Topical Encyclopedia The concept of numbers and their significance is woven throughout the biblical narrative, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. Numbers in the Bible often carry deeper meanings and are used to convey theological truths, divine order, and spiritual principles.Symbolic Numbers 1. One (1): Represents unity and the oneness of God. The Shema, a central declaration of the Jewish faith, states, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4). 2. Three (3): Symbolizes completeness and the divine. The Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is a foundational Christian doctrine. Jesus' resurrection on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4) underscores the number's significance. 3. Seven (7): Denotes perfection and completion. The creation week culminates in the seventh day, a day of rest (Genesis 2:2-3). The Book of Revelation is replete with sevens, including the seven churches, seals, trumpets, and bowls. 4. Twelve (12): Represents God's people and divine governance. The twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 49) and the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:2-4) are central to God's covenantal relationship with humanity. Significant Numbers in Scripture · Forty (40): Often associated with periods of testing, trial, and preparation. The Israelites wandered for forty years in the wilderness (Numbers 14:33-34), and Jesus fasted for forty days and nights in the desert (Matthew 4:2). · Seventy (70): Symbolizes a complete and perfect period. Seventy elders were appointed to assist Moses (Exodus 24:1), and Jesus sent out seventy disciples to preach (Luke 10:1). · Ten (10): Represents law and order. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) form the moral foundation of the covenant between God and His people. Numerical Patterns and Genealogies Genealogies in the Bible often employ numerical patterns to convey theological truths. For example, the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 is structured around three sets of fourteen generations, emphasizing Jesus' Davidic lineage and messianic fulfillment. Apocalyptic Literature In apocalyptic texts, numbers often carry symbolic meanings. The Book of Revelation uses numbers to convey spiritual realities and divine judgments. The number 666, for instance, is associated with the beast and represents imperfection and opposition to God (Revelation 13:18). Practical Use of Numbers Numbers also serve practical purposes in the Bible, such as census taking, measurements for the construction of the Tabernacle and Temple, and the organization of the Israelite camp. The Book of Numbers derives its name from the censuses of the Israelite tribes (Numbers 1, 26). Conclusion The use of numbers in the Bible is multifaceted, serving both literal and symbolic functions. They reveal divine truths, underscore God's sovereignty, and provide insight into the spiritual and moral order established by God. Understanding the numerical symbolism in Scripture enriches one's comprehension of biblical theology and the overarching narrative of redemption. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) Consisting in numbers; expressed by numbers; as, numerical order; numerical characters; a numerical statement.2. (n.) The same in number; hence, identically the same; identical; as, the same numerical body. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SIGNS, NUMERICALnu-mer'-i-kal. Library Quibbles of the Numerical Theorists; the Art of the Frontispicists ... Theory of the Size of the Heavenly Bodies in Accordance with ... System of the Arithmeticians; Predictions through Calculations ... The Refutation of All Heresies On the Formation and State of the Embryo. Its Relation with the ... The Dual Principle Falls to the Ground; Plurality of Gods, of ... Whether in the Resurrection the Soul Will be Reunited to the Same ... Whether the Union of the Two Natures in Christ is the Greatest of ... Folly of the Arguments Derived by the Heretics from Numbers ... What the Doctrine of the Catholic Faith is Concerning the Trinity. Thesaurus Numerical... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Consisting in numbers; expressed by numbers; as, numerical order; numerical characters; a numerical statement. ... /n/numerical.htm - 6k Number (2370 Occurrences) Numenius Games (2 Occurrences) Function (4 Occurrences) Real (26 Occurrences) Patriarchs (6 Occurrences) Cipher (1 Occurrence) Antediluvian Agur (1 Occurrence) Resources How can I recognize a healthy church? | GotQuestions.orgIs there any validity to the Bible codes? | GotQuestions.org What is the Anthropic Principle? | GotQuestions.org Numerical: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |