Shadow

Primarily a symbol of protection, of the brevity of life and of the experience of death, in contrast to God's character and work.

Shadow as a general symbol of protection

Isaiah 30:2–3 See also Judges 9:15; Jeremiah 48:45; Hosea 14:7; Jonah 4:5–6; Mark 4:32

They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace.

A symbol of God's protection

Psalm 91:1 See also Psalm 17:8, Psalm 36:7, Psalm 57:1, Psalm 63:7, Psalm 121:5; Isaiah 4:5–6, Isaiah 25:4–5, Isaiah 49:2, Isaiah 51:16

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

A symbol of the protection given by God's chosen one

Isaiah 32:2; Lamentations 4:20; Ezekiel 17:22–23

Shadow as a symbol of life

Of the brevity of life

Psalm 144:4 See also 1 Chronicles 29:15; Job 8:9, Job 14:2; Psalm 102:11, Psalm 109:23; Ecclesiastes 6:12, Ecclesiastes 8:13

Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.

Of life's sadness and despair

Isaiah 59:9 See also Job 3:3–5, Job 7:2–3, Job 16:16, Job 17:7

Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We hope for light, but there is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in gloom.

Shadow as a symbol of the experience of death

Job 38:17; Psalm 23:4 See also Job 10:21–22

Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Shadow in contrast to God

Shadow contrasts with God's unchanging nature

James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.

God's light pierces all shadow

Job 12:22 See also Job 34:22; Psalm 139:11–12; Daniel 2:22

He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into light.

God's salvation reaches to those whose life is in shadow

Matthew 4:16 See also Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 60:1–2; Luke 1:79

the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”

OT ceremonies as a shadow of the reality in Jesus Christ

Colossians 2:16–17 See also Hebrews 8:5, Hebrews 10:1

Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.

Real shadows

Judges 9:36; Nehemiah 13:19; Song of Solomon 2:17, Song of Solomon 4:6; Jeremiah 6:4

Real shadows invovled in miracles

2 Kings 20:9–11 parallel Isaiah 38:8; Acts 5:15