Bible Dictionary
Example
An example is a pattern or representative case that may be imitated or used as a warning. Scripture presents Christ, faithful leaders, the prophets, and the failures of earlier generations as examples for God’s people.
Definition
An example is a representative pattern, model, or case used for imitation or warning. It may display conduct to be followed or show the consequences of conduct to be avoided.
Biblical Usage
Christ is presented as an example, as are faithful pastors, prophets, and Christian workers. The Jews and earlier sinners are also treated as examples warning believers against disobedience.
Historical Background
The biblical terms include words meaning pattern, copy, representation, writing-copy, sample, or exhibition. “Ensample” and “example” have substantially the same meaning, though “ensample” is especially suggestive of goodness.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>eg-zam'-p'-l (tupos, "a pattern," hupodeigma, "copy" "representation" hupogrammos, "a writing-copy," example):</p><p>A typical, representative, or illustrative case; a pattern or model for imitation (hupodeigma, Joh 13:15; Heb 8:5 the King James Version; Jas 5:10; hupogrammos, 1Pe 2:21; tupos, 1Ti 4:12 the King James Version) or warning (deigma, "a sample," "exhibition," Jude 1:7; compare 2Pe 2:6; hupodeigma, Heb 4:11; tupos, 1Co 10:6,11). "Ensample" (tupos, /APC 2Macc 6:28,31; Php 3:17; 1Th 1:7; 2Th 3:9; 1Ti 4:12; 1Pe 5:3) and "example" have the same meaning, but the former is always suggestive of goodness.</p>