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Bible History

Parables in the Old Testament

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Habakkuk 2:6 - Won't all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, 'Woe to him who increases that which is not his, and who enriches himself by extortion! How long?'

There were many parables spoken in ancient times and especially in the Bible. The Hebrew word "mashal" referred to a comparison of a familiar earthly thing with a heavenly or spiritual truth that was to be understood.

Parables pointed to the fact that man is made in God's image, he is of the earth but also of the divine. The power of a parable lies in its ability to use a simple every day experience to help the hearer to understand a truth set forth about God's kingdom. Parables help man to perceive the difference between man's kingdom and God's kingdom. The parable leads the listener to a choice, to choose this day whom to serve.

Jesus confirmed all of the parables mentioned in the Old Testament (Luke 11:49-51).

Below is a list of several Old Testament parables.

List of Parables in the Old Testament
The ParablesThe SpeakersThe Bible Verses
The Poor Man's LambNathan to King David2 Samuel 12:1-4
The 2 Fighting Brothers and the Avengers of BloodThe Wise Widow from Tekoa2 Samuel 14:1-11
The Escaped PrisonerA Prophet to King Ahab1 Kings 20:35-40
The Fruitless VineyardIsaiah to the house of Israel and the men of JudahIsaiah 5:1-7
The 2 Eagles and the VineEzekiel to the house of IsraelEzekiel 17:3-10
The Lioness and her CubsEzekiel to the house of IsraelEzekiel 19:2-9
The Boiling CauldronEzekiel to the house of IsraelEzekiel 24:3-5


2 Samuel 12:7 - "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says..."

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