One of the interesting aspects of a number of ancient languages like Hebrew is that in their written form, where we have numbers and letters, they have only letters. In each language there are no numeric characters but the letters are also used as numbers. The context told the reader the word was a reference to a numeric value or not. The interesting outcome of this is that when a word is written, it also has a numeric equivalent. Applied in reverse, when a number is written, it has a word equivalent.
One such word that many Christians today are familiar with is the word "tithe". Its numeric value is "one tenth", its word meaning is "gift to God".
When it is used in Biblical text, the word "tithe" will mean either "one tenth" or "gift to God" and the context in which the word is used will indicate which is the correct meaning. The most well known use of the word in the Bible is Malachi 3:10 - "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse ..." Given the context of this verse in the chapter where it appears, the "tithe" referred to is "gifts to God", and not "one tenth", however Bible teachers who do not understand the use of "numerical words" like tithe say it means both, ie. "one tenth, being the predetermined amount one gives to God". This is incorrect and has led many to believe erroneously that God demands one tenth of their income as a gift to Him, simply because they lack understanding of word usage in ancient texts.
Another "numeric word" in our vocabulary is "century". Numerically it means "one hundred"; as a word it signifies "completeness" in terms of a significant milestone that is rarely reached. It is one of the few words in the English language to have retained its double meaning when specifically used such as in the game of cricket. In its application in ancient texts, the word means both a period of 100 years, and a significant milestone rarely reached. In cricket, when a cricketer scores a century, he/she a) scores 100 runs, and b) completes a predetermined level of achievement by which his/her degree of success as a batter is calculated.
Symbols that had been pre-determined and taught, along with these word equivalents of a numerical value were often used by the ancient prophets in their writings, particularly to the Children of Israel during their time in captivity, as a way of getting out God's message at a time where their practice of worshipping God was forbidden by their captors.
People of that day were generally illiterate and would have received only a very basic education by today’s standards. Learning to count to ten (or twenty if they used their toes) would have occurred at home, but words that also had a numeric value as well as those with a prophetic (symbolic) value, were taught simultaneously by the religious leaders long before they were taken captive. Likewise, the symbolic words that are scattered through the writings of the ancient prophets would have been taught at that time, and so, whenever the scriptures were read, their real meaning would have been understood by all.
When the Hebrews were in captivity and forbidden to practice their faith, they were still able to be taught the principles of that faith without the authorities realising this via the use of symbolic words and numbers. This was important for the likes of Daniel whose writings were actually foretelling about the kings and kingdoms under which they were being held captive. Daniel therefore wrote about Statues and Beasts (a Beast represented a ruling or authoritative power).
Over time, religious leaders, believing that the scriptures were divinely inspired, used Midrash, a word meaning “to study” or “textual interpretation”, as an exegetical method of finding, interpreting and elaborating deeper meanings written into scriptural text.
Midrash had been defined as “a Jewish mode of interpretation that not only engages the words of the text, behind the text, and beyond the text, but also focuses on each letter, and the words left unsaid by each line”. The parables told by Jesus require a simplistic form of Midrash to understand their deeper spiritual meaning. The term now also refers to the large collections of Halakhic and Haggadic materials that take the form of a running commentary on the Bible and that were deduced from Scripture by this exegetical method.
For us today, understanding these alternative meanings of the scriptures, particularly when reading prophetic texts like Daniel, Ezekiel and Revelation that were all written at a time of oppressive foreign rule, is essential in understanding what these books are about. By not being able to determine the true meaning of what was being said or to not even know or realise that numbers and some words are symbolic, we will be like the captors of the Israelites and never understand what was actually being said. We must therefore learn to recognise those symbols and interpret them as they are keys to unlocking the real but hidden meaning of what is being said. Without doing this, the words make as much sense to us today as they did to the captors of the Children of Israel in the day they were written.
Whether these intricate numeric and symbolic codes were man made or God ordained is not clear, but they do exist and are vital in understanding the true meaning of the book of Revelation, for example, as it is full of them. The first verse of the Book of Revelation states that the book was given in symbolic or 'signature' form, thus all numbers written into the text do not refer to their numeric value but to their 'signature' meaning (eg. 8 represents a new beginning).
Like certain numbers, certain words also have a symbolic meaning; these must be interpreted and the interpretation substituted for the symbol (both numeric and descriptive) to reveal what is actually being said.
Just as many words have a symbolic meaning that must be applied every time the word is used rather than being taken literally, so all numbers have to be read in a similar manner. For those in Biblical days who were used to the inter-changeability of words and numbers, the interpretation of prophecy in this way would have been relatively simple. As we today neither use this method of writing nor are we familiar with the idea of words having numeric values, unravelling these 'mysteries' takes us into unfamiliar territory and is fraught with danger unless we first become familiar with these symbols and their meanings.
Knowing not only that each number has a meaning but how to apply that meaning and to remember to apply it at all times is essential in correctly interpreting Bible prophecy. Failure to do this will take the reader down a wrong path and is the main reason why there are so many different interpretations as to what the Book of Revelation is really saying – the symbols are causing the confusion they were meant to cause in the minds of the reader who does not realise a code is in use, or has not interpreted the code to understand the text’s true meaning.
To substitute the numbers and symbols in the Book of Revelation is what the writer of the book is referring to when he says "let them that have ear to hear, hear what the words being spoken". As an example, Revelation 13: 18 warns, "Here is room for wisdom and call for discernment, let anyone with insight calculate the name of the Beast and the number of his name ..." In other words, "Here the reader has to have the wisdom and insight to recognise where symbols are being used, and that in this instance the interpretation of the name of the beast and the beast’s number will identify him and his modus operandi.”
Determining the meanings represented by the numbers and symbols are the 'ears' needed to hear the hidden message in what the writer is really saying. So when reading The Book of Revelation, whenever you come across a number, simply apply the meaning of that number as detailed below to read the verse how the writer intended you to hear it. In a similar way, familiarise yourself with the symbols used in prophetic texts, so that when you come across a symbolic word in The Book of Revelation, substitute it for what it symbolises to reveal that which has been hidden.
Those who don't know the meaning of numbers and symbols don't recognise them when they occur, and so they have no understanding of what is actually being said. Again in the Book of Revelation, when it says the ten horns of the beast are ten kings, this does not necessarily mean that it is talking about ten individual people. The number ten symbolises ordinal perfection from a human point of view, therefore the reference to ten kings is more than likely a reference to the ordinal perfection from a human point of view of human kings, of whom there are an unspecified number.
