Numerology is defined as the study of the occult significance of numbers (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary). Mankind has always been attracted by the curious connection between numbers and our world. In fact, if we pay close attention, a vast majority of our life is dictated by a number. Time, currency, distance, measurements, and our system for identification are considered highly important for our survival and each one is based off a system of numbers. It is undeniable that we as a society, are heavily influenced by numbers in our daily living. However, there are some that make the suggestion that numbers have other uses besides counting. For example, in the Oriental mind, numbers can also be used to interpret certain mysteries of the universe. For them, numbers have certain significance’s that represent certain Divine aspects. Although it is wise to acknowledge that there is a danger to deviate from a logical explanation to a superstitious one, it is also interesting to discover that this concept is very present in Holy Writ. The use of numbers in a symbolic manner is most easily recognized in the apostle John’s book of Revelation. Perhaps the most famous number found in its pages that haunts those who read without understanding is the number 666 (Revelation 13:18). This three digit number has been popularly accepted as the “demonic” number. 666 is associated to the devil because John presents it as “the number of the beast” but where he states “for it is the number of a man” is always forgotten by the superstitious. As a result of this unfortunate misinterpretation, approximately ten years ago a pandemonium erupted because several proclaimed that the beast’s one thousand year reign was set to begin or that the world was to arrive to its end. How was this ludicrous conclusion arrived too? Because June 6, 2006 (06/06/06) was what John, according to their erroneous comprehension, had prophesied in his book. The same superstitious mistake is true about the number seven. Seven is always considered to be the “luckiest” number in the world. Several athletes typically have this number on their jersey’s so that it can grant them luck on their path to a championship. This, however, is the consequence of misunderstanding the pure purpose of the number in Holy Scriptures. Hence the value of understanding how to correctly interpret the use of numbers in the bible. To appropriately begin to grasp this literary use in the bible, let us not forget that the bible was mostly written by Hebrew and Jewish men. This is necessary because it illuminates the key to opening the manner in which numbers are being applied by the author. Knowing the author is seeking to attempt to view the context of the number through his eyes. The two numbers that we referred to previously (6 and 7) have a different meaning to the Jew during the first century. The difference between these numbers is very simple to comprehend, but at the same time very profound. The number six in Hebrew Numerology represents that which is incomplete, whereas the number seven is that which is complete. As evidence of this, observe the number of days our heavenly God used to create the world as presented by Moses (Genesis 1 and 2). It is indisputable that an omnipotent God could have created this world in mere seconds; yet He chose to do so in seven days. This truth enlightens the Hebrew understanding of what these numbers represent. Knowing that the number 7 is a number that means all that is complete, we are able to see that God (through His creation) was teaching man the importance of rightly completing a task. Moses emphasizes this lesson by stating that “God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). Those final words from this pericope can also be understood as “it was perfect.” Although it is true that our Lord has the power to have completed His creation rapidly, instead He chose to do so patiently as a means to teach mankind the value of quality over quantity. Observe that our God rested from His majestic work on the seventh day. This was also the same day God established as the day of rest, or commonly known as the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11). In giving this commandment to the people of Israel, God explains that “in six days days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day” (Exodus 20:11). In other words, our God did not rest until His impeccable creation had been fully complete. He exhibits to the Israelite’s that they were to imitate Him by keeping the Sabbath day. For six days they were to labor and insure that all their task were complete so that on the seventh day they could rest. This use of seven is found also in the New Testament. In his gospel account, the apostle John selected to speak of only seven miracles executed by the Master. John himself admits that our Master “did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book” (John 20:30). So, why only seven? “But these [seven] are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). The apostle’s explanation is that seven should suffice to complete our faith in accepting beyond the shadow of a doubt that Jesus is God’s Son. The same apostle uses this symbol again when describing the Lord having “seven Spirits who are before His throne”(Revelation 1:4b). Understanding now that this digit represents all that is flawlessly complete, we are able to see that John is describing the fullness of God present during his vision on the isle of Patmos. In fact, the number seven is utilized by John in his book of Revelation alone approximately 54 times. In every context he uses it, he presents an accomplished task. It is interesting to be able to comprehend the magnificence of the interpretation this number has in Hebrew Numerology. Quite simply put, it is just another literary tool used by our God to teach man a divine lesson. One could argue that in this number, we are also able to see the perfect harmony between God and His creation, since 3 (the Divine number) plus 4 (the cosmic number) equals 7. Perhaps, the message that makes this number so magnificent is that true peace (or rest) can only come from man’s harmony with God; it is, after all, what makes man whole (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
