Numbers in the Bible

3

The number 3 is the number of God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Three is the sacred number, a symbol of the Holy Trinity.

 We also see the number 3 in:

• The three patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
• The prophet Gad gives King David a choice of three punishments (2 Samuel 24)
• The three Marys
• The three wise men
• Three crosses on Golgotha
• The three theological virtues (faith, hope, and love)
• The three ages: 1) ante legem (before the law), 2) sub lege (under the law), and
  3) sub gratia (after the coming of Christ) 

In many biblical and medieval stories, if something happens three times, it is seen as a sign from God. If something happens once, it is a coincidence; if it happens twice, it is considered to have an evil intent because two is a devil’s number (déjà vu). If it happens three times, it is seen as true, certain, and coming from God.

Important events in the Bible often last three days: Jonah was in the fish for three days and nights, Jesus rose from the dead after three days and nights, and fasting often lasted three days as well.

4

The number 4 is the number of the world

• There are four seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall.
• The four compass directions: north, east, south, and west.
• The four elements are: earth, air, fire, and water.

• The river that flowed from the Garden of Eden divided into four branches
  (Genesis 2:10–14)
• In a vision, Ezekiel saw four cherubim representing the entire world. In connection with this, the four evangelists are depicted in the forms of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle (Ezekiel 1)
• Four great world powers were revealed to Daniel: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and the Roman Empire (Daniel 7) 

7

The sacred number 7 appears frequently in the Bible.

It is the number representing the fullness of God (7 spirits before His throne). Three times 7 is 777, which signifies divine perfection.

In Hebrew, the number 7 is “shèwa,” which means “to swear,” in the sense of taking an oath (Genesis 26:3). When written with a “sien,” it is the verb “saawa.” This means “to have enough,” “to fulfill,” “to satisfy” (Deuteronomy 8:10; 2 Chronicles 31:10). In other words: The number 7 is the fulfillment of what God once swore. It refers to the oath God swore to Abraham (Genesis 22:16–18). Completion comes in the number 7. It also points to theseventh day, the Sabbath. That day is associated with “rest.” This is evident from Genesis 2:1–3, where rest is linked to theseventh day and to fulfillment.

The number 7 also plays an important role in the Book of Revelation. The number 7 appears a total of 50 times in the Book of Revelation; for this reason, it is sometimes called the “Book of Sevens.” It is also the book of the completion of all seven dispensations of God’s plan and purpose throughout the ages.

The menorah has seven lights as a reminder of the seven days of creation and in celebration of ongoing creation. All major festivals last seven days, except for Hanukkah, which lasts eight days.

8

The number 8 is just 1 more than 7, the weekly recurring number that marks ordinary life. It is thus the number of the approaching fulfillment of time. Hence the circumcision on the 8th day after birth, as an initiation into God’s eternal covenant with His people.

The day Jesus rose from the tomb: the “first day of the week,” Sunday, also known as the 8th day!

In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5), the “Eight Beatitudes” serve as a hidden indication of full salvation. By adding the ninth in the direct speech, this is postponed for a little while longer…

10

10 is the number of completeness.

• God creates heaven and earth by speaking 10 times (Genesis 1) 
• At the Mount of the Covenant, Israel receives the 10 Words (Deuteronomy 10:4) to live by and act upon!
• The 10 Plagues of Egypt
• 10 servants to whom ten pounds were entrusted, one of whom was rewarded by being put in charge of ten cities (Luke 19:13–17)

The number ten may also simply refer to the 10 fingers on our hands. “Hand” is “yad” in Hebrew, which is also the 10th letter of the alphabet and thus has the numerical value of 10.

12

The number 12 is the number of completeness, namely 3 times 4. The number 3 is the number of God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and the number 4 is the number of the world (the four corners of the earth). Three times four = God dwells in the world.

The number 12 is also the number of God’s election. There are 12 tribes of Israel, and Jesus chose 12 disciples.

Examples:

• 12 Tribes of Israel
• 12 Sons of (the third) patriarch Jacob
• 12 stones in the high priest’s breastplate
• 12 Loaves of the Presence
• 12 Wells at Elim (Exodus 15:27)
• 12 Spies Sent to Explore the Land of Canaan
• 12 Stones that Joshua placed in the Jordan River
• Jesus was 12 years old when he visited the temple (Luke 2:41–51)
• 12 Apostles
• The New Jerusalem has 12 gates and 12 foundations (Revelation 21:12 and 13). This is a reference to the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles. 

33

The year 33 A.D. is considered to be the year in which Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead three days later.

• The divine name Elohim appears 33 times in the creation account in Genesis
• The Gospels describe 33 miracles performed by Jesus
• For those interested in word or letter values: 33 is not only a numerical representation of “the Star of David,” but also the numerical equivalent of AMEN:
  1 + 13 + 5 + 14 = 33

40

40 is the number of trial.

• The Flood: It rained for forty-four days and forty nights
• Moses was tested in Egypt for forty years
• The people of Israel wandered through the desert for 2 × 40 years
• The spies explored the Promised Land for forty days
• Goliath challenged the people of Israel for 40 days
• The reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon each lasted 40 years
• Nineveh was given 40 days to repent
• Elijah fasted for 40 days and 40 nights
• Jesus was tempted for 40 days in the wilderness 
• After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared 11 times during the 40 days following his resurrection
• The scourging consisted of 40 lashes minus one

The number 40 also strongly reflects the numbers 4 (human/world) and 10 (completeness): 40, the number representing the utmost earthly extent or span of time. A people, or an individual, must sometimes go to the very limits of their trial in order to discover their calling in life and to be (re)equipped for it. Hence the 40-day period leading up to Easter, a time of repentance and profound reflection on the path of Jesus

50

50 is not always meant to be 10 times 5, but sometimes as the rounded-off value of 7×7 plus 1.

Starting from Pesach (Passover), the Israelites must count 7×7 weeks (Leviticus 23:16) so that on the following day, the 50th day (Greek: pentekosta, which has become “Pentecost” in our language): the “Feast of Weeks,” the feast of the firstfruits of the harvest. Thus, the 50th year is also the Jubilee Year: the year following 7×7 sabbatical years. During the Sabbatical Year, the land is also to rest, that is, remain uncultivated. In the Jubilee Year, all debts must be forgiven and slaves set free. It all speaks of fulfillment.

666

The number 666 (Rev. 13:18) is the number of man, the Antichrist, who tries to emulate God (777) (almost 777), but he remains an imperfect man (666)

777

777 is regarded as the triple perfection of God, divine perfection.

Sources

Featured image:

Text:

• Bible ( in-text references link to the NBV)
• Bijbelseplaaten.nl
• Bijbelarchief.nl
• The Symbolism of Numbers in the Bible
• http://collecties.meermanno.nl/handschriften/getalsymboliek
• Wikipedia