Symbolic Words in Scripture

The following list of symbolic words found in Scripture is not exhaustive, but it will doubtless be of value to the believer. This list was provided by Dr. R. Howard Gould, former Professor of Theology, Dallas Bible College, Dallas, Texas.

Adultery: symbol of spiritual unfaithfulness, breaking an established covenant and hence, of idolatry, especially among a people who have known the truth. Jer. 3:8; Rev. 2:22.

“"And I saw that for all the adulteries of faithless Israel, I had sent her away and given her a writ of divorce, yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear; but she went and was a harlot also.” (Jeremiah 3:8, NASB)

“'Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.” (Revelation 2:22, NASB)

Anchor: hope. Note that biblical hope is a sure thing, not a possibility like; “I hope so.”

Ark: Christ

Arm: Strength and power; the bare arm or stretched out arm indicates power being exercised. Psalms 10:15; Isaiah 52:10.

“Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer, Seek out his wickedness until You find none.” (Psalms 10:15, NASB)

“The LORD has bared His holy arm In the sight of all the nations, That all the ends of the earth may see The salvation of our God.” (Isaiah 52:10, NASB)

Ashes: sadness, repentance.

Bear: symbol of a ferocious enemy. Prov. 17:12; Rev. 13:2; Dan. 7:5.

“Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.” (Proverbs 17:12, NASB)

“And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority.” (Revelation 13:2, NASB)

Beast: symbol of a tyrannical and usurping power, but sometimes of any temporal power. Dan. 7:3; Dan. 7:17.

“"And four great beasts were coming up from the sea, different from one another.” (Daniel 7:3, NASB)

“'These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth.” (Daniel 7:17, NASB)

Bee: symbol of the kings of Assyria who are also described in secular writings (the hieroglyphics) under this figure. Sometimes it symbolizes, in a general way, a cruel, invading power. Isaiah 7:18; Deut. 1:44; Psalms 118:12.

“In that day the LORD will whistle for the fly that is in the remotest part of the rivers of Egypt and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.” (Isaiah 7:18, NASB)

“They surrounded me like bees; They were extinguished as a fire of thorns; In the name of the LORD I will surely cut them off.” (Psalms 118:12, NASB)

Beryl: prosperity, beatitude.

Blindness: unbelief.

Blood: life.

Book: “written within, and on the back side.” Symbol of a series of events; “sealed book” a symbol of secrets; “to eat a book” indicates serious and profound study, to the point of absorbing its contents; “book of life” remembrance in which the redeemed ones are held; “an opened book” is a symbol of the beginning of judgment.

Branch: son or descendant.

Bread: (of life) Christ; nourishment or means of spiritual subsistence.

Brimstone: (sulfur) torment, punishment. Job 18:15; Rev. 14:10; Rev. 20:10.

“"There dwells in his tent nothing of his; Brimstone is scattered on his habitation.” (Job 18:15, NASB)

“And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10, NASB)

Bronze: (or brass or copper) symbol of hardening. Isaiah 48:4; Jer. 6:28. Also of strength and firmness. Psalms 107:16.

“"Because I know that you are obstinate, And your neck is an iron sinew And your forehead bronze,” (Isaiah 48:4, NASB)

“All of them are stubbornly rebellious, Going about as a talebearer. They are bronze and iron; They, all of them, are corrupt.” (Jeremiah 6:28, NASB)

“For He has shattered gates of bronze And cut bars of iron asunder.” (Psalms 107:16, NASB)

Bull: symbol of a strong and angry enemy.

Cedar: strength, perpetuity.

Chain: slavery

Chalcedony: purity.

Chariot: government, or protection. 2 Kings 2:12. It is believed that the chariots of God in Psalms 68:17 and Isaiah 66:15 refer to the heavenly hosts.

“Elisha saw it and cried out, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.” (2 Kings 2:12, NASB)

“The chariots of God are myriads, thousands upon thousands; The Lord is among them as at Sinai, in holiness.” (Psalms 68:17, NASB)

Chrysolite: manifest glory.

Chrysoprasus: the peace that passes all understanding.

Colors: black is a symbol of affliction and anguish. Rev. 6:5; Rev. 6:12. Pale, the symbol of death, slaughter, mortal sickness. Rev. 6:8. Red, bloodshed or victory, Zech. 6:2; Rev. 12:3; or that which cannot be blotted out. Isaiah 1:18. White, beauty and holiness. Eccl. 9:8; Rev. 3:4. White and shining was the royal and priestly color among the Jews as was purple among the Romans.

