The Bible contains many numbers. In fact, the fourth book of the Bible is even called "Numbers." But what is the biblical meaning of numbers?
The Bible doesn't specifically state, "This number means this." But we can examine how numbers are used and get a general feel for how there may be a given meaning for a given number. However, you need to be careful, because in Scripture, the biblical meaning of a number may not even exist.
Take the number 7 for instance. It is used early in Genesis as the 7 days in a week. A good thing. Yet later in the Bible, the Great Tribulation is going to last 7 years: not necessarily a good thing. Note, both of these examples have an element of completeness to it.
Many number examples below need more explanation - which I can't do in this short article. For a fuller understanding of what the Bible is all about, consider reading on line or watching a video series online for free - The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus, or reading By this Name. These two books will give you an excellent overview of the Bible.
With this as a preamble, let's look at a few numbers to see how some are used in the Scriptures.
Number 1
One is the number of unity. There is only one God.
Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!"
Mark 12:29-30 29 Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.'"
Number 2
We see two sides of conflicts or divisions with this number: good vs evil, Jacob and Esau, life and death, and the First Adam and the Last Adam. But there are also complementary ideas: male and female, night and day, etc.
Number 3
Three represents the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Three distinct persons, yet only one God. This is a complex doctrine in the Scripture, but is stated as fact over and over again. Thus, the number three often times reflects divine perfection.
What does 7 mean in the bible?
Seven is the number of completeness. This is seen in the 7 day week, 7th day sabbath, 7 days of uncleanness, and in the taking of Jericho, it says, "Also seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets." (Joshua 6:4) "Seven" is used over 300 times in the Bible. It has been said that 7 denotes spiritual perfection.
Number 10
Ten is used several ways - the tithe in the Old Testament was 10% (a tax on the Israelites to support the Levites.) We have the 10 Commandments, 10 Plagues in Egypt, a parable of 10 virgins in Matthew 25, a parable of 10 silver coins in Luke 15, etc.
Number 12
Here we have the 12 tribes of Israel. 12 Apostles. Also, Jesus was 12 years old when he first appears in public.
Number 40
40 is used a lot in the Scriptures. It rained 40 days and 40 nights in Noah's great flood, Moses' life was divided into 3 groups of 40 - 40 years each in Egypt, Arabia, and leading the Israelites in the wilderness, he was on Mt Sinai for 40 days, King David ruled for 40 years, Jesus' temptation was 40 days long, just to name a few.
Number 70
The number of the different nations was 70 (Genesis 10), and was also the same number of Abraham's family when going into Egypt (Gen 46:27).
Number 666
The number of the Beast during the Great Tribulation. This does not mean that any appearance of this sequence of 6s is inherently evil (like when it appears in your phone number!).
What does this all mean?
Though the Bible uses numbers and retains some consistent weighting with a few of them, it can't be said that one number always means the same thing. While we can start looking at the general meaning of a number, I don't think it wise to base our interpretation of the Scriptures because a number has weight in one direction. Oftentimes a number is simply just a number.
Another look at numbers
There are over 300 prophecies that describe / predict The Messiah. The probability of only 8 of those being fulfilled by one person has been calculated to be 1 in 1017 -- that one chance in 100,000,000,000,000,000. Those odds (for just 8 prophecies) mean, in human terms, it's simply impossible. The fact is God wanted us all to know He knew all that would happen; He is in control. He is God.
To learn more of what the Bible says, read one of several books to download - By This Name. If you are interested in free bible study lessons - check out our full-length video series - The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus.
