Difference between revisions of "Number"

<p> After the captivity the [[Hebrew]] used the alphabet letters for numbers, 'Αleph ( א ) equalling 1; Βet[h] ( ב ) equalling 2, etc.; Υod[h] ( י ) equalling 10; Qoph ( ק ) equalling 100, etc. The final letters expressed 500 to 900; 'Αleph ( א ) + a line over it equalling 1000. Our manuscripts all write numbers at full length. But the variations make it likely that letters ''(which copyists could so easily mistake)'' originally were written for numbers: compare &nbsp;2 Kings 24:8 with &nbsp;2 Chronicles 36:9; &nbsp;Isaiah 7:8, where 65 is in one reading, 16 and 5 in another. &nbsp;1 Samuel 6:19 has 50,070, but [[Syriac]] and Arabic 5070 (&nbsp;1 Kings 4:26 with &nbsp;2 Chronicles 9:25). Numbers also have often a symbolical rather than a mere arithmetical value. But straining is to be avoided, and subtle trifling. The author's sense, history, the context, and the general analogy of the [[Scripture]] scheme as a whole are to be examined, in order to decide whether a figure is employed in a merely ordinary sense, or in an ordinary and symbolical, or in an exclusively symbolical sense. </p> <p> Zechariah and Daniel dwell upon '''seven''' ; Daniel and Revelation use several numbers to "characterize periods", rather than indicate arithmetical duration. Science reveals in crystallization and chemical combinations what an important part number plays in the proportion of combining molecules of organic and inorganic life. </p> <p> '''Two''' notes "intensification" (&nbsp;Genesis 41:32), "requital in full" (&nbsp;Job 42:10; &nbsp;Jeremiah 16:18; &nbsp;Isaiah 61:7; &nbsp;Revelation 18:6); the proportions of the temple were double those of the tabernacle; two especially symbolizes "testimony" (&nbsp;Zechariah 4:11; &nbsp;Zechariah 11:7; &nbsp;Isaiah 8:2; &nbsp;Revelation 11:3), ''two'' tables of the testimony (&nbsp;Exodus 31:18), ''two'' cherubim over the ark of the testimony. God is His own witness; but that witness is ''twofold'' , "His word and His oath" (&nbsp;Hebrews 6:13; &nbsp;Hebrews 6:17), "Himself and His Son" (&nbsp;John 8:18). </p> <p> '''Three''' , like ''seven'' , is "a divine number". The ''Trinity'' (&nbsp;Revelation 1:4; &nbsp;Revelation 4:8); ''three'' great feasts (&nbsp;Exodus 23:14-17; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 16:16); the ''threefold'' blessing (&nbsp;Numbers 6:14; &nbsp;Numbers 6:24); the ''thrice'' holy (&nbsp;Isaiah 6:3); the ''three'' hours of prayer (&nbsp;Daniel 6:10; &nbsp;Psalms 55:17); the ''third heaven'' (&nbsp;2 Corinthians 12:2). Christ is "the Way, the Truth, the Life," "Prophet, Priest, and King." The ''threefold'' theophany (&nbsp;Genesis 18:2; &nbsp;1 Samuel 3:4; &nbsp;1 Samuel 3:6; &nbsp;1 Samuel 3:8; &nbsp;Acts 10:16). </p> <p> The number '''3 1/2''' , one-half of ''7'' , is "a period of evil cut short", shortened for the elect's sake (&nbsp;Matthew 24:22; &nbsp;James 5:17, ''three years' and a half'' drought in Israel; &nbsp;Luke 4:25; &nbsp;Revelation 11:2-3; &nbsp;Revelation 11:9; &nbsp;Revelation 12:6). &nbsp;Daniel 7:25; &nbsp;Daniel 12:7, ''time, times, and a half'' , ''1,260'' days, ''three days and a half'' . The ''42'' months (''30'' days in each) answer to the ''1,260'' days; ''three years and a half'' equals ''1,260'' days (''360'' in each year). Probably the ''1,260'' years of the papal rule date from [[A.D.]] 754, when his temporal power began, and end '''2014''' . (See [[Antichrist.)]] </p> <p> At the close of spurious Christianity's long rule open antichristianity and persecution