Why Are There So Many Repeated Numbers in the Bible?
- Michael Jakes Pastor, writer
- Published Oct 13, 2023
There is no doubt that numbers play a very important role in life. A most basic definition of numbers is that they are necessary for counting or manipulating quantities. Branches of mathematics exist that introduce us to entire systems of numbers such as prime numbers, whole numbers, and rational numbers, for example. Each day we interact with these abstract entities; we use them and need them so much more than we realize.
In the Bible, numbers play an even more important role in that they communicate. They symbolically represent essential concepts which help us to better understand the workings of God throughout biblical history. The fact is that numbers that are repeated are not accidental, but intentional; they reveal important truths that we need to be aware of and even go so far as to help us to understand – at least as much as we are finitely able – the mind and heart of God. Having said this, it is obvious that none of us can ever hope to understand God fully, for we read:
"’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Biblical numerology, a system which places an added amount of emphasis on numbers in Scripture, should be approached with abundant care because it can be taken to excess. Wrong conclusions can be read into certain numbers that can prove to be detrimental to one’s theology; yet it is clear that the Holy Spirit’s use of certain numbers is definitely inspired and of great significance, and our study of these numbers is warranted and even needful.
Numbers that are repeated certainly should not be passed off as being simply coincidental or “by chance” happenings. Everything in Scripture has its purpose; from the “cumbersome genealogies” (so-called by some), to the very words of Satan himself; so that numbers which we see over and over again are no exception. In the prophetic books of Daniel and Revelation, for example, numbers play an intangible role in helping us define and otherwise reveal God’s purposes in history past, and history not yet fulfilled. Yet, as much as we enquire, and even desire, there are certain things which numbers will not be able to help us ascertain:
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29).
Significant Numbers in Scripture
It would not be possible for us to list all the numbers found in Scripture that are repeated; time nor space will allow it. However, there are three numbers which we believe have a heightened significance, even for the times in which we live, for they give us hope and expectation in the days to come.
Seven
Of all the numbers that are repeated in Scripture the number seven holds a most prominent and inspiring place in both the Old and New Testaments. The number seven appears about six-hundred times in the Bible. It is especially prominent throughout the Book of Revelation, where we see seven churches, seven seals, seven vials, etc.
Even in the world, those with a penchant for superstition, and even the not-so-superstitious, look to the number seven as being a “lucky” number, using it for the purposes of playing the lottery, and a host of other trivial and worldly pursuits. However, this is far from the case in Scripture, where this number is associated with rest, divine perfection, completion, and fulfillment. One commentator states:
“To suppose that all these appearances of the number seven are mere coincidence is not possible. This numerical symmetry is, as it were, the golden thread that binds together all the parts of the section.” (Umberto Cassuto, From Adam to Noah: A Commentary on the Book of Genesis)
Even in the book of Daniel, Revelation’s companion book, when Daniel had set himself to seek the Lord with prayer, fasting, and the confession of sin, he is visited by the angel Gabriel. In this, his second appearance to him, he unfolds an amazing prophecy. He explained that during a period of “Seventy Weeks” or “seventy sets of seven” (Daniel 9:24), the Lord would accomplish several specific purposes for the Jewish people. In the following chapter, we find Daniel once again is visited by an angel who makes a startling confession:
“Then he said to me, ‘Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come’” (Daniel 10:12-14).
Here we see the number twenty-one, a multiple of seven, denoting completeness and a fulness of time. This then is an indication of the predominant place of this number in the pages of scripture.
Twelve
Another powerful number in Scripture which holds great significance is the number twelve. Like the number seven, it can also symbolize completeness, but it also signifies authority, divine order, and governmental foundation. In the book of Genesis, we read of Jacob’s twelve sons, who would eventually be the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. But it is in the book of Revelation once again where we find its greatest distinction. No less than twenty-two times do we find it, highlighted by these fascinating verses:
“Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel” (Revelation 21:12).
“The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass” (Revelation 21:21).
Jesus also chose twelve apostles, who will also figure prominently in time to come. This is minus Judas of course, who was replaced. Some have cited that he was replaced by Paul or even Barnabas, however we read this from the book of Acts:
“And they prayed and said, ‘You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.’ And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:24-26).
Again, in the book of Revelation we read this verse concerning the apostles:
“Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Revelation 21:14).
Forty
Finally, we will cite the number forty. This number is found nearly one-hundred and fifty times, and in general symbolizes times of probation, testing, and trials. The number appears first in the book of Genesis as our antediluvian ancestors were swept away in the Great Flood. While Noah and his family were in the ark for a little over a year, we read this of the torrential rain:
“In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights” (Genesis 7:11-12).
In the book of Exodus, the number forty is highlighted several times. Because Israel at that time was a disobedient and gainsaying people (Romans 10:21), and did not trust God, He had caused them to wander in the wilderness for forty years:
“According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know My rejection” (Numbers 14:34).
Following the years of wandering, Moses fasted for 40 days and nights to prepare himself to receive the Law. Moses was then atop Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights receiving the Law:
“When I went up into the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant which the Lord made with you, then I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water” (Deuteronomy 9:9).
Following the incident of the golden calf, Moses returns to the mountain the following day:
“And I fell down before the Lord, as at the first, forty days and forty nights; I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all your sin which you committed in doing wickedly in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger” (Deuteronomy 9:18).
What we can glean from these events where these numbers are intricately involved, is that our God is gracious, though not to be trifled with. He has great things in store for those who love and obey Him. We also conclude that the study of these and other numbers in Scripture will not only inspire but yield great reward when undertaken with prayer and discernment.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Flavio Coelho
