Numbers in Scripture

In the verses shown below the God states that He has chosen Jerusalem and would put His name there. How might

Numbers in scripture are part of the infallible Word of God. An understanding of numbers in scripture deserve as much attention to detail as the study of any other part of scripture. God does not use numbers in a chaotic or random manner. There is a precise rationale for the use of numbers in scripture.  An understanding of numbers in the Bible can enhance time spent in meditation on God's Word. The exploration of the significance of the first nine digits, which follows, will aid in the pursuit of daily meditation on God's word.

The number one (1) signifies unity, sovereignty and/or wholeness.  In all languages one is the symbol of unity.  One is independent of other numbers and is the source of all other numbers.  There is one God who is the source of all things. At creation one article was created on the first day, light. God is light...

The number two (2) pronounces that there is a difference.implying that there is another. It is the first number that can be divided establishing the idea of division or difference. On day two of creation a division is described. Water above divided from water below by the firmament. Where man is concerned, this number testifies of his fall. It most often denotes the difference, which implies opposition, enmity and oppression (see Genesis 1:1-2).   

To have three (3) is to have a trinity.  Trinities configure the entire cosmos.  There are three fundamental types of forces that that operate on matter: nuclear forces, gravitational forces and forces of the electromagnetic spectrum.  We live in a tri-universe of space, time and matter.  There is a trinity of any three dimensional object; height, width and breadth.  There are three divisions of time, past, present and future. Our human form is a trinity of body, soul, and spirit. Our God is a trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Our God possesses three attributes omniscience (knowing everything), omnipresence (being present everywhere) and omnipotence (being all powerful).  Three denotes divine perfection.

Four (4) is the number of creation of man in his relation to the world as created. Four is the number of (1) things that have a beginning, (2) of things that are made, (3) of material things and (4) of matter itself. Four is the number associated with material completeness. It is the world number. The fourth day saw the creation finished. There are four (4) regions of the earth: north, south, east, and west.  There are four (4) great elements: earth, air, fire, and water. There are four (4) divisions of the day: morning, noon, evening and midnight. There are four (4) seasons. There are four (4) cherubim. There are four (4) Gospels.

Five (5) is the number of grace.  Grace means showing favor on those that are unworthy. On the fifth day of creation God created the animal kingdom. Created were five (5) types of animals: fish, birds, mammals, insects and reptiles. They were in abundance, and "God blessed them". This was an act of the grace of God. God established a relationship with the animal kingdom. He blessed them, and that is what we call grace - God's blessing freely given to His creatures. The animals did not work. God did the work for them. He fed them, clothed them, protected them, and watched over them. All this was grace.  God shows grace to us.  Jesus freely gave himself for us, we do not work for His favor or our salvation.  

Six 6) is the number that is identified with man. It is the number of i mperfection; the human number; the number of man as destitute of God, without God, and without Christ. Man was created on the sixth day. Six days were appointed to him for his labor. Six is the number of labor also, of man's labor as apart from God's rest.

Seven (7) is the number of completed spiritual perfection as contrasted to that, which is human. On the seventh day God rested. He rested because He had finished creation. There was nothing left to do. By the seventh day, everything was complete. So the number, seven, represents the completion of a category. We count seven days in a week because a week is a category of days. On the seventh day God rested because He was finished. Seven refers to completion. In the book of Revelation the number seven is prominent.  There are seven feasts to God (Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles). There are seven spirits of God.

Eight (8) is the number meaning to make fat or bountiful.  Eight also signifies a new birth or new beginning.

Nine (9) is the last of the digits and marks the ending; it is significant regarding the conclusion of the matter. It is the number of finality and judgment especially divine judgment. It also denotes finality in divine things.

With an idea of what numbers in scripture mean, or might mean, the following verses in Galatians allow a fertile ground to meditate on God's word while taking into consideration some numbers in scripture.

This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.  Galatians 5:16-26

In the verses above it is interesting to note that there are eighteen (18) works of the flesh.  Eighteen can be factored to 2 X 9 (9+9). From above we have seen that the number two (2) testifies of man's fall, while the number nine (9) can represent the finality of God's judgment.  The passage above reaffirms God's judgment on those who practice the works of the flesh, by not allowing them to inherit the kingdom of God.  Eighteen (18) can also be factored to 3 X 6 (6+6+6).  The number of man is six.  The traits identified in the works of the flesh most certainly describe a person who is destitute of God. These activities are anti-God. The number of a man described in Revelation (the beast) is 666.  There are three sixes in the works of the flesh as well.  Is it possible that the beast of Revelation will practice all of the works of the flesh?  Most probably he will.  He definitely will not possess the fruits of the Spirit.  Apparently, the fact that there are eighteen (18) works of the flesh might be significant, or is it just a coincidence?

It is also interesting to see that in opposition to the eighteen works of the flesh, there are nine (9) fruits of the spirit listed.  Nine can be factored to 3 X 3 (3+3+3).  Three triads of spiritual fruit are described, a trinity of trinities.  All together, as nine (9), they denote finality in a divine matter (spiritual fruit).  It is also interesting to notice that the manifestations of the Spirit are nine in number as well (see 1 Corinthians 12).  The manifestations are as follows: (1) Word of Wisdom, (2) Word of Knowledge, (3) Faith, (4) Gifts of Healing, (5) Working of Miracles, (6) Prophecy, (7) Discerning of Spirits, (8) Tongues, and (9) Interpretation of Tongues.

God not only tells us what we need to know in the scriptures but He reinforces it by the way He tells us.  God's use of numbers in scripture is one way He tells us more than just what see in the Word only.  Numbers in God's word are something on which to meditate.  Numbers aide us in meditating on God's Word.