds.
The substance
Hebrews 9:4containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.
Aaron's rod that budded (dead wood bearing life), kept in the ark, prefigures the resurrection vindicating Christ's priesthood.
Num 17:8; Heb 9:4; Habershon 1898
The shadow
Genesis 3:8Then the man and his wife heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the breeze of the day, and they hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
The substance
Leviticus 26:12I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people.
God 'walking' (hithpael halak) in the garden = the reflexive-presence form of God walking among his people in the tabernacle covenant. Row 7 hook.
Wenham 1986 (cite-only)
The shadow
Genesis 1:2Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.
The substance
2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Creation-light over the primeval deep foreshadows the new-creation light of the gospel in the heart (explicit-nt).
2 Cor 4:6; Gen 1:2-3
The shadow
Exodus 16:33So Moses told Aaron, “Take a jar and fill it with an omer of manna. Then place it before the LORD to be preserved for the generations to come.”
The substance
Revelation 2:17He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it.
A pot of manna is laid up before the LORD and hidden away (Exod 16:33); the risen Christ promises the overcomer at Pergamos “the hidden manna” (Rev 2:17). The New Testament makes this link itself.
Rev 2:17; Exod 16:33
The shadow
Genesis 2:9Out of the ground the LORD God gave growth to every tree that is pleasing to the eye and good for food. And in the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The substance
Revelation 22:2down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
The tree of life closed in Eden (Gen 3:22-24) reopened in the City; xylon zoes in both LXX Gen 2:9 and Rev 22:2. THE TREES-THREAD CROSSING POINT - cross-link to /featured/trees. Mirror Row 3.
PD-LXX (Swete); H6086; G3586
The shadow
Genesis 3:21And the LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and He clothed them.
The substance
Genesis 22:8Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two walked on together.
The first covering required the first death; on Moriah Abraham speaks the thread's next line: 'God will provide himself a lamb.'
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (public domain)
The shadow
Genesis 22:8Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two walked on together.
The substance
John 1:29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
'God will provide himself a lamb' is answered at the Jordan: 'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.'
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (public domain)
The shadow
Genesis 2:24For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
The substance
Paul quotes the one-flesh word over Adam and Eve and names it 'a great mystery... concerning Christ and the church.'
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (public domain)
The shadow
Genesis 28:12And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder.
The substance
John 1:51Then He declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Jesus takes Jacob's ladder to himself: 'ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.'
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (public domain)
The shadow
Genesis 6:14Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark and coat it with pitch inside and out.
The substance
Peter reads the ark's waters as 'the like figure' of baptism: eight souls saved through water.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (public domain)
The shadow
Genesis 14:18Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High—
The substance
Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, bringing forth bread and wine, is Hebrews' pattern for the priesthood of Christ, 'after the order of Melchisedec.'
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (public domain)
The shadow
Genesis 37:28So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
The substance
Matthew 26:15and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver.
Joseph sold for silver by his brothers; the greater Son sold for thirty pieces: the rejected brother who becomes the world's bread-giver is Genesis's longest Christ-pattern.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (public domain)
The shadow
Genesis 7:16And they entered, the male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut him in.
The substance
John 10:9I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.
'The LORD shut him in': the one door of the ark, sealed by God's own hand, set beside 'I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.'
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (public domain)
The shadow
Exodus 30:1“You are also to make an altar of acacia wood for the burning of incense.
The substance
Hebrews 7:25Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
The altar of incense before the veil prefigures Christ's ceaseless intercession (cf. Rev 8:3-4).
Exod 30:1-8; Heb 7:25; Habershon 1898
The shadow
Exodus 19:6And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”
The substance
1 Peter 2:9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
The Sinai/Mosaic vocation 'a kingdom of priests, an holy nation' (Exod 19:6) is applied directly to the church - a royal priesthood.
text; explicit-nt
The shadow
Exodus 3:2There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed.
The substance
Colossians 2:9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.
Fire fills the bush and the bush is not consumed (Exod 3:2): a created thing holding the presence of God without being destroyed. Jonathan Edwards read it of the incarnation, where “all the fulness of the Godhead” dwells bodily in Christ (Col 2:9). Where scholars push back: No New Testament writer makes this link; it is a figural reading of long standing rather than one Scripture states.
