Bible writers often use imagery to tell a story and give deeper meaning. Pictures, lodge the story in our memory banks. They make it easier to recall details and connect other stories. Some symbols and signs are listed below with Bible references. Keep checking back as this list is far from exhaustive and will be updated regularly.
Animals or Animal Parts
Bear
Destructive power (2 Kings 2:23-24, Proverbs 28:15)
Bear, raised up on one side, with three ribs in it's mouth was a prophecy of the kingdom of Medo-Persia that would rule from 539 B.C. to 331 B.C. (Daniel 7:5)
Beast
Kingdom / Government / Political Power (Daniel 7:17-23)
Beast with iron teeth and ten horns was a prophecy of the kingdom of Rome that would rule from 168 B.C. to A.D. 476 (Daniel 7:7-8)
Blood
Life (Leviticus 17:11, Deuteronomy 12:23)
Dove
Holy Spirit (Mark 1:10)
Dragon
Satan or His Agency (Revelation 12:7-9)
Goat
Greece (Daniel 8:21)
Horn
King or Kingdom (Daniel 7:24, 8:21-22, Zechariah 1:18-19, Revelation 17:12)
Strength (Psalm 75:10)
Horse
Strength and power in battle (Job 39:19, Psalm 147:10, Proverbs 21:31)
Swiftness (Jeremiah 4:13)
Stubbornness (Jeremiah 8:4-6)
Lust (Jeremiah 5:8)
Misplaced trust (Psalm 20:7)
Lamb
Jesus / Sacrifice (Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29)
Lion
Powerful King, i.e., Babylon (Jeremiah 50:43-44, Daniel 7:4, 17, 23)
Lion of Judah, i.e., Jesus (Revelation 5:4-9)
Lion with eagles wings - Prophecy of kingdom of Babylon which was in power and would rule from 605 to 539 B.C. (Daniel 7:4)
Ram
Medo-Persia (Daniel 8:20)
Serpent
Satan (Revelation 12:9, 20:2)
Wings
Speed / Protection (Deuteronomy 28:49, Matthew 23:37)
Wolf
False prophets (Matthew 7:15)
Colours
Directions
Four Horses of Revelation
Jewish Calendar
Metals, Elements and Natural Objects
Miscellaneous
Numbers
People and Body Parts
Places
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