Do you take the Bible(OT especially) literally or figuratively?

Question

For either answer...how does one know if and when it is meant to be taken figuratively or literally?

Answer 1

when its meant to be taken literally, i take it literally. when its meant to be taken figuratively, i take it figuratively.

EDIT

"For either answer...how does one know if and when it is meant to be taken figuratively or literally?"

i cannot say how other people decide, but in the jewish religion we have both a written AND an oral torah (bible). we believe that on mt sinai G-d not only gave moses the torah but also explained to him how to understand and interpret it. it is called oral torah because this knowledge for the first thousand years or so was passed orally. however about two thousand years ago the rabbis feared we would lose this sacred knowledge the message of the bible would be lost and so they began to write it down, and these books are today called the mishnah, talmud, midrash, kabbalah, etc. jews study the oral torah just as much as we study the written torah, and it tells us what the bible means when it says something, and when something should be taken literally or figuratively.

Answer 2

I take some of it literally, and other parts I assume to be figurative. There are also other parts that I just chalk up to being bi products of the time and society in which it was written and kindly brush over them.

I know it probably sounds like I'm cherry-picking it, but I feel that these things need to be taken into consideration. Those books were written at least 2,000 years ago--some parts are bound to be obsolete. Think about it--everything else has to be updated from time to time.

Answer 3

I take the historical parts to be literal, but biased as much as any history. I take some of what appears to be history as mythology because there is no first-hand account and I look for metaphorical meanings in these parts. I take the spiritual parts figuatively and metaphorically. I pay special attention to the parts that indicate that God is the narrator or speaker, because those parts are few.

Answer 4

Both. Some parts are to be taken literal and others are not and some parts or both spiritual and physical or literal. One should study and pray and God can reveal many things that are spiritual and you will know them completely and that they are real by revelation of God.

Answer 5

Both. The Bible often has two or more meanings to what it says.
The literal meaning is for the 'simple minded' (I am not saying that here presently in a derogatory sense); the higher meaning is often a principle.

Answer 6

I think literally as it applies to the letters and history, and figuratively in this day and age. I believe it's the overall message and not the exact words that should be dwelled upon since much of the history doesn't apply to today.

Answer 7

It is impossible to take it literally -- there are too many contradictions of known facts, as well as numerous internal inconsistencies. So, one can take it figuratively, or if one is really smart, not take it at all.

Answer 8

I would have to take it figuratively. It is a histry of G-d and his people.

There are so many commentaries by so many different Rabbis-each explaining what things mean to him-it can be fascinating to finding an understanding of the Holy Scriptures.

Answer 9

Very literally.

Answer 10

the bible is a book written by men but inspired of God.

I read the bible as such, nothing should be added or taken away from it.