The Old Testament is rich with shadows and types—people, events, and institutions that symbolically point to greater realities revealed in the New Testament. These patterns serve as a divine blueprint, showing how God’s redemptive plan has been woven throughout history. While these shadows point us toward spiritual truths, as Paul explains, we currently see them only “through a glass, dimly” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Our understanding is partial, yet sufficient to glimpse at the majesty of God’s plan.
In this study, we will examine several Old Testament shadows and types that reveal Christ and His work, while acknowledging that our full comprehension of spiritual truths will only come in eternity.
Shadows and Types Defined
A shadow in Scripture refers to an outline or foreshadowing of a greater reality. Hebrews 10:1 explains, “For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.” A shadow suggests a future fulfillment, pointing beyond itself.
A type is a specific person, object, or event in the Old Testament that prefigures Christ or a New Testament truth. Romans 5:14 refers to Adam as “a type of Him who was to come”—that is, Christ.
Examples of Shadows and Types Pointing to Jesus
The Passover Lamb
The Passover lamb in Exodus 12 is one of the clearest types of Christ. The Israelites were instructed to take a lamb without blemish, sacrifice it, and apply its blood to their doorposts so the angel of death would pass over them. This foreshadowed Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Paul explicitly ties this to Christ in 1 Corinthians 5:7: “For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.”
The Bronze Serpent
In Numbers 21:4-9, when the Israelites were bitten by venomous snakes, God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and lift it up on a pole. Whoever looked at it was healed. This pointed to Christ, as Jesus Himself said: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).
The Sacrificial System
The entire Levitical system, with its sacrifices and priestly functions, pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. Hebrews 9:12-14 explains that Christ entered the Most Holy Place once for all with His own blood, securing eternal redemption. Every bull, goat, and lamb offered on the altar was a shadow of Christ’s perfect atoning sacrifice.
Joseph as a Type of Christ
Joseph, the son of Jacob, serves as a powerful type of Christ through his life of suffering and exaltation. Joseph was rejected and betrayed by his brothers (Genesis 37:26-28), falsely accused and imprisoned (Genesis 39:19-20), and later exalted to a position of authority, becoming the savior of many during a time of famine (Genesis 41:41-57). Similarly, Jesus was rejected by His own people (John 1:11), falsely accused (Mark 14:56-59), and exalted as the Savior of the world (Philippians 2:9-11). Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers (Genesis 50:19-21) foreshadows Christ’s forgiveness of sinners.
Jonah in the Fish
Jonah’s three days and nights in the belly of the great fish prefigured Christ’s death and resurrection. Jesus explicitly identified this type, saying: “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40).
The Tabernacle and Temple
The tabernacle was a shadow of God’s dwelling with His people. John 1:14 declares, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The Greek word for “dwelt” literally means “tabernacled.” Jesus, the true temple, declared in John 2:19-21: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The tabernacle’s intricate design, with the Holy of Holies and the Ark of the Covenant, pointed to Christ as the meeting place between God and humanity.
Seeing Through a Glass, Dimly
Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face,” underscores the limitations of our current understanding. The shadows and types give us a glimpse of God’s eternal truths, but they are partial revelations. Even the prophets who recorded these shadows did not fully grasp their significance. Peter writes: “Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you” (1 Peter 1:10).
This partial understanding is intentional. God has revealed enough for us to know and trust Him, but the fullness of His plan will be unveiled only in eternity. In the meantime, the shadows and types draw us closer to Christ and deepen our awe of God’s wisdom.
Living in the Shadow of the Cross
Trust God’s Plan
Just as the Old Testament saints had to trust in what they could not fully understand, so must we. Shadows and types remind us that God is sovereign and His plans are perfect, even when we see only glimpses.
Grow in Christlikeness
The shadows and types point to Christ as the ultimate reality. As we study these patterns, we should strive to conform our lives to His image, allowing the Holy Spirit to sanctify us (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Look Forward to Full Revelation
The study of shadows and types stirs our anticipation for the day when we will see Christ face to face. Until then, we live by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
My Final Thoughts
Shadows and types in the Bible reveal God’s intricate design and unwavering faithfulness in bringing His plan of redemption to fruition. They point us to Jesus, the fulfillment of every promise and prophecy. Yet, as Paul reminds us, our understanding of these spiritual truths is incomplete—we see only “through a glass, dimly.” This humbling reality calls us to trust in God’s wisdom and look forward to the day when we will see Him clearly.
Until that day, let the shadows and types serve as a reminder of God’s perfect plan, His perfect love, and the ultimate reality of Jesus Christ. May we study these truths with reverence and allow them to draw us closer to our Savior, the fulfillment of all things.
