Concise Bible Dictionary:
There can be little doubt that numerals are used in scripture as symbols; and by comparing the instances in which any numeral is employed the idea hidden in it may often be arrived at. The signification of some numbers is too obvious to be mistaken; that of others is less apparent. In some cases the symbolical number may be discovered where the numeral itself is not mentioned: as, for instance, under three we may class the law, the psalms, and the prophets; spirit, soul, and body, and so forth. A few references only are given here for each number.
ONE. Supremacy, exclusiveness.
One Jehovah (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 42:8; Zech. 14:9).
One God and Father (1 Cor. 8:6; Gal. 3:20; Mark 12:29; Eph. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:5).
“None other God but one,” one Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 8:4; Eph. 4:5).
One Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:11,13).
One mediator (1 Tim. 2:5).
One body (1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 4:4).
One hope, one faith, one baptism (Eph. 4:4-5).
One offering that has perfected forever the sanctified (Heb. 10:14).
TWO. Distinctness, and hence adequate testimony and fellowship when in agreement.
Two witnesses needful (Deut. 19:15; 2 Cor. 13:1).
Caleb and Joshua witnessed for the land (Num. 14:6-9).
Two spies sent over Jordan (Josh. 2:1).
Two olive trees typical of two witnesses (Zech. 4:3; Rev. 11:3-4).
God’s word and His oath show the immutability of His counsel (Heb. 6:17-18).
Two are to agree in asking (Matt. 18:19).
Two or three can be gathered to Christ’s name (Matt. 18:20).
THREE. Divine fullness or completeness, and hence perfection in testimony.
God—Father, Son, and Spirit. This fullness was pleased to dwell in the Son of His love (Col. 1:19).
Three times the voice came from heaven respecting the Lord Jesus (Matt. 3:17; Matt. 17:5; John 12:28).
The Lord Jesus is Prophet, Priest, and King; Son of God, Son of Man, and Son of David.
Three bear witness, the Spirit, the water, and the blood, “and these three agree in one” (1 John 5:7-8).
The scriptures, comprising the law, the prophets, and the psalms, bore witness to Christ (Luke 24:44).
Faith, hope, and love are elements of christian life here.
A three-fold cord is not easily broken (Eccl. 4:12), corresponding to perfection in testimony:
three also describes perfected experience (Luke 13:32; Gen. 22:4; Acts 9:9).
FOUR. Completeness in that which is created or ordained of God.
Four winds from the four quarters of the heaven (Jer. 49:36).
Four quarters of the earth (Rev. 20:8).
In the arranging the camp of Israel there were four standards (Num. 10:14-25).
Ezekiel saw four living creatures, each had four faces, four wings, and four hands (Ezek. 1:5-8; compare the four living creatures in Revelation 4:6).
FIVE. Human weakness in its appreciation of obligation.
In the dedication of the tabernacle each prince offered for a peace offering two oxen, five rams, five he goats, and five lambs (Num. 7:17-83).
Weakness in contrast to the power of the enemy: five should chase a hundred (Lev. 26:8).
The disciples could only provide five barley loaves and two small fishes when the five thousand were fed (John 6:9).
Paul said he would rather speak five words to teach others than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue (1 Cor. 14:19).
In the parable of the virgins there were five wise and five foolish (Matt. 25:2).
SIX. Incompleteness, imperfection (one short of the perfect number seven).
Solomon had six steps to his great throne, (1 Kings 10:19); but it was not elevated enough to save him from idolatry.
Six hundred sixty and six talents of gold were brought him in a year (1 Kings 10:14); yet he had to confess that all was vanity and vexation of spirit.
The Jews at Cana had six water-pots for purification (John 2:6); but they expressed the insufficiency of ordinances to meet man’s need.
The number of the imperial beast will be six hundred sixty and six (Rev. 13:18); being imperfect in every particular.
SEVEN. Spiritual completeness, generally in good but occasionally in evil.