The 'sum total' may be 3, or 7, or 10 or 245 individual kings, but because the reference is to all of them, the symbolic number 10 is used. They may not be kings, either; the word 'kings' is used in prophecy to describe any form of human power. That having been said, many numbers that have appeared in prophecies have had a literal value in their prophetic fulfilment, e.g. the era of Papal reign during the Middle Ages lasted exactly 1,260 years (3.5 prophetic years), in accordance with Revelation 13:5 if one interprets the Beast as being the Roman Catholic Church. In this instance, the prophetic symbolism related both to the reign of the first Beast, and to that reign represent the midway point (3 ½ years) on their journey of spiritual perfection (7 years) but history shows the duration given was literal in terms of prophetic years (12,60). Such instances give validity to or identification of the prophetic fulfilment.
Any number to the power of two (multiplied by itself) represents attaining completeness or maturity in whatever that number represents, The number 100 therefore represents attaining human completeness (human ordinal perfection) (10 x 10).
Any number to the power of three represents God's perfection in whatever that number represents. Thus, a reference to 1,000 years (10 x 10 x 10) is not always a millennium in man's calculation of time, but refers to a complete dispensation of time (from beginning to end) in the order of man. The millennium reign of Christ is therefore not referring to an actual thousand-year period of time (10 x 10 x 10 = 1,000), but to an era of divine completeness for man of unspecified length in man's calculation of time.
The following is a summary of numbers found in the Bible that were used by the writers of the scriptures as symbols that reveal the true meaning or context of the text being read. In some instances. Not all numbers necessarily reflect a meaning other than its numeric value, as in some cases an actual meaning cannot be determined by the number’s usage.
1= Unity, Oneness, sovereignty, light. (used 1898 times). Eph 4.1-6; Jn 10.30; 1 Jn 5.7; Zec 12.10; Gal 3.20. H0441, 0502
The number 1 is only divisible by itself. It is independent of any other numeral yet composes them all. Its meaning in the Bible centres on the unity and primacy of the God family being one.
The first thing designated as Holy is God's Sabbath Day (verses 1 to 3 in Genesis 2). The first person called a prophet is Abraham (Genesis 20:7).
The first of the ten commandments, on which all others are founded, is "Worship no god but me" (Exodus 20:3).
2= conveys the meaning of both a union, or the verification of facts by witnesses (used 808 times). It also denotes division, however this is usually represented in scripture as halves (1/2), being the segments created after the division of a whole. (Gen 2.23-24, Lev 14.4-7, Rev 11.3, Gen 1.6, Gen 3.15
A man and woman, though two in number, are made one in marriage (Genesis 2:23 - 24). There is also a union of 2 between Christ and the church (see 1Corinthians 12).
The testimony of at least 2 people was needed in the Old Testament to convict someone of a crime or sin. This was validated in the New Testament by 1 Timothy 5:19, Titus 3:10). Jesus sent the disciples out in groups of 2 to act as witnesses of his teachings and miracles. Mark 6:7 - 13). In the book of Revelation, two witnesses testify to and uphold the truth of God against the Beast and the False Prophet (see Revelation 11). Two can also convey comparison and contrast. The Old Covenant was based on physical blessings for obedience while the New is based on those that are spiritual.
3= God's authority, divine perfection, unity, completion in God. (used 467 times). John 14.6, Rev 18.8
There were three righteous patriarchs before the flood - Abel, Enoch and Noah. After the deluge, there was the three righteous "fathers" in Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (later renamed Israel).
There are 27 books in the New Testament, which is three cubed, or completeness to the third power.
Jesus prayed three times in the Garden of Gethsemane before His arrest. He was placed on the cross at the 3rd hour of the day (9 a.m.) and died at the 9th hour. There were 3 hours of darkness that covered the land while Jesus was suffering on the cross from the 6th hour to the 9th hour. This is the number of resurrection. Christ was dead for three full days and nights, a total of 72 hours, before being resurrected on Saturday, April 8, just before sunset.
God is described, in the very beginning of the book of Revelation, as having the three fold characteristic, "which is, and which was, and which is to come" (Revelation 1:4).
There are 3 great periods of annual Feast days of Israelite worship. They are the spring festivals (Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread), the summer festival (Pentecost) and the fall festivals (Feast of Trumpets, Atonement and Feast of Tabernacles).
4= The world, creativity, material completeness. (305 times). Gen 1.14-19, Rom 8.19-22, Rev 5.13, Rev 4.6-8, Ex 27.1-2
The Garden of Eden had a river that parted into the headwaters of four other rivers. These rivers were the Pison, Gihon, Hiddekel and the Euphrates (Genesis 2:10 - 14).
North, south, east and west are described as the corners of the earth, and from them blow the four winds.
5= Divine grace, heavenly favour, love. (318 times). Eph 4.11, John 6.1-10, Rom 11.5-6
The Ten Commandments contains two sets of 5 commandments. The first five commandments are related to our treatment and relationship with God with the remaining one concerned with our relationship with others humans.
The 'tabernacle in the wilderness' profoundly reflects God's grace in its use of the number 5. This tabernacle five curtains, bars, pillars and sockets (Exodus 26:3, 26 - 27, 37) and an altar made of wood that was five cubits long and five cubits wide (Exodus 27:1). The height of the court within the tabernacle was five cubits (Exodus 27:18).
6= man's nature apart from the Divine, human, the ego, carnal, ungodly, weakness and inadequacies of man (199 times). Gen 1.24-31, Ex 24.15-18, Dan 3.1-30, Rev 13.18.
Man was created on day six of creation week. Men are appointed 6 days to labor.
A Hebrew slave had to serve 6 years before he could be released in the 7th year. Six years were appointed for the land to be sown and harvested.
The bringing together of triple six is the mark of the end time Beast power of Revelation. As such, it represents the very best system of governance that mankind can produce without God.
7= Godly completeness, spiritual perfection, God's seal, rest. (735 times). Lev 23.15-16, Rev 10.7, 16.17, Gen 7.2, Joshua 6.1-6. "seventh" used 118 times.
The seventh day of creation (Genesis 1) was a day of rest to celebrate, revue and rest after a week of work. This is still part of our working week.
In Matthew 13, the seven parables reflect the seven steps one must take in order to attain spiritual perfection. These are reflected in the sevens of the Book of Revelation.
There are seven notes in the musical scale, comprising of an octave. The eight note is the beginning of a another octave.
