What is the Meaning of Numbers in the Bible?

Both numbers and colors have significance in interpreting Scripture (Read also: The Meaning of Colors in the Bible). The Word of God is clear in its written message, yet it contains deeper revelations through patterns, types, and symbolism. 

Hebrew hermeneutics (the branch of knowledge dealing with biblical interpretation) employs an approach that includes a concept known as “remez.” A remez is a hint of a hidden message or a deeper meaning that lies beneath the surface or behind the words. Both numbers and colors can serve as a remez.

Believing that everything in Scripture was inspired by the Holy Spirit and, therefore, significant, we should approach the symbolism of biblical numbers (and colors) with a desire to understand what God is revealing through them. 

Numbers in the Bible

 “If God has given all things their significance, and defined their bounds according to time, space, power, and number, and if He has appointed certain measurements to regulate things and times, biblical numbers must be symbolical, and be worthy of our study; and if a fit subject for study, the laws by which this symbolism of numbers is controlled, require to be ascertained.”  — Patrick Fairbairn, Scottish minister and theologian, 1805-1874

The symbolism of numbers is determined by identifying patterns throughout the Bible. Since these patterns can vary, some numbers are more clearly defined than others. The meanings of the numbers 1, 3, and 7 are the most universally accepted, while interpretations of other numbers may differ.

It is important to remember that the meanings of numbers in the Bible are not absolute, but the meaning of the written Word is always perfect. This list of biblical numbers and their meanings is not exhaustive, but does provide a foundational understanding of the patterns that reveal what these numbers represent.

1. Union and Oneness

One is independent of all other numbers and is contained in all other numbers.  One is only divisible by itself.

1 represents the union of the Godhead as one God.

Deuteronomy 6:4  Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD
John 10:30  I and my Father are one.
1 Corinthians 8:4 …there is no other God but one.
Galatians 3:20 … God is one.

1 represents the union of man and woman becoming one flesh (Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:7-9)
1 represents the union of God and man in salvation (John 17:11, 20-21, 1 Corinthians 6:17, Ephesians 5:30)

2.  Companionship, Witness, Division

Although a man and woman are brought together as one in marriage, they are still two individuals, purposed by God to be companions to each other in separate and unique ways (Genesis 2:18, 22, Ecclesiastes 4:9, Amos 3:3).  

2 of every kind of animal entered the ark
2 tablets contained the Ten Commandments
2 testaments make up the Word of God
2 witnesses were required by law for valid testimony (Deut 17:6, Num14:6-7, 1 Kings 21:10, Mat 18:16, John 8:17, 2 Cor 13:1, Rev 11:3)
2 times Pharaoh was given a dream “because it was established by God” (Gen 41:32)
2 parts to the day
2 great lights to divide the day and night (sun and moon)
2 cherubim at the 2 ends of the mercy seat
2 turtledoves or two young pigeons served as an acceptable sin offering for the poor (witnessed to the lamb)
2 loaves and 2 lambs were the wave offering of Shavuot
2 goats for the Day of Atonement offering
2 pillars at the entrance of God’s Temple, built by Solomon
2 doors, 2 leaves for each door on the Temple in Ezekiel 41
2 olive trees are “the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:14)
2 blind men who testified of Jesus healed  (Matthew 9:27, 20:30)
2 disciples were given the testimony of Jesus to give to John in prison (Matthew 11:2-6)
2 disciples were sent to get a donkey and a colt (2) and to tell, “the Lord has need of them.”
2 commandments on which “hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:40)
2 masters (Luke 16:13) One true: God; one false: money
2 thieves on crosses=2 testimonies (but only one true testimony)
2 angels testified at the tomb (John 20:12)
2 witnesses are the 2 olive trees and 2 candlesticks during the Tribulation (Revelation 11:3-4)

3. Triunity of Divine Design 

Three is the number of triunity as perfectly seen in the Holy Trinity — one God in three Persons.  Triunity existed before the foundations of the world, with the infinite and eternal Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