“When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, "Come." I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.” (Revelation 6:5, NASB)

“I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.” (Revelation 6:8, NASB)

“With the first chariot were red horses, with the second chariot black horses,” (Zechariah 6:2, NASB)

“Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your head.” (Ecclesiastes 9:8, NASB)

Cross: sacrifice, self-denial. Luke 9:23.

“And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23, NASB)

Cup: licentiousness, Rev. 17:1; idolatrous rites, 1 Cor. 10:21; also the judgment or portion which is due one. Rev. 14:10; Rev. 18:6.

“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” (1 Corinthians 10:21, NASB)

“he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.” (Revelation 14:10, NASB)

Daughter: the population of a city, as if the city were the mother. Lam. 1:6.

“All her majesty Has departed from the daughter of Zion; Her princes have become like deer That have found no pasture; And they have fled without strength Before the pursuer.” (Lamentations 1:6, NASB)

Death: separation, separation from God, spiritual insensibility, carnality, sexually dead, barren. Matt. 8:22; Rev. 3:1.

“But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead."” (Matthew 8:22, NASB)

“"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: 'I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” (Revelation 3:1, NASB)

Dog: symbol of impurity, apostacy and of vigilance. Prov. 26:11; Phil. 3:2; Rev. 22:15; Isaiah 56:10.

“Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly.” (Proverbs 26:11, NASB)

“Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.” (Revelation 22:15, NASB)

Door: means of entrance or exit; opportunity.

Dove: the gentle and benign influence of the Holy Spirit.

Dragon: (or crocodile) in Old Testament symbol of Egypt and in general of all antichristian powers. Refers to Satan in the Book of Revelation. Rev. 12:3; Rev. 13:1.

“Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems.” (Revelation 12:3, NASB)

“And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names.” (Revelation 13:1, NASB)

Drunkenness: symbol of the madness of sin and of the stupor resulting from the divine judgments. Jer. 51:7; Isaiah 29:9.

“Babylon has been a golden cup in the hand of the LORD, Intoxicating all the earth. The nations have drunk of her wine; Therefore the nations are going mad.” (Jeremiah 51:7, NASB)

“Be delayed and wait, Blind yourselves and be blind; They become drunk, but not with wine, They stagger, but not with strong drink.” (Isaiah 29:9, NASB)

Dust: the weakness of man.

Eagle: power, penetrating vision, movement in the highest sense.

Earthquake: symbol of violent agitation in the political or social world. Joel 2:10; Haggai 2:21-22.

“Before them the earth quakes, The heavens tremble, The sun and the moon grow dark And the stars lose their brightness.” (Joel 2:10, NASB)

“"Speak to Zerubbabel governor of Judah, saying, 'I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. 'I will overthrow the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations; and I will overthrow the chariots and their riders, and the horses and their riders will go down, everyone by the sword of another.'” (Haggai 2:21-22, NASB)

Eating: symbol of meditation and appropriation of the truth. Isaiah 55:1-2; Isaiah 55:10-11. Also of the destruction of happiness or property of someone. Rev. 17:16; Psalms 27:2.

“"Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost. "Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance.” (Isaiah 55:1-2, NASB)

“"And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire.” (Revelation 17:16, NASB)

Emerald: hope.

Eyes: symbol of knowledge or attitude. Matt. 6:22-23; 2 Chron. 16:9.

“"The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. "But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23, NASB)

“"For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars."” (2 Chronicles 16:9, NASB)

Fire: symbol of destruction, Isaiah 42:25 and or purification, Zech. 13:9; Mal. 3:2 persecution, 1 Peter 1:7; 1 Peter 4:12, chastisement and suffering. Mark 9:48.

“So He poured out on him the heat of His anger And the fierceness of battle; And it set him aflame all around, Yet he did not recognize it; And it burned him, but he paid no attention.” (Isaiah 42:25, NASB)

“"But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap.” (Malachi 3:2, NASB)

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;” (1 Peter 4:12, NASB)

“where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.” (Mark 9:48, NASB)

Firstborn: these had authority over their younger brethren. They were sanctified unto the Lord and received a double portion of the inheritance. Exodus 13:2; Exodus 13:12-15; Deut. 21:17; Heb. 2:10-11.

“"Sanctify to Me every firstborn, the first offspring of every womb among the sons of Israel, both of man and beast; it belongs to Me."” (Exodus 13:2, NASB)

“"But he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; to him belongs the right of the firstborn.” (Deuteronomy 21:17, NASB)

Fish: symbol of rulers of the people and of men in general. Ezek. 29:4-5; Hab. 1:14; Matt. 4:19.

