What literary term is used to describe the comparison of Noah to Adam?

The term that best describes the comparison of Noah to Adam is "Type." In biblical studies, a "type" refers to a person or event in the Old Testament that foreshadows a person or event in the New Testament. Noah is often viewed as a type of Adam because both figures are seen as pivotal to humanity's relationship with God. Noah's role as a restorer after the flood parallels Adam's status as the first human being and the starting point of God's creation. This typological relationship emphasizes themes of new beginnings and covenant, both of which are significant in theological discourse.

The other terms like metaphor, symbolism, and analogy, while related to comparisons, do not fully capture the theological nuance and historical context in which Noah is seen as a type of Adam. Metaphor typically involves a direct comparison without using "like" or "as," while symbolism operates on a broader scale, representing abstract concepts through concrete entities. Analogy denotes a resemblance between two different things but does not specifically address the typological foreshadowing relevant to biblical interpretations. Thus, "Type" is the most appropriate term to specifically describe the relationship between Noah and Adam in this context.