THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF
NUMBERS This Is Appendix 10
From The Companion Bible.
Numbers are used in Scripture, not merely as in
Nature, with supernatural design, but with spiritual
significance, which may be summarised as follows 1 :-
O NE. 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 ocurrences of all important words and expressions
are noted in the margin.
T WO. 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", etc.
T HREE. 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 Genesis 1) The number,
three, includes resurrection also; for on the third day the
earth rose up out of the deep, and fruit rose up out of the
earth.
F OUR. 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.
F IVE. Denotes Divine
grace. It is 4 + 1. It is God adding His gifts and blessing
to the works of His hands. The Hebrew Ha'aretz (the earth),
by "Gematria" (that is to say 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 (charis), the Greek
for Grace, is also a multiple of five. It is the leading
factor in the Tabernacle measurements.
S IX. Denotes the
human number. Man was created on the sixth
day; and this first ocurrence 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.
S EVEN. 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.
E IGHT. Denotes
resurrection, regeneration; a new beginning or commencement.
The eighth is a new first. Hence the octave in music, colour, days of the
week, etc. 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), (Jesus) makes the numbers 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.
N INE. Denotes
Finality of judgement. It is 3 x 3, the
product of Divine completeness. The number nine, or its
factors or multiples, is seen in all cases when judgement is
the subject.
T EN. Denotes
Ordinal perfection. Another new first; after the ninth
digit, when numeration commences anew.
E LEVEN. Denotes
disorder, disorganization, because it is one short of the
number twelve (see below).
T WELVE. 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.
T HIRTEEN. Denotes
rebellion, apostasy, defection, disintegration, revolution,
etc. The first occurrence fixes this (Genesis 14:4); and the second
confirms it (Genesis 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, etc.
S EVENTEEN. 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: that
is to say 24 is 12 x 2, a higher form of 12. 25 =
5 2. Grace intensified. 27 =
33. Divinity intensified. 28
= 7 x 4. Spiritual perfection in connection with the
earth. 29 = 33. Intensifying of Divine judgement.
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 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).
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