The Symbols of the Holy Spirit

I. What are the main symbols that are used

in the Bible to help us understand the
work and ministry of the Holy Spirit?
A. A Dove (Mt. 3:16; Luke3:21-22; John
1:32)

1. The first reference to the Holy Spirit

in the Bible implies this symbol of a
dove in connection with the Holy Spirit
(Gen. 1:2).
a. The Hebrew word for “hovered” or
“brooded” over is depictive of a bird
sitting on a nest of eggs to warm them to
life.
b. The Latin Vulgate uses the word
“incubabat” from which we get the
English word “incubate”.

c. Gesenius says of this word, “Figuratively

used of the Spirit of God, who brooded
over the shapeless mass of the earth
cherishing and vivifying.”
d. In this verse the moving of the Holy Spirit
precedes the coming forth of light at the
command of God (Gen. 1:3).

e. This Hebrew word only appears twice in

the Old Testament (Deut. 32:11-12).
2. The first specific mention of a dove in
the Old Testament also gives us a picture
of the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit
(Gen. 8:6-12).

a. The purpose of the sending out of the

dove from the ark of Noah was to find a
resting place on the earth.

b. The dove went out as well as a raven

(Job 1:7; 2:2; I Pet. 5:8).
c. The three sendings forth of the dove
give us a picture of the work and
ministry of the Holy Spirit in the three
dispensations of redemptive history.
3. The natural attributes of a dove make it a
fitting symbol for the Holy Spirit.
a. The dove is associated with gentleness
(Mt. 10:16).

b. The dove is absolutely faithful in love

(Song 1:15; 2:14; 5:12).

c. The dove is a symbol of purity.

d. The dove is a universal symbol of

peace.
2. Fire is also used as a symbol of the Holy
Spirit (Mt. 3:11).
a. Fire consumes wood, hay and stubble
(Is. 4:4; I Cor. 3:12-15).
b. Fire purifies gold, silver and precious
stones (Is. 6:7; I Cor. 3:12-15). The
Holy Spirit takes us through testings
that bring out the best in us (I Pet. 1:7;
Job 23:10).

c. Fires causes things to heat up (Is. 64:1-2).

d. Fire illuminates the obscure and gives
light to our path (Ps. 78:14; I Cor. 2:9-10;
Eph. 1:17-18).
II. What are some other symbols of the Holy
Spirit?

A. Wind or Breath (John 3:3-8; Acts 2:2; Is.

40:7)

This symbol emphasizes the fact that the

Holy Spirit is the life-giver who breaths
on us the breath of God. It underscores
the fact that the Holy Spirit is invisible
as a person, yet the effect of His work
can be plainly seen.*
B. Oil or Anointing (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38; I
John 2:20)

This symbol emphasizes the consecration

and enablement of the Holy Spirit’s
anointing grace, the illumination of His
teaching and the soothing balm of
healing that comes from His touch.*
C. Water, Rain, Fountain, Spring or Rivers
(John 7:38-39; Is. 44:3)

This symbol emphasizes the life-giving

flow of the Spirit that refreshes and
satisfies. It also highlights the Holy
Spirit’s ministry of washing, cleansing
and producing fruitfulness in our lives.*
D. Wine (Acts 2:13, 15; Eph. 5:18)

This symbol emphasizes the change that

takes place in the life of a believer that
is filled with the Holy Spirit. Wine
refreshes, stimulates, produces joy,
induces singing, helps one to forget
troubles (Pro. 31:6), produces unusual
actions, inspires boldness and cleanses
and heals (Luke 10:34).
E. Earnest or Guarantee (Eph. 1:14; II Cor.
1:22; 5:5)

This symbol emphasizes that the Holy

Spirit dwelling within us is only a
portion of all that God has for us in
eternity when He brings us into the
realization of His full redemption and
eternal inheritance.
F. Seal (Eph. 1:13-14)

This symbol emphasizes the work of the

Holy Spirit in confirming our place in
the family of God and that the Holy
Spirit is God’s stamp of authenticity
upon us that we are indeed His
property.
1. The concept of a seal was common in
ancient cultures.

a. The seal was used to give proof of

authenticity to letters or royal
commands (I Kgs. 21:8; Est. 8:8, 10;
3:12).

b. The seal was used to give formal

ratification to a transaction or covenant
(Jer. 32:10-14, 44).
c. The seal was used in relation to the
preservation and security of important of
books (Jer. 32:14; Rev. 5:1-9; 6:1-3).
d. The seal was an object representing
authority and power that was at times
given to a king’s official representative so
that he could act in behalf of the king
(Gen. 41:42; Est. 3:10; 8:2).
e. The seal was even used to stamp
possessions as a sign of ownership much
like a potter or an artist would sign his
work (Job 38:14).
2. This concept is applied to God’s
relationship with us.

The Holy Spirit is…

a. God’s way of authenticating us as a
genuine part of His family.

b. God’s indication or signature on the

covenant that has been given to us (II
Cor. 1:21-22).
c. God’s assurance that even as a book is
sealed and cannot be opened until the
proper time by the proper person, so we
are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day
of redemption (Eph. 4:30).
d. God’s sign that we are His official
representatives on earth with the power
and authority to use His name (Mark
16:17-18).
e. God’s mark of ownership upon our lives.
He is the potter we are the clay (Is. 64:8).
We are the work of his hands (Ps. 8:3-5).