It is the compound of three and four, and the highest single indivisible number.
Seven days in a week, every seventh day was a day of rest, every seventh year was a year of rest for the land, and every seven times seven years brought the jubilee.
Creation was complete on the seventh day, God’s rest being the result.
There were seven lamps to the golden candlestick (Num. 8:2; compare Zech. 4:2).
The blood was sprinkled before the Lord seven times (Lev. 4:6,17; Lev. 8:11).
The Christian is exhorted to keep the feast of seven days after the passover, which makes it a perpetual feast for him (1 Cor. 5:7-8).
John speaks of seven Spirits before the throne of God (Rev. 1:4).
There are seven abominations in man’s heart (Prov. 26:25).
The first beast has seven heads and ten horns (Rev. 13:1).
In the Revelation “seven” occurs frequently; the symbol is found therein more than seven times seven.
Forgiveness is to be “seventy times seven” (Matt. 18:22).
EIGHT. A new departure outside of, but connected with, creation-order: hence in resurrection.
Circumcision was on the eighth day, when a new communion was entered into.
Eight souls were saved in the ark, to commence a new world (1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5).
The new form of the future Roman empire will be the eighth (Rev. 17:11).
The resurrection-day may be called the eighth, the day after the seventh, the Jewish sabbath.
TEN. Complete ground of human responsibility.
Pharaoh was visited by ten plagues (Ex. 7-12).
The ten commandments (Ex. 34:28).
Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils to Melchisedek (Gen. 14:20).
The Israelites gave a tenth to the Levites, and they gave a tenth to the priests (Num. 18:21,26).
Ten virgins went forth to meet the bridegroom (Matt. 25).
There were ten servants to whom the pounds were entrusted (Luke 19:13).
In the last form of the Roman empire there will be ten kings (Rev. 17:12,16).
TWELVE. Completeness administratively, that is, in what is set forth or displayed manward.
(The first most divisible of the earlier numbers.) There were,
twelve patriarchs,
ancestors of the twelve tribes,
who are commemorated in the twelve loaves on the table,
the twelve stones in the breastplate and
twelve names on the shoulders of the high priest;
the twelve stones taken out of Jordan, and
the twelve stones placed in the bed of the river;
also in the woman with a crown of twelve stars (Rev. 12:1).
Through the twelve apostles the Lord fed the hungry multitudes.
The twelve apostles will sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes (Matt. 19:28).
The new Jerusalem will have twelve foundations for its walls
with the names of the twelve apostles;
it will have twelve gates,
consisting of twelve pearls,
with the names of the twelve tribes inscribed,
the gates will be attended by twelve angels (Rev. 21:12-21).
There are twelve hours in the day, in which the children of light may walk (John 11:9).
The flexibility of administrative perfection may be seen in:
Six-twos: Two apostles in each of the six companies sent to preach.
Two-sixes: Six loaves in each of the two rows of shewbread.
Three fours: Four rows of three names each on the breastplate.
Four-threes: Three gates on each of the four sides of the new Jerusalem.
FORTY = 10 x 4. Complete probation to bring to light good or evil.
Moses was forty years in the desert, being himself tried;
he was in the mount two periods of forty days, which were times of trial to the Israelites (Ex. 24:18; Ex. 34:28).
The spies were forty days searching the land (Num. 13:25).
The tribes were tested forty years in the wilderness (Acts 13:18).
Goliath challenged Israel forty days (1 Sam. 17:16).
Saul, David, Solomon, and Jehoash were each tested by a reign of forty years.
Elijah’s period of testing at Horeb was forty days.
Nineveh was given forty days for repentance (Jonah 3:4).
The Lord Jesus was under temptation forty days (Mark 1:13).
