The Meaning of Numbers 1-9

God loves numbers. Every number has both symbolic and prophetic meaning. Each number is discussed in a note format to make it easier to read. Note that this article is mainly about the numbers. I will not go into detail about each symbol such as the barley overcomers or the law of the double witness. For more details, see my Bible Study Lessons or click on the links.

One
Biblical meaning: unity
Hebrew words for one: aleph (ox), yacheed (absolute unity), echad (compound unity)
Significance: the one true God is creator of all and his word is the truth
Examples:
1. Gen. 1:1 – in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth

2. Ex. 20:3 – says you should have no other gods

3. Rev. 22:13 – God is the alpha and the omega, the first and the last

4. Matt. 22:37-38 – the first command is to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and all thine understanding

5. Hebrews 4:12 – the only use in the Bible of the Greek word kritikos, which means critic or discerner, “for the reckoning of God is living, and working, and sharp above every two-edged sword, and piercing unto the dividing asunder both of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and a discerner (kritikos) of thought and intents of the heart” (YLT, comment added)

6. 2 Cor. 2:17 – the only use in the Bible of the Greek word kapeeleuo, which means to corrupt or adulterate, “for we are not as the many, adulterating (kapeeleuo) the word of God, but as of sincerity – but as of God; in the presence of God, in Christ we do speak.” (YLT, comment added)

7. 2 Cor. 4:2 – the only use in the Bible of the Greek word doloo, which means to handle deceitfully, “but did renounce for ourselves the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor deceitfully (doloo) using the word of God, but by the manifestation of the truth recommending ourselves unto every conscience of men, before God;” (YLT, comment added)

Other:
- emeth – the only Hebrew word meaning truth, while there are many words used for deceit and lies, Jesus said he’s the way, and the truth, and the life (John 14:6)

Two
Biblical meaning: division, double witness
Hebrew word: beth (house, household)
Significance: the law of the double witness,The Barley Overcomers, The Two Covenants
Examples:
1. Deut. 19:15 – the law of the double witness, must have two witnesses to convict a man of a sin
2. Gen. 9:8-17 – the covenant with Noah
3. Gen. 15:12-18 – the old covenant with Abraham
4. Ex. 19:5,6 - the new covenant with Moses
5. Rev. 11:3 – the two witnesses, which represent the barley overcomers
6. Numbers 14:9 – the two spies Joshua and Caleb said that giants and Canaan shall be our prey, while the other ten spies were scared of them, Joshua and Caleb represent the barley overcomers
7. Gen. 7:2 – the unclean beasts were taken into the Ark by twos

Other:
- panoply – Greek word that is used only twice in the Bible, means a complete full suite of armor, seen in Luke 11:22 addressing the armour of Satan, and in Ephesians 6:11 addressing the armour of God

Three
Biblical meaning: divine fullness, perfection
Hebrew word: gimel (camel)
Significance: the trinity (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit) the three feasts of Israel (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles), three aspects of man (body, soul, and spirit)
Examples:
1. Luke 24:1-53 – Jesus’ resurrection on the third day

2. Deut. 16:16 – the three feasts of Israel

3. Jonah 1:17 – Jonah was in the belly of a big fish for three days and three nights

4. Ex. 5:3 – the Israelites go on a three day journey in the wilderness

5. Numbers 13:23 – the twelve spies sent into Canaan bring back three things: grapes, figs, and pomegranates

6. 1 John 2:16 – the three-fold nature of temptation, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life

7. 2 Chron.4 – the Temple had three parts (Court, Sanctuary, and Holy Place), one layer of the Temple called the Brazen Sea held 3,000 baths, surrounded by 30 cubits on which there were 300 decorations, and supported by twelve oxen, three looking north, three looking west, three looking south, and three looking east

Other:
- before the foundation of the world – phrase that appears three times in the Bible, John 17:24, Ephesians 1:4, 1 Peter 1:20, seen in Young’s Literal translation
- Christian – the word “Christian” appears three times in the New Testament, Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16

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