Spiritual Meaning Of Key Words In Scripture

by Mike Vinson

Col 2:2-3 - That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches
of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the
Father and of Christ, In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
I Cor. 2:14 - But the natural man receives not the things of the spirit of God: for they are
foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
II Cor. 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:old things are passed away,
behold, all things are become new.
Babylon
religion independent of God (Isa 1:10, 21; Jer 51:7, Mat 23:35, Rev 11:8, 17:1, 18:24)
Beast
man (Ecc 3:18, Rev 13:18)
Birds
Negative: typically evil, deceitful spirits. (Jer 5:27, Mat 13:4, 19; Gen 40:17-19)
Positive: typically Holy Spirit as a dove. (Lev 14:7, Mat 3:16, Psa 55:6)
Bitter
lies of the fallen woman (Pro 5:4, Ecc 7:26, Rev 8:11)
Black
hurt (Jer 8:21, Joe 2:6)
Brass and Iron
Jer 6:28, Zec 6 - Twin metals of revolution against God, and those who corrupt God's
word; Isa 1:25 Base metals must be 'purged' away. Eze 22:18 - dross.
Bread
Christ, the Word (Joh 1:1, Joh 6:51, Mat 26:26)
Canaanites
Typical of the 'deeds' of the flesh. We are to root them out. (Deu 7:1-4) The type here
shows sanctification is a process. (Exo 23:29 - I will not drive them out from before thee
in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against
thee.)...if you continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. (Joh 8:31)
Candlesticks
churches Rev 1:20, Mat 5:15 luknia - Strong's #3087 Olive trees (feed the candlesticks)
word and spirit of the Lord Zac 4:3-6
Cedars of Lebanon
Men that are elevated, either by their own imaginations or by God. The righteous ...
shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon (Psa 92:12). This speaks of the glory of God's
righteous ones. However, this type may also be applied to God's enemies, but with
the opposite result: For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is
proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:
And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up... (Isa 2:12-13).
Kings and princes are quite often referred to as cedars of Lebanon. In Ezekiel's
riddle to Israel in chapter 17, Jerusalem is likened to a cedar of Lebanon and the
 king to the highest branch thereof and the princes to the tops of the young twigs
thereof. But they were planted by Nebuchadnezzar and grew into a vine of low
stature. Such was the fate of those who despised God's oath.
Christ
Our saviour, of course, but the word is often used to include those who are members of
"His body" (Rev 11:15, I Joh 4:17, Act 4:25, 26) He who sanctifies and they who are
sanctified are all of one (ICo 12:12-14)
Clouds
Throughout the first five books of the Old Testament, a single cloud invariably
typified Christ. In Genesis, the token of God's covenant with Noah, that He would
never again destroy all flesh with a flood of waters, was never mentioned apart from
the cloud in which it would appear (Gen 9:13-16). In fact, God specified that the
rainbow would be preceded by the cloud coming over the earth (Gen 9:14). In every
other instance of a single cloud in the Pentateuch, the cloud that preceded Israel
thoughout the wilderness is under discussion. In these instances, the Hebrew word is
̂ ̂ (Strong's #6051). The cloud was a pillar that led Israel while they walked in
‛anan
the light of day, but while they walked in the darkness of night, the pillar was of fire.
(That being the case, we may conclude that we can walk in light and be led by a
shining cloud, or we can walk in darkness and be led by fiery trial. Either way, we
are led by God, but we may be led in peace or in judgment. For if we would judge
ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of
the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (1Co 11:31-32)) This
same pillar, while providing light for God's people (then or now) during the night,
showed only darkness to the persuing denizens of Egypt (the world). When the cloud
would fill the tabernacle (and later, the temple) of the Lord with the glory of the
Lord, neither Moses (the Law) (Exo 40:35) nor the priests were able to stand to
minister and were displaced from the temple (1Ki 8:11; 2Ch 5:14). The glory and
light of the Lord are associated with a cloud in other instances throughout the Old
Testament as well (Job 37:15; Eze 1:28, 10:3-4).
The loftiness of clouds is used to describe the supremacy of the Lord in that he is
higher than the clouds (Nah 1:3). The Lord is commonly depicted as riding upon a
cloud (Isa 19:1; Mat 24:30, 26:64; Mar 13:26, 14:62; Luk 21:27), and in Psalm
140:3, clouds are said to be the Lord's chariot. In this sense of loftiness, clouds are
also likened to the vain aspirations of evil men (Job 20:6; Isa 14:14; 2Pe 2:17; Jud
1:12). However, God's people with whom he is well pleased are also likened to clouds
or otherwise associated with them in the loftiness of their calling (Isa 60:8; 1Th 4:17;
Heb 12:1; Rev 11:12).