Exod 3:2; Col 2:9; Jonathan Edwards, Images of Divine Things (PD)
The shadow
Exodus 12:46It must be eaten inside one house. You are not to take any of the meat outside the house, and you may not break any of the bones.
The substance
John 19:36Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.”
Unbroken Passover lamb -> 'not a bone shall be broken' at the cross. Cross-links lintel and cross scenes.
John 19:36; Exod 12:46
The shadow
Genesis 3:24So He drove out the man and stationed cherubim on the east side of the Garden of Eden, along with a whirling sword of flame to guard the way to the tree of life.
The substance
Exodus 25:18Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat,
Cherubim (H3742) guard Eden's east and guard the mercy seat / veil; sanctuary faces east.
Wenham 1986; Beale 2004
The shadow
Numbers 21:9So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live.
The substance
John 3:14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
'As Moses lifted up the serpent... so must the Son of Man be lifted up.' Looking healed the body; believing gives eternal life.
John 3:14-15 (NT states the type)
The shadow
Numbers 21:9So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live.
The substance
John 3:14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
One object across the canon - made (Num 21) and fulfilled (John 3:14); image-anchored by a PD engraving.
biblical text
The shadow
Numbers 11:4Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat?
The substance
1 Corinthians 10:10And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.
Paul reads the whole murmuring cycle as typoi/warning for the church ('neither murmur ye'); frames why the wilderness episode matters typologically.
ASV
The shadow
Exodus 24:8So Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
The substance
Matthew 26:28This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Covenant blood -> the cup: 'my blood of the covenant... unto remission of sins' (cf. Luke 22:20; 1 Cor 11:25).
Matt 26:28; echo of Exod 24:8
The shadow
Genesis 9:13I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.
The substance
Revelation 4:3The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne.
The bow set after the flood (Noahic sign) reappears as the rainbow encircling the throne (Rev 4:3) - the mercy-sign at the throne of grace. Figural/traditional; label as tradition.
Edwards, Images of Divine Things (PD). contested: figural association
The shadow
Genesis 3:21And the LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and He clothed them.
The substance
Isaiah 61:10I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
God clothes Adam and Eve in coats of skin: covering that costs a life (Gen 3:21). Isaiah takes up the same picture for salvation: “he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isa 61:10). Where scholars push back: Genesis never says an animal was killed; that step is inferred from the word “skin.”
Gen 3:21; Isa 61:10; Edwards, Images of Divine Things
The shadow
Exodus 12:22Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin, and brush the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out the door of his house until morning.
The substance
Hebrews 11:28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn.
Blood applied to the doorposts -> the faith-act that averts the destroyer.
Exod 12:22-23; Heb 11:28
The shadow
Exodus 25:17And you are to construct a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.
The substance
Romans 3:25God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.
The blood-sprinkled mercy seat prefigures Christ the hilasterion (propitiation).
Rom 3:25; Heb 9:5; Exod 25:17
The shadow
Exodus 28:2Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him glory and splendor.
The substance
Hebrews 4:14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.
The high priest's garments of glory and beauty prefigure our great high priest.
Exod 28:2; Heb 4:14; Fairbairn 1845
The shadow
Exodus 28:1“Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests.
The substance
Hebrews 5:4No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.
Aaron's called high-priesthood foreshadows Christ's appointed priesthood.
Heb 5:4-5
The shadow
Exodus 28:29Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he shall bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of judgment, as a continual reminder before the LORD.
The substance
John 17:9I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours.
The breastplate bearing Israel's names over the heart prefigures Christ bearing his own before the Father.
Exod 28:29; John 17:9; Habershon 1898
The shadow
Genesis 2:12And the gold of that land is pure, and bdellium and onyx are found there.
The substance
Exodus 25:7and onyx stones and gemstones to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.
Eden's gold and onyx saturate the tabernacle and the high priest's ephod; sacred materials mark sacred space.
Wenham 1986
The shadow
Genesis 22:14And Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. So to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”
The substance
John 1:29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
YHWH-Yireh ('the LORD will provide') names the mountain after the ram substitutes; 'Behold the Lamb of God' proposes fulfillment. INTERPRETIVE - label as type.