Bible Handbook:
The study of numbers was a favorite one with some of the learned in ancient times. It would be a curious, but certainly not a profitable, piece of work to lay before the reader the strange fancies, and wild and extravagant speculations in the use of certain numbers, as the expression of the superstition and philosophy of the heathen world. Some of these numbers as then used, were not wholly destitute of a measure of truth. The scattered rays of Divine light now and again emitted from these and other symbols of heathen faith and superstition, only corroborate the apostle’s account of the heathen world (Rom. 1). The study of Scripture numerals, however, will be found to yield no uncertain light, but will materially aid in the discovery of moral, dispensational, and prophetic glories. Need we say that here, as elsewhere, the regions of fancy and speculation must be shunned, and the student be content to be guided simply by the Spirit of God who leadeth into all truth. If this be done, the reader will find some interesting circumstances connected with Scripture numeration.
In the Lamentations of Jeremiah, we have a striking example of the use of the Hebrew alphabet. Chapters one, two, and four, consisting of 22 verses each, are arranged in strict alphabetical order, the 22 letters of the alphabet answering to the 22 verses in each chapter, and are found in the opening words of the verses. Our translation, of course, fails to convey this to the English reader. Then, in chapter three, we have once more the letters of the Hebrew alphabet enumerated in order, but with three verses to each letter. Chapter five, although consisting of 22 verses, is not alphabetically arranged. To the Hebrews, who had neither paragraph, chapter, nor other division in their ancient writings, this Divine arrangement must have been extremely useful, and shows the condescending care of our God in thus aiding the memories of His people. Again, in the longest of the Psalms — 119th — consisting of 22 sections of eight verses each, the Hebrew letters in alphabetical sequence head the sections.
The Jewish writers had an exalted idea of their sacred language — perhaps the primitive language of man — and used the letters of their alphabet in many striking combinations, thus they reduced the 39 books comprising the Old Testament to 22; this they accomplished by coupling certain books and counting them as one. But the reader would do well to turn from the vagaries of man, which, at the most, contain but an element of truth to the word itself. Search these imperishable records, they contain the truth; they are the living source, the Divine fountain, while all else are but muddied channels.
One
This numeral is the sign of Divine unity and absolute supremacy. We have a complete circle described in Ephesians 4:4-6, consisting of seven distinct unities as one body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. Three is the sign of Divine manifestation, and seven of spiritual completeness. Notice then, dear reader, that the first three unities are the inward manifestations of God, as believers only are comprehended; the second three unities are the outward manifestations of God, as profession is contemplated, while the unity and supremacy of the whole is maintained by God “above,” “through,” and “in all,” and lastly, as seven is the number denoting spiritual completeness, we have thus a complete, perfect, and unbroken circle described. However sceptical the reader may be upon the subject of Scripture numeration, he cannot, at least, question the evident design in the writing of this passage, which, if read in the light of the numbers we have indicated, will help immensely in grasping the wide and comprehensive scope of the Scripture as a whole.
We will turn to another interesting passage as showing the designed combination of certain numbers. In Ephesians 4, we had numerals one, three, and seven; but in the Gospel of John 17, we have one, two, and four. The Divine unity of the Father and the Son; unity of the apostles in their extraordinary mission; unity of the disciples in present testimony, and their future unity in glory are taught in these heart-breathings of the blessed Lord. As four contemplates man and creation, and two fullness of testimony, we can readily see the value of these numbers in this grand chapter; the whole regard man as such, the first two affording testimony to believers; the last two to the world. Surely, too, we are taught the unity of the governmental attributes of Jehovah in the golden cherubim, being of one measure and one size (1 Kings 6:25). Is not the unity of the race, spite of the objections of the learned, expressly declared by Paul in the great and intellectual city of Athens (Acts 17:26)? The professing church needs to be recalled to the meaning of this Divine number. Is she not gradually and surely slipping away from the unity of Christ’s one sacrifice of Himself (Heb. 9), and her unity of worship — one altar (2 Chron. 32:12)? These instances are only samples of what may be gleaned in the rich fields of Holy Scripture.