will prevail for the ''three years and a half'' before the millennium. [[Witnessing]] churches will be followed by witnessing individuals, even as the apostate church will give place to the personal man of sin (&nbsp;Daniel 7:25; &nbsp;Revelation 11:2-3). The ''2,300'' (&nbsp;Daniel 8:14) years may date from Alexander's conquests (323 [[B.C.),]] and end about the same time as the ''1,260'' , namely, 1977. The 1,290 (&nbsp;Daniel 12:11-12) and 1,335 days correspond to 1290, during which [[Antiochus]] [[Epiphanes]] profaned the temple, from the month Ijar, 145th year of the era of the Seleucidae, to [[Judas]] Maccabeus' restoration of worship, the 25th day of the ninth month Chisleu, 148th year (&nbsp;1 [[Maccabees]] 1:54; &nbsp;1 Maccabees 4:52-56); in 45 days more Antiochus died, ending the Jews' calamities; in all 1,335. Again, 1,260, 1,290 and 1,335 may be counted from Mahomet's retirement to the cave, [[A.D.]] 606-610, and his flight from Mecca, 622: these figures added may mark the closing epochs of Mahometan power. </p> <p> Again, the 2,300 may be the years between 480 [[B.C.,]] the time of Xerxes' invasion of [[Greece]] (&nbsp;Daniel 11:2), and [[A.D.]] 1820, when Ali [[Pasha]] cast off the yoke of the Porte and precipitated the Greek revolution. Thirdly, the 2,300 may date from Antichrist's profanation (&nbsp;Daniel 9:27). After the 1,260 days Jesus in person will deliver the Jews; during the 30 more their consciences are awakened to penitent faith, making 1,290; in 45 more Israel's outcasts are gathered, and the united blessing descends. These all are conjectures. [[Evidently]] these numbers symbolize the long "Gentile times" from the overthrow of Judah's kingdom by Babylon, and of [[Jerusalem]] by Titus, down to the restoration of the theocracy in Him "whose right it is" (&nbsp;Ezekiel 21:27). The ''seven'' times of Israel's punishment (&nbsp;Leviticus 26:18; &nbsp;Leviticus 26:21-24) are the times of the [[Gentile]] monarchies; the ''seven'' times of antichrist's tyranny in the [[Holy]] Land will be the recapitulation and open consummation of what is as yet "the mystery of iniquity." </p> <p> The ''three and a half'' during which the ''two'' witnesses prophesy in sackcloth is the sacred ''seven'' halved, for the antichristian world powers' time is broken at best, and is followed immediately by judgment on them. It answers to the ''three years and a half'' of Christ's witness for the truth, when the [[Jews]] disowned and the God-opposed world power crucified Him (&nbsp;Daniel 9:27). He died in the midst of the last of the ''70'' weeks; the ''three and a half'' which seemed the world's triumph over Him was immediately followed by their defeat in His resurrection (&nbsp;John 12:31). The world powers never reach the sacred fullness of ''seven'' times ''360'' , i.e. 2,520, though they approach it in the 2,300 (&nbsp;Daniel 8:14). The ''42'' months answer to Israel's 42 sojournings in the desert (&nbsp;Numbers 33:1-50), contrasted with the sabbatic rest of Canaan. ''Three and a half'' represents "the church's time of toil, pilgrimage, persecution". ''Three and a half'' is "the antagonism to ''seven'' ". </p> <p> '''Four''' symbolizes "worldwide extension". The ''four'' winds and quarters of the earth (&nbsp;Revelation 7:1; &nbsp;Daniel 7:2). The ''four'' living creatures or cherubim with ''four'' wings and ''four'' faces (&nbsp;Ezekiel 1:5, etc.; &nbsp;Revelation 4:6, in contrast to the ''four'' beasts, Daniel 7; &nbsp;Daniel 2:40 the ''four'' kingdoms); Eden's ''four'' streams (&nbsp;Genesis 