E 214: Numerology in the Bible and what do they symbolize

ONE DAY CLOSER with Mark & Dave

Today, we are going to take a look at the significance or symbolism of numbers in the Bible.

First a bit of history regarding numerology. The earliest records of Numerology came from Egyptian and Babylonian civilizations, but there are also signs of its use in ancient Rome, China, Greece, and Japan. Pythagoras, the Greek philosopher, is often credited with modern numerology.

Biblical numerology is the study of how numbers in the Bible carry deeper symbolic meanings beyond their literal use. Throughout Scripture, certain numbers appear with recurring significance, representing themes such as God’s completeness, perfection, or divine order.

In the Bible, numbers can have many purposes, such as conveying something significant in the narrative: prophetically, spiritually, or symbolically.

The number three appears in the Bible 467 times.

Jesus goes back to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane three times (Matthew 26:4).

God calls the prophet Samuel three times (1 Samuel 3:8).

Jesus repeats the phrase “feed my sheep” to Peter three times (John 21:15-17).

We see several instances of three of the same words in a row. Woe (three of them) are called out by an eagle in revelation, foreshadowing terrible judgment

We can’t talk three without discussing how Jesus rose after three days (1 Corinthians 15:4).

In Jewish culture, three days past death indicated they were truly dead. Therefore, Jesus truly conquered death by not rising until the third day.

In Scripture, we have three patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Matthew 22:32). These were the fathers of the Israelite nation, God’s people.

There were three gifts brought to the Manger. The Magi present to Jesus with three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh in Matthew 2.7.

Here’s a detailed exploration of its symbolism:

Divine Wholeness and the Trinity: The most theologically significant occurrence of the number 3 in Christianity is the doctrine of the Trinity, which is one God in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.

Resurrection and Redemption: Jesus Christ's resurrection on the third day is a pivotal event in Christian theology, symbolizing victory over death and the promise of eternal life.

Patterns of Testing and Validation: The number 3 frequently appears in contexts of testing and affirmation in the Bible.

• Peter denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed, yet later affirmed his love for Jesus three times.
• Jesus was tempted by Satan three times in the wilderness, each time rebuffing the temptation, which emphasizes his spiritual fortitude and readiness for his ministry.

Covenant and Promise: The number 3 is also involved in expressions of God’s promises and covenants. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are repeatedly referenced as the patriarchal foundation of God’s chosen people, Israel.

Completeness in Events and Narratives: The number 3 can signify completeness or the entirety of an event within biblical narratives.

• Jonah spent three days and nights in the belly of a great fish, symbolizing a period of reflection and repentance before his mission to Nineveh.
• There are three annual pilgrim festivals in the Old Testament where Israelites were commanded to appear before the Lord: Passover, Feast of Weeks, and Feast of Tabernacles, each representing God's provision and deliverance.

Prophetic and Apocalyptic Significance: In prophetic and apocalyptic literature, such as the Book of Daniel and Revelation, the number 3 appears in various contexts that enhance the symbolic gravity of the visions.

This discussion is a summary of several articles put out by www.Crosswalk.com
authored by Hope Bolinger. We hope

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