Allegorical interpretation is one of the four senses of Scripture, alongside the literal, moral, and anagogical senses, which ensure the richness of the biblical text when read within the Church (CCC 115-117). The Bible is considered God’s book and is open to multiple interpretations, including allegorical ones, provided that these interpretations respect the analogy of faith (CCC 24). To maintain coherence among the truths of faith and within the plan of Revelation, the interpretation of Scripture must be conducted within the living Tradition of the whole Church and guided by the Holy Spirit (CCC 113).

This form of interpretation involves a Christian re-reading of Scripture in the light of Christ, which deepens the original meaning of a text without negating it. This process is rooted in typology and reading in the light of the Spirit (2 Cor 3:14-17), where the Old Testament serves as a foundation that foreshadows and points toward the fulfillment of God’s plan in the New Testament (CCC 123). Through a typological reading, the Church unveils figures and events that prefigure Christ’s salvation, such as the flood and Noah’s ark prefiguring Baptism (CCC 1093-1095).

The Fathers of the Church emphasized the christological meaning of Scripture, viewing the Logos as its author and interpreting texts theologically and pastorally (CCC 112). In their practice, the Fathers occasionally used allegory to reveal deeper truths or to address potential criticisms and scandals raised by Jews or pagans, sometimes extracting a sentence from its immediate context to uncover a more profound spiritual reality.

Practical applications of allegorical and symbolic interpretation are evident across various biblical books. The Song of Songs is interpreted as an inspired portrayal of the mutual love between God and His people, using the literary figures of marriage and courtship to describe a spiritual union and covenant relationship, a concept that extends to the New Testament understanding of the Church as the Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-33). In the Book of Revelation, symbolic language is used to convey spiritual truths regarding the universal power and knowledge of Christ (Rev 5:6). This includes the use of numbers—where seven signifies perfection and twelve represents the apostles or Israel’s tribes—and vindictive language intended to evoke the horror of rebellion and apostasy (Rev 6:9-10; 18:1-19:4). Similarly, in the book of Daniel, the stone cut from the mountain without human intervention serves as a symbol of God’s sovereignty and power over all creation (Daniel 2:44-45).