Like a Watered Garden:

Similes in the Word of God

Copyright 2008

Steven M. McCalip

The user can copy and distribute freely.

Not for sale or profit of any kind.

Website: kingjamesman.com

Introduction:

Similes and metaphors make use of the comparative words “like” and “as” to describe a thing or person by comparing it to another thing we are familiar with. When the word of God says the righteous shall be “like a tree planted by the rivers of water,” it is a rich descriptive device to show us how the believer can be compared to a well-watered tree. Of course, there would be many similarities between the two, and those similarities are what I want the reader to think about. I actually started this study 20 years ago if you can believe it. I went through all the occurrences of “like” and “as” in Strong’s Concordance of which there were several thousand, of course. I originally planned to do a separate book but now have decided to just list these and let the reader think about the how each comparison tells us about the Lord, the righteous, and the wicked. Most comparisons are obvious to the reader, so I want the reader to do his own meditating on how these comparisons tell us about the Lord and others. It should be a fruitful study for you and help you see the Lord, the righteous, and the wicked in a whole new light.

Similes Related to the Lord:

the sight of God is like a devouring fire

 

And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel. Ex. 24:17

God shall be a prophet like Moses

 

The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet like unto me from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, ; unto him ye shall hearken; Deut. 18:15

high as heaven; deeper than hell

 

It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? Job 11:8

his name shall continue as long as the sun

 

His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: Ps. 72:17

his mercy is high as the heaven

 

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. Ps. 103:11

as the mountains are round about Jerusalem

 

As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. Ps. 125:2

day is no different than night to God

 

Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. Ps. 139:12

thy love is better than wine

 

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. Song. 1:2

thy name is as ointment poured forth

 

Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. Song. 1:3

as the lily among thorns

 

As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. Song 2:2

his head is as most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven

 

His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven. Song. 5:11

his hands are as gold rings set with the beryl

his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires

 

His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. Song. 5:14

his legs are like pillars and his countenance like the cedars of Lebanon

 

His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. Song 5:15

his tongue as a devouring fire

 

Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire: Is. 30:27

as the heavens are higher than the earth

 

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Is. 55:9

as when the melting fire burneth, the fire that causeth the waters to boil

 

As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! Is. 64:2

the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one

 

But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten. Jer. 20:11

his appearance is like a man

 

And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. Ezek 1:26

Similies Related to Christians

your days may be multiplied…as the days of heaven upon the earth

 

That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth. Deut. 11:21

as the apple of his eye

 

He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. Deut. 32:10

arose as one man

 

And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any [of us] go to his tent, neither will we any [of us] turn into his house. Jud. 20:8

as an angel of god

 

And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou [art] good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle. 1 Sam. 29:9

like hind’s feet

 

He maketh my feet like hinds’ [feet]: and setteth me upon my high places. 2 Sam 22:34

like the countenance of an angel

 

Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance [was] like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he [was], neither told he me his name: Jud. 13:6

poured out like waters

 

my members are as a shadowmine iniquities are…as an heavy burden. For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters. Job 3:24

poured out like milk, curdled me like cheese

 

Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? Job 10:10

as a tabret

 

He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret. Job 17:6

my members are as a shadow

 

Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members [are] as a shadow. Job 17:7

their soul shall be as a watered garden

 

For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. Ps. 38:4

as a deaf man, as a dumb man

 

But I, as a deaf [man], heard not; and [I was] as a dumb man [that] openeth not his mouth. Ps. 38:13

as a man that heareth not

 

Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth [are] no reproofs. Ps. 38:14

as sheep for the slaughter

 

Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. Ps. 44:22

as a wonder to many

 

I am as a wonder unto many; but thou [art] my strong refuge. Ps. 71:7

as a beast before thee

 

So foolish [was] I, and ignorant: I was [as] a beast before thee. Ps. 73:22

as a man that hath no strength

 

I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man [that hath] no strength: Ps. 88:4

my days are consumed like smoke

 

