Biblical Typology

By Thomas Ice, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Pre-Trib Research Center, Arlington, Texas

The apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10.6, “Now these things were our examples.” The Greek word tupos is translated examples and has the idea of pattern, illustration or type. Paul notes, “all these things happened unto them for ensamples (adverb of tupos): and they are written for our admonition,” 1 Corinthians 10.11. What things? In this case, Paul refers to events related to the Exodus in the Old Testament. Thus, a type is a biblical pattern or illustration, usually from the Old Testament, taking the form of patterns relating to persons or things.

Hebrews 8.5 tells us the Tabernacle was based upon a heavenly pattern show to Moses on Mount Sinai. “And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount,” Exodus 25.40. Stephen noted in his sermon, “Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, he should make it according to the fashion he had seen,” Acts 7.44. The tabernacle and later the temple are types or patterns revealing key elements in God’s plan of salvation.

Many examples of how patterns in individual lives provide a type can be seen from key events in the lives of early Old Testament figures, such as Abraham, Isaac and Joseph. In Genesis 22, the pattern of Abraham offering Isaac shadows many events mirroring the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The Lord said to Abraham, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest and get thee into the land of Moriah…upon one of the mountains,” Genesis 22.2. This verse parallels God the Father’s offering of Jesus, His only begotten Son.

The mountain in the land of Moriah is believed to be the very hill in Jerusalem where Israel’s temple was built and sacrifices were offered. Jesus’ ministry greatly revolved around that location. Isaac is a willing sacrifice, Genesis 22.5-9, as Jesus was. The willingness of Abraham to sacrifice Isaac and the eventual sacrifice of a ram, Genesis 22.9-14, pictures the ultimate sacrifice and provision of Christ for our sin.

Certain events in the life of Joseph are a type and foreshadowing of Israel’s relationship with their Messiah. Joseph reveals to his brothers a dream with Joseph ruling over them, Genesis 37.5-9. Joseph is then rejected by his brothers, Genesis 37.10-11. His brothers plot to kill him, Genesis 37.18-20 and they sell him into slavery, Genesis 37.25-27, all of which pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

Meanwhile, unknown to Jacob, his father, Joseph rises to a position of great power and influence over the Gentile nations through the events of a famine, Genesis 41. His brothers come to Egypt for food from the Gentiles and at that time Joseph mercifully reveals himself and restores the broken relationship, Genesis 42-45. This pictures the end-time conversion of Israel to Jesus as her Messiah during the Tribulation, resulting in the millennial blessing for Israel, Genesis 46.

There are many types in the Bible. However, a biblical event or concept can be established as a type only after the text has been interpreted historically and the pattern of events determined. Typological connotation should not be used as a primary interpretive approach to any passage. Proper typology can be established only in hindsight, comparing the patterns of historical events to God’s plan for the past and future.