8= new beginnings, new birth, resurrection, Jesus. (used 80 times). Gen 17.12, I Sam 16.1-12, Lev 23.26
The eighth day is the beginning of a new week.
At the end of the flood, the number of people that were saved aboard Noah’s Ark was 8. Since the symbolism of four in the Bible is derived from God's creation of everything, 8 (4 + 4) pictures the new creation after the flood.
Boys were to be circumcised on the 8th day.
9 = divine completeness; finality, often resulting in judgement. (used 49 times). Gal 5.22-23. I Cor 12.8-10, Ex 27.12.
Used 49 times in Scripture, the number 9 symbolizes divine completeness or conveys the meaning of finality. Jesus died at hour nine of the day, or 3 p.m.
The total destruction of Jerusalem's temple began, on the Hebrew Calendar, on Ab 9. It was also on this day that the second (also known as Herod's) temple was burned to the ground by the Romans in 70 A.D.
10= Perfection of order, law & responsibility, ordinal perfection. (used 242 times). Rom 8.38, I Cor 6.9-10. It is made up of 4, which represents the physical creation, and 6, which symbolizes man. As such, the meaning of 10 is one of testimony, law, responsibility and the completeness of order.
Ten generations of man lived on the earth before the flood waters came and swept away all those who were disobedient. Noah, the tenth generation, was 600 years when he and seven other family members entered the ark.
10 plagues were sent on ancient Egypt, in order to free his people, represented his complete and total judgment of the pagan empire
11= Subversion, disorder, martyrdom. the False Prophet of the Book of Revelation is the 11th horn. (24 times). Gen 10.15-18. Ex 14.19-20, Deut 1.2.
In the Bible, 11 is used twenty-four times and "11th" can be found 19 times.
Coming after 10 (which represents law and responsibility), eleven (11) represents the opposite, which is the irresponsibility of breaking the Law, which brings disorder and judgment.
Moses was commanded to make 11 curtains for the tabernacle in the wilderness (Exodus 26:7 - 8).
12= Governmental completeness/ family, serving as a perfect governmental foundation. (187 times). Matt 19.28, I Kings 4.7, Job 38.32, Num 13.1-33, Ex 15.27.
There were 12 tribes in the original nation of Israel; in the New Testament, there were 12 disciples and later, 12 apostles.
According to the Book of Revelation, the New Jerusalem contains 12 gates made of pearl that are each manned by an angel. Over each gate will be one of the names of Israel's twelve tribes. The walls are 144 cubits high (12 multiplied by itself - Revelation 21:16 - 17), with the city itself being 12,000 furlongs square.
The high priest's breastplate, also called the breastplate of decision, had 12 stones embedded in it. Each stone represented a tribe of Israel. The Urim and Thummim were part of the High Priest's breastplate. They were primarily used to consult God regarding important matters (1Samuel 28: 3 - 6, Numbers 27:21 and so on).
Of all the numerals found in scripture, twelve, along with three, four, seven and ten, are unmistakably used in a symbolic fashion in God's word.
13= rebellion, corruption, Satan. Drakon or dragon has a value of 975 (13 x 75) and it occurs 13 times. Peirazon or tempter has a value of 1053 (13 x 81). Belial which is personification of evil has a value of 78 (13 x 6). Anthropoktonos or "murderer" has a value of 1820 (13 x 40). Ophis or "serpent" is 780 (13 x 60). The phrase used by the Holy Spirit Ho kaloumenos diablos kai ho Satanas or "called the Devil and Satan" is valued 2197 (13 x 13 x 13). (15 times). Mark 4.21-22, Gen 14.4, Est 3.8-13, Rom 1.28-31; Ge 48.20
The destruction of Jericho is stamped with the number 13, for the city was marched around for six straight days, and on the seventh day, it was marched seven times, making thirteen total.
Haman the Agagite had a decree signed on the thirteenth day of the first month that on the thirteenth day of the 12th month all Jews in the Persian Empire were to be killed (Esther 3:7 - 9).
In Mark 7 Jesus mentions thirteen things that defile a person. They are adulteries, fornications, evil thoughts, murders, covetousness, thefts, wickedness, licentiousness, guile, blasphemy, foolishness, pride and an evil eye (Mark 7:20 - 23).
14= deliverance/ salvation. (26 times). Ex 12.6-7, Matt 1.17.
Seven represents completion., thus, 7 + 7 = 14 indicates a double completion (Godly completeness, spiritual perfection) x 2, resulting in deliverance and salvation.
The fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover, when God delivered the firstborn of Israel from death. Some 430 years earlier, on the night of day 14 of the first month (Nisan), God made two covenant promises to Abraham.
15= rest, covering. (24 times). Lev 23.6-7, 34-35, Est 9.20-22.
The number 15 in the Bible pictures rest, which comes after deliverance, represented by fourteen. The 15th day of the first Hebrew month (Nisan) is the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a day of rest for the children of Israel (and for Christians). The 15th day of the seventh Hebrew month begins the Feast of Tabernacles, also a day of rest.
God told Abraham in a vision, just as the sun was setting to begin Nisan 15 on the Hebrew calendar, that his descendants would end up as slaves in a foreign country (Egypt). They would, however, eventually be set free (Genesis 15:12 - 16).
Many years later in Egypt, God miraculously delivered Israel's firstborn from the death angel just as Passover began after sunset (Nisan 14). Then, 24 hours later (just as the sun was setting to begin Nisan 15), the children of Israel began to leave Egypt (Exodus 12:40 - 41). This night is referred to as the 'night to be much observed' (Exodus 12:40 - 42, Deuteronomy 16:1). God's prophecy of freedom, given to Abraham on Nisan 15, was fulfilled years later on the exact same day.
The first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Nisan 15) pictures rest from their sins, having had them removed by Christ's shed blood on Passover. The 15th day of the 7th month begins the Feast of Tabernacles. For the children of Israel, it pictured rest from the long harvest season. They were to dwell in booths in remembrance of their trek in the wilderness.
There are at least fifteen promises to Christians listed in the book of Matthew.
1) The Kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3)
2) We will be filled with righteousness (5:6)
3) We shall see God (5:8)
4) We will be called the children of God (5:9)
5) Our names confessed before God the Father (10:32)
6) We will be given rest (11:29)
7) God will consider us part of his family (12:50)
8) We shall become fully converted (18:3)
9) We shall be great in God's Kingdom (18:4)
10) We will be able to receive Christ (18:5)
11) Our requests made with others will be granted (18:19)
12) Christ will be with us (18:20)
13) We will be saved (24:13)
14) We serve Jesus by serving others (25:40)
15) Jesus will always be with us (28:19)
16= Love. (23 times). 1 Cor 13.4-8; cf. 2 Chr 29.17
17= victory, accomplishment, overcoming the enemy.