Blue Letter Bible (Jehovah Jireh); text John 1:29
The shadow
Genesis 3:15And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
The substance
Romans 16:20The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
protoevangelium head-bruising echoed in Rom 16:20 (event, traditional; witness Fairbairn 1845)
Fairbairn 1845 (NT echo)
The shadow
Exodus 25:9You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I show you.
The substance
Hebrews 8:5The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”
The tabernacle is 'a copy and shadow (hypodeigma kai skia) of the heavenly'; the earthly tent is a copy of the true tent.
Heb 8:5
The shadow
Exodus 26:33And hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the veil. So the veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.
The substance
Hebrews 9:24For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.
The holy places made with hands are antitypa of the true heaven.
Heb 9:24
The shadow
Exodus 12:5Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats.
The substance
1 Peter 1:19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.
Passover lamb 'without blemish' -> Christ's 'precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish.'
TSK; 1 Pet 1:19
The shadow
Genesis 6:14Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark and coat it with pitch inside and out.
The substance
1 Peter 3:20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water.
One door, pitch-sealed, carrying the remnant through the flood; 1 Pet 3:20-21 warrants the ark-baptism link (NT-warranted, not extended).
Gen 6:14-16; 1 Pet 3:20; Habershon (1898, PD)
The shadow
Exodus 27:1“You are to build an altar of acacia wood. The altar must be square, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high.
The substance
Hebrews 13:10We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat.
The bronze altar of burnt offering prefigures the cross where the sacrifice is consumed ('we have an altar').
Exod 27:1-8; Heb 13:10; Jukes 1854
The shadow
Exodus 30:18“You are to make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. Set it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it,
The substance
Titus 3:5He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
The bronze laver for priestly washing prefigures the washing of regeneration (cf. Eph 5:26).
Exod 30:18-21; Titus 3:5; Habershon 1898
History
3 pairsIsrael's story in the land, from Joshua to Esther.
The shadow
Joshua 2:18unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother and brothers and all your family into your house.
The substance
Hebrews 9:22According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Rahab hangs a scarlet cord in her window and everyone inside the house is spared (Josh 2:18–21): a house marked with scarlet, standing untouched in a doomed city. First Clement already reads it of the blood of Christ, and Hebrews says “without shedding of blood is no remission” (Heb 9:22). Where scholars push back: The New Testament never links the cord to the blood, and by the classic rule for types this reading is allegory drawn by the interpreter rather than a picture Scripture itself points out.
Josh 2:18-21; Heb 9:22; 1 Clement 12 (PD); Origen
The shadow
2 Samuel 7:14I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.
The substance
Hebrews 1:5For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father”? Or again: “I will be His Father, and He will be My Son”?
Solomon as God's 'son' foreshadows the true Son (explicit-nt)
2 Sam 7:14; Heb 1:5
The shadow
2 Samuel 7:12And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.
The substance
Acts 2:30But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne.
Peter reads the Davidic seed-promise fulfilled in the resurrected Christ enthroned (explicit-nt)
Acts 2:29-36
Wisdom
17 pairsThe songs and the sayings: Job through the Song of Solomon.
The shadow
Psalms 22:1My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning?
The substance
Matthew 27:46About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
From the cross Jesus cries the opening line of Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46). He is not quoting at random: he is naming the psalm that describes what is being done to him. Where scholars push back: Psalm 22 is written as one man's lament, and many read it as David's own suffering rather than a prediction.
public-domain commentaries in agreement
The shadow
Psalms 22:18They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
The substance
John 19:24So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it. Instead, let us cast lots to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill the Scripture: “They divided My garments among them, and cast lots for My clothing.” So that is what the soldiers did.
“They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture” (Ps 22:18). John records the soldiers doing exactly that at the cross, down to the seamless coat they would not tear (John 19:23–24). Where scholars push back: Psalm 22 is written as an individual lament, and many read the line as figurative language for a man stripped of everything.
public-domain commentaries in agreement
The shadow
Psalms 16:10For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.
The substance
Acts 2:31Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay.
God would not abandon His Holy One to Sheol
The shadow
Psalms 68:18You have ascended on high; You have led captives away. You have received gifts from men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.
The substance
Ephesians 4:8This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.”
He ascended on high and led captivity captive
Show all 17 pairs
The shadow
Psalms 110:4The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
The substance
Hebrews 5:6And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
A priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek
The shadow
Psalms 41:9Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.