Two
The expression of ample and competent testimony is the meaning of this number. The two witnesses of the Apocalypse (Rev. 11:3), signify a full testimony borne to Christ in His royal and priestly rights in the coming days of the tribulation (verse 4). The two calves of gold set up by King Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:28), are the full expression of Israel’s idolatry, while the ministry of the two prophets — Elijah and Elisha — furnish a full testimony on Jehovah’s part to the idolatrous nation. The water and the blood which came from the pierced side of the Saviour, were a two-fold witness to the efficacy of His death — the one being for purification of sin, the other for expiation of sin (John 19:34; 1 John 5:6). The two pillars of brass (1 Kings 7:15) in the temple of old, bear their testimony to the enduring character of millennial glory. The testimony to Israel’s moral condition is set forth in the two blind men (Matt. 9:27); while the Messiah-ship of Jesus to the nation was competently witnessed to by the disciples sent out two by two (Mark 6:7); the twelve apostles are named and described in pairs (Matt. 10:2-4). Jehovah’s testimony of old to the full work of atonement, is expressed in the two birds, alive and clean (Lev. 14:4), and the two goats (Lev. 16). The two tables of the testimony (Deut. 4:13) demanded righteousness from man. The two Testaments reveal God to man. The gold and the shittim-wood set forth the two-fold nature of the Lord as divine and human. Jesus is the second person in the God-head, and bears a double testimony to man’s guilt and God’s grace. “The testimony of two men is true” (John 8:17), would surely, in connection with the Scriptures already referred to, along with Matthew 9:27; Genesis 6:19; Leviticus 5:7, etc. amply confirm the signification given to this number.
Three
This is a number of very frequent occurrence in the Scriptures, as the following list will show: — Three bear witness (1 John 5:8); three persons in the God-head (Matt. 28:19); threefold cry of the Seraphim (Isa. 6:3); three Christian graces (1 Cor. 13:13); three languages in the title over the cross (Luke 23:38); three calls to the earth (Jer. 22:29); three times a year (Deut. 16:16); three cities of refuge (Deut. 4:41); three times a day Daniel prayed (Dan. 6:13); three men appeared to Abraham (Gen. 18:2); three-fold priestly blessing (Num. 6:24-26); three times Peter denied Christ (Mark 14:72); three times Peter beheld the vision (Acts 10:16); three times Paul besought the Lord for the removal of the thorn (2 Cor.12:8); three measures of meal (Matt. 13:33); Jonas three days and three nights; Son of Man three days and three nights (Matt. 12:40). Revelation 4 and 5 will furnish a large number of similar instances.
This numeral, signifying Divine testimony and Divine completeness, may generally be regarded as the sign number of what is Divine; but certain Scriptures, as the third day in creation, the third in Christ’s resurrection, and the third of Israel’s revival, would also lead us to regard this number as the sign of resurrection in things moral, physical, and spiritual. (See the following texts: — Luke 13:32; Matt. 12:40; Hos. 6:2; 1 Cor. 15:4; Gen. 1: 11-12, etc.)
Four
This number is evidently the sign of universality. It is generally employed when man, the world, or the whole scene of creation is contemplated; where largeness, breadth, and scope are in view, then this number is the one generally used. The following selection will satisfy even the incredulous on this point: — Four universal monarchies (Dan. 2 and 7); four views of the heavenly Jerusalem (Rev. 21); four views of the earthly Jerusalem (Ezek. 48); four rivers fertilizing the earth (Gen. 2); four winds of heaven, four corners of the earth, four trumpets, and four living creatures (Revelation); four sore judgments, four faces, four sides, and four wings (Ezekiel); four horns and four workmen (Zech. 1:18-21); four chariots (Zech. 6:1); and we have the four gospels to complete our abridged list.
