What is biblical numerology?

There is, I suppose, no student of Scripture who has not caught sight, to a greater or less extent, of a symbolism of numbers to be found in it. He who has implicit faith in "all Scripture" being given by inspiration of God will not doubt that the numbers in it, being part of it and sharing its inspiration, must therefore be "profitable," as all else in it; and spiritually, which is the profitableness which God has given it for us. But a spiritual meaning attaching to the use of numbers can hardly be other than a symbolic one; falling in thus with the general typical and parabolic language of the Bible, which evidently pervades so much of it. Take the sevens of the book of Revelation generally , or the twelves of the heavenly city, no one could, probably doubt it; but upon all this I need not now dwell, the whole present volume with others of the series being such an extended proof of consistent meaning running through the numbers of Scripture, and imbedded in the very structure of it as, if it does not satisfy any one who will patiently examine it, as to its truth in the main, nothing else that I can say will be likely to do so.

There can be little doubt that numerals are used in scripture as symbols; and by comparing the instances in which any numeral is employed the idea hidden in it may often be arrived at. The signification of some numbers is too obvious to be mistaken; that of others is less apparent. In some cases the symbolical number may be discovered where the numeral itself is not mentioned: as, for instance, under three we may class the law, the psalms, and the prophets; spirit, soul, and body, etc. A few references only are given here for each number.

Take the question of numbers and their significance in Scripture. One means unity, three full testimony, five the number of a man, seven perfection, eight resurrection, twelve administration, etc., etc.

We must now look, though briefly, at the symbolical meaning of the numbers themselves. This is needful, both to relieve the reader from unnecessary dependence on the former book, and because that even the short time that has passed since the publication of that has enabled me to give a somewhat fuller account of these meanings. Some may think, indeed, that the increase of their number is a difficulty rather than a help, and that the multiplicity of the meanings given tends to destroy their definiteness. This is very far from being the case, however. However numerous they may be, there is nothing arbitrary in them, derived as they are from a certain natural meaning, which thus pervades and connects them all together. To give an example from one of the most multifarious, as it might seem, — all the variety of thoughts connected with the number 1 are applications of the idea of unity, or of primacy. It is from the want of discerning this natural root of the Scripture symbolism that the interpretation of the numerals has been so various and discordant.

As there are seven notes in music, and the eighth is but the octave — the beginning again of the series in another key, so there are seven numerals which are alone fundamental in Scripture-symbolism; the number 7 being the well-known symbol of perfection, and 8 merely marking a new beginning, as the eighth day is the first of a new week. All other significant numbers derive their meaning from these, which combine in some way to produce them. The number 10 thus gets its significance from its factors, 2 and 5; 12, from 4 and 3; 40, from 5, 2, and 4; and so on for all others.

We must now look, though briefly, at the symbolical meaning of the numbers themselves. This is needful, both to relieve the reader from unnecessary dependence on the former book, and because that even the short time that has passed since the publication of that has enabled me to give a somewhat fuller account of these meanings. Some may think, indeed, that the increase of their number is a difficulty rather than a help, and that the multiplicity of the meanings given tends to destroy their definiteness. This is very far from being the case, however. However numerous they may be, there is nothing arbitrary in them, derived as they are from a certain natural meaning, which thus pervades and connects them all together. To give an example from one of the most multifarious, as it might seem; all the variety of thoughts connected with the number 1 are applications of the idea of unity, or of primacy. It is from the want of discerning this natural root of the Scripture symbolism that the interpretation of the numerals has been so various and discordant.

As there are seven notes in music, and the eighth is but the octave - the beginning again of the series in another key, so there are seven numerals which are alone fundamental in Scripture - symbolism; the number 7 being the well - known symbol of perfection, and 8 merely marking a new beginning, as the eighth day is the first of a new week. All other significant numbers derive their meaning from these, which combine in some way to produce them. The number 10 thus gets its significance from its factors, 2 and 5; 12, from 4 and 3; 40, from 5, 2, and 4; and so on for all others.

Times - seven, completeness in spiritual things, and what is directly established of God; twelve, perfection, according to God, in human institution and order; forty seems to have a meaning, but it is not so clear to me.

