Numbers are used in Scripture, not merely as in Nature, with supernatural
design, but with spiritual significance, which may be summarized as follows:
ONE - 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.
TWO - 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", &c.
THREE - 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. 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.
FOUR - 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.
FIVE - Denotes Divine grace.
It is 4+1. It is God adding His gifts and blessing to the works of
His hands. The Heb. Ha'aretz (the earth), by "Gematria" (ie.
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.
SIX - Denotes the human number.
Man was created on the sixth day; and this first occurrence 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.
SEVEN - 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.
EIGHT - Denotes resurrection, regeneration;
a new beginning or commencement. The eighth is a new first.
Hence the octave in music, colour, days of the week, &c. 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 Jesus makes the number 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.
NINE - Denotes Finality of judgment.
It is 3x3, the product of Divine completeness. The number nine, or
its factors or multiples, is seen in all cases when judgment is
the subject.
TEN - Denotes Ordinal perfection.
Another new first; after the ninth digit. When numeration commences anew.
ELEVEN - Denotes disorder,
disorganization, because it is one short of the number twelve.
TWELVE - 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.
THIRTEEN - Denotes rebellion,
apostasy, defection, disintegration, revolution, &c. The
first occurrence fixes this (Gen. 14:4) and the second confirms it (Gen.
17:25) It , and its multiples, are seen in all numbers, and in the
Gematria of all names and passages that are associated with rebellion,
&c.
SEVENTEEN - 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:
e.g. 24 is 12 x 2, a higher form of 12.
25 = 5 x 5
Grace intensified
27 = 3 x 3 x
3 Divinity intensified
28 = 7 x 4
Spiritual perfection in connection with the earth
29 = 3 cubed
Intensifying of Divine judgement.
30 = 3 x 10
Divine perfection, applied to order.
40 = 4 x 10
Divine order, applied to earthly things. Hence, the number 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 the nine digits, without a remainder.
It is the number of chronological perfection (7 x 360).
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