how do you know what is literal and what is metaphor in the bible?

Answer 1

The things they want to accept are literal. The things they do not want to accept are a metaphor of course.

Answer 2

If you read it, it becomes clear to you. And by reading it, I do not mean pulling out a verse here or there, I mean actually sitting down and reading it chapter by chapter (you would be amazed at how many 'Christians' really don't read the Bible.) It is a literal text, and is designed solely to be such. There are metaphors within it, primarily as a means to explain what was stated prior to the metaphor. So Jesus would say something, the Disciplines would miss the boat on what He was talking about, and so Jesus would open into a metaphor of what He initially tried to explain. The one book that draws the most scepticism is the Book of Revelation. To a simple mind, one uneducated in Theological debate and discussion, this book would be labelled an entire book of metaphor....but it is actually a book of Apocophytic Literature. Its is a highly debated book, so some concern should be executed by all who attempt to utilize scripture from this book to support and argument. But the reality is, the rest of the Bible is very literal. Anyone who can't see that has serious issues, and should seek the assistance of a reading tutor, because the newspaper is likely to cause problems for them too. The biggest problem is see people walking into is pulling out a single verse, or a series of versus, without reading the full chapter or understanding what the letter (if the Book in discussion is regarding one of Paul's letters) was discussing. For some reason, we think its okay to take about versuses in the Bible and do this, expecting them to make sense and yet we wouldn't risk our GPA by doing the same in a book prescribed by a Professor. Hope this helps.
All-in-all, I think this is an awesome question, as it definitely will provoke some tongue lashings.

Answer 3

Usually a careful reading while make it clear. The literal is when it is talking about people, what they did, what they said, it. This would be things like Moses and his receiving the law from God, the story of David and Goliath or the history of the Jewish people. If the Bible presents an event as if it is "historical", then it is to be taken literally.

The metaphors are found when people begin teaching. When they speak of something being "like" something else, it is a metaphor. (Example: The Kingdom of heaven is like a seed....). When they begin to use imagery, such as multi-headed beast or flying basket with women in them, then it is a metaphor. Those are normally things that would make no historical sense, but that care clear truths and morals within them.

You will also find poetry within the Bible that is often full of imagery and metaphor (same as poetry is today). Psalms and Proverbs are two good examples of books of poetery in the Bible. Yet within those poems, the spiritual truths are usually easy to understand.

Usually being able to separate "literal" from "metaphor" is not difficult. I like the line by Mark Twain about the Bible. "Its not the parts of the Bible I don't understand that worry me. Its the parts I do".

If simply read and follow that parts you do understand (which for most people is the majority of it), the others parts will usually take care of themselves over time.

Answer 4

The structure of the sentence is generally the clue.
If the text says- "and Samson slay a thousand soldiers". That is to be taken literally.
If the text says- "it was 'like' the sound of a thousand horses hooves". That is a metaphor.
When inanimate objects sing or dance, that is usually a big time clue, like-"the trees danced and the mountains skipped"

Answer 5

This is such an important question, I could write a book!!!

But I won't.
Men throughout the ages have sought to clarify this situation.
The best way to decide for yourself is to take the Bible, its testimony, and its history literaly until you get back in time to Noah. I AM about to write a book on that subject (and all of the huge amount of pro-flood evidence found in Nature and natural history for a world-wide disaster some 7600 yrs ago)

Before the flood, don't be too literal, but science religion, and Genesis are coming together even for such a long time ago.

Answer 6

I believe it is entirely metaphoric. What would be the purpose of a literal understanding?

Leviticus is pretty literal and seems to be the ONLY chapter of the bible not followed by Christians. Please don't tell me that Paul said it is unimportant. God was crystal clear with his commandments against clean and unclean practices. Paul's letters are not very clear. You create literal law and cast it away with metaphor?

Answer 7

It's not just a case of whether we take the bible literally, but we also have to keep in mind the writers were not that spiritually enlightened. Moses came away believing God wanted an eye for an eye! He thought God condoned stoning people to death. We know this is wrong because Jesus came and taught a completely different philosophy. So either Moses was right or Jesus was. I have to go with Jesus's teachings every time.

Answer 8

you TRUST in the CHURCH Our Lord FOUNDED 2000 years ago - the Catholic Church - rather than in your own nonsense interpretations.

protestants neither trust their church leaders nor other protestants for that matter when it disagrees with their own personal interpretation of the Bible. (my opinion of protestants is they are wannabe catholics but with attitudes lol. no offence intended at all) all those genuinely seeking the Truth will eventually find their way to His Church

catholics rely on Jesus' word that His Church is guided and protected by the Holy Spirit, it follows that His Church cannot preach a message contrary to the instructions of Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour.

Answer 9

Very simple. Draw a verticle line. Write "Literal" on the left side and "Metaphor" on the right side. Now place the Bible on the right side.

Answer 10

Oftentimes by the author. One can readily distinguish between events that are observed and recorded and opinions of the author. For example, in the Book of Wisdom (attributed to King Solomon), the author speaks in the first-person and speaks of his observations and philosophy.