The Bible contains exactly 17 historical books from Genesis to Esther and 17 prophetic books from Isaiah to Malachi inclusive. (10 times). Ge 7.11; 8.4; 37.2, 14, 28; 47.28; Jg 8.26; 2 Sam 8.3; Jer 32.9
God overcame the sins of rebellious humans when he began to flood the earth through rain on the 17th of the second Hebrew month. Noah's ark and its eight passengers rested on the mountains of Ararat on the 17th of the seventh month (right in the middle of God's annual Holy period known as the Feast of Tabernacles).
Jesus Christ gained a complete victory over death and the grave with his resurrection on Nisan 17.
Daniel 7's beasts have seven heads and ten horns, for a total number of 17. They represent world-ruling powers from Daniel's time to the Second Coming of Jesus.
Rehoboam, son of Solomon and the very first king of Judah after the kingdom split in 930 B.C., reigned for 17 years (930 to 913 B.C.).
18= bondage. (22 times). The 18 "I wills" of Ex 6.6-8; Jg 3.14; 10.7f; Lk 13.16; 1 Ki 7.15; 2 Ki 25.17; Jer 52.21; Re 3.12
19= God’s perfect judgement. (3 times). Ex 27.9-18; Rom 3.21-5.2; 19 kings in N. And S. Israel
The number 19, which is the combining of 10 and 9, usually denotes God's perfect order concerning his judgment. The names Job and Eve, if we substitute letters for numbers, add up to nineteen.
The Israelite tribe of Naphtali received 19 cities, with their villages, as part of their inheritance in the Promised Land (Joshua 19:38). Their gift of land, from God, was in the northern most part of what would become Israel. It encompassed the entire western section of the Sea of Galilee.
20= the power to lift up, to provide a covering, and allow, thereby being able to control
The Hebrew word or name Kharf is represented by this number. It means the power of the palm of the hand, the arm, the open hand to suppress, to lift up, to cover, to allow. (288 times). Gen 31.38-41, Num 14.26-35.
The number twenty (20), which is one more than nineteen, is twice ten. It conveys a meaning of a waiting period under submission to a controlling authority.
Jacob, for 20 years, waited to get possession of his wives and property, and to be freed from the control of Laban his father-in-law (Genesis 31:38 - 41). The children of Israel, for 20 years, waited to be freed of Jabin, king of Canaan, who oppressed them. God response was to raise up Deborah and Barak, who freed the people from bondage (Judges 4 - 5).
40= generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial or probation, being a generation (beginning to end), followed by a new beginning. (Used 146 times) Ge 7.4; 8.6; Ex 24.18; Mt 4.2
Forty different people wrote the Scriptures. Forty is the product of five (symbolizing grace) times 8 (symbolizing a new beginning).
Examples: Noah’s flood (40 days and forty nights); Jesus’s time of preparation for ministry in the wilderness (40 days in the wilderness); Journey to the promised land from slavery to full freedom (40 years); time Jesus declared the beginning end of God’s dealings with His people (33 AD) to its completion in 73 AD (40 years).
Moses was also on Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights, on two separate occasions (Exodus 24:18, 34:1 - 28), receiving God's laws. He also sent spies, for forty days, to investigate the land God promised the Israelites as an inheritance (Numbers 13:25, 14:34).
The prophet Jonah powerfully warned ancient Nineveh, for forty days, that its destruction would come because of its many sins. The prophet Ezekiel laid on His right side for 40 days to symbolize Judah's sins (Ezekiel 4:6).
21= Exceeding sinfulness, lawlessness. Tim 3.2-5.
The number 13, which symbolizes sinfulness, and 21 are closely related. What twenty-one symbolizes is an outgrowth of thirteen. Adding thirteen (sinfulness) and eight (a new beginning) gives us twenty-one, a number that represents beginning a new level or effort that is sinful and disobedient against God.
In 2Timothy 3 Paul writes of 21 sins which show the exceeding wickedness of self and sin. He begins the chapter with a warning and then starts his list with the words "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will . . ."
22= a concentration of disorganisation.
The number 22, which is double eleven (which symbolizes disorder and chaos), can mean a concentration of disorganization. Jeroboam I, the very first king of Israel after the kingdom split in two in 930 B.C., reigned for 22 official years (21 actual years from 930 to 909 B.C.).
It is argued by some that 22 symbolises light. God created twenty-two things in the six days of creation. There are twenty-two books in the Aaronic (Levitical) Old Testament, which is the light of God for Israel. There are twenty-two generations from Adam to Jacob. The Hebrew alphabet is made up of 22 letters, which are used to compose the Word of God. The word of God is called a lamp (Psalms 119:105), thus it is the light by which we are to live.
23= Death, judgement. Rom 1.28-32; cf. Nu 3.39; 26.62; Dan 8.14
Tola served as a judge of Israel for a total number of 23 years, from 1102 to 1079 B.C. (Judges 10:1 - 2).
24= the priesthood, the Elect. Ren 4.4; 1 Chr 24-25, 27; cf. 2 Sam 21.20; 1 Chr 20.6
Since it is composed of a multiple of 12, it takes on some of 12's meaning (which is God's power and authority, as well as perfect foundation) except in a higher form. Twenty-four, therefore, is also connected with the worship of God, especially at the temple.
King David divided those responsible for temple music, as well as those who served as priests and the Levites who aided them, into 24 courses (1Chronicles 23 - 24). When a course of priests was serving, they usually divided their work amongst themselves by lot.
Psalm 72 lists 24 things that the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, will do when He sits upon His throne and rules as King and Priest.
In the book of Revelation, around God's heavenly throne are 24 elders, each wearing crowns and sitting on thrones, who (possibly) assist him in the governing of the universe (Revelation 4:1 - 4). These are believed to represent the twelve tribes of Israel combined with the twelve apostles.
25= Forgiveness, grace upon grace. Nu 8.24; 1 Ki 22.42; 2 Ki 14.2; 15.33; 18.2; cf. 2 Ki 23.36
It is composed of 20 (meaning redemption) and five (grace) or grace multiplied (5 x 5).