Five
This numeral is not of such frequent occurrence, and is thus not so easily read as those already considered, yet it has its own significance. We regard it as the expression of weakness. Would not David’s five smooth stones with which he smote the giant, the five loaves so wondrously multiplied by Christ, five chasing an hundred (Lev. 26:8), flight at the rebuke of five (Isa. 30:17), significantly express weakness as the import of this number? Israel went up out of Egypt by five in a rank (Ex. 13:18, see margin; Josh. 1:14, see margin). Was that not weakness in contrast to the might of Egypt? But in such passages as Numbers 5:7; Daniel 2:32-33; Matthew 25:2, etc. human responsibility is evidently the teaching. This number and its multiples are largely used in the measurements and arrangements of those parts of the tabernacle and temple which express human responsibility and testimony towards man. Five is a number specially connected with man, as the five books of Moses; the five books comprehended under the general title, “the Psalms” (Luke 24:44) as Job, Book of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon — and which lay bare the heart of man; the fifth book of Moses, which regards the people as a whole; the five parts of the Gentile image (Dan. 2); five words with my understanding (1 Cor. 14:19). In this connection five is an interesting number.
Six
The root idea in this number is non-completeness — what is short of perfection. The six water pots of stone (John 2:6), according to Jewish ordinance, witnessed the imperfection of man and ordinances to bring in blessing; the continually recurring six days’ labour shows the non-completeness of man’s work — his work can never reach a full and final result; the six things which the Lord hates do not convey the thought of the completion of evil, “Yea, seven (completeness) are an abomination unto Him” (Prov. 6:16); there is deliverance says Job in six troubles, but “in seven there shall no evil touch thee” (Job 5:19) — there you have the final result. Solomon’s glory comes short of perfection, hence the six steps to his ivory throne (1 Kings 10:19) and his yearly revenue of gold — 666 talents (1 Kings 10:14). The number of the beast or world-power energized by Satan is 666 (Rev. 13:18), and the number of Pharaoh’s chosen chariots were 600 (Ex. 14:7), again expressing satanic power. Thus this number, and as variously multiplied, whether viewed in relation to man or Satan, ever present an incomplete result.
Seven
Seven is more frequently employed in Scripture than any other symbolic numeral; the following list is capable of considerable extension. In Revelation alone, it occurs upwards of 50 times, as seven churches, seven candlesticks, seven stars, seven lamps, seven angels, seven spirits, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven vials, seven plagues, seven crowns, seven horns, seven eyes, seven thunders. Then we have seven nations destroyed (Acts 13:19), and seven deacons chosen (Acts 6:3); seven demons cast out (Mark 16:9); seven sons of Saul (2 Sam. 21:9), and seven sons of Jesse (1 Sam. 16:10); seven times Naaman dipped in Jordan (2 Kings 5:14); seven altars and seven bullocks (Num. 23:29); seven priests and seven horns (Josh. 6:4); the blood was sprinkled seven times before the mercy seat (Lev. 16); and the leper sprinkled seven times (Lev. 14). There were seven feasts of Jehovah; certain of the feasts lasted seven days. The Sabbath was the seventh day. Enoch was the seventh from Adam; Moses the seventh from Abraham. Seventy times seven is the measure of forgiveness (Matt. 18:22). This numeral is a characteristic one in all Divine matters, and, as it is composed of numbers three and four, the former the sign of divinity and the latter of creation, its abundant use in the Bible must impress the careful reader with its significance. Many of the sevens are clearly divided into four and three. This the reader will find helpful to carefully note, and which he may verify for himself in the seven kingdom parables of Matthew 13, in the seven feasts of Jehovah (Lev. 23), and in the seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven vials of the Apocalypse. We would understand this number as expressing spiritual perfection and completion, either of good or evil.
Eight
We have ‘Resurrection’ expressed in numbers three and eight; in the former, it is resurrection for man, on his behalf; in the latter, it is the believer’s new place and new beginning in Christ risen. Seven completing the circle of God’s ways on earth, eight would point to the eternal rest of God. This number, therefore, we regard as the sign of Resurrection, of Eternity, of a new Epoch. We submit the following texts in confirmation: — John 20:26; Luke 9:28; 1 Peter 3:20; Genesis 21:4; Leviticus 14:23; 2 Peter 2:5; John 7:37, etc.