In most cases, throughout, clouds act in the capacity of a covering (Job 22:14, 26:9;
Psa 105:39). The word most commonly translated as 'cloud' or 'clouds,' ‛anan ̂ ̂ , is in
fact derived from a word meaning 'covering' (‛anan ̂ - Strong's #6049). In some
cases, this covering was for a blessing (Isa 25:5, 44:22); in others, it was for a
punishment or curse (Job 3:5; Lam 2:1, 3:44; Eze 30:18, 32:7). ...He scattereth his
bright cloud: And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do
whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth. He
causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy (Job 37:11-
 13). Quite often, clouds operate in close association with darkness even in
connection with God (Job 38:9; Eze 32:7-8, 34:12; Joe 2:2; Zep 1:15). In fact, there
are many Old Testament descriptions of God's abode that include clouds and
darkness (Deu 4:11, 5:22; 2Sa 22:12; Psa 97:2). Both as a covering and in connection
with darkness, clouds are described as the earth's garment (Job 38:9)
Another aspect of clouds for which they are used as types is their impermanence. As
such, they are likened to man; be it his flesh (Job 7:9), his welfare (Job 30:15), his
goodness (kindness, mercy) (Hos 6:4), or his works (Hos 13:3).
This can be contrasted with prophecies of the coming Messiah in which He either
rides a cloud (is over them) or in which there are no clouds. And therein lies an
indication of the primary function of clouds as types. Whether as blessing or
judgment, a cloud has always indicated that the associated subject was not fully
revealed or that there was some mediating factor between the parties that the cloud
divided. The fact that the morning is cloudless when Christ, He who rules over men,
arrives (2Sa 23:4), shows that the coming of Jesus Christ is a revelation and a
fulfillment. His work has permanence. He is over all and covers all.
Darkness
absence of God's presence Gen. 1:2 ignorance or rebellion to the ways and words of God.
Matt. 4:16, Pro. 2:13 Micah 7:8 way of the wicked is as darkness Pro. 4:19 also a sign of
God's anger Joel 2:2, Joel2:31, Amos 5:18,20, Zeph. 1:15; God is Light AND darkness -
Psa. 18:11, 25 and 26.
Day
Understanding God's ways. I Thess. 5:5-8 (same as light) Rom.13:12-13
Earth
Positive: God's people that bring forth good fruit after receiving the 'rain' of His word in
their spiritual lives. (Heb. 6:4-8, James 5:7) Negative: God's people who have turned
their back on God. Jer. 22:28-29 This Coniah is the son of Jehoiakim, King of Judah (24)
but Judah has turned their back on God. Hence he addresses them as "earth, earth." It is
above the 'sea' [see Sea below], but is not "in the heavens" of Eph. 2:6. God's people who
refuse to receive His word. Hos. 6:3 (See Land)
Earth swallowed
God's supernatural protection of whatever sort or means it may be. Ex. 15:12 says the
waters of the Red Sea which destroyed the Egyptian armies were the 'earth swallowing'
them. (Rev. 12:15-16)
East
light, truth and righteousness comes from the East. Isa. 41:2, 25; Matt. 24:7 - Truth
(Christ) comes from the 'east'. John 17:17 ...thy word is truth.
Egypt
sin and darkness. Where we are before God calls us. Ex.1:8, (we were slaves to sin) Jude
5
Eyes
spiritual understanding and knowledge, Gen. 3:7, Eph. 1:18, Rom. 11:8, Matt. 13:16,
Luke 19:42, I John 2:11
Eyesalve
God revealing His Word to us (Rev. 3:18)
Field
the world Matt. 13:38; Esau, the rejected seed of Abraham was a man of the field - Gen.
25:27; Fruitful field - righteousness Isa. 32:16
Fire
the Lord's purifying anger. (Jer. 15:14, Psa. 83:14, Isa.9:18, I Cor. 3:13) God's fury which
is fed by "evildoings". Jer. 4:4; Isa. 63:2 - When the nations are 'boiling', it is because
God's fire [fury] in burning. Isa. 42:5 - And still God's people don't even recognize God's
discipline when it comes. Fire burns up wickedness, wickedness is the fuel of the fire of
God - Isa. 9:18. God's fury - Lam. 2:4; Our fiery trials are the work of the Lord - Hab.
2:13, Christ's feet burn wickedness - Hab. 3:5. The Lord is like a "devouring fire" - Ex.
