BIBLICAL ALLUSION

Absalom Archetype of a rebellious son, especially one who meets a tragic end. The third son of King David, remarkable for his beauty, beloved by his father and his people. He sided with his father’s enemy and was slain by Joab after his hair entangled in a tree while trying to escape.

Abraham Archetypical patriarch. One of the most important figures of the Old Testament (OT), Abraham is usually considered the father of the Hebrew people and the ancestor of all Jews. He is referred to as “the father of many nations” in Genesis 17:5.

Adam’s curse Ironic colloquialism for work. “In the sweat of they face shalt thou eat bread.” (Genesis 3:19)

Angel of Death Personification of death. The angel of death is usually assumed of biblical origin, being identified as Azrael or Michael.

Ahab Archetype of an arrogant, wicked tyrant. Husband to the evil Jezebel. he colluded in the introduction of pagan worship and was subsequently warned by God’s prophet Elijah that he faced divine vengeance and the fall of his dynasty. Ahab was killed in battle and his blood was licked up by dogs.

Antichrist A person who opposes Christ or is the implacable enemy of all that is good. The Antichrist is described in the Bible as the enemy of Christ (1John 2:18-21), who will inflict great wickedness upon the word prior to being overcome in the final battle by Christ in the Second Coming.

Apocalypse A catastrophic or climatic event involving total destruction. From the Greek work meaning “to disclose.”

Babylon A city, place, society, etc., notorious for corruption or depravity.

by the rivers of Babylon In exile from a cherished but far-distant place or time. From Psalm 137:1, in which the Israelites in exile in Babylon lamented their lost homeland Zion: “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.”

Beelzebub A devil, demon, or very wicked person. From the Hebrew meaning “lord of the heavenly habitation.” Later reinterpreted as meaning “lord of the flies.”

Cain and Abel Archetype to brothers whose relationship ends in violence. (Genesis 4:1-16)

Corinthian Licentious, dissolute. The lax moral of the inhabitants of this city were widely known in the ancient world.

David and Bathsheba A guilty or treacherous love affair. (2 Samuel 11&12)

Diaspora The dispersion of people through migration or forced removal.

epiphany A revelatory appearance, or realization; from the Greek, manifestation. In the Bible, the presentation of the infant Christ to the Wise Men.

Esau A person who allows himself to be parted with something of value without receiving much in return.

Gabriel Messenger of God.

genesis A beginning; the origin of something.

Gog and Magog Godless forces that threaten the end of the world through war. Gog and Magog are identified in Revelation 20:8 as the personification of nations as the farthest ends of the earth in the final apocalyptic conflict between good and evil.

Goliath A formidable opponent or obstacle.

Jacob’s ladder A ladder of rope or cable used to board a boat or ship. Originally, a ladder connecting heaven and earth, having rungs representing the virtues.

Jezebel A shameless, immoral woman. Jezebel was the daughter of Ethbaal, the king of Tyre and Sidon, and the wife of Ahab, king of Israel. Her evil deeds included the murder of the Lord’s prophets and their replacement by the prophets of Baal and the attempted murder of Elijah. Elijah foretold a bad end for Jezebel with the words “The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel” (1 Kings 21:23:, and eventually Jezebel was hurled out of a palace window on orders of King Jehu after she adorned herself and tried to seduce him: Her blood spattered the wall and the body was torn apart by dogs (2 Kings 9:30-37).

John the Baptist A person who preaches or speaks out in defiance of hostile opinion, especially urges Christian repentance. “…voice crying in the wilderness.”

Jonah A person who brings bad luck wherever he or she goes. The biblical person was a prophet who was blamed for the storm that lashed the ship in which he was gleeing from God’s command to go and preach repentance to the people of Nineveh. (Jonah 1:4-1)

Judas A traitor; a hypocrite. He betrayed Christ to the Romans for thirty pieces of silver.