Nine
This may be a symbolic number, but of this we cannot speak with certainty. As original numbers multiplied express greater intensity of thought, it has been suggested that, as nine is a multiplication of three by three, the value of this latter number, but proportionately increased, must be sought for in the occurrences of ‘nine’ in Holy Scriptures. It is several times used in the religious ordinances of old, (Num. 29:26; Lev. 25:22). It is marked as the hour of prayer more than once in the New Testament, Acts 3:1; 10:3,30; Luke 17:17. It is an hour marked off from every hour before or since that moment, when Christ gave utterance to His great agony, “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34). The darkness and the cry of desertion were both at the “ninth hour.”
Ten
This number measures responsibility towards God, as five does towards man. In the ten curtains, ten pillars, and ten sockets of the tabernacle, we have expressed responsibility to God; the same in the ten commandments, in which the prohibitory word “not” occurs ten times. We have also “God said,” ten times repeated in Genesis 1. The people’s failure in wilderness responsibility is expressed in the ten times they tempted Jehovah (Num. 14:22-23). Pharaoh’s responsibility to God is noted in the ten times he hardened his heart, and is measured in judgment by the ten plagues. This number is also found in the same signification in Revelation 17; Leviticus 27:32; 1 Kings 7; Zechariah 5:2; Luke 15:8. This numeral is of very frequent occurrence, and is often used in various multiplied forms in the ordinances of Israel, and in the tabernacle and temple measurements.
Eleven
We cannot say much upon this number, but it seems to us as if it presented incompleteness of earthly administration. Divine authority administered on or towards the earth, is expressed in the number “twelve,” and, as eleven is short of that, we gather that the signification given is correct; thus, Jehoiakim reigned eleven years (2 Kings 23:36); and Zedekiah, last king of Judah, eleven years (2 Kings 24:18); thus the administration of royal authority comes short in these reigns. Again we have the eleven disciples (Matt. 28:16) and eleven apostles (Acts 1:26); eleven stars (Gen. 37:9); eleven sons (Gen. 32:22); eleven curtains (Ex. 26:7-8); eleven cities (Josh. 15:51); and eleventh hour (Matt. 20:6-9). It will be observed that in all these instances incompleteness of administration is signified.
Twelve
This number signifies the administration of Divine government on or over the earth; also regarded as the sign of Israel’s unity, as in the twelve cakes of shewbread (Lev. 24:5); “one bread” or loaf is the expression of church unity (1 Cor. 10:17). The government of the glorified saints over creation is viewed in Revelation 21; there are twelve gates, twelve angels, twelve foundations, twelve pearls, twelve apostles, twelve tribes, twelve manner of fruits. The special government of Israel is committed to the twelve apostles, who will sit on twelve thrones (Matt.19:28). Israel’s place of supremacy and administrative authority amongst the nations, is set forth in her twelve gates (Ezek. 48:31-34). Then we have twelve patriarchs (Acts 7:8); twelve precious stones in the breast-plate (Ex. 28:21); twelve legions of angels (Matt. 26:53); twelve stones taken out of the Jordan, and twelve stones put into the Jordan (Josh. 4:8,9); twelve wells of water (Ex. 15:27); twelve oxen (1 Kings 7:25). Christ at twelve years of age is found amongst the doctors at Jerusalem.
Thirteen.
So far as we know, this is not a symbolic number, and its occurrence is but rare in Scripture. It is an interesting circumstance, however, that the present descendants of Ishmael circumcise their male youths when they reach the age of thirteen. Ishmael, it will be remembered, was circumcised when he was thirteen years old, the rite moreover, was confined to the line of Isaac, and to be administered when eight days old (Gen. 17:25).