2:10; &nbsp;Ezekiel 40:47). ''Four'' expresses "the spread of God's kingdom over the earth". As Christ's seamless vest marks its unity, so the rending of the outer garment into ''four'' by the ''four'' Roman soldiers symbolizes its ultimate worldwide extension (&nbsp;John 19:23-24). The numbers especially symbolical are ''3, 4, 7, 10, 12, 40'' ; ''6'' is so because coming short of the "sacred" ''7'' , '''8''' as coming after ''7'' and introducing "a new series or era". </p> <p> '''Three and a half''' is ''seven'' broken in ''two'' . The Bible begins with '''seven''' days, and ends with a succession of ''sevens'' . '''Seven''' represents "rest and release from toil", also "a divine work", in judgment or mercy or revelation (&nbsp;Genesis 4:24; &nbsp;Genesis 41:3; &nbsp;Genesis 41:7; &nbsp;Matthew 18:22; &nbsp;Exodus 7:25). &nbsp;Leviticus 26:18, [["I]] will punish you ''seven'' times more for your sins," &nbsp;Leviticus 26:21-24; &nbsp;Leviticus 26:28; &nbsp;Isaiah 4:1; &nbsp;Isaiah 11:15; &nbsp;2 Samuel 24:13. &nbsp;Daniel 4:16; &nbsp;Daniel 4:25, "''seven'' times shall pass over thee" (Nebuchadnezzar). &nbsp;Revelation 15:1, "the ''seven'' last plagues." "divine fullness and completeness" is the thing signified; as &nbsp;Revelation 1:4, "the ''seven'' spirits ... before His throne" are "the one Holy Spirit in His manifold fullness"; &nbsp;Isaiah 11:2-3 corresponds. </p> <p> So in offerings and divine rites: &nbsp;Leviticus 12:2; &nbsp;Leviticus 12:5; &nbsp;Leviticus 13:4; &nbsp;Leviticus 13:6; &nbsp;Leviticus 13:21-26; &nbsp;Leviticus 13:31; &nbsp;Leviticus 13:33; &nbsp;Leviticus 13:50; &nbsp;Leviticus 13:54; &nbsp;Leviticus 14:7-8; &nbsp;Leviticus 14:9; &nbsp;Leviticus 14:16; &nbsp;Leviticus 14:27; &nbsp;Leviticus 14:38; &nbsp;Leviticus 14:51; &nbsp;Leviticus 15:13; &nbsp;Leviticus 15:19; &nbsp;Leviticus 15:28; &nbsp;Leviticus 16:14; &nbsp;Leviticus 16:19; &nbsp;Numbers 12:14; &nbsp;2 Kings 5:10; &nbsp;2 Kings 5:14. The ''seven'' days' grace (&nbsp;Genesis 7:1-10); and at the taking of [[Jericho]] (&nbsp;Joshua 5:13-6:20); the antitype, spiritual Babylon, shall fall at the sounding of the ''seventh'' trumpet (&nbsp;Revelation 11:13; &nbsp;Revelation 11:15; &nbsp;Revelation 14:8). The ''sevenfold'' candlestick (&nbsp;Exodus 25:37), the ''seven'' churches corresponding (&nbsp;Revelation 1:12; &nbsp;Revelation 1:20), the ''seven'' deacons (Acts 6), the ''sevenfold'' ministry (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12). ''Seven'' prayers are given in full in the Old Testament. (See [[Prayer.)]] ''Seven'' petitions of the Lord's prayer in the New Testament. The ''seven'' beatitudes (Matthew 5; &nbsp;Psalms 12:7). Satan mimics the "divine" ''seven'' (&nbsp;Proverbs 6:16; &nbsp;Proverbs 26:25): Mary Magdalene's ''seven'' devils (&nbsp;Mark 16:9; &nbsp;Luke 8:2); the unclean spirit returning with ''seven'' (&nbsp;Matthew 12:45); the ''seven'' [[Canaanite]] nations subdued by [[Israel]] (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 7:1; &nbsp;Acts 13:19); the dragon with ''seven'' heads and ''seven'' crowns (&nbsp;Revelation 12:3; &nbsp;Numbers 23:1). </p> <p> '''Eight''' begins a new era and life after the ''seven'' has been completed (&nbsp;Exodus 22:30; &nbsp;Leviticus 9:1; &nbsp;Leviticus 22:27). Lepers are reinstated on the ''eighth'' day (&nbsp;Leviticus 14:10; &nbsp;Leviticus 15:13; &nbsp;Leviticus 15:29). [[Circumcision]] on the ''eighth'' day begins a new life in the covenant. The ''eighth'' day after the ''seven'' of the feast of tabernacles (&nbsp;Leviticus 23:36). From