Biblical Numerics
The current Arabic usage of figures to express numbers (called Gematria) is relatively modern, the ancient peoples had no such symbols to express numbers (i.e. 1,2,3,...), and used letters of the alphabet instead. The Romans only used six letters:
I = 1 V = 5 X = 10 L = 50 C = 100 D = 500
Note: The Romans did not use M = 1000, but rather a mix of CI, written together looks like a M.
There is an unwritten set of rules that typically governs Biblical Numerics:
1) All numbers from 1-40 have some sort of specific spiritual meaning attached.
2) Only certain numbers above 40 will have special spiritual meaning applied.
3) Compounding numbers by doubling, tripling, etc. will generally carry the same spiritual meaning intensified.
4) Compounding numbers by adding 2 simple numbers usually carry both meanings - bringing out a deeper truth.
5) When a compound number is able to be divided by several factors, usually the spiritual meaning is in the simplest factor.
6) The first use of a number in scripture almost always gives a clue to the number's spiritual meaning.
7) Every place a number appears there does not have to be a spiritual truth there - especially applies to verse #, chapter #, etc.
8) Either words or phrases may convey spiritual value in at least 5 ways: actual use of a #, # of times a word/phrase is used, numeric value of a word/phrase, placement values of a letter, total value of a letter/word/phrase.
VALUES
The numeric value of a word is the sum of the numeric values of its letters. The placement value of a letter is the number of the place the letter occupies in the alphabet. The total value of a letter, word, or phrase is the sum of its numeric and placement values.
The Hebrews and Greeks went further in their Gematria than the Romans and used every letter of their alphabets to express a numeric figure (Dual purpose). Below are the letter values for both alphabets:
|
Hebrew Alphabet (22 letters)
|
Greek Alphabet (24 letters)
|
Aleph = 1 |
Yod = 10 |
Koph = 100 | Alpha = 1 |
Iota = 10 |
Rho = 100 |
|
| Beth = 2 |
Kaph = 20 | Resh = 200 | Beta = 2 |
Kappa = 20 |
Sigma = 200 |
|
| Gimel = 3 | Lamed = 30 | Shin = 300 |
Gamma = 3 |
Lamba = 30 |
Tau = 300 |
|
| Daleth = 4 | Mem = 40 |
Delta = 4 |
Mu = 40 |
Upsilon = 400 | ||
| He = 5 |
Nun = 50 |
Epsilon = 5 |
Nu = 50 |
Phi = 500 |
||
| Vau = 6 |
Samech = 60 | *Stigma = 6 | Xi = 60 |
Chi = 600 |
||
| Zayin = 7 |
Ayin = 70 |
Zeta = 7 |
Omicron = 70 |
Psi = 700 |
||
| Cheth = 8 | Pe = 80 |
Eta = 8 |
Pi = 80 |
Omega = 800 |
||
| Teth = 9 |
Tsaddi = 90 | Theta = 9 |
* An ancient Greek letter, no longer used. A secret to understanding Rev 13:18.
Numbers and Their Spiritual Significance
1 Unity of God
2 Union, Division, Witnessing
3 Resurrection, Divine Completeness and perfection
4 Creative Works, Earthly
5 Divine Grace
6 Weakness of man, sin
7 Spiritual Perfection
8 New birth, New Beginnings
9 Finality of Judgment, Fruit of the Spirit
10 Testimony, Law, and Responsibility
11 Disorder, Judgment
12 Governmental Perfection
13 Depravity and Rebellion
14 Deliverance, Salvation
15 Rest
16 Love
17 Victory
18 Bondage
19 Faith
20 Redemption
21 Exceeding sinfulness of sin
22 Light
23 Death
24 The Priesthood, Elect
25 Forgiveness of Sins
26 The Gospel of Christ
27 Preaching of the Gospel.
28 Eternal Life
30 Blood of Christ - Redemption
31 Offspring
32 Covenant
33 Promise
34 Naming of a Son
35 Hope
36 Enemy
37 Word of God
38 Slavery
39 Disease
40 Trials, Probation, Testing
42 Israel's Oppression
45 Preservation
50 The Holy Spirit
60 Pride
66 Idol Worship
70 Universality, Israel and Her restoration.
100 God's Election
119 Resurrection Day
120 Divine period of Probation
144 The Spirit Guided Life, the Remnant
153 Fruit-Bearing
200 Insufficiency
600 Warfare
666 Mark of the false jesus
888 The First Resurrection Saints
1000 Divine Completeness and the Glory of God.
7000 The Elect.
Christian Resource Links
http://www.vcfbham.org/Resources.htm