Levities were required to be at least twenty-five years old before they could begin their service at the temple (Numbers 8:24). This minimum age requirement seems to have dropped to twenty from the time of David forward, likely due to the increasing amount of work required at the temple (1Chronicles 23:24, Ezra 3:8).
The number 25 plays a prominent role in Ezekiel's visions of the temple, which he saw in the twenty-fifth year of Judah's captivity (Ezekiel 40:1). There are at least five measurements within the prophetic temple that are twenty-five cubits long (40:13, 21, 25, 29 - 30).
Ezekiel is shown, in vision, 25 temple priests who are standing in the inner court of Jerusalem's temple. These men, with their backs to the temple, are performing the abominable act of worshipping the sun as it rises in the east (Ezekiel 8:15 - 17)!
Ezekiel, in a later vision, is shown the eastern gate of Jerusalem's temple. He sees twenty-five princes, who were possibly civil magistrates, whom the Lord reveals gives wicked advice and deceives the people into thinking the city is not in peril of being destroyed (Ezekiel 11:1 - 3).
26= The Gospel (good news). 2 Cor 11.23-27; cmp. 1 Ki 16.8; 1 Chr 7.40; Jg 20.15
In the Old Testament, Adam represents the first generation of humans living on the earth. Generation twenty-six is represented by Moses, who led the children of Israel out of Egypt and into the promised land. (Genesis 6:16, 18, 20).
The word "God," if we use simple Gematria values for the letters of the English alphabet (A = 1, B = 2, etc.) adds to 26. Names such as Leah, Jacob's wife who produced six of his sons, and Obed, the grandfather of King David, also equal twenty-six using this method.
27= preaching the Gospel - Christ's baptism in 27 AD. Cmp. 1 Ki 16.10, 15; 2 Ki 51.1
Ruling power of a king, Eze 29.17-21
The number 27 derives part of its meaning from being the cube of 3 (3 x 3 x 3).
Jesus' ministry likely started in a Jubilee year (Luke 4:18 - 19) that ran from the Day of Atonement in 26 A.D. to Atonement in 27. The Jubilee was a time when liberty was declared throughout Israel (Leviticus 25:10, 39 - 40). The next Jubilee year in this cycle begins September 21, 2026 and ends October 11, 2027.
28= Eternal Life. Ex 26.1f; cmp. 2 Ki 10.36; Ex 26.2, 9; 2 Chr 11.21, 23
The number 28 derives part of its meaning from the fact that it is the product of 7 (a perfect numeral) and 4 (God’s creation).
Among those in Babylonian captivity that went with Ezra the prophet to Jerusalem were the sons of Bebai. A total number of 28 men made the journey back to Judea (Ezra 8:11).
29 = The meaning of 29 is, admittedly, not as clear as other numbers found in God's word. The most common belief is that it means valiance, endurance. Ge 11.24; 2 Ki 14.2; 18.2; 2 Chr 25.1; 29.1; cf. Josh 15.32.
King Amaziah of Judah, considered one of the better rulers over God's people, was on the throne for 29 years (2Chronicles 25:1).
30= symbolises fulfilling one’s calling, being the product of 10 and 3 – human perfection of order, law & responsibility (10) in God’s perfection of order, law & responsibility (3).
Number 30 comes from it symbolizing dedication to a particular task or calling. Aaronic priests were initially dedicated to serving at thirty years of age (Numbers 4:3). God likely choose 30 because it was when a person reached both physical and mental maturity and could therefore handle major responsibilities (used 168 times). Matt 27.3-8. Jesus began to publicly preach the gospel (Luke 3:23) at the age of 30.
31= The name of God; also offering. Josh 12.7-24; 1 Ki 16.23; 2 Ki 22.1; 2 Chr 34.1
Part of the meaning of the number 31 comes from one of the Hebrew names for God. One reference to God is El (see Deuteronomy 32:15, 17, Job 3:4, etc. in Hebrew), which is composed of the Hebrew letters Lamed and Aleph. Their numeric values are 30 and 1, respectively, for 31 total.
The thirty-first patriarch in Jesus' lineage is Obed, the father of Jesse. Jesse would ultimately become the father of King David in 1040 B.C.
The children of Israel, under the leadership of Joshua, conquered 31 kings west of the Jordan River. These kings were defeated, and land confiscated, toward the goal of fully possessing the Land of Promise (Joshua 12:24).
32= covenant promise. Ge 11.20; Le 12.4; 1 Ki 20.1, 16; 22.31; 2 Ki 8.17
The number 32 derives part of its meaning from its link to Jesse, King David's father. Jesse produced a total of seven sons (including David, the youngest) and two daughters (1Samuel 17:12 - 13, 1Chronicles 2:13 - 16). His name is used in a prophecy predicting that the Messiah would come to ultimately rule over the whole earth. Isaiah 11:10 states, "And in that day there shall be the Root of Jesse standing as a banner for the people ..."
Jesse is listed as the thirty-second patriarch in Jesus' physical lineage (Matthew 1:5 - 6) through both his stepfather Joseph and his mother Mary.
Part of the spoils of Moses and the Israelites defeating the Midianites were 32,000 (32 x 1,000) virgins (Num. 31:35). Part of the tribute paid to the Lord, out of all the spoils, was thirty-two people (verse 40).
In 32 A.D., a critical turning point was reached in the early New Testament church. It was a time when Jesus' command to spread the gospel far and wide (the great commission) was beginning to be fulfilled.
33= Promise. Gal 4.28; cf. Le 12.4; 2 Sam 5.5; 1 Ki 2.11; 1 Chr 3.4; 29.27; Ex 6.18.
The meaning of the number 33 is connected to certain promises made by God. The 33rd time Noah's name is used in Scripture is when God makes a special covenant or promise with him. The Eternal promises to not destroy the entire world again with a flood and seals His pledge with the sign of the rainbow (Genesis 9:12 - 16).
The thirty-third time Abraham's name is used in the Bible is when Isaac, the child of promise, is born to him when he is ninety-nine years old (Genesis 21:1 - 2).
Thirty-three also derives some of its meaning from the total number of times 'three' or 'third' is used in the book of Revelation. It can represent, because it is the product of 3 times 11, God's judgment. Thus, Revelation illustrates God's complete, final judgment of the world, which is ultimately accomplished in the final three-and-one-half year (1,260 days) period leading up to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
34= Part of the meaning of the number 34 may be related to the naming of a son. The thirty-fourth time Abraham's name is recorded in Scripture is when he named his first and only son, through Sarah, Isaac (Genesis 21:3).