The substance
John 13:18I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the Scripture: ‘The one who shares My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’
His close friend would betray Him
The shadow
Psalms 34:20He protects all his bones; not one of them will be broken.
The substance
John 19:36Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.”
Not one of His bones would be broken
The shadow
Psalms 22:16For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.
The substance
John 20:25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”
They pierced My hands and My feet
The shadow
Psalms 110:1The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
The substance
Matthew 22:44‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’
The Lord said to my Lord, sit at My right hand
The shadow
Psalms 69:21They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst.
The substance
Matthew 27:34they offered Him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it.
They gave Him vinegar to drink
The shadow
Psalms 22:18They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
The substance
Matthew 27:35When they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments by casting lots.
They divided His garments and cast lots
The shadow
Psalms 22:1My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning?
The substance
Matthew 27:46About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
The shadow
Psalms 2:7I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.
The substance
Matthew 3:17And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
You are My Son, today I have begotten You
The shadow
Psalms 69:21They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst.
The substance
Matthew 27:34they offered Him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it.
gall and vinegar (also Jhn 19:28-29)
public-domain commentaries in agreement
The shadow
Psalms 118:22The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
The substance
Matthew 21:42Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?
public-domain commentaries in agreement
The shadow
Psalms 34:20He protects all his bones; not one of them will be broken.
The substance
John 19:36Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.”
'not a bone broken' (w/ Exo 12:46 Passover typology); John
public-domain commentaries in agreement
The shadow
Psalms 22:6But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.
The substance
'I am a worm (tolaat)' -- the psalm Jesus quotes (Matt 27:46) uses the same tolaat that names the crimson dye-grub. FLAG: surface the lexical fact only; the mother-worm life-cycle sermon is folklore.
STEPBible; Ps 22:6; Matt 27:46
Major Prophets
19 pairsThe long prophetic books, Isaiah through Daniel.
The shadow
Isaiah 53:10Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.
The substance
Leviticus 5:15“If someone acts unfaithfully and sins unintentionally against any of the LORD’s holy things, he must bring his guilt offering to the LORD: an unblemished ram from the flock, of proper value in silver shekels according to the sanctuary shekel; it is a guilt offering.
'Thou shalt make his soul an offering for guilt (asham)' uses the technical Levitical guilt-offering term: the Servant IS the reparation offering
Hebrew asham (word:h817); Lev 5 asham statute
The shadow
Daniel 9:25Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress.
The substance
Luke 19:41As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it
Messiah cut off after 69 weeks
The shadow
Isaiah 11:1Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.
The substance
Luke 3:23Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry. He was regarded as the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,
A shoot from the stem of Jesse
The shadow
Isaiah 35:5Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
The substance
Matthew 11:4Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
The blind see, deaf hear, lame leap
Show all 19 pairs
The shadow
Isaiah 40:3A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
The substance
Matthew 3:3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”
A voice crying in the wilderness, prepare the way
The shadow
Isaiah 53:12Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.
The substance
Numbered with the transgressors
The shadow
Isaiah 53:3He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.
The substance
John 1:11He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
Despised and rejected by men
The shadow
Isaiah 53:4Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted.
The substance
Matthew 8:17This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took on our infirmities and carried our diseases.”
He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows
The shadow
Isaiah 53:5But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
The substance
Romans 5:6For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities
The shadow
Isaiah 53:7He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
The substance
Matthew 27:12And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer.
As a lamb led to slaughter, He opened not His mouth
The shadow
Isaiah 53:9He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.
The substance
Matthew 27:57When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who himself was a disciple of Jesus.
His grave with the rich in His death
The shadow
Isaiah 61:1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,
The substance
Luke 4:18“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed,
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me to preach good news
The shadow
Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.
The substance
Matthew 1:23“Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”).
A virgin shall conceive and bear a son, Immanuel
The shadow
Isaiah 9:1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations:
The substance
Matthew 4:13Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
Great light in Galilee of the Gentiles
The shadow
Isaiah 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The substance
Luke 2:11Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!