Lazarus A person who unexpectedly emerges revived after dying or renewed after apparently ceasing to have anything further to offer (John 11: 1-44).

leviathan A vast or immensely powerful force or thing, especially a massive organization, state bureaucracy, etc. The name comes from a monstrous beast mentioned at several points in the Bible; for one. (Job 41:1)

in the lion’s den A person who is in a position of great danger. The phrase alludes to the biblical story of Daniel who is accused of defying the rulers of Babylon and is thrown into a cage full of hungry lions (Daniel 6:16). Daniel’s courage and faith is rewarded when God saves his life by sealing the lions’ mouths so they could not eat him.

Lot’s wife Archetype of an individual who brings about his or her own downfall through disobedience (Genesis 19:26)

magi Astrologers. Three men from the East, who according to Matthew 2:1, came to Bethlehem with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to celebrate the birth of Christ.

mark of Cain A brand or other distinguishing mark that bears witness to some past crime or misdeed.

Pharisee A self-righteous or hypocritical person, especially one who insists on legalistically and slavishly observing the rules, regardless of the intent behind them.

philistine An uncultured, ignorant person. Originally the Philistines were a warlike non-Semitic people who in biblical times inhabited ancient Philistia in close and often hostile proximity to the Jews. Goliath (1 Samuel 17) and Delilah (Judges 16) were Philistines.

Potiphar’s wife A woman who gets revenge on a man who has rejected her advances by falsely accusing him of rape (Genesis 37:36)

 

Queen of Sheba Legendary queen whose name is sometimes applied pejoratively to a woman who is suspected of dressing or otherwise behaving in an inappropriate grand manner. (1 Kings 10:1-13, Chronicles 9:1-9, 12) Sometimes the queen’s name symbolizes vanquished pride (“there was no more spirit in her”).

Ruth The archetype of a devoted, loyal woman. A Moabite widow, Ruth promised never to desert her mother-in-law: “Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest: thy people shall be my people, and they God my God” (Ruth 1:16)

Salome A seductive, deceitful temptress. The biblical Salome, the step-daughter of Herod Antipas, who demanded the head of John the Baptist: She was promised whatever she wanted in payment for her dancing before her stepfather.

Samson A person of exceptional physical strength. The allusion to the biblical Samson, a judge of Israel, who was renowned for his great strength. He was brought low, by Delilah who cut off his long hair on which his strength depended and had his eyes gouged out.

Sodom and Gomorrah A place that is notorious for depravity and vice, especially of a sexual nature. Sodom and Gomorrah are described in the book of Genesis as cities of corruption, and for this reason they are both destroyed by fire and brimstone sent by God, Genesis 19:24-25.

walls of Jericho A seemingly invincible obstacle that is miraculously overcome without a blow being struck. Biblical reference, Joshua describes (6:1-20) how he and his forces, bearing the Ark of the Covenant, surrounded Jericho in six days. On the seventh day, the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell flat, so the people came to the city.

Witch of Endor Archetypical witch or medium with supernatural powers. The reference is the corceress of Endor, who (according to 1 Samuel 28:3-25) on command of King Saul summoned up the spirit of the prophet Samuel; the spirit warned the king of his imminent defeat and death in battle against the Philistines.

worshipping the golden calf In modern usage, this phrase describes people who place undue emphasis on the pursuit of material values. The allusion is to a biblical episode described in Exodus 32:1-14.

REFERENCES
Reference Definition

Abaddon Revelation 9:11 Abaddon is the Greek form and Apollyon is the Hebrew equivalent. These words mean ‘destroyer, ‘ ‘destruction.’ This title stresses his work of destruction; he works to destroy the glory of God and God’s purpose with man. He further works to destroy societies and mankind.

The Accuser Revelation 12:10 The Greek word for “accuser” is kathgor, which refers to one who brings
of the condemning accusations against others. In view of Job 1 and 2, this is
Brethren also an attempt to malign the character of God and His plan.

The Adversary 1 Peter 5:8 An opponent (in a lawsuit); specially, Satan (as the arch-enemy)

Angel of Light 2 Corinthians 11:14 One of his purposes is to make men as much like God as he can, but always without God. So, he will copy as much of God and His plan as he can, but he will always either distort, pervert, substitute or leave out those key ingredients of truth that are vital to the plan of salvation and sanctification through Christ.

