Types and Antitypes
In order to understand Bible typology, we must first look at the original Greek terms
used in the New Testament
Type:
5179 tupos {too'-pos}
from 5180; TDNT - 8:246,1193; n m
AV - ensample 5, print 2, figure 2, example 2, pattern 2, fashion 1, manner 1, form 1; 16
The Greek word _tupos_ is rendered "print" (John 20:25), "figure"
(Acts 7:43; Rom 5:14), "fashion" (Acts 7:44), "manner" (Acts 23:25),
"form" (Rom 6:17), "example" or "ensample" (1Cor 10:6, 11; Phil 3:17; 1Thess 1:7, 2
Thess. 3:9; 1Tim 4:12).
It properly means a "model" or "pattern" or "mould" into
which clay or wax
was pressed, that it might take the figure or exact shape of the mould. The
word "type" is generally used to denote a resemblance between something
present and something future, which is called the "antitype."
AntiType:
means in place of the tupos (Type)
473 anti {an-tee'}
a primary particle; TDNT - 1:372,61; prep
AV - for 15, because + 3639 4, for ... cause 1, therefore + 3639 1,
in the room of 1; 22
1) over against, opposite to, before
2) for, instead of, in place of (something)
2a) instead of
2b) for
2c) for that, because
2d) wherefore, for this causebehold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
Examples of Types and Antitypes:
Type: the four footed passover lamb
Antitype: the two footed lamb on the cross
Type: God gives bread from heaven to the Israelites
Antitype: God gives the true bread from heaven
Type: The first death (death of the body)
Antitype: The second death (death of the soul and body in hell)
Type: Abraham offering his son Issac
Antitype: God offering his son Jesus
There are literally hundreds of other examples of this throughout the Old
and New Testament. God speaks once through the type. God speaks twice
through the antitype.
Facts about Typology
A. Typology (type is inferior to antitype in that it's only a shadow)
1. Definition: a type of old testament person, place, thing, orevent
that prefigures a person, place, thing, or event in the new testamentcalled
the antitype.
2. Points to consider
- the type is always temporal; the antitype is eternal
- different than a symbol in that it foreshadows
3. Scriptural Foundation for Typology
a. 1Cor 10:6-11
EXAMPLES - TUPOS (too-pos) a die struck to leave an imprint
b. Heb 8:5
EXAMPLE/COPY - HUPODEIGMA (hoop-od'-igue-mah) an exhibit
SHADOW - SKIA (SKEE'-AH) shadow PATTERN - TUPOS
c. Heb 9:9
FIGURE/ILLUSTRATION - PARABOLE (para-bo-lay) a simulation
d. Heb 10:1 SHADOW - SKIA as above. e. Col 2:17
SHADOW - SKIA
f. Luke 24:27,44 - John 5:39 the Bible is CRISTO-CENTRIC
4. Classification of types: stated and unstated
a. PERSONS:
1) ADAM and MOSES - "antithetical" types of Christ (Rom 5:14)
2) MELCHIZEDEK and JOSEph - types of Christ (Heb 5:10, 6:20-7:2)
b. INSTITUTIONS:
1) Sabbath - Col 2:16-17
2) Cities of refuge - Heb 6:18
3) Passover - 1Cor 5:7
c. OFFICES:
1) Prophets - Deut 18:15
2) Priests - Heb 10:11-12
3) Kings - Rev 19:16
d. EVENTS
1) temptation in the garden - 1John 2:16
2) the flood - Mat 24:39
3) Canaan's conquest - Heb 4:6-11
e. OBJECTS:
1) Noah's Ark - 1Pet 3:21
2) Tabernacle and furnishings - Heb 9:21-23
3) Brass Serpent - John 3:14
4) David's Tabernacle - Acts 15:14-16
f. ACTIONS:
1) at the Potters wheel Jer 18:1-6
2) crowning the priest Zech 6:11-13