In biblical hermeneutics, while a historical person, event, or institution that foreshadows a future reality is called a type, a concrete or natural object that represents an abstract spiritual truth is called a _____.

### Why this is right The source defines a symbol as a visible or natural object that represents a spiritual concept or truth. For example, it describes a rock as an image of shelter or refuge in certain passages. ### The concept A symbol works through representation: an object or action points beyond itself to an idea. Readers should look for textual and contextual support rather than assigning a symbolic meaning to every detail. A symbol is also distinct from a type in the source’s terminology: a type is an earlier person, event, object, or institution that anticipates a later spiritual reality. ### Terms - **Symbol**: A visible or natural thing used to represent a spiritual idea. - **Type**: An earlier biblical person, event, object, or institution understood as anticipating a later spiritual reality. ### Remember A proposed symbolic meaning needs support from the passage and its wider context.