The Biblical Significance of Numbers

If you are like me, then you have a special number that you believe works for
you. Personally my favourite number is five, but if I attached significance as it
relates to my spiritual journey then the number would be three. When I thought
of my spiritual journey, I realised that I made the third Anglican Women’s Cursillo,
I made the third parochial renewal weekend [Discovery] in our diocese and most
significant it was the third relationship of my life that resulted in marriage
[although engaged prior to that]. So you can see why the number ‘3’ is of great
significance to me both spiritual and otherwise.

Now I’m not a ‘new age thinker’ nor am I a mystic. I am simply a student of the
word of God and I have found through my study and research that if I truly want
to have my steps ordered by His word, then I must may attention to detail.
Granted, the world order places meaning on numbers as it relates to jobs and
success. There is the practice of numerology used by physics and/or mediums.

However all of these things have their roots in the bible. One of my books for
study is the “Book of Bible Lists” by H. L. Willmington and in it I found the
implication for certain numbers as it related to the spiritual journey of the God’s
people. As I often lead bible studies, I have prepared a short study on a few of
the core numbers and what they represent:

Number 1: The primary number that signifies absolute singleness.

Study: Deut. 6:4; Eph. 4:4-6

Number 2: Is the number of support and witness.

Study: Gen. 1:16; Exod. 25:22; Matt. 26:60; Acts 1:10; Rev. 11:3

Number 3: Is the number of that represents unity and accomplishment.

Study: Gen. 6:10; Exod. 23:14, 17; Ezra 10:9; Neh. 2:11; John 2:19; Luke 13:7

Number 4: Is an earth-related number and it refers to the four seasons of the

year and the four directions.
Study: Dan. 7:3; Matt. 13 and Rev. 6

Number 5: Is the number for Grace

Study: Lev. 1-5; Matt. 14:17; Matt. 25:2

Number 6: The number of man.

Study: Gen. 1:31; Josh. 6:3; 1 Sam. 17:4; Num. 35:6

Number 7: The number of God that exemplifies divine excellence.

Study: John [7 miracles are found]; Luke: 23:34, 43, 46; Mark 15:34; John 19:26-
27, 28, 30 [together are the seven sayings on the cross]; Ps. 12:6; Gen. 2:2; Rev.
1:4, 12, 16;
Rev. 5:1; Rev. 8:2

Number 8: Signifies a new beginning.

Study: Gen. 7:13, 23; John 20:26

Number 9: Represents the measure of blessing.

Study: Rom. 12; Eph. 4; Gal. 5:22-23

Number 10: The number for human government.

Study: 1 Kings 11:31-35; Dan. 7:24; Rev. 17:12; Ruth 4:2

Number 12: The number that indicates Divine government.

Study: Matt. 10; Rev. 7; Rev. 21

Number 40: Is the number that is associated with difficulties and hardship.
Study: Num. 12:25, Exod. 24:18; 1 Sam. 17:16, Matt. 4:2; Acts 1:3

Number 50: The number of celebration and feasts.

Study: Lev. 23:15-16; Acts 2

This is not an exhaustive list, but simply a guide to start studying God’s word as it
relates to your own spiritual journey. I encourage you to meditate on these
scriptures using the method of Lectio Divina. You can find the model for this in
my e-book, “Sacred Reading: “Forty Day and Forty Nights” which can be found at
Scrib.com. Or you can use the biblical references for a small group bible study.
You will be pleasantly surprised to note that you have been walking in the
footsteps of the faithful.

Copyright@2009