Bible Number Significance

In The Word (Jas 1:22)

It’s fascinating that numbers have spiritual significance in the Bible, consistent throughout the Old and New Testaments. By design, they carry an underlying prophetic connotation, denoting authorship to a singular source – the Creator (2Ti 3:16). Simply put: God’s signature can be found even on a number. That’s awesome!

Following is a list of numbers referenced in the Bible, with their interpreted meanings. Though not absolute, the meanings demonstrate constancy and, in most cases, are corroborated by “two or more” (Mt 18:16) references.

1 – singularity, unity (the Shema, one Spirit/Lord/God, abiding as one)

2 – truth, justice, division (testimony of witnesses, double-edge sword, Old & New Testaments)

3 – divine completeness (trinity, baptism into triune God, “Holy, Holy, Holy”)

4 – the earth, creation, empirical truth (North/South/East/West, seasons & earth life, corners of the earth)

5 – grace, instruction (Torah/Book of Moses, equipping of the saints)

6 – man, works, sin (man created, 6-days work, 6th commandment = sin against man)

7 – spiritual perfection, fullness, rest (lamps & the throne, 7 churches, 7th day rest)

8 – new beginnings (new week, Noah’s ark passengers)

9 – transition, visitation (Jesus died, Peter & John’s 1st miracle, Cornelius’ vision)

10 – divine order (plagues, Commandments, the tithe)

11 – disorder (brothers minus Joseph, disciples minus Judas)

12 – governmental authority (tribes of Israel, Apostles, fruit on tree of life)

13 – rebellion (Chedorloamer, Solomon’s house)

14 – release, deliverance (Jesus’ crucifixion, Passover, Paul’s storm & shipwreck)

15 – new direction (Israel departs Egypt, Hezekiah’s additional years, Hosea buys his wife)

16 – love (characteristics of love)

17 – victory (Jesus’ resurrection, Noah’s ark rests on Mt Ararat)

18 – bondage (Israel oppressed, woman with issue of blood)

20 – enlistment (Jacob serving Laban, Joseph’s sale price, offering given, military service)

24 – priesthood (division of priests, 24 elders)

30 – ordination (Joseph, David, Jesus)

39 – mercy (40 stripes minus one)

40 – trial (the flood, Moses receives the Law, desert wandering,  Jesus’ fast)

42 – mocking, blasphemy (mocking Elisha, antichrist blasphemes God)

50 – liberty & joy (year of jubilee, Pentecost)

70 – human leadership (elders, Sanhedrin, disciples)

100 – fullness, fruitfulness (Abraham’s age at Isaac’s birth, prophets hidden in caves, assured age in millennium, a crop on good ground)

120 – limits (age, priests at temple dedication, Ninevah heathen (x1000), disciples at Pentecost)

153 – congregational subset (aliens in the kingdom, Peter’s catch)

490 – forgiveness, humanity perfected (70 x 7)

666 – anti-Christ, secular humanism (number of the beast, Solomon’s gold)

Before getting too carried away, beware of the dangers associated with Bible Numbers. Read Bible Number Soothsaying.

 Ps 90:12 ¶ So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

 

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