God set patterns of three in many of the rituals and instructions for His people Israel:
Three things were put in the Ark of the Covenant (jar of manna, Aaron’s staff, tables of stone); Daily prayers were three times a day; Appointed times (feasts) were three times each year; Three laws:  moral, ceremonial and civil; Three types of sacrifice: Sin-offering, peace offering, and praise offering. Other patterns of triunity in the Bible and in our world include:

3 places men dwell:  Heaven, earth, and the underworld
3 heavens
3 time frames: Past, present, and future
3 points of measurement: Beginning, middle, and end
3 measurements: Length, width, and height
3 states of water: Solid, liquid, and gas
3 abilities of man: thought, word, and deed
3 qualities: good, better, and best
3 gifts of grace: faith, hope, and love
3 temptations of Eve:  The tree was good for food, pleasant to the eyes; desired to make one wise.
3 temptations of man: the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life
3 great enemies:  the World, the flesh, and the devil
3 kinds of matter: mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdom.
3 Patriarchs:  Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
3-part deliverance of Israel (concerning land): out of Egypt, through the wilderness, into the Promised Land
3-part instruction: Law, the prophets, and the psalms/writings (Luke 24:44)
3 divisions in the tabernacle and the temple: Outer Court, Holy Place, and Most Holy Place
3 veils in the tabernacle: the outer veil to the inner court, the inner veil to the Holy Place, the innermost veil to the Holy of Holies
3 Kings of the united kingdom:  Saul, David, and Solomon
3 faithful ones were persecuted: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
3 intimate friends of Jesus: Peter, James, and John (witnesses to the Transfiguration)
3 Witnesses: the Spirit, the water, and the blood (1 John 5:8)
3-part completeness in divine judgment: Numbered, weighed, and divided
3-part existence of Jesus:  Which was, and which is, and which is to come
3-part fullness of the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
3-part fullness of man:  Spirit = Essences (I am); Soul = Consciousness (I see and I know); Body = Appearance (I am seen)  1 Thess 5:23
3 redemptive acts of God: Loved, cleansed and crowned
3 times God spoke from Heaven (Matthew 3:17, 17:5, John 12:28)
3-fold growth in the good ground–produces some 30-fold growth, some 60, some 100 (Mark 4:8)
3 Shepherd Psalms prophesied of Jesus: The Good Shepherd telling of His death (Psalm 22, John 10:14-15); The Great Shepherd telling of His resurrection (Psalm 23, Hebrews 13:20) and The Chief Shepherd telling of His glory (Psalm 24, 1 Peter 5:4)
3 appearances of Christ in Hebrews 9: He has appeared to put away sin (vs. 26) He now appears in the presence of God (vs. 24), and He shall appear  (vs. 28) to those who look for Him (vs. 28)
3-part salvation: Justification, sanctification, glorification (2 Corinthians 1:10)
3-part life in Christ:  Positional, practical, and spiritual
3 stories high and 300 hundred cubits long was the size of Noah’s ark
3 offices of Christ: Prophet, Priest, and King
3 Spiritual Things — Gifts, Ministries, and Effects (1 Corinthians 12:1)

• Read more: What is the triunity of creation?

4. Creative Works of God

Four pertains to God’s earthly, “under the sun,” creative works.

4 corners of the earth (Revelation 7:1)
4 cardinal directions (N, S, E, W)
4 phases of the moon
4 elements (earth, fire, water, air)
4 rivers of Paradise (Genesis 2:10)
4 winds of heaven (Jeremiah 49:36)
4 Things make up the universe (time, energy, space, and matter).
4 Seasons (summer, autumn, winter, and spring).
4 Divisions of the day (morning, noon, evening, and midnight).
4 Major provisions for man (earth, air, fire, and water).
4 Winds (Matthew 24:31)
4 generals took over Alexander’s kingdom (broken by God)
4 world empires (beasts) of Daniel
4 horns (gentile powers) of Zechariah
4 guardians of the throne of God
4 horsemen will bring calamity on the earth (Revelation 6:1-8)
4 acts of judgment — sword, famine, evil beasts, and pestilence) with which God condemns the idolaters of Jerusalem  (Ezekiel 14:21).

