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How to understand metaphors in the Bible

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When the Bible uses a metaphor, how are we to understand the meaning? How do we learn what the metaphor represents?

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Solution Summary

This solution discusses how one should understand metaphors in the Christian Bible.

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How might one know how far an interpreter is allowed to take a metaphor?

As a person who believes that the Bible is the inspired word of God, I have struggled with this question for years. The answer I have come up with is...it depends.

If the person interpreting the metaphor is one of God's own prophets, he has complete freedom. Again, I am starting with the presupposition that God inspires the word and uses prophets both to speak the word and to interpret its meaning.
Today, when we are trying to ...

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