THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF NUMBERS
Numbers are used in Scripture, not merely as in Nature, with
supernatural design, but with spiritual significance, which may be
summarized as follows 1 :--
ONE. Denotes unity, and commencement. The first
occurrences of words or utterances denote their essential
significance, in interpretation. Words that occur only once, in the
originals, are emphatic and important. First day, Light. The first
occurrences of all important words and expressions are noted in the
margin.
TWO. Denotes difference. If two different persons agree
in testimony it is conclusive. Otherwise two implies opposition,
enmity, and division, as was the work of the Second day. Compare
the use of the word "double" applied to "heart", "tongue", "mind",
&c.
THREE. Denotes completeness, as three lines complete a
plane figure. Hence, three is significant of Divine perfection and
completeness. The third day completes the fundamentals of
creation-work. The fourth, fifth, and sixth days are the counterpart
and repetition of the first, second, and third, and correspond
respectively. (See the structure of Gen. 1, p. 3.) The number, three,
includes resurrection also; for on the third day the earth
rose up out of the deep, and the fruit rose up out of the earth.
FOUR. Denotes creative works (3+1), and always has
reference to the material creation, as pertaining to the earth,
and things "under the sun", and things terrestrial.
FIVE. Denotes Divine grace. It is 4+1. It is God adding
His gifts and blessing to the works of His hands. The Heb.
Ha'aretz (the earth), by "Gematria" (i.e. the addition of the
numerical value of the letters together) is a multiple of four, while
Hashamayim (the heavens) is a multiple of five. The Gematria
of Caris (charis), the Greek for
Grace, is also a multiple of five. It is the leading factor in the
Tabernacle measurements.
SIX. Denotes the human number. Man was created on the
sixth day; and this first occurrence of the number makes it
(and all multiples of it) the hall-mark of all connected with man. He
works six days. The hours of his day are a multiple of six. Athaliah
usurped the throne of Judah six years. The great men who have stood
out in defiance of God (Goliath and Nebuchadnezzar and Antichrist)
are all emphatically marked by this number.
SEVEN. Denotes spiritual perfection. It is the number
or hall-mark of the Holy Spirit's work. He is the Author of God's
Word, and seven is stamped on it as the water-mark is seen in the
manufacture of paper. He is the Author and Giver of life; and
seven is the number which regulates every period of Incubation and
Gestation, in insects, birds, animals, and man.
EIGHT. Denotes resurrection, regeneration; a new
beginning or commencement. The eighth is a new first. Hence the
octave in music, color, days of the week, &c. It is the number which
has to do with the LORD, Who rose on the eighth, or new "first-day".
This is, therefore, the Dominical number. By Gematria (see
above), jIhsous (Jesus) makes
the number 888. It, or its multiple is impressed on all that has to
do with the Lord's Names, the Lord's People, the Lord's works.
NINE. Denotes Finality of judgment. It is 3 x 3, the
product of
Divine completeness. The number nine, or its factors or multiples, is
seen in all cases when judgment is the subject.
TEN. Denotes Ordinal perfection. Another new first; after the
ninth digit, when numeration commences anew.
ELEVEN. Denotes disorder, disorganization, because it is one
short of the number twelve (see below).
TWELVE. Denotes Governmental perfection. It is the number or
factor of all numbers connected with government : whether by
Tribes or Apostles, or in measurements of time, or in things which
have to do with government in the heavens
and the earth.
THIRTEEN. Denotes rebellion, apostasy, defection, dis-integration,
revolution, &c. The first occurrence fixes this (Gen. 14:4); and the
second confirms it (Gen. 17:25). It, and its multiples, are seen in
all numbers, and in the Gematria (see above) of all names and
passages that are associated with rebellion, &c.
SEVENTEEN. Denotes a combination of spirit and order (10 + 7).
It is the seventh prime number (as 13 is the sixth prime number).
Other numbers follow the laws which govern the smaller numbers, as being
their factors, sums, products or multiples : e.g. 24 is 12 x 2, a
higher form of 12.
| 25 = 5 2. |
Grace intensified. |
| 27 = 3 3. |
Divinity
intensified. |
| 28 = 7 x 4. |
Spiritual perfection in connection with the earth. |
| 29 = 3 3. |
Intensifying of Divine judgment.
|
| 30 = 3 x 10. |
Divine perfection, applied to order. |
| 40 = 10 x 4. |
Divine order applied to earthly things. Hence, the number
of probation. |
The four perfect numbers, 3, 7, 10, and 12, have for their product
the remarkable number 2,520. It is the Least Common Multiple of the
ten digits governing all numeration; and can, therefore, be divided
by each of the nine digits, without a remainder. It is the number of
chronological perfection (7 x 360).
1 The whole subject may be studied
in Dr. Bullinger's work on Number in Scripture (London: Eyre
and Spottiswoode).
