Philip Dampier's Blog

Numbers

Most of the eschatological passages we have been alluding to are made more complex by the use of numbers. The first question the student must answer is which if not all of these numbers is being uses symbolically rather than literally. Obviously, the understanding of the verses change dramatically depending on which interpretation.

The Jews were and are a numerically oriented people. Numbers are very strong symbols and for the Jew carry significant meaning within themselves.

Here are a few:

One: God’s number. Total unity is expressed.

Two: Strengthening of one when used for people. Concept of pairs.

Three: Symbolic of the Godhead. It is a God number. There are four spiritually perfect numbers, three, seven, ten, twelve.

Four: Completeness. Four winds, seasons,

Five: Denotes God’s grace…seen in construction of tabernacle

Six: Often seen as the number for man. Fails perfection by one.

Seven: Perfect Holy number. Shows completeness as associated with God. The more you multiply it the more perfect it becomes. We would say 7 to the nth power. Bible says 7 times 7 or 7 times 70, etc.

Ten: A perfect number. The number 10 in the Bible signifies divine order, completeness, law, and responsibility. Used 242 times, it often represents a full cycle or test, such as the 10 Commandments, 10 plagues of Egypt, and the tithe. It combines 4 (physical creation) and 6 (man) to symbolize man’s responsibility to God. 

Twelve: A perfect number. In the Bible, the number 12 signifies divine authority, governmental perfection, and completion, appearing 187 times to represent God’s chosen people and order. Key examples include the 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles, 12 gates of New Jerusalem, and 12 baskets of leftovers after feeding the 5,000. 

Task for Today: This is a sample. Use your computer and look up the use of numbers in the scriptures. They were important to the Jewish people and were often used in a symbolic sense rather than literally. Look for some of those uses as you study the teachings of Jesus. Be careful when you assign them meaning in your interpretation of various symbolic verses as in Daniel, Matthew, and Revelation.