24:17; As a consuming fire He shall destroy his enemies" Deut. 9:1.
Floods
Ungodly men. The wicked (Psa. 18:4, Psa. 17:13 and 14) His Wrath upon the wicked (Job
38:22, Psa. 18:12-14)
Footstool
Isa. 66:1 earth is God's footstool = the whore Lam. 2:1 The 'earth' that has turned its back
on God.
Forehead
Mind - Jer. 3:3 - "...yet you have a harlot's forehead, you refused to be ashamed." The
right hand and forehead of Rev. 13:16 represent the thoughts and actions of those who
have the mark of the beast.
Fountains
the fear of the Lord; the truth of God's word. Rev. 7:7, Rev. 8:10 and Pro. 14:27; Psa.
36:9, Jer. 17:13, Zech. 13:1, wicked are a troubled fountain - Pro. 25:26
Fowls
the wicked one (Matt. 13:2 and 19)
Frogs
Lying spirits that spiritually destroy the people of God. (Psa. 78:45; Rev. 16:13)
Fruit
the 'works' we produce. 'ye shall know them by their fruits.' Matt. 7:16 bring forth fruit
worthy of repentance Luke 3:8 bring forth fruit to God Rom. 7:4 maintain good
works...that they be not unfruitful Titus 3:14, Gal. 5:22, James 3:18, John 15:8
Gold, silver, precious stones
God's good works through us I Cor.3:12, Rev. 3:18
Grass
Those of little strength; those to whom God's doctrine and speech come. Rev. 9:4, II
Kings 19:26, Deut. 32:2
Hail
God's wrath on the wicked in the church (Ex. 9:18, Psa. 18:12,Isa. 28:17, Rev. 8:7, 11:19,
16:21, Eze. 13:11-13
Hair
is a symbol of beauty, was a mark of Esau of grace and strength.Gen. 25:25. In describing
the comeliness of Jerusalem "thy hair was grown" Exek. 16:7. It's only a physical
strength so priests at consecration had to 'shave all their flesh' Num. 8:7 and the leper
before he could be cleansed had to 'cut off all his hair, his beard, his eyebrows, even all
his hair.' Lev. 14:8-9 - for in consecration or cleansing the flesh has to be put away.
 Besides marking strength, it shows wildness if it is excessive -like Nebuchadnezzar's hair
'like eagle's feathers' indicating his bruteness.
Heathen or Gentiles
God's people who have turned their backs on God. Acts 4:25; Psa. 2:1,2
Horn
Power, strength - I Sam. 2:10; II Sam. 22:3; Lam. 2:3; Psa. 18:2
Judgment
Making things right through chastening. Acts 7:22, Strong's #4148 - Mishpaht in Isa.
26:9 is the same word as #3809, Paidia used in I Cor. 11:32 and Heb. 12:11.
Key of David
Jesus Christ Rev. 3:9, Isa. 22:22
Kill
False doctrines and lies kill. (Eze. 13:19, Luke 9:60, Rev.8:11)
Ladder
Christ, that which spans the vast distance (gulf - Strong's #5490 - Luke 16:26) between
life and death, between heaven and earth (Gen. 28:12-17). The gulf mentioned in Luke
16:26 is Christ. The difference between the rich man and Lazarus is that Lazarus knew
Christ. That ladder on which the angels ascend and descend in Gen 28 is Christ (John
1:51).
Lambs
God's people (Isa. 40:11; Jer. 11:19 ) Lost lambs will be retrieved (Luke 15:4, John
10:16)
Lamps
light of God's word (Strong's - lampas #2985) your word is a lamp unto my feet Matt.
25:1-8, Rev. 4:5 and 8:10
Land
translated 'earth' in Heb. 6:7, Earth stands for our spiritual bodies - good or bad. (James
5:7, Deut. 32:1) (See earth)
Leaven
influence (positive) Luke 13:20-21 as the mustard seed in the previous verse, the leaven
spreads. also Matt. 13:33 (negative-most common usage) I Cor. 5:6-8, Mark 8:15, Gal.5:9
Light
understanding God's ways. Psa.119:105, John 3:19, John 5:35, Pro. 6:23 light dwells in
Him. Dan. 2:22 Opposite of darkness I Cor.4:5, I Cor. 6:14 Eph. 5:8 walk as children of
light. Matt. 5:14 - Ye are the light of the world...they may see your good works. Vs. 16).
God is light and darkness. - Psa. 18:11, 25 and 26.
