A simile is a metaphor without the words "like" or "as" preceding it. It conducts the exact same function as the metaphor in its comparison of things. Similes and metaphors are both poetic devices used often and significantly with the poetry of the Bible. Simile and metaphor comparison is dependent fully upon the knowledge of the reader in the action according to Biblical scholar Dr. Heiser.[1] If the reader knows the simile examples, then the comparison will be understood; if not, faulty interpretation can result.
Simple similes connect two items within a single sentence:
Luke 13:20 – 21 - 20 "And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."
Paired similes (parallel lines) are typical in biblical poetry such as in Micah 1:3-4:
3 "For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place,
And will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.
4 And the mountains shall be molten under him,
And the valleys shall be cleft,
As wax before the fire,
And as the waters that are poured down a steep place."
Paired similes often accentuate the effects, especially when there are three or more similes together. Hosea 13:7-8 is a good example of these heightened effects in the example of four similes paired together:
7 "Therefore I will be unto them as a lion:
As a leopard by the way will I observe them:
8 I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps,
And will rend the caul of their heart,
And there will I devour them like a lion:
The wild beast shall tear them."
Professional Theologists interpretive ventures become easy-to-find typological connections when similes are present. It is a certainty that when Scripture compares two things, especially in the use of “like” and “as” that God has given the interpreter an exact typological representation. For instance, Mark 8:22–26 typologically connects the act of men walking with trees; this compels the Professional Theologists to deeply search Scripture for "men," "walking" and "trees" and the significance of "trees walking" joined together.
"22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. 26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town."
These few verses typologically open Scripture understanding to deep places whose journey toward understanding leads further and further toward the knowledge of God. The words "like" and "as" are really popular words with the Professional Theologists, and similes sing the songs of God’s revelation under their skillful interpretations.
Bibliography
Heiser, Michael S. BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources: LOGOS Bible Software.
Klein, William W., Craig L. Blomberg, Robert L. Hubbard. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2004.
Footnotes
Michael S. Heiser, BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources (LOGOS Bible Software), Segment #87.
William W. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg, Robert L. Hubbard, Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2004), 304-305.
Ibid.
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About the Author
Kathy L. McFarland is President and Founder of Becker Bible Ministries, Inc. and the Becker Professional Theology Academy. She is also a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She has received her Bachelor of Science degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University, is on track for the Master of Divinity (Professional Ministries Track) degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary & Graduate School in 2016 and will be seeking a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Theology and Apologetics beginning in the fall of 2016. She is the originator of the newest theological movement to encourage Christian leaders to minister within the modern-day marketplace as Professional Theologists. She is also the Curriculum Developer for Becker Professional Theology Academy and a teaching faculty member. Kathy's favorite studies to teach include the connections between Old Testament exegesis, Christian Apologetics, and Bible typology and mysteries.
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