5. Humanness: Weakness (man’s limitations), Dependance (man’s insufficiency in himself), Death

5 fingers, 5 toes, 5 senses
5 books of law (Genesis – Deuteronomy)
5 kinds of animals were sacrificed under the Levitical law: goats, sheep, cattle, pigeons, and doves.
5 loaves were not enough to feed the great multitude.
5 brothers in Luke 16 who would not believe Moses and the prophets.
5 husbands could not satisfy the woman at the well.
5 wounds were inflicted upon Jesus (two hands, two feet, and His head) while alive on the cross.  A sixth wound was inflicted after his death.
5 empires of man were represented in King Nebuchadnezzar’s statue (Daniel 2:32- Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, Final Kingdom — 4 are fallen, and the last will fall also)

6. The Number of Man, including the Fallen Nature of Man and the Works of Fallen Man and the Evil of man

Six falls short of the number seven, God’s number of completion and perfection, and man falls short of the perfection God created him to be.  With 5 as the number of humanness and death, six represents man, his fallen nature, and his works.  No wonder the number of the beast is represented as an unholy trinity of 666.

6th day God created man (Genesis 1:27)
6 days were given to man to work (Exodus 20:9, 31:15)
6 generations of Cain’s descendants
6 years a servant had to work before he could be set free
6 times Jesus was accused of being demon-possessed
6 times Jesus was asked to give a sign to PROVE Himself
6 people proclaimed Jesus innocent but did nothing to stop His crucifixion (Pilate, Herod, Judas, Pilate’s wife, the thief on the cross, a Roman Centurion).
6 New Testament reference to people practicing sorcery (divination)
666 is the number of Satan

7. God’s Number of Completion, Perfection, and Rest

7th day of creation signified completion and rest
7 great landmasses form the complete earth
7 great bodies of water form a complete ocean
7 colors make a perfect spectrum
7 colors in the rainbow (interesting that the LGBT flag has only 6 colors; Read Why Does the LGBT Use God’s Rainbow For Its Flag?)
7 notes make a perfect scale
7 covenants of God with man: Adamic, Noah, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Levitic, Davidic, Messianic
7 dispensations of God complete human history
7th day was a Sabbath for Israel, a day of rest
7th year was a Sabbatical year, a year of rest.
7 Sabbatical years, followed by the year of Jubilee.
7 days for the Feast of Passover
7 weeks between Passover and Pentecost.
7 days for the Feast of Tabernacles
7 years was the time it took to complete the construction of the First Temple
7 pieces of furniture in the Tabernacle
7 days was the time of mourning for the dead
7 times equals purification (of the word of God – Ps 12:6)
7 times of forgiving was elevated to 70 x 7 by Jesus
7 Greek-speaking Christians were appointed by the 12 apostles (Acts 6:3)
7 titles for Jesus in Hebrews.
7 Spiritual Gifts—Given from God the Father (Romans 12:1-8)
7 divisions in the Bible: Law, Prophets, Writings (Psalms), Gospels & Acts, Paul’s Epistles, General Epistles, and the book of completion…

The Book of Revelation offers this great display of sevens:

7 Churches
7 Letters to the 7 Churches
7 Golden Candlesticks
7 Stars
7 Angels
7 Lamps of Fire
7 Spirits of God
7 Seal Judgments
7 Horns and 7 Eyes on the Lamb
7 Trumpets
7 Trumpet Judgments
7 Thunders
7 Thousand Men Slain
7 Heads and 7 Crowns on the Great Red Dragon
7 Heads on the Leopard-like Beast of the Sea
7 Last Plagues
7 Golden Vials
7 Bowl Judgments
7 heads of blasphemy on the Scarlet Colored Beast
7 Mountains
7 Kings

* 7 hours: This is of interest, but understand that it is not of biblical authority.  There is a claim in Jewish tradition that the first man, Adam,  was completed in 7 hours.  The Talmud records,

“How was Adam created? In the first hour his dust was collected; in the second his form was created; in the third he became a shapeless mass; in the fourth his members were joined; in the fifth his apertures were opened; in the sixth he received his soul; in the seventh he stood up on his feet . . .” 