Meat
word of God. Matt. 24:45, John 6:27, John 6:53-58, I Cor.3:2, Heb. 5:12,14
Metals
Describe the various stages of degeneration of a people from gold (I Cor. 3:12) to lower
quality base metals - brass, tin, iron and lead (Eze 22:18-22) [See brass and iron above]
Moon
Earth (Joel 2:30-31, Acts 2:19-20)
Morning Star
Christ (Rev. 2:28 and 22:16)
Mortar
 (untempered) - Lies and false doctrines (Eze. 13:10-13)
Mountains
kingdoms (Dan. 2:35, Rev. 17:9 seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman
sits.)
Nakedness
shame of sin Rev. 3:18, Lam. 1:8-9, Lam. 4:21-22, Gen. 3:21
Name
nature Rev. 22:4 His name shall be in their foreheads. Gen17:5 Abraham was given a new
name. Rev. 2:13, 17; 3:12 will write upon him the name of my God... Rev. 14:1 Father's
name written in their foreheads. Jer. 3:3 - you have a whore's forehead. ('forehead'
denotes a way of thinking)
New Jerusalem
God's people. Rev. 3:12, Gal. 4:26-27. Also the 'bride' of Christ and His body. Isa. 60:14 -
"They shall call you the city of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel."
Night
darkness, deceit, hypocrisy 'make the day dark with night' Ex. 14:20 'we are not of the
night' I Thess. 5:5
North
Judgment comes from the north. (Jer. 6:1, Isa. 41:25, Jer. 1:14, Jer. 4:6)
Olive tree
Israel according to the flesh and the spirit Jer. 11:16, Rom. 11:17
Prison
The state of both spirits and people separated from the truths of God's word. (Isa. 24:21-
22 - "...the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high and the kings of
the earth upon the earth, and they shall be gathered together as prisoners gathered in the
pit, and shall be shut up in prison and after many days they shall be visited." Jude 6; II
Peter 2:4) Comment: When men are witnessed to, spirits are involved. (Heb. 1:14) When
spirits are punished, men are involved. (Isa. 24:21-22) The spirit can be no more
separated from the physical, than we can be separated from the body of Christ. (Rom.
1:20) [See 'Stars']
Raiment
(white) - Christ's righteousness which covers us. Gen 3:21,Zech. 3:4 Rev. 16:15, Rev.
3:18, Rev. 19:8
Rain
God's doctrines (Deut. 32:2); Turning your back against God's truth causes the rain (His
doctrines) to be withheld. Jer 3:3; Endurance in His truth ("follow on to know") brings
Him to us as "the former and the latter rain unto the earth". Hos. 6:3
Robes
righteousness of the saints Rev. 19:8, 6:11 and 7:9,13-14 If the garments are "filthy" then
the wearer is unrighteous (Isa. 64:6 and Zech. 4:3).
Root
Christ (Rev. 22:16; Isa. 11:10) Negatively 'root' is a symbol of hidden wicked influences
(gall and wormwood) among God's people - Deut. 29:18.
Sea
the masses of mankind not yet called of God. Rev. 17:1, 15, 18.
Seed
 (good) the kingdom gospel (Matt. 13:3,4 and 19, 38) The word of God (Matt. 13:24) and
the children of the kingdom (Matt. 13:38).
Shout
Battle cry - Josh. 6:20, Jer. 51:14
Smoke
God's anger Ex. 19:18, Deut. 29:20, Psa. 74:1,104:32 and144:5, Isa. 9:18
Soul
The attachment God has with each individual person is his creation. The soul is not alive
without a body, be it a physical body at creation and conception: "He formed man of the
dust of the ground and He breathed into him the breath of life and he became a living
soul" (Gen. 2:7), or a spiritual body at the resurrection: It is sown a natural body, it is
raised a spiritual body (I Cor. 15:44). A dead body is not a conscious body (Ecc. 3:18-20)
but is "asleep in Christ" or not in Christ but asleep (I Cor. 15:18). But God does not forget
"the work of His hands" (Job 14:15) and refers to the soul as His 'darling' in Psa. 22:20
and 35:17. The soul is Gods knowledge of who we are dead or alive.
Spirits
spiritual personalities sent by God to minister to the "heirs of salvation" (Heb. 1:14) This
Michael may very well be Christ (Dan. 12:1). He is called a prince and the "prince of
Persia" is also a spirit that withstood Michael - Dan. 10:20.
Stars
angels Rev. 1:20, Psa. 148:3 Sometimes they are used to represent people. (Gen 37:9;
Dan. 8:10 Stars represented great generals opposing Alexander's armies [the horn]. Dan.