Unto us a child is born, a son is given
The shadow
Jeremiah 31:15This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
The substance
Matthew 2:17Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
Rachel weeping for her children
The shadow
Isaiah 53:5But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
The substance
1 Peter 2:24He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”
The pierced Servant; Peter applies 'by his stripes ye were healed'; Calvin reads Isa 53 christologically
Calvin, Comm. Isaiah (Pringle, CTS, PD)
The shadow
Isaiah 53:7He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
The substance
Acts 8:32The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
The silent suffering lamb identified by Philip as Jesus; warrant=explicit-nt
Isa 53:7-8; Acts 8:32-35
The shadow
Ezekiel 47:12Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of all kinds will grow. Their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. Each month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will be used for food and their leaves for healing.”
The substance
Revelation 22:2down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Riverside trees whose fruit is monthly and whose 'leaf shall be for healing' are the direct OT source of Rev 22:2's xylon zoes bearing twelve fruits and leaves 'for the healing of the nations'. The mid-canon hinge the tree spine currently lacks.
PD-LXX; H6086/G3586; Beale-Carson (cite-only)
Minor Prophets
8 pairsThe twelve shorter prophets, Hosea through Malachi.
The shadow
Hosea 11:1When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.
The substance
Matthew 2:15where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
Out of Egypt I called My Son
The shadow
Zechariah 12:10Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
The substance
John 19:37And, as another Scripture says: “They will look on the One they have pierced.”
They will look on Me whom they have pierced
The shadow
Micah 5:2But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.
The substance
Luke 2:4So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David.
Born in Bethlehem Ephrathah
The shadow
Malachi 3:1“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.
The substance
Mark 1:2As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.”
I will send My messenger to prepare the way
Show all 8 pairs
The shadow
Malachi 4:5Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.
The substance
Matthew 11:14And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
Elijah will come before the great day
The shadow
Zechariah 9:9Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
The substance
Matthew 21:5“Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
Your King comes, humble and riding on a donkey
The shadow
Zechariah 11:12Then I told them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” So they weighed out my wages, thirty pieces of silver.
The substance
Matthew 26:15and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver.
Betrayed for thirty pieces of silver
The shadow
Zechariah 13:7Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones.
The substance
Matthew 26:31Then Jesus said to them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of Me. For it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
Strike the Shepherd, the sheep will scatter
Pauline Epistles
1 pairPaul's letters to the churches.
The shadow
Ephesians 6:14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed,
The substance
Isaiah 59:17He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.
God wears this armor first: image-anchored by Roman military artifacts; curated/interpretive; drawn as the ghost figure behind the believer.
biblical text
Apocalyptic
1 pairThe visions of the end: Daniel's kind of sight, and John's.
The shadow
Revelation 21:22But I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
The substance
1 Kings 6:20The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold, and he also overlaid the altar of cedar.
New Jerusalem is a cube (Rev 21:16) = the Holy of Holies (1 Kgs 6:20 cube) expanded to a city; no separate temple needed.
Rev 21:16,22; Beale 2004
Persons
5 pairsPairs anchored to a person's whole life rather than to one verse.
The shadow
DanielMatthew 26:64: Jesus applies Son of Man to Himself
The substance
Matthew 26:64“You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
The shadow
DavidJohn 10:11: I am the good shepherd
The substance
John 10:11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
The shadow
IsaiahIsaiah 53:5: Suffering Servant anchor verse
The substance
Isaiah 53:5But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
The shadow
AbrahamHebrews 11:17: offering Isaac, figure of resurrection
The substance
Hebrews 11:17By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son,
Show all 5 pairs
The shadow
MosesHebrews 3:2: Moses faithful servant vs. Christ as Son
The substance
Hebrews 3:2He was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house.
Themes and words
2 pairsPairs anchored to a theme or a single word running through Scripture.
The shadow
AcrosticThe acrostic's meaning 'from aleph to taw' = total completeness (Motyer); Christ names himself 'the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end' (Rev 1:8; 21:6; 22:13), same first-to-last-letter idiom in Greek. Devotional resonance, NOT proof (fails availability/volume: Greek, no verbal borrowing).
The substance
Revelation 1:8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and was and is to come—the Almighty.
Motyer NIDB 'Acrostic'
The shadow
TreeThe tree of life stylized as the seven-branched golden lampstand, a tree of light in the Holy Place.
The substance
Exodus 25:31Then you are to make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. It shall be made of one piece, including its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals.
Beale 2004
