Types
“Impression, pattern, figure”
Summary
Biblical types are divinely appointed persons, events, institutions, or objects in the Old Testament that prefigured and foreshadowed corresponding spiritual realities fulfilled in Christ and the New Covenant.
☩Definition and Nature
A type (Greek tupos, 'pattern' or 'figure') is an Old Testament person, event, institution, or object that God designed to prefigure a corresponding New Testament reality called the antitype. Unlike allegory, which reads spiritual meanings into any text, true typology recognizes divinely intended correspondences confirmed by New Testament interpretation. The type is a shadow, while Christ or the spiritual reality is the substance. Types operate on the principle that God's dealings with His people in the past provide patterns that recur and find fuller expression in later redemptive history.
☩Types of Christ
Many Old Testament persons served as types of Christ: Adam as the head of a race (the 'first man' contrasted with Christ the 'last Adam'); Melchizedek as a king-priest; Moses as prophet, deliverer, and mediator; David as the shepherd-king; Jonah in his three days' burial. Old Testament institutions were also typical: the Passover lamb prefigured Christ our Passover; the sacrificial system pointed to His atoning death; the high priest's ministry foreshadowed His heavenly intercession. Even the brazen serpent lifted up in the wilderness typified Christ lifted up on the cross.
☩The Tabernacle and Its Service
The book of Hebrews especially develops the typology of the Tabernacle, presenting it as 'a copy and shadow of heavenly things.' The high priest entering the Holy of Holies once yearly with sacrificial blood typified Christ entering heaven itself with His own blood. The veil separating the two chambers represented Christ's flesh, rent at His death to open the way to God's presence. Every detail of the Tabernacle service found its fulfillment in Christ's person and work.
☩Historical Events as Types
God's acts of judgment and deliverance in Israel's history also served as types. The flood waters through which Noah was saved typify baptism. The Red Sea crossing and wilderness experiences were 'examples' (tupoi) written for later believers' instruction. Israel's Sabbath rest pointed to the spiritual rest believers enter through faith in Christ. These historical types demonstrate that God's redemptive work unfolds according to consistent patterns that reach their climax in Christ.
Related Verses65 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Type," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Type," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).