Q&A with BBH

Question:

Is there spiritual significance to certain numbers that are used often in the Bible?

Answer:

Discerning the significance of any particular number in the Bible is a matter of inferrence, since the Bible nowhere spells out such distinctions in inspired language. However, Bible students agree that certain numbers which appear repeatedly in the Bible do seem to have implications, unique to each of them, because of their repeated use in certain contexts.

Because the exact significance of any particular number is ultimately nothing more than an educated guess, trying to read into every number, or certain numbers every time, an infallible lesson or implication is an extreme that we should avoid. However, considering this caution, many Bible students agree on the following symbolism behind certain numbers:

The number one suggests unity or beginnings. Paul wrote, “There is one body and one Spirit, . . . one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:4-5). Jesus Christ is called the “firstborn from the dead” (Revelation 1:5).

The number three denotes completeness and/or the Trinity. Jesus rose the third day, Jonah spent three days and nights in the whale’s belly, Peter denied Christ three times, and Jesus prayed three times to the Father before He was taken to be crucified. John wrote, “There are three that bare record in heaven…” (1 John 5:7).

The number seven denotes perfection. God created the seven-day week and the seventh-day Sabbath. Jacob served seven years for Rachel. God gave Israel seven annual Sabbaths and seven festivals to observe. In Revelation, John records Jesus’ seven letters to the seven churches.

The number twelve may also have unique significance, as it seems to suggest organizational beginnings and governmental completeness. God established the twelve tribes of Israel and Jesus inaugurated His church by anointing twelve apostles to lead it.

The number forty denotes a time of testing or trial. In Noah’s day it rained on the earth for forty days and nights. Israel wandered in the wilderness forty years. Moses’ life consisted of three distinct fourty-year periods. Christ was tempted for forty days in the wilderness.

Several other numbers may also have spiritual significance: for instance, five (grace), six (man), eleven (incompleteness or disorder), and thirteen (backsliding or rebellion).

While it is helpful to keep these observations in mind while studying God’s Word, it is important in any Bible study to remember that “the main things are the plain things.” We ought not become so preoccupied with Bible codes (which don’t exist) or underlying themes (which do exist) that we are distracted from the clear teaching and application of God’s sufficient Word (Psalm 119:130; Titus 3:3-9).

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