8. New Beginnings

8 represents new life, regeneration, resurrection, and commencement.
8 people were on the ark for the new beginning after the flood.
8 words of God to bring forth creation (Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26)
8 souls passed through God’s judgment by floodwaters and began a new world.
8 beatitudes of the sermon on the mountain. (Matthew 5:3-11)
8th day starts the week over again.
8th note on a piano starts the scale over again.
8th day a male child was circumcised according to the law.
8th day the first-born was given to Jehovah (Exodus 22:29,30)
8th day consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests (Leviticus 9:1)
8 covenants God made with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3, 12:7, 13:14-17, 15:13-21, 17:1-22, 18:9-15, 21:12, 22:15-18)
8th dispensation of God with man will usher in the eternal state, the New Jerusalem
8 people were resurrected in the Bible, excluding Jesus’ resurrection and the saints who rose at that time. (1 Kings 17:17-22, 17:17-22, 2 Kings 4:30-37, 13:21, John 11:38-44, Luke 7:11-17, Matthew 8:28-43, Acts 20:7-12, Acts 20:7-12, Acts 9:36-42)
8th son of Jesse was the new King of Israel, David
8th day (the day after the Sabbath, the 7th day), Jesus rose from the dead, ushering in a new beginning.

9. Finality and Faith

9th year of the prophet Hosea the faith of the Northern Kingdom was judged by God as idolatrous.  The kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians, and the people were carried away into exile (2 Kings 17:6).
9th year of King Zedekiah, God sent judgment upon the Southern Kingdom.  Judah was conquered by Babylon, and the city of Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed (2 Kings 25:1).
9th hour Jesus declared, “it is finished.”  The penalty for sin was paid by His faithfulness.
9 fruits in the Fruit of the Spirit:  love, joy,  peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
9 Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12.8-10)
9 Beatitudes (Mat 5.3-11)

10.  Completion of Divine Order

10th generation from creation was judged for sin by the Great Flood.
10 Commandments are the perfect instructions for righteousness.
10% tithe was an acknowledgment of God’s gifts of abundance.
10 plagues in Egypt completed God’s judgment when Pharaoh failed to release God’s people.
10 spies failed to see God’s power and provision, so they brought back an evil report (Num 13:32).
10 witnesses were called in the Book of Ruth (Ruth 4:1-2).
10 men were a quorum for the Sanhedrin to convene.
10 was the number of generations until an illegitimate son could enter the congregation of Israel (Deut 23:2). David was the 10th generation from Pharez, the illegitimate son of Tamar and Judah.
10 was the number of generations until an Ammonite or Moabite could enter the congregation of Israel (Deut. 23:3).
10 tribes failed to walk with God and to do His will. They established a separate kingdom given to idolatry, which God judged and scattered the people.
10 times weaker than God’s people (Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) were King Nebuchadnezzar’s magicians and astrologers (Daniel 1:20
10 lepers were unable to cure themselves; they needed Jesus (Luke 17:12)
10 kingdoms in the end times

Other numbers also have meaning, but most with less significance than 1-10.  Exceptions would be the numbers 12 and 40, which are clearly traced throughout the Bible and have clear and significant meanings. 

12.  God’s Perfect Government

12 lunar cycles corresponding to 12 months in the year
12-hour periods in the day and night
12 signs of the Mazzaroth was the order of the stars
12 patriarchs, from Seth to Noah and his family
12 patriarchs from Shem to Jacob
12 powerful judges throughout the national history of Israel
12 stones on the breastplate of the high priest
12 spies commissioned by Moses to spy in Canaan
12 was continuously represented in the design and flow of Solomon’s temple
12 sons of Jacob/Israel (Genesis 35:22-27)
12 Tribes of Israel (Genesis 49:28) came from the 12 sons of Jacob
12 years old Jesus was publicly recognized to have spiritual authority 
12 apostles chosen by Jesus (Matthew 10:2-4)
12 Kingdom of Heaven Parables

The Book of Revelation reveals a pattern of the number 12:

12 x 2 (2-the number of witness) = 24 elders around the throne of God (Revelation 4:4)
12,000 (sealed) x 12 (# of tribes) = 144,000 sealed witnesses (Revelation 7:4)
The New Jerusalem is seen in its 12 gates, each with 12 foundations,
The circumference of the New Jerusalem is 12,000 furlongs, and its walls are 144 cubits high (Revelation 21:10-21; Ezekiel 48:30-35).