“Why have You made men like the fish of the sea, Like creeping things without a ruler over them?” (Habakkuk 1:14, NASB)

“And He *said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."” (Matthew 4:19, NASB)

Forehead: denotes a priest, according to the inscription or sign placed thereon. Lev. 8:9; Exodus 28:38. A servant or soldier. Rev. 22:4. Likewise the servants of idols carried, as they do today, a sign or number on their forehead. Rev. 13:16. The forehead symbolizes thoughts, especially worship, either evil or righteous (Harwood, p. 29).

“He also placed the turban on his head, and on the turban, at its front, he placed the golden plate, the holy crown, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.” (Leviticus 8:9, NASB)

“they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.” (Revelation 22:4, NASB)

“And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,” (Revelation 13:16, NASB)

Forest: symbol of a city or kingdom, the tall trees representing the rulers. Isaiah 10:17-34; Isaiah 32:19; Jer. 21:14; Ezek. 20:46.

“And it will hail when the forest comes down, And the city will be utterly laid low.” (Isaiah 32:19, NASB)

“"But I will punish you according to the results of your deeds," declares the LORD, "And I will kindle a fire in its forest That it may devour all its environs."'"” (Jeremiah 21:14, NASB)

Fox: deceit, astuteness.

Frogs: unclean spirits, demons. Rev. 16:13.

“And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs;” (Revelation 16:13, NASB)

Fruit: manifestation of the activities of life.

Gird: readiness for service (King James Version term meaning preparation, readiness - “gird up your loins”). Luke 12:35; 1 Peter 1:13.

“"Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit.” (Luke 12:35, NASB)

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13, NASB)

Goat: symbol of sinners in general. Matt. 25:32-33. He-goat, the Macedonian kings, especially Alexander the Great. Dan. 8:5-7.

“"All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.” (Matthew 25:32-33, NASB)

Gold: royalty, especially deity, glory.

Grapes: the ripe ones are symbolical of people ripe for judgment. Rev. 14:18. Gleaned grapes are a symbol of people carried into captivity. Isaiah 24:13; Jer. 49:9; Jer. 52:28-32.

“For thus it will be in the midst of the earth among the peoples, As the shaking of an olive tree, As the gleanings when the grape harvest is over.” (Isaiah 24:13, NASB)

Hands: symbol of activity. Holy hands and hands full of blood mean acts that correspond to these words, i.e., pure or bloody. 1 Tim. 2:8; Isaiah 1:15. Washing the hands symbolizes expiation of the guilt or a protesting of one’s innocence. Matt. 27:24; 1 Cor. 6:11; 1 Tim. 2:8. The right hand indicates the place of honor. The right hands of fellowship means participation of rights and blessings. Gal. 2:9. Lift up the hand was a sign of swearing or making an oath. Gen. 14:22; Dan. 12:7. Hands placed on someone’s head, a symbol of the transmission of blessing, authority, or guilt. Gen. 48:14-20; Dan. 10:10; Lev. 1:4. The hand of the Lord on the prophet indicates spiritual influence or power. 1 Kings 18:46; Ezek. 1:3; Ezek.3:22. The finger indicates less influence, and the arm, more.

“Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.” (1 Timothy 2:8, NASB)

“When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this Man's blood; see to that yourselves."” (Matthew 27:24, NASB)

“and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.” (Galatians 2:9, NASB)

“Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have sworn to the LORD God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth,” (Genesis 14:22, NASB)

“Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.” (Daniel 10:10, NASB)

“Then the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins and outran Ahab to Jezreel.” (1 Kings 18:46, NASB)

Harvest: time of destruction. Jer. 50:16; Isaiah 17:5; Rev. 14:14-18. The sickle represents the means of destruction. Joel 3:13. The harvest is also a symbol of the field of labor for the Lord’s servants and of the final gathering of the Church at the Lord’s coming. Matt. 9:37; Matt. 13:30; Matt. 13:39.

“"Cut off the sower from Babylon And the one who wields the sickle at the time of harvest; From before the sword of the oppressor They will each turn back to his own people And they will each flee to his own land.” (Jeremiah 50:16, NASB)

“Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread, for the wine press is full; The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great.” (Joel 3:13, NASB)

“'Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn."'"” (Matthew 13:30, NASB)

Horn: symbol of power. Deut. 33:17; 1 Kings 22:11; Micah 4:13. And royal dignity. Dan. 8:9; Rev. 13:1. The horns of the altar were a place of refuge. 1 Kings 1:50-51.