Apollyon Revelation 9:11 A destroyer (i.e. Satan)

Beelzebub Matthew 12:24 Three possible spellings of this word each have a different menaing:
Mark 3:22 (1)Beelzebul means “lord of the dung,” a name of reproach.
Luke 11:15 (2) Beelzebub means “lord of the flies.” Either one of these are names of reproach and are name of uncleanness applies to Satan, the prince of the demons and uncleanness. (3)Beelzeboul, means “the loard of the dwelling.” This would identify Satan as the god of demon possession. This spelling has the best manuscript evidence behind it.

Belial 2 Corinthians 6:15 This name means “worthless” or “hopeless ruin.” The epitome of worthlessness, hopeless ruin and the source of all idolatry and religion which is also hopeless or futile.

the Devil Matt. 4:1,5,9; “Devil” is the Greek work diabollos which means “slanderer, defamer.”
Eph. 4:27; Rev. This accentuates his goal and work to impugn the character of God
12:9; 20:2

Dragon Revelation 12:9 Probably from an alternate form of derkomai (to look): a fabulous
and 20:2 kind of serpent (perhaps as supposed to fascinate) or the Greed word is drakon (as in draconian) and refers to a “hideous monster, a dragon, or large serpent.” This word stresses the cruel, vicious, and blood thirsty character and power of Satan.

the enemy Matthew 13:39 From a primary echtho (to hate); hateful (passively, odious, or actively hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary (especially Satan)

the Evil One John 17:15 The Greek poneros means “wicked, evil, bad, base, worthless, vicious,
1 John 5:9 degenerate.” It points to Satan’s character as active and malignant.

Father of all Lies John 8:44 A falsifier; using his network of deception through demonic forces and duped people, he promotes false doctrines in the name of God.

god of this world II Corinthians 4:4 god is used generically and refers to Satan

king of Babylon Isaiah 14:4 Confusion; Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire

King of Tyrus Ezekiel 28:12 A rock; Tsor, a place in Palestine, Satan is the false rock. Christ is the

Little Horn Daniel 7:8 A horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemble, an elephants’ tooth (i.e. ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a mountain), a ray (of light); figuratively, power

Lucifer Isaiah 14:12 The Hebrew word for Lucifer (KJV translation) is literally “the shining on.” This name draws our attention to his pre-fall condition and to the nature of the cause of his fall – pride; the morning star: Lucifer (the king of Babylon). Satan is the false morning star. Christ is the true morning Star.

Man of sin II Thessalonians Satan was the first to sin. See Ezekiel 28:11-19
2:3

That Old Serpent Revelation 12:9 old=original or primeval
and 20:2 serpent=(through the idea of sharpness of vision): a snake, figuratively (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially Satan

Power of Darkness Colossians 1:13 “shade” or a shadow (literally or figuratively [darkness or error or an adumbration])

Prince of the Power Ephesians 2:2 prince=a first (in rank or power)
of the Air power=privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence

Prince that shall Daniel 9:26 A commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious;
come generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes. See II Thessalonians 2:3-4 and Revelation 12:7-9

prince of Tyrus Ezekiel 28:2 a rock; Tsor, a place in Palestine. Satan is the false rock. Christ is the true rock.

Prince of this world John 12:31 prince=a first (in rank or power)
world=orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively [morally])

The Proud One Isaiah 14:12-14 The five “I wills”

Rulers of the Ephesians 6:12 rulers=a world-ruler, an epithet of Satan
darkness of darkness=shadiness, i.e., obscurity (literally or figuratively)
this world

Satan Job 1:6-9; The title “Satan” occurs 53 times in 47 verses in the Bible. The
Matthew 4:10 primary idea is ‘adversary, one who withstands.’