the ''eighth'' day, when the firstfruit sheaf was waved, the ''seven sevens'' were counted; and on the 50th day or "Pentecost" (the ''eighth'' day after ''seven'' ) a new era began (&nbsp;Leviticus 23:11; &nbsp;Leviticus 23:15-16; &nbsp;Acts 2:1). &nbsp;Leviticus 25:8-9, type of the eternal sabbath, the new era of a regenerated world (&nbsp;Romans 8:21; &nbsp;Isaiah 61:1; &nbsp;Acts 3:21); the Lord's day, the ''eighth'' after the ''seventh'' , ushers in the new [[Christian]] era. The ''eight'' saved souls left the ark on the ''eighth'' day, after the last ''seven'' of anxious waiting, the representative heads of regenerated mankind. Of man in his fallen state Ecclesiastes (&nbsp;Ecclesiastes 1:15) writes, "that which is crooked cannot be made straight," but what is "impossible with man is possible with God" (&nbsp;Luke 18:27); at Messiah's coming "the crooked shall be made straight" (&nbsp;Isaiah 40:4); "that which is wanting (compare &nbsp;Daniel 5:27) cannot be numbered," i.e. what is wholly wanting, man's state, cannot be numbered, but believers are "complete in Christ" (&nbsp;Colossians 2:10). </p> <p> '''Ten''' represents "perfected universality". The "'''thousand''' " years (&nbsp;Revelation 20:2) is ''ten'' raised to the ''third'' power, i.e. the "world" (''10'' ) pervaded by the "divine" (''3'' ). The ''Ten'' [[Commandments]] contain the whole cycle of God's moral requirements. The ''tithe'' represented the whole property as belonging to God (&nbsp;Genesis 14:20). [[Genesis]] has the formula ''ten'' times, "these are the generations" (&nbsp;Genesis 2:4; &nbsp;Genesis 5:1; &nbsp;Genesis 6:9; &nbsp;Genesis 10:1; &nbsp;Genesis 11:10; &nbsp;Genesis 11:27; &nbsp;Genesis 25:12; &nbsp;Genesis 25:19; &nbsp;Genesis 36:1; &nbsp;Genesis 37:2). The ''Ten'' Commandments of the ''Decalogue'' logically follow; God's fingers wrote it. Our fingers are ''ten'' (&nbsp;Exodus 31:18; &nbsp;Psalms 8:1). The ''ten'' plagues were the entire round of judgments from God's hand. The tabernacle, temple, and New Jerusalem have ''ten'' as the prevailing figure in measurements. </p> <p> In the New Testament, the ''ten'' lepers, ''ten'' talents, ''ten'' cities in reward for ''ten'' pounds gained, ''ten'' virgins. [[Antichrist]] too has his ''ten'' , comprising the whole cycle of the world power: ''ten'' nations opposed to Abraham's seed (&nbsp;Genesis 15:19); ''ten'' toes on Nebuchadnezzar's image to be stricken by the stone (&nbsp;Daniel 2:41); ''ten'' horns on the ''fourth'' beast (&nbsp;Daniel 7:7; &nbsp;Daniel 7:20; &nbsp;Daniel 7:24; &nbsp;Revelation 12:3; &nbsp;Revelation 13:1; &nbsp;Revelation 17:3; &nbsp;Revelation 17:7; &nbsp;Revelation 17:12, "''ten'' kings"); ''ten'' days of Smyrna's tribulation, the complete term of the world power's persecution of the church (&nbsp;Revelation 2:10). In combination with ''7, 10'' appears in the '''70''' nations (Genesis 10), the ''70'' who went down to Egypt (&nbsp;Genesis 46:27), the ''70'' palms at Elim, the ''70'' elders of Israel (&nbsp;Exodus 24:1; &nbsp;Numbers 11:16), the ''70'' disciples, the ''70'' years' captivity (&nbsp;Jeremiah 25:11). Daniel's ''70 sevens'' , weeks (&nbsp;Daniel 9:24). ''Seventy-fold'' (&nbsp;Genesis 4:24; &nbsp;Matthew 18:22). </p> <p> As ''3 1/2'' is related to ''7'' , so '''five''' is related to ''10'' ; ''5'' is "the penal number" (&nbsp;Exodus 22:1; &nbsp;Leviticus 5:16; &nbsp;Numbers 18:16); the ''fifth'' kingdom punishes with destruction the ''four'' world kingdoms (Daniel 2). '''Twelve''' is "the church number". The ''12'' tribes; ''12'' [[Elim]] wells; ''12'' stones in the high priest's breast-plate; ''12'' shewbread loaves; ''12'' patriarchs; ''12'' apostles; ''12'' foundation stones; ''12'' gates; ''12,000'' furlongs of New Jerusalem; ''12'' angels (&nbsp;Revelation 21:16-21; &nbsp;Revelation 12:1). ''Twelve squared'' and multiplied by ''1,000'' , the symbol of the world divinely perfected, gives ''144,000'' , the sealed [[Israelites]] (&nbsp;Revelation 7:4). The '''24''' elders are the ''12'' heads of the Old [[Testament]] and the ''12'' of the New Testament churches combined, "elders" is the term for ministers; the ''24'' courses of priests anticipate the final combination of the ''two'' , Jews and Gentiles, made ''one'' new man in Christ (&nbsp;Revelation 4:4). ''Seven'' times ''twelve'' is connected with the Lamb's bride. </p> <p> '''Six''' is to ''twelve'' as ''three and a half'' to ''seven'' . ''Six'' symbolizes" the world given over to judgment". The judgments on the world are complete in ''six'' ; by the fulfillment of ''seven'' the world kingdoms become Christ's. Hence there is a pause between the ''sixth'' and ''seventh'' seals, the ''sixth'' and ''seventh'' trumpets. As ''12'' is the church's number, so ''six'' (its half) symbolizes the world kingdom broken. ''Six'' , "the world number", is next to the "sacred" ''seven'' which it mimics (&nbsp;Revelation 13:1) but can never reach. The raising of the ''six'' from ''units'' to ''tens'' , and from ''tens'' to ''hundreds'' ('''666''' ), indicates that the beast, notwithstanding his progression to higher powers, can only rise to greater ripeness for judgment. Thus, ''666'' , the number of the beast (&nbsp;Revelation 13:18), the judged world power, contrasts with the ''144,000'' sealed and transfigured ones. (See [[Antichrist.)]] </p> <p> '''Forty''' symbolizes probation, punishment, chastisement, and humiliation. The ''40'' days' rain of the flood (&nbsp;Genesis 7:4; &nbsp;Genesis 7:12; &nbsp;Genesis 7:17); Moses' ''40'' years in Egypt, and ''40'' in Midian. Times of temptation and trial: ''40'' days on the mountain (&nbsp;Exodus 24:18); a second ''40'' after Israel's sin of the calf (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 9:18; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 9:25); ''40'' years in the desert wanderings (&nbsp;Numbers 14:34), the penal issue of the ''40'' days' probation in searching [[Canaan]] (&nbsp;Numbers 13:26; &nbsp;Psalms 95:10; also &nbsp;Judges 13:1);''40'' days and nights of [[Elijah]] (&nbsp;1 Kings 19:8); Jonah's ''40'' days' warning to [[Nineveh]] (&nbsp;Jonah 3:4); ''40'' days of Christ's temptation (&nbsp;Matthew 4:2). Also a time of probation by tranquil prosperity (&nbsp;Judges 3:11; &nbsp;Judges 5:31; &nbsp;Judges 8:28). Ezekiel (&nbsp;Ezekiel 4:4-6) lay on his right side ''40'' days a day for a year, which with the 390 on his left side makes the 430 of Israel's sojourn in Egypt (&nbsp;Exodus 12:40-41; &nbsp;Galatians 3:17). God will bring them back to a bondage as bad as that in Egypt, but shortened by the ''40'' years' sojourn in the desert for discipline. Also &nbsp;Ezekiel 29:11-12. </p>

