The Bible contains many numbers that have symbolic significance. Some numbers have literal meanings, while others carry deeper theological or prophetic meanings. Understanding the meaning of biblical numbers can give us a deeper appreciation for God’s Word. In this article, we will explore some of the most significant numbers that appear in the Bible.
The Number 7
The number 7 appears frequently throughout both the Old and New Testaments. It is considered a sacred number representing completeness, perfection, and God’s covenant. The number 7 is used over 700 times in the Bible. Here are some key examples:
| 7 days of creation (Genesis 1) |
| 7 pairs of clean animals on Noah’s ark (Genesis 7:2) |
| 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine in Pharaoh’s dream (Genesis 41) |
| 7 branches on the lampstand in the tabernacle (Exodus 25:37) |
| 7 priests with 7 trumpets at the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6) |
| 7 spirits of God (Revelation 1:4) |
The number 7 represents spiritual perfection and is considered the number of God. It signifies completeness, totality, and the work of divine grace. God used the number 7 to underscore the importance of certain events, appointments, objects, and people in Scripture.
The Number 12
The number 12 symbolizes governmental perfection and divine authority. It is used 187 times in the Bible. Here are some key examples:
| 12 tribes of Israel (Genesis 35:22-26) |
| 12 apostles of Jesus (Matthew 10:1-4) |
| 12 foundation stones of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:12-14) |
| Tree of life bears 12 kinds of fruit (Revelation 22:2) |
| New Jerusalem measures 12,000 stadia (Revelation 21:16) |
The number 12 represents the perfection of God’s divine authority and governmental order. There were 12 patriarchs from Shem to Jacob, 12 judges of Israel, 12 old Testament books of history, 12 minor prophets, and Jesus chose 12 apostles. Multiples of 12 also carry symbolic meaning in Scripture.
The Number 40
The number 40 represents a time of testing, trial, probation, or chastisement in the Bible. Here are some examples of the symbolic importance of 40:
| 40 days and nights of rain in the Flood (Genesis 7) |
| Israel ate manna for 40 years (Exodus 16:35) |
| Moses on Mount Sinai for 40 days (Exodus 24:18) |
| 40 years in the wilderness for Israel (Numbers 14:33-34) |
| 40 days of Jonah’s warning to Nineveh (Jonah 3:4) |
| Jesus fasted for 40 days (Matthew 4:2) |
The number 40 represents a divinely appointed period of judgment, testing, or probation. According to R.C. Sproul, the number 40 carries the theological significance of the time needed to accomplish the work of judgment and renewal.
The Number 3
The number 3 signifies divine perfection, emphasis, intensity, or importance. It appears 467 times in the Bible. Here are some key examples:
| The Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19) |
| Jesus prayed 3 times in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-45) |
| Jesus was dead for 3 days and 3 nights (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) |
| Peter denied Jesus 3 times (John 18:15-27) |
| 3 temptations of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11) |
The number 3 points to the sufficiency and completeness of God. It highlights key events in salvation history at a level of divine significance. Groups of 3 in Scripture signify unity, balance, and completeness when all are present.
The Number 4
The number 4 denotes creation, the physical universe, the earth, and the four seasons. It is used 289 times in the Bible. Here are some examples:
| 4 rivers flowing from Eden (Genesis 2:10) |
| 4 corners of garments (Numbers 15:38) |
| 4 winds (Jeremiah 49:36) |
| 4 living creatures around God’s throne (Revelation 4:6) |
| 4 horsemen of the apocalypse (Revelation 6:1-8) |
The number 4 is closely tied to the created order. It represents empirical completeness as seen in the four corners of the earth, four seasons of the year, and four divisions of day and night. According to E.W. Bullinger, 4 signifies material and organic order and completion.
The Number 6
The number 6 symbolizes imperfection, incompleteness, the dangers of sin and evil, and man’s limitations apart from God. Here are some examples:
| Man was created on the 6th day (Genesis 1:31) |
| 6 days of labor for man (Exodus 20:9) |
| 6 cities of refuge (Numbers 35:6) |
| Goliath’s spear weighed 600 shekels (1 Samuel 17:7) |
| Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image 60 cubits high (Daniel 3:1) |
| Mark of the beast 666 (Revelation 13:18) |
The number 6 falls short of the divine perfection of 7 and represents human imperfection and weakness in contrast with God. Key manifestations of sin and rebellion against God utilize the number 6 or its multiples.
The Number 10
The number 10 carries the meaning of completeness, order, and Divine order. It also represents the completeness of quantity. Here are some examples:
| 10 plagues on Egypt (Exodus 7-12) |
| 10 commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) |
| 10 shekels for offering (Exodus 38:29) |
| 10 servants given minas (Luke 19:13) |
| 10 days of tribulation (Revelation 2:10) |
The number 10 represents completeness, entirety, and shows God’s divine order. It implies the adherence to God’s law and His established covenants. The Ten Commandments represent the full outline of man’s duty to God and neighbor.
The Number 8
The number 8 symbolizes new beginnings, resurrection, and regeneration. It is used 73 times in the Bible Here are some examples:
| Circumcision on the 8th day (Genesis 17:12) |
| The feast of Tabernacles lasts 8 days (Leviticus 23:36) |
| David was the 8th son of Jesse (1 Samuel 17:12) |
| Jesus appeared 8 days after the resurrection (John 20:26) |
The number 8 signifies a new beginning, resurrection, and regeneration. Circumcision represented a Jewish boy’s entrance into a covenant relationship with God. The 8 people on Noah’s Ark were part of a new beginning for mankind after the Flood.
The Number 5
The number 5 symbolizes God’s grace, goodness, and favor. It is used 318 times in Scripture. Here are some examples:
| 5 books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) |
| 5 books of Psalms (Psalm 1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150) |
| 5 loaves fed the 5,000 (Matthew 14:17-21) |
| 5 wise virgins (Matthew 25:2) |
The number 5 represents the unmerited goodness and favor of God. Moses, the great leader and lawgiver, is associated with the number 5. The Ten Commandments contain two sets of 5 commandments that emphasize man’s relationship with God and fellow man.
The Number 1
The number 1 signifies unity, primacy, and the oneness of God. God is self-existent, completely unified, and the unified origin of all things. Here are some examples:
| 1 God (Deuteronomy 6:4) |
| The first day of Creation (Genesis 1:5) |
| 1 way of salvation (John 14:6) |
| 1 body and 1 Spirit (Ephesians 4:4) |
The number 1 represents the unity and primacy of God the Father. He is the unified origin who created all things. God stands absolutely independent and eternal at the head of all things.
Conclusion
In summary, numbers in the Bible often symbolize important theological truths. While some numbers contain literal meanings, most convey a deeper symbolic message. The study of biblical numerology provides a fascinating glimpse into God’s design for Scripture. The consistent use of certain numbers throughout the Bible gives evidence of God’s hand in inspiring its writing. God placed spiritual fingerprints upon the very fabric of the Bible through the frequent appearance of numerically significant words, phrases, concepts, and repeated patterns. As we study these special numbers, we gain wisdom and insight into God’s work and character.