Serpent Genesis 3:1; Properly, to hiss, i.e. whisper a (magic) spell; generally, to
Revelations 12:9 prognosticate

Son of Perdition John 17:12 Ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal) also to destroy fully
II Thessalonians 2:3 (reflectively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively

the Tempter Matthew 4:3 To test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline
1 Thessalonians 3:5

the Wicked One Matthew 13:19 Hurtful, evil (properly, in effect or influence) figuratively, calamitous: also (passively) ill, i.e. diseased; but especially (morally) culpable, i.e. derelict, vicious, facinorous; neuter (singular) mischief, malice, or (plural) guilt; masculine (singular) the devil, or (plural) sinners

BIBLICAL PHRASES

Abraham’s supreme test An ultimate challenge or sacrifice. The reference is to God’s command to Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, as a burned offering on Mount Moriah. Abraham readily agreed to comply and was about to kill Isaac with a knife when God, satisfied that Abraham’s faith was genuine, intervened by providing a ram caught in a thicket to take Isaac’s place (Genesis 22:1-19).

Baptism by fire An arduous initiation or introduction to something.

Blood will have blood Violence breeds violence (Genesis 9:6)

Book of life Life itself, experience of living, or a record of how life has been spent. The original Book of Life, in which the names and deeds of those who will be saved on Judgment Day are listed, is described in Revelations 3:5, 20:12-15, 21:27

Children of light Those who are enlightened or otherwise alive to virtue, culture, faith, etc.

City on the hill Utopia; an ideal community or shining example of some kind.

Clay in potter’s hand Easily led; malleable; pliable

Death, where is thy sting? Death is nothing to fear. (1 Corinthians 15:55; “…O grave, Where is they victory?”)

Doubting Thomas A person who remains unconvinced about something until firm proof is proffered.

East of Eden A featureless, desolate place or situation; a place of wandering or exile.

Feet of clay A fundamental character flaw, especially one that is not immediately obvious in someone or something that is otherwise greatly admired.

Flaming sword A highly effective weapon of some kind, especially one used to keep a person at bay.

Four Horsemen War, Pestilence (or strife), Famine, and Death. War rides A white horse. Pestilence rides a red horse, famine rides a black horse, and Death rides a pale horse.

Golden calf Money, riches, or material value

Good Samaritan A person who kindly and selflessly helps a stranger in distress or difficulty.

Grain of mustard seed Anything that has a small beginning but grown into something much larger.

Inherit the wind To provoke trouble, especially to bring trouble down on one’s own head. (Proverbs 11:29)

Judas kiss An act of betrayal disguised as a demonstration of friendship.

Judgment of Solomon Great wisdom, as required to solve a particularly difficult dispute or problem. (1 Kings 3:16-28) The allusion is to a biblical dispute by two prostitutes who were both claiming possession of the same child. Having heard their cases, Solomon calmly proposed cutting the child in half so that the women could have equal shares; the woman who showed anxiety about this proposal proved she we real mother and was awarded custody of the child.

Lamb to the slaughter A defenseless victim; someone who is apparently too naïve or powerless to defend his or her interests, especially one who ventures into danger without complaining or protesting.

Land of Beulah The promised land. A land of ease and plenty; the land flowing with milk and honey. (Isaiah 62:4)

Land of Nod The realm of sleep itself. The land East of Eden to which Cain was exiled. (Genesis 4:16)

Last Trump Judgment Day. The signal for the end of the world will be a blast on Gabriel’s trumpet, when the dead will rise for judgment: “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

Lion shall lie down with the lamb Idyllic view of a future in which natural enemies will be reconciled and live in peace.

My cup runneth over Good things are coming in abundance (Psalm 23:5-6)

Patience of Job Endless patience in the face of great difficulty or suffering.

Raising of Lazarus A person who unexpectedly emerges revived after dying or renewed after ceasing to have anything further to offer. The allusion is described in the New Testament in John 11:1-44. Lazarus is raised from the dead upon the entreaties of his sisters Mary and Martha. Christ recited the words “I am the resurrection, and the life, and he who believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall live, and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die” and when the stone that sealed the tomb of Lazarus was rolled away, the dead man rose and emerged at Christ’s command.