Forty
This number is a very frequent one in the Scriptures. It expresses a period of full trial and probation. A few clear instances of the use of this number will show its signification. Jesus was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness, where, “with the wild beasts,” He was tempted forty days. Matthew informs us that Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights, thus, as the dependent man trusting in Jehovah, He was fully tried, and in every way tested, and, not only for forty days, but besides, for forty nights. During that long probationary period, He waited in patience for the coming-in of Jehovah — He lived upon His every word; the trial only brought out His deep perfection as man, and His obedience as servant and minister of His Father’s grace. Israel’s forty years’ wanderings in the wilderness was the full testing and proving of the people; and what was the result? Murmurs and complaints. Moses lived forty years in the court of Pharaoh — a full term, for manhood was then reached (Heb. 11:24) — he there acquired those essential qualifications which shone so pre-eminently in the law-giver, but which he could renounce for the reproach of Christ; again, he spent forty years in Horeb, another full period of trial and moral preparation for the work assigned him in conducting the Lord’s redeemed through the wilderness, this service also lasting forty years. The reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon each extended during the full period of forty years. God would visit the haughty spirit of Egypt with a forty years period of judgment and desolation (Ezek. 29:13-14). Nineveh was threatened with judgment after the probationary period of forty days had run its course; wisely they employed the time in repenting and seeking the Lord, and so averted the judgment. Isaac’s age — forty years — when he married, and Esau’s age, also forty when married, are circumstances to be regarded in the light of this symbolic number. The spies were out viewing the land forty days; Moses was forty days and forty nights in the mount with God; Elijah fasted forty days and forty nights; punishment by stripes was restricted to forty (Deut. 25:3); an Israelitish mother’s purification after the birth of a man-child was forty days (Lev. 12:2-4); and Ezekiel (ch. 4:6) was to bear the iniquity of Judah forty days — a day for a year. Full trial and testing, with the object of bringing out what is of man, and to strengthen what God has wrought in the soul is very clearly the teaching of these and numerous other texts containing the same number.
We have other numbers — as seventy, one hundred and twenty, and one hundred and forty four — which convey their own lessons to those who are willing patiently to learn; but we need not pursue the subject further, as these multiplied numbers will yield their meaning and precious lessons too by adding together the value of the respective figures necessary to form the larger numeral. Thus in forty we have the combination of four and ten, besides the ten, four times repeated, thus expressing greater intensity in the thought attached to that numeral; again in seven, we have four and three; in one hundred and forty-four, 12 by 12.
“Thousands of thousands” signify countless myriads.
Satan counterfeits those numbers to which what is Divine is attached, as three, seven, ten. For this, consult the Apocalypse where Satan’s last actings in the closing days are described.
The following extract is from an excellent article on this subject in Helps for Wayfarers — a Canadian publication of real merit: —
“The books of the Old Testament are 36 in number (counting Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles as one book each, as is really the fact). The simplest division of 36 is into 3 by 12. Put this into meaning according to the symbolism of these figures, and what do we find? Three is the Divine and 12 The governmental number; taken together they give you ‘God in government.’ What more precise definition could we have for the books of the Law?
“But the books of the New Testament are 27 in number. And this is the cube of three: it is 3 times 3 times 3; the most absolutely perfect number that can be, the only one into which none but the symbol of Divine fullness enters or can enter. Thus it is God and only God — God in His own absolute perfection — revealed in the New Testament pages — in the gospel of His grace.
“According to the common reckoning in our Bibles, Christ was born into the world in about the 4000th year of it. Now examine this date according to already-established principles. For forty centuries, then (less or more), the world’s probation lasted, and this forty as we have already seen to be the mark and measure of full probation.
“But whence the other factor? Whence the century? Let us only consider that Isaac was a type of the true ‘Child of Promise,’ and then we shall easily remember that his birth took place when Abraham’s body was now dead, when he was about a hundred years old. ... How significant and easily applicable to One greater far! born in the fortieth century of the world’s probation, when all flesh was seen as dead, and in the power of God new life began for man in Christ.”
“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing” (Rev. 5:11-12).