The thirty-fourth person in Jesus' physical lineage is King Solomon of Israel. Solomon, the last monarch over a united Israel, reigned for 40 years until his death in 930 B.C.
The number 34 might derive part of its symbolism from being the tenth numeric in a unique series known as the Fibonacci sequence.
Fibonacci numbers are named after Italian mathematician Leonardo of Pisa (who was later known as Fibonacci). His sequence was introduced to Western Europe in 1202 A.D.
A Fibonacci sequence is a set where each of them is the sum of the previous two in the list. The sequence begins with 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, etc. This sequence, used in some computer algorithms, also appears in God's creation. It has been observed that the arrangement of leaves on certain stems, the distribution of fruit sprouts of a pineapple, and so on follows a Fibonacci pattern.
35= Hope. 1 Cor 13.13; cmp. 2 Chr 15.19; 20.31; 1 Ki 22.42
Derived from seven (God’s completed work times divine five (grace, heavenly favour, love).
36= Enemy (used 23 times). Est 7.5; cmp. Josh 7.5; 2 Chr 16.1; 2 Chr 2.18
The meaning of the number 36 is said to be partly derived from it being 4 (2 x 2) times 9 (3 x 3).
There are twenty-eight (4 x 7) writers of the Old Testament and eight (2 x 2 x 2) authors of the New Testament for 36 total for God's word.
37= the word of the Lord. 2 Ki 13.10; cmp. 2 Sam 23.39; 2 Ki 13.10, 12; 1 Chr 12.27, 34
King David attracted many fierce fighters during his lifetime. The greatest of these, a special set of 37 elite warriors, were known as his "mighty men" (1Chronicles 11:11). They were heroic commandos who had distinguished themselves on the battlefield (1Chronicles 11, 2Samuel 23).
Within David's group of 37 elite fighters were three subgroups. The first was composed of three men, Jashobeam, Eleazar, and Shammah, who were the best of the best. They were known as "the three mighties" (1Chronicles 11:12, KJV)
A second subgroup of David's warriors was composed of two men who were valiant in battle but not quite as noteworthy as the three mighties (2Samuel 23:18 - 23). The third subgroup numbered thirty-two individuals known for their war skills.
One of the interesting facts about David's 37 mighty men is that they were not all Israelites. Uriah, whose beautiful wife Bathsheba would lead to his death when David wanted her (2Samuel 11 - 12), was a Hittite (2Samuel 23:39, 1Chronicles 11:41). Another warrior named Zelek was an Ammonite (2Samuel 23:37, 1Chronicles 11:39) and a third, Ithmah, was a Moabite (1Chronicles 11:46).
38= waiting. De 2.14; 1 Ki 16.29; 2 Ki 15.2; Jn 5.5
The full meaning of the number 38, although it appears several times in Scripture, is not entirely clear.
The Lord, at the completion of Israel's punishment (38 years after the initial report from their spies), finally commands the people to travel north. They are allowed to cross the Zered River into the territory belonging to the Moabites (Deuteronomy 2:13 - 15). Then, only after the death of both Aaron and Moses, are the Israelites allowed to go west and cross the Jordan into their inheritance.
Mentioned only in one Gospel, Jesus performed a miracle that involved a person whose handicap kept him from being healed. Occasionally, at the Bethesda pool, an angel would stir its waters. The first person in the pool after the water stirred would then be healed of their diseases.
A man near the pool who had an infirmity for 38 years had repeatedly attempted, but failed, to reach the water before anyone else. His race to the pool was made extra difficult since he had no one to help him. Jesus decided, however, to take pity on the man and personally healed him (John 5:1 - 9)
39= Disease, gateway to a new beginning (40): 3 x 13. 2 Chr 16.12; cf. 2 Ki 15.13, 17; Eze 4.5, 9; 2 Cor 11.24
Part of the meaning of the number 39, which is 3 times 13, comes from its use related to punishment carried out upon oneself or administered by others.
One common form of corporal punishment, recorded in both the Old and New Testaments, is the receiving of stripes (also called scourging, Leviticus 19:20). The practice is based on Deuteronomy 25:1 - 3 where up to forty stripes could be administered. Such correction was labeled "forty stripes save one" (2Corinthians 11:24) as Jews limited themselves to carrying out, at most, only 39 stripes.
40= a time of probation, a generation (beginning to end), followed by a new beginning. (Used 146 times) Ge 7.4; 8.6; Ex 24.18; Mt 4.2
Mentioning 146 times in Scripture, the number 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial or probation. Moses was also on Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights, on two separate occasions (Exodus 24:18, 34:1 - 28), receiving God's laws. He also sent spies, for forty days, to investigate the land God promised the Israelites as an inheritance (Numbers 13:25, 14:34).
The prophet Jonah powerfully warned ancient Nineveh, for forty days, that its destruction would come because of its many sins. The prophet Ezekiel laid on His right side for 40 days to symbolize Judah's sins (Ezekiel 4:6).
Elijah went 40 days without food or water at Mount Horeb. Jesus was tempted by the devil many times during the 40 complete days he fasted just before his ministry began. He also appeared to his disciples and others for 40 days after his resurrection from the dead.
The number forty can also represent a generation of man. Because of their sins after leaving Egypt, God swore that the generation of Israelites who left Egyptian bondage would not enter their inheritance in Canaan (Deuteronomy 1). The children of Israel were punished by wandering the wilderness for 40 years before a new generation was allowed to possess the Promised Land.
Jesus, just days before his crucifixion, prophesied the total destruction of Jerusalem (Matthew 24:1 - 2, Mark 13:1 - 2) as a consequence to it rejecting his message and those of the prophets before him. Forty years after his crucifixion in 30 A.D., the mighty Roman Empire destroyed the city and burned its beloved temple to the ground in 70 A.D.
Forty different people wrote the Scriptures. Forty is the product of five (symbolizing grace) times 8 (symbolizing a new beginning).
100 = Human completeness (10 x 10), children of the promise, Gods election. Gen 21.5, 26.12.
Any number to the power of two (multiplied by itself) represents attaining completeness or maturity in whatever that number represents, The number 100 therefore represents attaining human completeness (human ordinal perfection) (10 x 10).
144 = attaining a perfect or complete, functional governmental foundation.
Any number to the power of two (multiplied by itself) represents attaining completeness or maturity in whatever that number represents, The number 144, being 12 to the power of 12 (12 x 12) therefore represents attaining perfection or completion as a unified family (12 represents family), representing and serving as a perfect governmental foundation.