<p> '''Number.''' Like most Oriental nations, it is probable that the Hebrews, in their written calculations, made use of the letters of the alphabet. That they did so in post-Babylonian times, we have conclusive evidence in the Maccabaean coins, and it is highly probable, that this was the case also in earlier times. But though, on the one hand, it is certain that in all existing manuscripts of the Hebrew text of the Old Testament, the numerical expressions are written at length, yet, on the other, the variations in the several versions, between themselves, and from the Hebrew text, added to the evident inconsistencies in numerical statement, between certain passages of that text itself, seems to prove that some shorter mode of writing was originally in vogue, liable to be misunderstood, and, in fact, misunderstood by copyists and translators. These variations appear to have proceeded from the alphabetic method of writing numbers. </p> <p> There can be little doubt, however, that some at least of the numbers mentioned in Scripture are intended to be representative, rather than determinative. [[Certain]] numbers, such as 7, 10, 40, 100, were regarded as giving the idea of completeness. Without entering into St. Augustine's theory of this usage, we may remark that, the notion of representative numbers, in certain cases, is one extremely common among eastern nations, who have a prejudice against counting their possessions accurately; that it enters largely, into many ancient systems of chronology, and that it is found in the philosophical and metaphysical speculations, not only of the Pythagorean and other ancient schools of philosophy, both Greek and Roman, but also in those of the later Jewish writers, of the Gnostics, and also of such Christian writers as St. [[Augustine]] himself. </p> <p> We will proceed to give some instances of numbers used, </p> <p> (a) representatively, and thus probably by design indefinitely, or, </p> <p> (b) definitely, but, as we may say, preferentially, that is, because some meaning, (which we do not, in all cases, understand), was attached to them. </p> <p> '''Seven''' as denoting either plurality or completeness, perhaps because seven days completed the week is so frequent, as to make a selection only, of instances necessary, for example, ''seven fold'' , &nbsp;Genesis 4:24; ''seven times'' , that is, completely, &nbsp;Leviticus 26:24; &nbsp;Psalms 12:6; ''seven, (that is, many), ways, (28:25'' ). </p> <p> '''Ten''' as a preferential number is exemplified, in the Ten Commandments, and the law of tithe. </p> <p> '''Seventy''' , as compounded of 7 [[X]] 10, appears frequently, for example, ''seventy fold'' , &nbsp;Genesis 4:24; &nbsp;Matthew 18:22. Its definite use appears in the offerings of ''70 shekels'' , &nbsp;Numbers 7:13; &nbsp;Numbers 7:19; ff,; ''the 70 elders'' , &nbsp;Numbers 11:16; ''70 Years of captivity'' , &nbsp;Jeremiah 25:11. </p> <p> '''Five''' appears in the table of punishments, of legal requirements, &nbsp;Exodus 22:1; &nbsp;Leviticus 5:16; &nbsp;Leviticus 22:14; &nbsp;Leviticus 27:15; &nbsp;Numbers 5:7; &nbsp;Numbers 18:16, and in the ''five empires of Daniel.'' &nbsp;Daniel 2:1. </p> <p> '''Four''' is used in reference to the ''4 winds'' , &nbsp;Daniel 7:2, and the so-called ''4 corners of the earth'' ; the creatures, each with ''4 wings'' and ''4 faces'' , of Ezekiel, &nbsp;Ezekiel 1:5; ff.; ''4 Rivers of Paradise'' , &nbsp;Genesis 2:10; ''4 Beasts'' , &nbsp;Daniel 7:1 and &nbsp;Revelation 4:6; the ''4 equal-sided temple-chamber'' , &nbsp;Ezekiel 40:47. </p> <p> '''Three''' was regarded, by both the Jews, and other nations, as a specially complete and mystic number. </p> <p> '''Twelve''' [[(3X4)]] appears in the ''12 tribes'' , the ''12 stones'' in the high priest's breastplate, the ''12'' apostles, the ''12 foundation stones'' , and the ''12 gates'' . &nbsp;Revelation 21:19-21. </p> <p> Lastly, the mystic number '''666''' . &nbsp;Revelation 13:18. </p>