30. Dedication to a Task or Calling

30 was the age that Joseph came to power in Egypt  (Genesis 41:46)
30 was the age that men in Israel entered the military and serves in battle.
30 was the age Levites began priestly service.
30 was the age David became king (2 Samuel 5:4).
30 was the age John the Baptist began baptizing (based on the age of Jesus).
30 was the age at which Jesus began his earthly ministry (Luke 3:23).
Israel mourned for 30 days the deaths of their leaders, Aaron and Moses  (Numbers 20:29, Deuteronomy 34:8)
Judas covenanted to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15)

40. Trials, Probation, Testings, and Preparing

40 days and 40 nights, it rained upon the earth
40 years Moses was in Egypt, 40 years in Midian, 40 years Moses served God
40 days Moses was on Mt. Sinai when he was given the Law
40 days Moses was on Mt. Sinai when he returned after breaking the tablets
40 days after his birth, a male child was dedicated to God
40 days the spies were in the land of Canaan
40 years  Israel wandered in the wilderness
40-year intervals of peace in the age of the Judges
40 years of war between Israel and the Philistines
40 years Saul ruled as King
40 days Goliath presented himself to the armies of Israel
40 years David ruled as King
40 days and 40 nights, Elijah went in strength (an angel had provided food)
40 years Solomon ruled as King
40 days Jonah was in Nineveh
40 years Josiah ruled Judah
40 days Ezekiel lay on his right side to symbolize the 40 years of Judah’s transgression
40 days was prophecied by Jonah to be the time before judgment would come on Nineveh
40 days Jesus fasted in the wilderness
40 days Jesus taught His disciples after the Resurrection

70. Seventy can be understood by understanding it’s the product of 7 x 10. Seven represents completion, perfection, and rest.  Ten represents the completion of divine order. Therefore, seventy can be understood as the ultimate completion and perfection of God’s divine order.

70 descendants of Noah repopulated the world after the flood (Gen 10)
70 members of Jacob’s family went down to Egypt (Gen 46:27)
70 elders were appointed to help Moses administer Israel in the wilderness (Num 11:16)
70 years of exile in Babylon for the people of Judah (Jer 5:11; 29:10)
70 weeks (70 sevens) were decreed by God as the period in which Messianic redemption would be accomplished (Dan 9:24)
70  men sent forth by Jesus (Luk 10:1)
70 times 7  times was the number of times Jesus said we are to forgive others (Mat 18:22)

Fun Stuff About Numbers

From Scott M:  The number 8 represents infinity, eternity, and a return to the beginning. The infinity symbol looks like the number 8. When you trace your finger on the number 8, you “cross over” and return back to the beginning.

The number 9 is very unusual. Take any other number (no matter how big or small) multiply it by 9, then keep adding those digits together. The result will always come out to 9!  Examples:

2×9=18 and the 1 plus the 8 equal 9!
25×9=225 and 2 plus 2 plus 5 equals 9!
502×9=4518 and 4 plus 5 plus 1 plus 8 equals 18, and 1 plus 8 equals 9!

So mathematically, we could say this number equates to God. It is the highest number, and no matter how many other numbers you multiply it with, adding up the digits of the product will always result in 9… the highest and the greatest of all.    

From Shari: Thank you, Scott.  What you sent reminded me about how I learned to multiply by nine.  Take the number you are multiplying, subtract 1, and add what you need to reach 9 to get the product.  Examples:

4×9:  4-1= 3, 3+6=9, the product of 4×9 is 36!
7×9: 7-1= 6, 6+3=9, the product of 7×9 is 63!
9×9:  9-1= 8, 8+1=9, the product of 9×9 is 81!

Who “created” numbers and math?  God!!!

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The Meaning of Numbers in the Bible?
The Meaning of Colors in the Bible?
Share biblical colors with children:
What are the Colors of Sin, Sorry, and Saved? (Teaching Children About Salvation)