The number 144,000 is a combination of a perfect or complete, functional governmental foundation (144) and an era of divine completeness for man (1,000). In the book of Revelation, the servants of God who have been sealed number 144,000, they being 12,000 from every tribe of the sons of Israel.
666 – In the Book of Revelation, 666 is the referenced as the number of the Beast. The beast in question is the ruling author over God’s people. The book exhorts us to count (calculate, reckon) the number. By using the same symbolic formula as other numbers in the Book of Revelation, and by substituting each of the three numbers (600, 60 and 6) with the words that each number signifies in Hebrew texts like The Old Testament, we come up with the following:
Six hundred = (6 x 100) = human influence (6) God’s ordinal perfection (100)
Three score = a waiting period under submission to a controlling authority (20) x 3 (God's authority) = 60
Six = man's nature apart from the Divine = the ego, flesh, carnal
In summary, 666 calculates as a human or carnal influence (6) on God’s standard of order (100), resulting in a temporary period of submission to a controlling spiritual authority (60). Put simplistically, it means “man running God’s church”.
One half (1/2) represents division in two contrasting groups which have totally opposite outcomes.
Zechariah 12 references the prophetic Day of the Lord and the time of Jesus' return. Jerusalem, before the Lord's Second Coming, will be conquered. She will then be plundered of her wealth, with half her number forced to leave.
For I will gather all nations to battle against Jerusalem; and the city shall be taken, and the houses plundered, and the women raped. And half of the city shall go into exile, and the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city (Zechariah 14:2).
And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them shall go toward the eastern (Dead) sea, and half of them toward the western (Mediterranean) sea . . . (Zechariah 14:8, see also Ezekiel 47:8 - 10).
God commanded that ancient Israelite males, twenty or older, pay a yearly half shekel for the maintenance and support of his tabernacle (later the temple in Jerusalem, Exodus 30:11 - 16).
In the parable of the ten virgins, only 50% of them bring enough extra oil for the journey to meet the bridegroom at night (Matthew 25:1 - 13).
Zaccheus was one of a number of unscrupulous tax collectors for Rome. Jesus' visit to Jericho, however, caused him to repent. It also led him to pledge he would give 1/2 of what he owned to the poor (Luke 19:8).
One third (1/3) is closely related to the number three (fellowship, unity). Where the number "one third" appears in the original text, it has been translated and appears in our Bibles as "The Redeemed of the Lord". In Scripture 1/3 is used to symbolise the division of those who are refined of God, from the remaining 2/3 - those who are disconnected from God. It is the lesser proportion where there is a division, also referred to as the remnant – “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone" (Psalm 118:22). There are numerous references to One third of the people in the Book of Revelation, they being the remnant, the redeemed of the Lord, and not a numerical one third of the people in the world.
An illustration of this division can be seen in the third part of the shekel that was to be used for the work of the Sanctuary (Neh 10; 32), representing the offering to God from those who serve Him. Zechariah 13:9 says, "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God." This is echoed in Num 19:12 which portrays the third day as the day of redemption: "He shall purify himself with it on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean: but if he purify not himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean." Hosea 6:2: "After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight." Ex. 19:11: "And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai."
Jesus lived 1/3 of a century on earth; He rose on the third day. See also 2 Chron 23: 4-5; Isa 19: 24; Ezek 5: 12; Ezek 46: 14; 2 Kings 11: 5-6: Num 15: 6-7; Gen 22:4.
Tenth is used 49 times. The numeric of the word “tythe is "one tenth", that word meaning is "gift to God". The most well known use of the word in the Bible is Malachi 3:10 - "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse ..." Given the context of this verse in the chapter where it appears, the "tithe" referred to is "gifts to God", and not "one tenth”.
Three and a Half (3 1/2) is half of the number seven (the number of spiritual perfection), and represents the half-way point on the journey from ungodliness (zero) to spiritual perfection (seven). The number occurs in prophecy in two other forms - 42 months or 1260 days, both of which add up to 3.5 years.
Three and a Half is used to signify the tribulation or travail of birth. In discussing the number of Tribulation, we must also understand what the word Tribulation really means. It is translated from the Greek as literally "tightly squeezed together". Tribulation then gives a picture more of difficulty and the requirement of skill in navigation (Acts 14:22; Matt 7: 13-14) and not punishment, judgement or cruelty, as the word is generally interpreted to mean.
NOTE: I have not studied the prophetic meanings of numbers above 40 (except for landmark numbers such as 100, 144 and 14,000). For this reason I have listed them here as they were presented to me by others. I have not verified them, and present them here for information only.
41 = sweetness, bitterness. 1 Ki 14.21; 15.10; 2 Ki 14.23; 2 Chr 12.14; cf. 1 Ki 14.21; 15.10; 2 Chr 12.13; 16.13
42= oppression. 2 Chr 22.2; 2 Ki 2.24; 10.14; Ezr 2.64; Neh 3; Re 11.2; 13.5
43 = God with us. Nu 26.7 {Reuben meaning "behold, a son"}; cf. Num 34; Ge 11.16f; Ex 12.40f; Gal 3.17
44 = understanding through experience. [22x2]; 144 = the elect sealed with true understanding
45= preservation. Josh 14.10; 1 Ki 4.7; cmp. 1 Ki 18.19, 40; Eze 48.16, 30-34
46 = Dead to sin, alive to God. Jn 2.18-22, 46; cf. Isa 7.14; Jer 52.30; 46 chromosomes in a fertilised ovum: 23 male and 23 female
47 = perfection through suffering. Ge 47.28; 1 Chr 21.5
48 = the shepherd with his sheep. Nu 35.7; Josh 21.41
49 = the Son of Man. Cf. Le 23.16; 25.18
50= The Holy Spirit, Pentecost (used 154 times). Lev 23.15-16, Ge 21.5; 26.12.
