Since every word concerning life and death must be established by two or three witnesses <ref>[[De 17:6]] At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; [but] at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.</ref>; every shadow /symbol must have at least two supporting scripture witnesses. This means we cannot define a shadow with a single verse. The shadows speak of Christ and the cross. There is no other topic which addresses life and death for all men. This keeps us rigorous in methodology.

:This means we cannot define a shadow with a single verse. The shadows speak of Christ and the cross. There is no other topic which addresses life and death for all men. This keeps us rigorous in methodology. A shadow is a hidden meaning which is not contained in the literal meaning <ref>[[Heb 10:1]] ¶ For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.</ref>.  Shadows are not the product of a wild imagination and are therefore verifiable by the scriptures. When a shadow has two or three witnesses, it should be regarded as a tentative meaning. This rule does not permit three verses to be the end of discussion, but specifically forbids a single verse from becoming definitive.