[Greek] ἀλληγορέω (allēgoreō): to speak allegorically, to speak figuratively, to make an allegory, to speak symbolically; Gal.4:24, 1Cor.5:6-8, 1Cor9:8-10, Jn.15:1-17
Israel is the allegorical vine brought by out of Egypt by God
Background Information:
Allegorical Mythology: As many of the Homeric tales of the gods had become offensive and irrelevant, efforts were made to present these stories as allegorical mythologies. This was intended to find to deeper meanings and truths, rather than biographical information. These stories were presented as extended metaphors for persons, events and objects.
Greek Hellenistic Influences on Judaism: This Greek allegorical interpretation influenced how the Jews viewed the Old Testament. The scriptures were initially seen through the lens of literal and historical interpretations. The Jews later viewed scripture in a wider scope through metaphorical, allegorical, philosophical, and cosmological ways. Several books of the Old Testament contain allegorical examples.
Old Testament: There is an allegorical reference in Psa. 80:9-10. Israel is the vine brought out of Egypt and planted by God. The allegory suggests that the history of Israel is the work of God. The book Song of Songs, in poetic form, is an allegory of the covenant love relationship between God and His wife Israel. From the Christian perspective, this book is an allegory of the covenant love relationship between Christ and His bride, the church.
New Testament: The allegory of the Vine and the Branches is depicted in Jn.15:1-17. This passage resembles a parable involving a vine, vinegrower, and branches. Paul presents and explains scripture as a person who lives in the time of its fulfillment. Paul’s allegories allow him to understand scripture in terms of the centrality of Christ and the cross.
Scripture:
“Rather, their thoughts were rendered dull, for to this present day the same veil remains unlifted when they read the old covenant, because through Christ it is taken away.” 2 Cor.3:14
In Exodus Moses veiled his face to protect the Israelites from God’s reflected glory. This veil also clouded or dull their understanding of God’s glory. When converts to Christianity fully and authentically approach Christ, this impediment to understanding is removed.
“Now this is an allegory. These women represent two covenants. One was from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; this is Hagar. Hagar represents Sinai, a mountain in Arabia; it corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery along with her children. But the Jerusalem above is freeborn, and she is our mother.” Gal.4:24-26
Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the freeborn woman. The son of the slave woman (Old Testament) was born naturally. The son of the freeborn woman (New Testament) was born through a promise. The women represent different covenants.
Conclusion:
Allegory, allegorical
I never really thought much about how the allegorical literary device was incorporated in scripture. Greek Hellenism makes this contribution of allegory in presenting mysterious and subtle truths. The Jewish writers embraced this idea of allegory. Jesus is the true vine and God the Father is the vine grower (vinedresser). Jesus’ followers are the branches.