“"As the firstborn of his ox, majesty is his, And his horns are the horns of the wild ox; With them he will push the peoples, All at once, to the ends of the earth. And those are the ten thousands of Ephraim, And those are the thousands of Manasseh."” (Deuteronomy 33:17, NASB)

“Out of one of them came forth a rather small horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Beautiful Land.” (Daniel 8:9, NASB)

“And Adonijah was afraid of Solomon, and he arose, went and took hold of the horns of the altar. Now it was told Solomon, saying, "Behold, Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon, for behold, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, 'Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.'"” (1 Kings 1:50-51, NASB)

Horse: symbol of war material and conquest. Zech. 10:3. Also of speed. Joel 2:4. To ride a horse “on the high places of the earth” indicates dominion. Deut. 32:13; Isaiah 58:14.

“"My anger is kindled against the shepherds, And I will punish the male goats; For the LORD of hosts has visited His flock, the house of Judah, And will make them like His majestic horse in battle.” (Zechariah 10:3, NASB)

“Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; And like war horses, so they run.” (Joel 2:4, NASB)

“Then you will take delight in the LORD, And I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; And I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."” (Isaiah 58:14, NASB)

Husks: straw, nothingness, judgment for evil.

Hyssop: purification.

Incense: symbol of prayer (it was burned with fire taken from the altar of incense). Psalms 141:2; Rev. 8:4; Mal. 1:11.

“May my prayer be counted as incense before You; The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering.” (Psalms 141:2, NASB)

“"For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations," says the LORD of hosts.” (Malachi 1:11, NASB)

Iron: severity.

Jacinth and Amethyst: promises of future glories.

Jasper: suffering, passion.

Key: symbol of authority or the right to open and close. Isaiah 22:22; Rev. 1:18; Rev. 3:7; Rev. 20:1.

“"Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder, When he opens no one will shut, When he shuts no one will open.” (Isaiah 22:22, NASB)

“"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:” (Revelation 3:7, NASB)

Lamp: (candlestick) symbol of light, joy, truth and government, Rev. 2:5. In 1 Kings 11:36, it indicates with the existence of the “lamp” that David will never lack a successor. Psalms 132:17.

“'But to his son I will give one tribe, that My servant David may have a lamp always before Me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen for Myself to put My name.” (1 Kings 11:36, NASB)

“"There I will cause the horn of David to spring forth; I have prepared a lamp for Mine anointed.” (Psalms 132:17, NASB)

Leaven: evil, especially evil doctrine. Matt. 16:6-12.

“And Jesus said to them, "Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees."” (Matthew 16:6, NASB)

Leopard: symbol of a cruel and deceitful enemy. Rev. 13:2; Dan. 7:6.

Leprosy: sin, loathsome sin.

Lily: beauty, purity.

Light: knowledge, joy.

Lion: symbol of dominance in power. Dan. 7:4; Rev. 5:5.

“"The first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle. I kept looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man; a human mind also was given to it.” (Daniel 7:4, NASB)

Manna: symbol of spiritual and immortal food. Rev. 2:17; Exodus 16:33-34.

“'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.'” (Revelation 2:17, NASB)

Marriage: symbol of spiritual union and faithfulness to God. Isaiah 54:1-6; Rev. 19:7.

“"Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."” (Revelation 19:7, NASB)

Measure: (divide) symbol of conquest and possession. Isaiah 53:12; Zech. 2:2; Rom. 7:17.

“Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12, NASB)

Mother: symbol of the producer of something, as for example a city, whose inhabitants are called her children. Rev. 17:5; 2 Sam. 20:19; Isaiah 49:23. A central city, whose nearby towns and villages are considered her children. Isaiah 50:1; Hosea 2:2; Hosea 2:5. Compare the spiritual use in Galatians 4:26.

“and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery, "BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."” (Revelation 17:5, NASB)

“"I am of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You are seeking to destroy a city, even a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?"” (2 Samuel 20:19, NASB)

“Thus says the LORD, "Where is the certificate of divorce By which I have sent your mother away? Or to whom of My creditors did I sell you? Behold, you were sold for your iniquities, And for your transgressions your mother was sent away.” (Isaiah 50:1, NASB)

“But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother.” (Galatians 4:26, NASB)

Mountain: symbol of a kingdom. Isaiah 2:2; Dan. 2:35.