Reap what you sow The benefit you receive depends on what you have put in. The phrase comes from Paul’s letter to the Galatians: “God is not mocked: for whatever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)

Thirty pieces of silver The price of an act of betrayal. The allusion is to the 30 shekels of silver that was paid by the priests to Judas in exchange for information about Christ’s whereabouts. (Matthew 26:14-16)

Thorn in the flesh A persistent irritation or annoyance, especially one that cannot be easily escaped. The phrase comes from Corinthians 13:7, in which Paul complains about his troubles.

Tower of Babel A scene of general confusion and noise. According to Genesis 11:4-9, the Tower of Babel was built with the intentions of reaching heaven. God thwarted the efforts of the builders by making them speak in different languages.

Pearls before swine Something good or valuable that is offered to or in the possession of a person who cannot appreciate it. The phrase comes from Matthew 7:16: “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, nether cast ye pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again to rend you.”

Pilate washed his hands/ A person who refuses to take responsibility for his or her actions;
Wash one’s hand of a hypocrite. Alludes to the biblical account of Pilate washing his hands in public as an expression of the fact that he refused to accept any blame for Christ’s death.

Prodigal son A person who return after a lengthy absence, having squandered his money. (Luke 14:11-32)

Promised land A place or situation believed to offer great happiness, fulfillment, and security. In the OT the land of Canaan was promised by God to Abraham and his descendents, and thus Canaan cam to be referred to as the Promised Land. (Genesis 12:7)
Road to Damascus A process of revelation resulting in fundamental change of viewpoint or opinion (typically the result of a sudden eve miraculous insight). Acts 9:1-19, 22:1-21, and 26:1-23

Shake off the dust from/ To leave somewhere or disassociate oneself from someone as a result of
on one’s feet the treatment one has received. (Matthew 10:14)

Stolen waters are sweet Pleasures acquired illegally or through otherwise dubious means are all more enjoyable. The sentiment comes from Proverbs 9:17: “Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

Straight and narrow The honest and moral path. Matthew 7:13-14 warns that it is much easier to follow the path to eternal condemnation that it is to take the path that leads to salvation.

Tree of Knowledge Adam and Eve disregard God’s command not to eat from The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil that leads to their expulsion from Paradise. Today the tree is sometimes interpreted as a symbol of the truth gained at the expense of loss of innocence. (Genesis 2:9)

Tree of life The tree of life is “in the midst of the garden” of Paradise (Genesis 2:9). (Generally interpreted as a symbol of God’s gift of life.)

Two edge sword Referring to something that is open to two different interpretations, such as an argument or policy that has an effect against both parties. “For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edge sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of joints and marrow, and discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Vanities of vanities An act or belief that is considered entirely futile. In its original biblical context, the word suggested rather the notion of meaningless, emptiness, futility, or idolatry. Ecclesiastes 1:2; “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”

Voice crying in the wilderness A lone voice of protest raised against prevailing opinion, typically one expressing views that meet with an indifferent or openly hostile reception. The original voice in the wilderness was that of John the Baptist, who preached the coming of Christ. (Matthew 3:1-3)

Wages of sin Suffering of some kind as a punishment for the sins that a Person has committed. “The wages of sin is death: but the gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Walk on water To achieve the apparently impossible and emerge unscathed. An allusion to a biblical episode as related in Mark 6:45-56.

Wise as serpents and Shrewd but innocent. Matthew 10:16: “Behold, I send you forth as
harmless as doves sheep in the midst of wolves: by ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

Wolf in sheep’s clothing A person or thing that appears to be harmless but is masking its real, harmful nature. Christ condemns the false prophets (Matthew 7:15): “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are raving wolves.”

Zion The name of the hill on which the city of Jerusalem was first built and sometimes called David’s city; symbolically, it represents the church of God or the kingdom of heaven.

Sources: King James Version of the Bible

Manser, Martin H. and David H. Pickering, Ass. Ed.
The Facts on File Dictionary of Classical
and Biblical Allusions. Martin H. Manser, USA, 2003