Allegory
Extended metaphor
Allegory is a sustained metaphor in which an entire scene or narrative is expressed on one level of meaning while referring to another, deeper reality. It differs from the parable (which compares) in that allegory implies: the figurative narrative is the reality, but on another level.
Etymology
From the Greek ἀλληγορία (allegoria): allos (other) + agoreuein (to speak in public, from agora = marketplace). Allegory is literally “other-speaking” — speaking with an intent other than the surface meaning. Bullinger distinguishes allegory from the parable and from simple metaphor: allegory is a sustained, multi-layered metaphor with narrative or descriptive scope.
Definition
In Bullinger’s classification, Allegory is a figure of change (Wave C): the literal or surface meaning of the text gives expression to a figurative reality. This requires the reader to identify the images with their theological content. Bullinger argues that biblical allegory is never divorced from doctrine: the figurative narrative carries a specific redemptive-historical reality.
Biblical Examples
Hagar and Sarah — two covenants (Jones + Warnock: Gal. 4):
- Gal. 4:21-31 — “which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Hagar… But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all… Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise”
- Bullinger: “ἅτινά ἐστιν ἀλληγορούμενα” (v. 24) — Paul himself names the figure; Hagar = Sinai covenant = fleshly sonship; Sarah = promise covenant = spiritual sonship
The true vine — union and fruitfulness:
- John 15:1-8 — “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman… Ye are the branches” — the entire description of pruning, fruit, abiding, and fire carries the allegory of union with Christ
The armour of God:
- Eph. 6:11-17 — “Put on the whole armour of God… the belt of truth… the breastplate of righteousness… the shoes… the shield of faith… the helmet of salvation… the sword of the Spirit” — each element of the Roman soldier’s equipment allegorises a spiritual reality (Warnock studied this pattern in the context of his tabernacle-ecclesiology)
The shepherd and the sheep:
- John 10:1-16 — the entire description of sheepfold, door, shepherd, stranger, thief, and sheep as allegory of Christ, believers, the religious leaders of Israel, and the nations
The vineyard of the LORD:
- Isa. 5:1-7 — “For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel” — Isaiah himself discloses the allegory: the cultivation, the expectation, the disappointment, the judgment
Related Stylistic Figures
- metaphor — the simple single metaphor; Allegory is its sustained form
- simile — explicit comparison; Allegory is implicit and narrative
- antithesis — Gal. 4 combines allegory and opposition (two women, two covenants)
- prosopopoeia — personification; sometimes interwoven with allegory
Source
E.W. Bullinger, Figures of Speech Used in the Bible (1898), pp. 748-788.