The Role of Religious Metaphors in Cognition Based on the Bible

Abstract

The intricate relationship between religion and metaphor has long been a focal point of academic inquiry. This study uses the Bible as its main research topic to analyze the function and varieties of metaphors in religious texts and their effects on human cognition. It does this by drawing on cognitive linguistics and hermeneutic techniques. The study divides religious metaphors into two categories: single- and multi-interpretation kinds. It then uses concrete examples to examine how these metaphors are expressed and what cognitive underpinnings they have in the Bible. The paper underscores the diversity and dynamic nature of metaphor interpretation, revealing the essential role metaphors play in religious communication and belief formation. Ultimately, this study not only enhances our cognitive understanding of religious metaphors but also offers new perspectives for cross-cultural religious research.