Numbers in the Bible: Meaning and Purpose as Part of a Literary Technique

There is nothing mystical about the use of number-symbols in the bible. Its function is simply to act as symbols pointing to something else, similar to the symbolic association with bread, blood, wine and water in the bible.

To communicates its message, the bible uses many literary techniques, apart from ordinary words. Key to it all, is the requirement that the person on the receiving side known what these words or symbols means. The translators of the bible did a great job in making the meaning of the words in the original manuscripts known to us in a translated version of it. However, with symbols it is not so easy and it needs a separate explanation. This book is written to help explaining symbolism associated with numbers in the bible.

The reason why one will use a symbol, is because it is a very powerful literary tool, enabling one to add depth, understanding and emotion. In some cases, it will even be impossible to explain a concept properly without the assistance of a symbol. It also makes it possible to keep text current, regardless the time difference between the generation who has written it and who is reading it.

As far as number symbols are concerned, the bible is loaded with it. In many cases it is used in conjunction with metaphors; parables; the meaning of names and objects; types, etc. Like all symbols, number-symbols are easy to understand when one knows what it symbolizes. As far as numbers are concerned, the key to its meaning is the Hebrew word indicating a number. The words for numbers had a meaning in ancient Hebrew times, that was apart from indicating a number.

For every rule there is an exception. The symbolic meanings associated with numbers 1 to 9 are heavily influenced by an ordinary association with it and the specific additions the bible itself has added. Note, the actual words in text and the symbolic meaning of a symbol in it will always compliment one another. It will never clash. It serves as a check on the correctness of the symbolic meaning one has attached to a symbol in the text.

God knows we are not all the same. For some is sufficient to read the bible without wanting to analyse it too much. Number-symbolism does not affect those of us, because it is relatively easy to follow. On the other hand, some of us wants something more challenging. Number-symbolism has something for them too, because in many places the numbers interact with other numbers and symbols, making it necessary to analyse it to see how it interacts with one another. This more involved meaning is not needed to follow the main message of the bible, but does help us to go into it in more depth.

In a nut-shell, this book explains the symbolic meaning of numbers and how it helps to highlight and explain revelations in the bible. It covers all the numbers which appears in both the Old and New Testament, together with a few other ones that stands out in a biblical context.