51 = Confidence. [17x3]
52 = Wall. Neh 6.15; opening in the wall=Evil {Pekah, 2 Ki 15.27}
53 = Marriage. Jn 21.11; number of weeks Noah was on the Ark
54 = Church as the body of Christ. [27x2]; cf. Ge 49.14f; Nu 1.29; 2.6; Ezr 1.11; 2.7; Neh 7.12
55 = Spirit of Grace. 1 Ki 9.23; 2 Ki 21.1; total number of men of Israel (Ex 38.26; Nu 2.32)
56 = Distillation. [28x2]; Ezr 2.22, 30; 1 Chr 9.9; cmp. 1 Chr 9.1
57 = Zebulun. [19x3]; Ge 49.1; Nu 1.31; 2.8; Nu 2.31
58 = Restored Priesthood. [29x2]; 8580 Levites (Nu 4.48)
59 = Simeon; just division. Nu 1.23; 2.13; Ge 49.7+Re 2.27; cf. Ezr 10.31
60 = Human government. [10x6]; Le 27.7; 2 Ki 25.19; Mk 4.8; 1 Ti 5.9; Ge 25.26; 1 Ki 6.2; 2 Chr 11.21; Song Sol 6.8; Dan 3.1; Mt 13.8, 23; Mk 4.8, 20; cmp. Re 6.1f [seal 1: government]
61 = Conspiracy (coveting of inheritance). Cmp. Nu 31.34, 39; Ezr 2.69; Re 6.3f [seal 2: education]
62 = Greed. Dan 5.31; 9.25f; cf. 1 Chr 26.8; cmp. Re 6.5f [seal 3: economy]
63 = Persecution, a casting out. Cf. Dan 6.5; cmp. Re 6.7f [seal 4: religion]
64 = Decrees. Cf. Dan 6.7f; cmp. Re 6.9-11 [seal 5: the Christian witness continues]
65 = Blasphemy. [13x5]; Ge 5.15, 21 [cmp. Ge 4.7]; Isa 7.8; cmp. Re 2.9; 3.9; 13.3-5
66 = Idolatry. Ge 46.26; Le 12.5; cmp. Re 13.8
67 = Garments or giving. Neh 7.72; cmp. Josh 6.18-7.21
68 = Cleansing or defilement of sanctuary. Cf. 1 Chr 16.38
69 = Destruction of false prophet. Dan 9.27; cmp. 2 Thes 2.8-10; Re 16.12; Ge 5.27; 1 Chr 9.6
70 = Israel's punishment or restoration. Ge 46.27; 50.2; 2 Chr 36.21; Ps 90.10; Zec 1.12; Lk 10.1, 17; Ac 23.23
71 = The Narrow Gate. 1 Chr 12.25
72 = Guardian, gatekeeper, police. Neh 11.19; Ezr 2.3f; Neh 7.8f
73 = Ransom. 222273-22000 Levites = 273; Nu 3.46; Ezr 2.36; Neh 7.39
74 - Steadfast in God's Word. [37x2] Ezr 2.40; Neh 7.43
75 - Deliverance from Confusion. Ge 12.4; Ac 7.14; cf. Re 18.4
76 = Skill, talent. 1 Chr 5.18; 9.13; Ezr 2.9; Neh 7.14
77 = The sacrificial Lamb. Ge 4.24; Jg 8.14; Ezr 8.35; cf. Isa 53; Heb 2
78 = Spoiling of Principalities. 18+60 = 78 (2 Chr 11.21); cf. Col 2.15; lit. The binding and bruising of pride.
80 = New Covenant (40 x 2). Ex 7.7; 2 Sam 19.32, 35; 2 Ki 6.25; 10.24; 2 Chr 26.17
82 = Turning point. Ge 5.26, 28
83 = High Priest. Ex 7.7; Nu 3.28; 83 high priests in Israel
84 = Willingness. Lk 2.37; Neh 11.18
85 = Blessed assurance. 1 Sam 22.18-20; cf. Ps 23
86 = Son of the Bond woman. Ge 16.16
87 = Donkey. 1 Chr 7.5+Ge 49.14
88 = Blessing. 1 Chr 22.7; Neh 7.26
89 = Divine Authority. Neh 7.39-41; Ezr 2.36-39
90 = Bride/wife of Christ. Ge 5.9; 17.17
91 = Attention. Ge 5.14
92 = Servant. Ezr 2.58; Neh 7.50
93 = Guilt. Ge 5.5; 1 Chr 26.8-13
95 = Hero. Ezr 2.20; Ge 5.30
96 = Spoils of victory. Jer 52.23; Ge 49.27
97 = Bringing Down. Jg 7.3, 6; 10000-300 = 9700
98 = Remarriage or divorce. 1 Sam 4.15; Ezr 2.16; Neh 7.21
99 = Establishment. Ge 17.1, 24; Mt 18.12f; Lk 15.4, 7
Gematria – the use of number as symbols – takes the use of numbers as symbols to another level. Gematria works by giving each letter of the alphabet a numerica; value, starting with the first letter having a value of one. By adding up the numeric value of each letter, the sum total determines the word's value or meaning. As an example, the word "Jesus" in Greek is "iasous." Since each letter has a numeric equivalent, we can add up each number and get a value. This value is called the number's gematria. Therefore, the gematria of "Jesus" in Greek is 888 because i = 10 a = 8 s = 200 o = 70 u = 400 s = 200. 888 is a crucial number, not only because it is the number of Jesus; the Gematria for every word of each Gospel (Matthew, John, Luke etc.) totals that number. In addition to this, some Gematria is intrinsically linked to Sacred Geometry; paragraphs become symbols, shapes and geometric diagrams, depicting Sacred symbology.
The Gematria of words spoken by Jesus in the Gospels were combined to form geometric shapes (circles, triangles, lines etc.) that fit together like some great diagram. Spoken words in a parable or story were used for imagery, while the numerical value of other words could intersect these geometric designs at crucial points. The Genius of our Creator has transformed the written witness of His dealings with mankind (the Bible) into "three-dimensional hypertext" long before computers were even imagined.
What are the origins of Gematria? The Fifth century BC trading empire of the Eastern Mediterranean-Phoenicians saw the appearance of a writing mode in which alphabetical letters served as numbers.
Even at this early date, however, its roots were lost in the mists of time. From this base evolved the Greek and later Hebraic systems of Gematria. Both had reached a high degree of development by the Third Century BC. These alphanumeric alphabets exhibit qualities and interrelationships for which there is no logical intention. Yet an entire symbolic teaching evolved around them that incorporated the principles of number, form, sound, and astronomy. Only number combinations and figures could be utilized to express this knowledge. Today we view numbers as merely an expression of quantity. To the Ancients, however, every number had its own character and identity, a place in an arithmetic chain that leads from one dimension of understanding to another. Now this extraordinary system of arithmetic, or concealed Geometry, formed the link between the languages of literature and mathematics. With this knowledge, ancient literature, metrology, and sacred geometry can be viewed with new eyes.
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