“How to Understand Your Bible” by Manly P. Hall

Manly P. Hall’s How to Understand Your Bible offers a philosophical and esoteric interpretation of biblical texts, positioning them within a broader framework of ancient wisdom traditions. Like other sacred texts, Hall argues that the Bible is a repository of symbolic and allegorical truths designed to preserve universal spiritual principles. His analysis draws on comparative religion, Kabbalah, Hindu philosophy, Egyptian mysteries, and Gnostic thought to decode its enigmatic passages.

Key Themes and Interpretations:

1. Unity of Sacred Traditions:
   Hall posits that all world religions stem from a single “Ancient Wisdom,” with the Vedas as the oldest source. Figures like Buddha, Lao-Tze, and Moses are viewed as interpreters of this shared truth. The Bible, particularly Genesis, is a fragment of this primordial knowledge, derived from Chaldean, Egyptian, and Hindu cosmogonies.
2. Symbolism of Creation:
   The Genesis creation narrative is reinterpreted through metaphysical lenses. Elohim (translated as “God”) is plural and androgynous, representing cosmic hierarchies rather than a singular deity. The “seven days” symbolize vast evolutionary cycles, not literal days, reflecting the involution of spirit into matter and its subsequent evolution.
3. Allegorical Figures:

• Adam and Eve: Symbolize the duality of consciousness and the fall into materialism. Eden represents a pre-physical, etheric state, with the serpent embodying intellectual awakening.
• Noah’s Ark: A metaphor for spiritual preservation through cosmic cycles, akin to Hindu pralaya (dissolution). The Ark’s structure mirrors the zodiac and the tripartite human constitution (spirit, soul, body).
• Tower of Babel: Signifies humanity’s hubris in misusing sacred knowledge, leading to fragmentation and confusion.

1. Mystical Israel and Exodus:
   Israel symbolizes the soul’s journey through material existence. The Exodus represents liberation from ignorance (Egypt) and the quest for enlightenment (Promised Land). Moses, an initiate of Egyptian mysteries, embodies divine law (Torah) and esoteric wisdom (Kabbalah).
2. Temple Symbolism:
   Solomon’s Temple is interpreted as a microcosm of the universe and the perfected human being. Its construction reflects cosmic order, with materials and dimensions symbolizing spiritual principles—the Temple’s destruction and rebuilding parallel the soul’s cyclical purification.
3. New Testament Mysticism:
   Hall questions Jesus’ historicity, suggesting the Gospels are allegorical narratives influenced by pagan and Gnostic traditions. The “Christ” is a universal archetype of divine wisdom, with the Virgin Birth and Resurrection symbolizing spiritual rebirth. The Gospels’ miracles and parables are seen as initiatory metaphors for inner transformation.
4. Kabbalistic and Astrological Keys:
   The Bible’s numerical codes (e.g., 40 days, 12 tribes) and astrological references (e.g., Zodiac signs) are decoded through Kabbalah. For instance, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Daniel 2) represents the four ages of humanity (gold, silver, bronze, iron) and the triumph of divine wisdom (the cubic stone) over materialism.

Critique of Literalism:

Hall critiques literalist readings, arguing they obscure deeper truths. He emphasizes that biblical stories, like all myths, use historical veneers to convey eternal principles. For example, Job’s trials symbolize the soul’s testing in mystery schools, while Melchizedek represents the solar-logos principle underlying priesthoods.

Conclusion:

Hall’s work invites readers to view the Bible as a cryptographic text, its true meaning accessible through cross-cultural esoteric study. By synthesizing global mystical traditions, he presents the Bible not as a historical record but as a guide to universal spirituality, urging a shift from dogma to philosophical inquiry. His approach bridges comparative religion and metaphysics, offering a timeless lens to decode scripture’s hidden dimensions.