This Week’s Bible Study

Biblical Numerology

Studying the scriptures can seem imposing, but our Helper, the Holy Spirit is our interpreter and guide.
We must learn to rely upon God’s help to better understand what God is teaching us in His Word, Spending
time in prayer and asking the Lord for His help brings us clarity and understanding.

One of my favorite tools is grasping “Biblical Numerology”. In the Hebrew writings and teachings, numbers are more often than not, significant to the context of understanding what God is teaching us. I am listing a basic explanation of how numbers are used in the Word of God. The scripture is God-breathed and the use of these numbers are not accidental, nor are they insignificant. Knowing the significance of each number helps us to better understand what God is trying to say to us. As an example: any time the number 40 shows up, it is an indication of some sort of trial or test. 40 days of Rain in the flood story, 40 days of Jesus in the wilderness after His baptism, Moses’ 40 year divisions of his life journey, etc.

I hope this brief chart of numbers is helpful in your study of the scriptures.

1: One-  GOD, Unity or independent Existence
Biblical Examples:
One God, One Baptism, One Lord, One Spirit, The Expected One, One Body
John 10:30  “I and the Father are ONE”

2: Two- Strength, redoubled courage, symbol of energy, together, witness
Biblical Examples:
Two witnesses, Two by two on the Ark, Two great Lights (Sun and Moon), Male and 
Female. Two angels at Sodom and Gomorrah

3: Three – Divinity, the Trinity, Godly
Biblical Examples:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Spirit, Water, and Blood (1 John 5:7),
3 heavens, dwelling places of man – Heaven, Earth & Hell
Examples: Solid-Liquid-Gas; Time: Past-Present-Future; Faith-Hope-Love

4: Four – Wordly, Symbol of Trial or Temptation, Testing
Examples: 4 Seasons, 4 Corners of the Earth (East, West, South, North)
Biblical Examples: in combination with 10 – 40 days of rain, 40 days of Jesus in the Wilderness, 40 years of wandering in the wilderness

5: Five - Man –  (five fingers, five toes) When doubled speaks of human completeness; also Grace of God

6: Six – Evil (Incompleteness) one short of seven the number of perfection. Combination of number 5 for man and 1   
(one) for God (Desire to be like God)  Sinister (Like many think of 13) 666

7: Seven – Completeness, perfection (Combination of the number “3“ the Divine number and “4” the number for world.)
Biblical Examples: 7 Spirits of God, 7 Churches of Revelation, 7 Angles of Revelation, 7 Stars, 7 Lampstands, God Creates world in six days and rests on the seventh

8: Eight – A New Beginning, a new order or creation
Boys are to be circumcised on the eighth day. Circumcision of the Heart in receiving Christ. Jesus made 8 appearances after His resurrection.

9: Nine – Divine Completeness: Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) Jesus died in the ninth hour to complete our salvation.

10: Ten – Symbolizes intensity, Continuing, Human Completeness. When combined with other numbers increases the intensity and significance of the number
Biblical Examples: 10x 4 = 40 days, 40 years; 10 x 7 = 70 weeks, 70 years

11: Eleven – Disorder and Judgement (Not often referred to in scripture)

12: Twelve – Israel, the People of God, The Saints, the Church
Biblical Examples: 12 tribes of Israel, 12 Apostles
In Multiples 120; 144,000