12:3 - used to represent men of the Lord used to turn men to God. As with all words, they
can also have a negative connotation. Stars are also used to represent false gods as in Acts
7:43.) The seven churches are called stars. The "angels" (messengers) of these churches
are the messengers God uses. (Rev. 1:11 through chapter 3)
Sword
word of God John 6:63, Rev. 1:16, Rev. 2:16, fights with the sword of His mouth. Rev.
19:15, put on the whole armor of God. Eph. 6:17
Tail
false prophets and doctrines. (Isa. 9:14-15, Deut. 28:13,44, Lying spirits whose leader is
the angel of the bottomless pit - Rev. 9:10 and 19) Rev. 12:4 - Satan lies "drew the third
part of the stars of heaven..."
Temple
Christ's body John 2:19 which we are. II Cor. 6:16, I Cor.3:16, Rev. 3:12, Rev. 7:15
Thorns
Cares of this world and deceitfulness of riches (Matt. 13:22. Jer. 4:3) [Strong's #873 -
akantha]. A disability [Strong's #4647 - skolops] II Cor. 12:7 - thorn in the flesh. Evil men
doing evil deeds - Micah 7:4 ...the sons of Belial [name means wickedness, foolishness,
evil] shall be all of them as thorns (II Sam. 23:6).
Thunder
Voice - Strong's #693 Kohl in Ex. 5:2 - voice = thunder in Ex. 9:28, 29, 33; Ex. 19:16 -
"thunders" and voice are both kohl in the same verse.
Treasures
God's treasures are His vengeance against the wicked. Jer. 51:16; Deut. 32:34
Trees
 fruit bearers; man's life. Deut. 20:19, bring joy to men - Joel 1:12 and 19 and Eze. 47:7.
Trees and wood are both the same word, 'gehtz' #6086 in Strongs concordance. Psa. 1:3
"...shall be like a tree..."
Trumpets
Warning signs from God by His ministers. Isa. 58:1 - "Lift up your voice as a trumpet".
Josh. 6:8-20 - March around Jericho. Jer. 4:5,19 and 6:1. Also, the seven trumpets of
Revelation. These trumpets will not be heard - Jer.4:5 and 6:17 and 42:14
Turned the captivity
Restore to former glory - Job 42:10; Deut. 30:3; Jer. 29:14; Zeph. 2:7; for Israel, this will
occur when it also occurs for Sodom and Samaria. This is the fulfilling of "until the
fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved..." of Rom.11:25-26
"For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving
of them be, but life from the dead?" Rom. 11:15. This 'life from the dead' is the second
resurrection (Eze. 16:53-55).
Veil
Christ's flesh. Heb. 10:20; Heb. 6:19
Vision
knowing the will of God. Micah 3:6, Pro. 29:18
Voice
see thunder
Waters
many people ('He drew me out of many waters') Psa. 18:16 come forth out of the waters
of Judah Isa. 48:1 the waters exalt themselves Eze. 31:14...whore that sits upon many
waters. Rev. 17:1,15
Wilderness
A period of trying, testing and proving which follows our initial baptism (with water I
Cor. 10:2) but precedes a later baptism of God's Spirit. (Acts 1:5). No one escapes the
wilderness experience after their initial baptism. Abraham went to Egypt, Isaac went to
Abimelech, the Philistine, Jacob to Haran. The apostle Paul went into the wilderness of
Arabia (Gal. 1:17). Even our Lord was "driven of the Spirit into the wilderness to be
tempted of Satan..." Notice Jer. 2:2 - "A land not sown..." (wilderness)
Wind
spirit...did blow with your wind Ex. 15:10 (Str. #7307 ruach) John 3:8 wind blows where
it lists...so is everyone that is born of the spirit. Gen. 1:2 (ruach) wind of the Lord;
whirlwind - negative - God's anger Psa. 58:9 and Pro. 1:27.
Wings
God's supernatural operations and protection Deut. 32:11- hovers - same word as above
with wings. Ex. 19:4-5 - bore you on eagles'(vultures') wings. God bore them on wings to
make a contract. Num. 15:37- corners = wings. Tassels to represent covenant relationship
w/ God. Extremity of the robe was the 'wings'. Woman w/ issue of blood has only to
touch the 'wings' to be healed. Ruth 2:12 - come to trust under the wings. vs 3:9 - cloak
(wings) for protection. Eze. 16:8 - wings spread over to cover nakedness.
Wood
in the negative sense, the work of men's hands. I Cor. 3:12 and Deut. 4:28, II Kings.
19:18 same word as trees (see)
Wormwood
turning back to sin. Jer. 9:13-15, Deut. 29:14-18, Rev.8:10-11)