What is biblical numerology?

Answer

Biblical numerology involves the examination of numbers in the Bible. Two of the most frequently mentioned numbers in the Bible are 7 and 40. The number 7 symbolizes completion or perfection (Genesis 7:2-4;Revelation 1:20). It is commonly referred to as “God’s number” because He is the only One who is perfect and whole (Revelation 4:5;Revelation 5:1,5-6). The number 3 is also considered to represent divine perfection: The Trinity comprises Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The number 40 is often interpreted as the “number of probation or trial.” For instance, the Israelites wandered for 40 years (Deuteronomy 8:2-5); Moses spent 40 days on the mount «And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.», (Exodus 24:18); 40 days were involved in the story of Jonah and Nineveh «And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. », (Jonah 3:4); Jesus was tempted for 40 days «And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. », (Matthew 4:2); there were 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension «to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: », (Acts 1:3). Another number mentioned in the Bible is 4, which symbolizes creation: North, South, East, West; four seasons. The number 6 is considered to represent man: Man was created on the 6th day; man labors 6 days only. Another instance of the Bible using a number symbolically is 666, the number associated with the Antichrist in Revelation chapter 13.

The significance of these numbers is still debated in various circles. The Bible appears to use numbers in patterns or to convey spiritual truths. However, many individuals attribute excessive importance to “biblical numerology,” attempting to find a profound meaning behind every number in the Bible. Often, a number in the Bible is just that – a number. God does not instruct us to seek out hidden meanings, cryptic messages, or codes in the Bible. The words and messages of Scripture contain abundant truth to fulfill all our needs and equip us thoroughly for every good work (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17).