What is a Typology:
A type (from a Greek typo, "pattern or impression left by a punch or a mark") is a real double expression that is intended and planned to literally represent something spiritual. Therefore, one type is the sacred impression of spiritual truth about literal events, people, or things. Correctly understood and valued typology provides strong evidence of divine inspiration. In fact, it is God's centuries-old program of salvation that God himself has skillfully woven into the Bible's scriptures.
Scope of Typology:
Not all scriptures are typical. scriptures provide their own instructions as to which passages allow for typical interpretations.
- The book of Hebrews is a testimony of the ideal qualities of Pentateuch and Joshua.
- 1 Corinthians 10:11 provides the New Testament foundation for the rich typology of the Five Books of Moses.
- Modern interpreters need to be careful when going beyond the typology program of the Bible's own typology.
Purpose of Typology:
Typology is a sacred work of God with the sole purpose of relating God's Word to all ages and situations. Because Jesus Christ is the constant theme of all Scripture, His Person, Life and work are impressed by God in form of Typology, symbolism, and prophecy.
What are types?
Types in greek are "tupikos". Types are meant to represent our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1) A typical person like Cain, a kind of natural person who does not have a proper sense of sin or atonement (Genesis 4: 3; 2. Petr 2: 122; Jude 11). In contrast, Abel is a kind of spiritual person whose blood sacrifice (Genesis 4: 4; Heb 9:22) proved his guilt of sin and his dependence on substitution. Similarly, many other OT saints are typical of some aspect of the Messiah or the stage of salvation.
2) Typical events are floods, Exodus, desert stays, gifts of manna, bronze snakes, and the conquest of Canaan.
(3) Typical systems are the Leviticus rituals and ordinances (Lev 17:11), in which lambs and other animals were slaughtered to atone for sin, resembling the Lamb of God (John 1:29; Heb 9:28; 1 Peter 1:19). The Passover Festival (Lev 23) represents our Redeemer Christ (1 Corinthians 5:68).
(4) Typical positions are prophets, priests, and kings. For example, Moses as a prophet was typical of Christ (Deut 18:15-18; Jn 6:14; 7:40).
(5) One of the typical behaviours is that Jonah experienced a big fish. This is a prophetic type of burial and resurrection of our Lord (Mt 12:39).