The Bible doesn’t explicitly discuss or endorse the practice of numerology as it is understood today – the belief in a mystical, divine, or other special relationship between a number and some coinciding events. However, numbers do have significance in the Bible, often symbolizing concepts or themes. For instance, the number seven is associated with completeness or perfection, while forty often symbolizes a period of testing or judgment. These symbolic uses of numbers in the Bible should not be confused with numerology, which often seeks to predict the future or unveil hidden knowledge. Biblical numbers serve more as a literary tool to convey spiritual truths or emphasize certain themes within the narrative.
Curious about the use of numbers in the Bible and how they differ from numerology? Dive into an exploration of the symbolic meanings of numbers in biblical texts.
What Does the Bible Say About Numerology?
Numerology, as a practice that seeks to divine the future or hidden knowledge through numbers, is not a concept supported or advocated in the Bible. However, the Bible does use numbers symbolically to convey deeper meanings or emphasize certain theological points.
In the biblical context, numbers are often used symbolically rather than as part of a mystical system. For example, the number seven appears frequently in the Bible and is generally associated with completeness or perfection, as seen in the creation story with God resting on the seventh day. Similarly, the number forty is often used in contexts of testing or trial, such as the Israelites wandering in the wilderness for forty years or Jesus fasting for forty days.
It’s important to distinguish this symbolic use of numbers from the practice of numerology. The Bible does not endorse using numbers to predict future events, unlock secret knowledge, or influence one’s fate. Such practices are generally viewed as being out of alignment with the biblical teachings on trust in God and His sovereignty.
The New Testament continues the use of numbers symbolically, most notably in the book of Revelation. Numbers like twelve, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, and the infamous number 666, symbolizing the beast or antichrist, are used to convey specific theological points rather than as a code to be deciphered for personal guidance.
In essence, while the Bible uses numbers symbolically to enrich its narratives and teachings, it does not support numerology in the way it is often practiced today. The biblical approach to numbers is more about understanding their symbolic significance within the context of God’s story and teachings.
Bible Verses About Numerology
- Genesis 1:31 – 2:2: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good… By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.” The number seven here symbolizes completeness and rest.
- Exodus 34:28: “Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.” The forty days and nights symbolize a period of testing and divine revelation.
- Matthew 4:2: “After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” This reference to forty days in Jesus’ life again symbolizes a period of testing and spiritual significance.
- Revelation 13:18: “This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.” The number 666 is symbolic of imperfection and evil, contrasting with the concept of perfection represented by the number seven.
- Joshua 6:3-4: “March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.” The use of seven here in the battle of Jericho symbolizes God’s divine intervention and completeness in victory.
- Ephesians 4:4-6: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” The repetition of the word “one” emphasizes the unity and singleness of God’s nature and the Christian faith.
- Revelation 7:4: “Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.” This number in Revelation symbolizes a large, but specific, number of people chosen from the twelve tribes of Israel, often interpreted symbolically rather than literally.
- Matthew 18:21-22: “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'” The use of seven and seventy-seven by Jesus here is symbolic of an unlimited amount of forgiveness, emphasizing the importance of continual forgiveness without limitation.
- Psalm 90:12: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” While not a specific number, this verse speaks to the value of recognizing the brevity and significance of life, encouraging wisdom and mindfulness.
- Luke 15:4: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” In this parable, Jesus uses the numbers one and ninety-nine to illustrate God’s concern and care for each individual, highlighting the value of every soul.
These verses demonstrate the symbolic use of numbers in the Bible to convey deeper meanings, spiritual truths, and theological concepts. Unlike numerology, which often seeks hidden messages or future predictions in numbers, the Bible uses numbers as part of its narrative storytelling to deepen understanding of its teachings and God’s nature.