One is the number of origin, creation, sufficiency, and so on. It is the fitting number of God and of the Father. Two speaks of help and deliverance from evil. It is the number appropriate to the Son, the Saviour and Deliverer. Three speaks of manifestation and of Him, the Holy Spirit, who is the unfolder of truth. "God is light" (that which manifests), and it is significant that light is composed of a threefold ray. "Three" also suggests resurrection,which is so closely connected with the manifestation of God and His power; also of the sanctuary where His presence is manifested. Four is the earth number — of trial, weakness, and failure. Five is the creation with another coming into it, and suggests in addition to other features, the incarnation of One who embraces in His own blessed person, God and man. It is also the number suggesting responsibility. Six is the number of man's day, the limit of human labor and activity, and therefore of evil so constantly carried on in man's energy. It thus suggests divine restraint and victory over evil. Seven is the rest number. It speaks of completeness, leaving nothing to be added or desired in that sense. It therefore completes the perfect series. Eight, being a fresh beginning, is therefore the number of the new creation. Nine is a multiple of three; it is its square, we may say an intensified three. Ten is a double five, suggesting the two-fold measure of man's responsibility as seen in the two tables of the law, the obedience demanded Godward and manward. Eleven seems to be one short of twelve. Twelve is the great governmental, administrative number — the twelve tribes, twelve apostles, twelve gates, etc. It is the number of Israel's unity as seen in the twelve stones set up in Jordan, and the other twelve brought up and set up in a pillar on its banks the twelve stones in the altar of Elijah; the twelve loaves of showbread, etc.

Other numbers seem to be multiples, as "fourteen" is a double seven, as though manifesting the completeness suggested by that number. Thus, our Lord's genealogy in Matthew is divided into three sets (the number of full manifestation) of fourteen generations each, in which man is completely manifested and all is laid bare. It is only in the fulness of time that God thus sent forth His Son.

There are but 7 to be considered really, 7 being the well known number of perfection, and 8 symbolizing what is new in contrast with the old, simply showing that the series does end with the former. Larger numbers are but, in their signification, compounds of the smaller ones: as ten = 5 X 2; twelve = 4 X 3; forty = 4 X 5 X 2. Those which cannot be multiplied need more inquiry to determine, as scripture methods must be learned from Scripture.

But what is meant by "numerical structure"? It is this: That if, for example, in the Pentateuch we find plainly a series of five books; that is five divisions of Moses' whole work, this fivefold division has a meaning intimately connected with the subjects of the books themselves. The numerals of Scripture all students of it believe to have (in many cases at least,) definite meaning, - as, for instance, in the number 7 we have "completeness." The view that I am advocating simply applies this symbolism to such a series as we have here, and affirms that Genesis, which stands first among these, has for its special line of truth what would be suggested by the number 1; Exodus, similarly, a line of truth connected with the number 2; Leviticus, with number 3; Numbers, with 4; Deuteronomy, with 5. To take of' these, perhaps the simplest, the number 4 stands as the number of the world, and the symbol for "weakness" (which may come out in failure), "trial," "experience;" and so the book of Numbers will be found to be characterized by these thoughts. It is, in fact, the testing and failure of Israel in the wilderness - the type of our own pathway of trial in the world; and the characters implied in the number are found in it throughout.

But what is meant by "numerical structure"? It is this: That if, for example, in the Pentateuch we find plainly a series of five books, — that is, five divisions of Moses' whole work, this fivefold division has a meaning intimately connected with the subjects of the books themselves. The numerals of Scripture all students of it believe to have (in many cases at least,) definite meaning, — as, for instance, in the number 7 we have "completeness." The view that I am advocating simply applies this symbolism to such a series as we have here, and affirms that Genesis, which stands first among these, has for its special line of truth what would be suggested by the number 1; Exodus, similarly, a line of truth connected with the number 2; Leviticus, with number 3; Numbers, with 4; Deuteronomy, with 5. To take of these, perhaps the simplest, the number 4 stands as the number of the world, and the symbol for "weakness" (which may come out in failure), "trial," "experience;" and so the book of Numbers will be found to be characterized by these thoughts. It is, in fact, the testing and failure of Israel in the wilderness — the type of our own pathway of trial in the world; and the characters implied in the number are found in it throughout.