For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. Ps. 102:3

my bones are burned as an hearth

 

For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. Ps. 102:3

like a pelican in the wilderness

 

I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. Ps. 102:6

like an owl of the desert

 

I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. Ps. 102:6

as a sparrow alone

 

I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. Ps. 102:7

as the shining light

 

But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Prov. 4:18

as the loving hind and pleasant roe

 

[Let her be as] the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. Prov. 5:19

as choice silver

 

The tongue of the just [is as] choice silver: the heart of the wicked [is] little worth. Prov. 10:20

shall flourish as a branch

 

He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. Prov. 11:28

as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring

 

A righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. Prov. 25:26

are bold as a lion

 

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. Prov. 28:1

as the tents of Kedar

 

I [am] black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. Song of Sol. 1:5

as a cluster of camphire

 

My beloved [is] unto me [as] a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi. Song of Sol. 1:14

thy hair is as a flock of goats

Behold, thou [art] fair, my love; behold, thou [art] fair; thou [hast] doves’ eyes within thy locks: thy hair [is] as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead. Song of Sol. 4:1

thy lips…as the honeycomb

 

Thy lips, O [my] spouse, drop [as] the honeycomb: honey and milk [are] under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments [is] like the smell of Lebanon. Song of Sol. 4:11

the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon

 

Thy lips, O [my] spouse, drop [as] the honeycomb: honey and milk [are] under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments [is] like the smell of Lebanon. Song of Sol. 4:11

as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon

 

I [am] black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. Song of Sol. 1:5

beautiful…as Tizrah…

comely as Jerusalem

terrible as an army with banners

 

Thou [art] beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as [an army] with banners. Song of Sol. 6:4

thy hair is as a flock of goats

 

Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair [is] as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead. Song of Sol. 6:5

thy teeth are as a flock of sheep

 

Thy teeth [are] as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing, whereof every one beareth twins, and [there is] not one barren among them. Song of Sol. 6:6

as a piece of pomegranate are thy temples

 

As a piece of a pomegranate [are] thy temples within thy locks. Song of Sol. 6:7

looketh forth as the morning

fair as the moon

clear as the sun

terrible as an army with banners

 

Who [is] she [that] looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, [and] terrible as [an army] with banners? Song of Sol. 6:10

thy neck is as a tower of ivory

thine eyes like the fishpools in heshbon

thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon

 

Thy neck [is] as a tower of ivory; thine eyes [like] the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim: thy nose [is] as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus. Song of Sol. 7:4

thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine

the smell of thy nose like apples

 

I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples; Song of Sol. 7:8

Like as a woman with child, [that] draweth near the time of her delivery

 

Like as a woman with child, [that] draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, [and] crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD. Is. 26:17

mine age is departed…as a shepherd’s tent

 

Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd’s tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day [even] to night wilt thou make an end of me. Is 38:12

like a crane or a swallow, do did I chatter

mourn as a dove

 

Like a crane [or] a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail [with looking] upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me. Is. 38:14

they shall mount up with wings as eagles

 

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint. Is. 40:31

as willows by the water courses

 

And they shall spring up [as] among the grass, as willows by the water courses. Is. 44:4

shall thy light break forth as the morning

 

Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. Is. 58:8

thy darkness as the noonday

 

And [if] thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness [be] as the noonday: Is. 58:10

he shall be as a tree planted by the waters

 

For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and [that] spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. Jer. 17:8

their soul shall be like a watered garden

 

Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. Jer. 31:12

unto them as a very lovely song

 

And, lo, thou [art] unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. Ezek 33:32

will make thee as a signet

 

In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts. Hag. 2:23

as the angels of God in heaven

 

For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. Matt. 22:30

became as dead men

 

And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead [men]. Matt. 28:4

as…a candle doth give thee light

 

If thy whole body therefore [be] full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. Luke 11:36

as…the face of an angel

 

And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. Acts 6:15

as the filth of the world, as the offscouring of all things

 

Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, [and are] the offscouring of all things unto this day. 1 Cor. 4:13

as one born out of due time

 

And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 1 Cor. 15:8

as is the heavenly

 

As [is] the earthy, such [are] they also that are earthy: and as [is] the heavenly, such [are] they also that are heavenly. 1 Cor. 15:48

we be as reprobates

 

Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. 2 Cor. 13:7

as lights in the world

 

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Phillip. 2:15

as newborn babes

 

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 1 Pet. 2:2

as lively stones

 

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. 2:5

Similies Related to the Wicked

as thorns in your side

 

Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be [as thorns] in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you. Jud. 2:3

deceitfully as a brook

 

My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, [and] as the stream of brooks they pass away; Job 6:15

as beasts

 

Wherefore are we counted as beasts, [and] reputed vile in your sight? Job 18:3

as stubble before the wind

as chaff that the storm carrieth away

 

They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away. Job 21:18

as a thief

 

The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief. Job 24:14

swift as the waters

 

He [is] swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards. Job 24:18

terrors take hold on him as waters

 

Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night. Job 27:20

as a storm hurleth him out of his place

 

The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place. Job 27:21

like the days of an hireling

 

[Is there] not an appointed time to man upon earth? [are not] his days also like the days of an hireling? Job 7:1

like a wild ass’s colt

 

For vain man would be wise, though man be born [like] a wild ass’s colt. Job 11:12

like a drunken man

 

They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like [a] drunken [man]. Job 11:25

like a lion that is greedy of his prey

 

Like as a lion [that] is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places. Ps. 17:12

fear took hold upon them…as of a woman in travail

 

Fear took hold upon them there, [and] pain, as of a woman in travail. Ps. 48:6

pride covers them like a chain, violence covereth them as a garment

 

Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them [as] a garment. Ps. 73:6

cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.

 

Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle. Ps. 109:29

the lips of a strange woman drop [as] an honeycomb

For the lips of a strange woman drop [as] an honeycomb, and her mouth [is] smoother than oil: Prov. 5:3

As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so [is] the sluggard

 

As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so [is] the sluggard to them that send him. Prov. 10:26

The way of the slothful [man is] as an hedge of thorns:

 

The way of the slothful [man is] as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous [is] made plain. Prov. 15:19

his lips [there is] as a burning fire

 

An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips [there is] as a burning fire. Prov. 16:27

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

 

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. Prov. 26:1

[As] the door turneth upon his hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed.

 

[As] the door turneth upon his hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed. Prov. 26:14

As a mad [man] who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death

 

As a mad [man] who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? Prov. 26:18

As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man

 

As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife. Prov. 26:21

The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds,

 

The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Prov. 26:22

As in water face [answereth] to face

 

As in water face [answereth] to face, so the heart of man to man. Prov. 27:19

As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; [so is] a wicked ruler

 

As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; [so is] a wicked ruler over the poor people. Prov. 28:15

whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives

 

[There is] a generation, whose teeth [are as] swords, and their jaw teeth [as] knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from [among] men. Prov. 30:14

they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth

their faces [shall be as] flames

 

 

And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces [shall be as] flames. Is. 13:8

all the goodliness thereof [is] as the flower of the field

The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh [is] grass, and all the goodliness thereof [is] as the flower of the field: Is. 40:6

the nations [are] as a drop of a bucket,

counted as the small dust of the balance

as a very little thing

Behold, the nations [are] as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. Is. 40:15

ininquities are like the wind

we are all as an unclean [thing]

all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags

we all do fade as a leaf

 

our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Is. 64:6

Their quiver [is] as an open sepulchre,

Their quiver [is] as an open sepulchre, they [are] all mighty men. Jer. 5:16

comes as a flood

moved as the rivers

Who [is] this [that] cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?Egypt riseth up like a flood, and [his] waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, [and] will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof. Jer. 46:7

fly as the eagle

as the heart of a woman in her pangs

Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs. Jer. 48:41