“Now it will come about that In the last days The mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it.” (Isaiah 2:2, NASB)

“"Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed all at the same time and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them was found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.” (Daniel 2:35, NASB)

Oil: symbol of the Holy Spirit, the life, power, understanding, and joy which He gives.

Ox: labor, servitude, submission.

Palm Tree: Palm: victory, Psalms 92:12; Rev. 7:9.

“The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” (Psalms 92:12, NASB)

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;” (Revelation 7:9, NASB)

Precious Stones: symbols of magnificence and beauty. Rev. 4:3; Exodus 28:17-21; Ezek. 28:13.

“And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.” (Revelation 4:3, NASB)

“"You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The ruby, the topaz and the diamond; The beryl, the onyx and the jasper; The lapis lazuli, the turquoise and the emerald; And the gold, the workmanship of your settings and sockets, Was in you. On the day that you were created They were prepared.” (Ezekiel 28:13, NASB)

Purple: royalty, wealth. Luke 16:19; Rev. 17:4.

“"Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.” (Luke 16:19, NASB)

“The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality,” (Revelation 17:4, NASB)

Rain: symbolical of God’s Word and Spirit in blessing.

Reed: human frailty.

Salt: preservation, incorruption, permanence.

Sapphire: “beauty, brilliancy and hardness or stability” (Harwood). Lam. 4:7; Exodus 24:10.

“Her consecrated ones were purer than snow, They were whiter than milk; They were more ruddy in body than corals, Their polishing was like lapis lazuli.” (Lamentations 4:7, NASB)

“and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.” (Exodus 24:10, NASB)

Sardius: love.

Sardonyx: tenderness, purification.

Scales: (or balance) integrity and righteous dealing. Job 31:6. When it has to do with the buying of food, it symbolized scarcity. Rev. 6:5; Lev. 26:26; Ezek. 4:16.

“Let Him weigh me with accurate scales, And let God know my integrity.” (Job 31:6, NASB)

Scarlet: being of the color of blood, life.

Seven: this might be called the divine number; it is the sum of three, which symbolizes the Trinity and four which symbolizes the Kingdom of God in the world, hence, the union of the finite and the infinite. This speaks to us of the God-man, Jesus Christ. Compare the seven golden candlesticks. Rev. 1:12.

“Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands;” (Revelation 1:12, NASB)

Swine: impurity, gluttony.

Ten: “Symbolical of the testing of God’s people, particularly to Israel” (Harwood). Job 19:3; Ruth 1:4; Dan. 1:12-15; Dan. 7:24,; Matt. 25:1; Rev. 2:10.

“"These ten times you have insulted me; You are not ashamed to wrong me.” (Job 19:3, NASB)

“'As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings.” (Daniel 7:24, NASB)

Thorns and Thistles: evil influence.

Topaz: the joy of the Lord.

Trees: tall ones, symbol of rulers, smaller ones, of the common people. Ezek. 31:5-9; Rev. 7:1; Rev. 7:8.

“'Therefore its height was loftier than all the trees of the field And its boughs became many and its branches long Because of many waters as it spread them out. 'All the birds of the heavens nested in its boughs, And under its branches all the beasts of the field gave birth, And all great nations lived under its shade. 'So it was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its branches; For its roots extended to many waters. 'The cedars in God's garden could not match it; The cypresses could not compare with its boughs, And the plane trees could not match its branches. No tree in God's garden could compare with it in its beauty. 'I made it beautiful with the multitude of its branches, And all the trees of Eden, which were in the garden of God, were jealous of it.” (Ezekiel 31:5-9, NASB)

“After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.” (Revelation 7:1, NASB)

“from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.” (Revelation 7:8, NASB)

Trumpet: an indication of coming, important events. Rev. 8:6. “Symbolical of a gathering.” (Harwood).

“And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them.” (Revelation 8:6, NASB)

Veil: of the temple, symbol of the body of Christ. Heb. 10:20.

“by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,” (Hebrews 10:20, NASB)

Vineyard: fruitfulness. Isaiah 5:1.

“Let me sing now for my well-beloved A song of my beloved concerning His vineyard. My well-beloved had a vineyard on a fertile hill.” (Isaiah 5:1, NASB)

Virgins: symbol of faithful servants who have not contaminated themselves with idolatry. Rev. 14:4.

“These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 14:4, NASB)

Wind: strong, symbol of troubling; withheld, of tranquility. Rev. 7:1.

Winepress: symbol of destruction, Rev. 14:18-19.

“Then another angel, the one who has power over fire, came out from the altar; and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, because her grapes are ripe." So the angel swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God.” (Revelation 14:18-19, NASB)