The Harmony of Revelation makes extensive use of biblical numerology in order to gain insights into the hidden meanings of certain scriptural passages. The following table lists some of the more common numbers used in the Bible along with their numerological implications.[1]
Summary of Biblical Numerology
|
Number |
Implication |
|
1 |
Unity, Uniqueness |
|
2 |
Testimony; Contrast |
|
3 |
God |
|
3.5 |
Half Complete, A Complete Part |
|
4 |
Earth, Worldly Power |
|
5 |
Representative |
|
6 |
Man |
|
7 |
Complete, Perfect |
|
10 |
Sufficient, Enough |
|
12 |
God's Chosen People |
|
40 |
Testing, Proving |
|
1000 |
A Large Number of |
|
All |
All That is Known, Essentially All |
|
1/3 |
Rest of Bible: One of three, One-third of an offering Revelation: An extensive amount of something destroyed. |
As long as you are willing to accept the numerological implications contained in this table, there is no need for you to read any further in this appendix. However, if you doubt any or all of these implications, please feel free to look up any or all of the following scriptures to verify for yourself that the Bible does, indeed, use these numbers in the sense listed above.
Of course, you should never get the mistaken impression that every time the Bible uses one of these numbers, the specified hidden meaning must always be applicable. Quite often the Bible uses a number to mean nothing more than that number itself. There is no hidden meaning.
Nevertheless, as can be seen from the numerous scriptures listed below, the Bible frequently does use a number in the manner mentioned above. So one should always consider the implications of biblical numerology before finalizing one's interpretation of symbolic passages like those found in Revelation.
In the Bible, the number one indicates unity, wholeness, uniqueness, significance, and/or individuality.
Since the ultimate example of all of these attributes is God himself, the Bible quite often uses the number one to refer to God himself. For example, the Bible refers to God at least 48 times as the Holy One. It says there is one God (GEN 41:25, MAL 2:10, MAR 12:32, ROM 3:30, 1CO 8:6, EPH 4:6, 1TI 2:5, JAM 2:19), one Lord (DEU 6:4, ZEC 14:9, MAR 12:29, 1CO 8:6, EPH 4:5), one shepherd (ECC 12:11, EZE 34:23, EZE 37:24, JOH 10:16), one law (EXO 12:49, LEV 7:7, NUM 15:16, NUM 15:29, EST 4:11), one ordinance (NUM 9:14, NUM 15:15), one body, one spirit, one hope, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father (EPH 4:4-6), one Master (MAT 23:8-10), and one sacrifice (HEB 10:12).
Of course, the number one is not always associated with God when used in the Bible. Sometimes the number one is used to indicate unity or wholeness. For example, a husband and wife are to be one flesh (GEN 2:24, MAT 19:6); God's people have one heart (1CH 12:38, 2CH 30:12, JER 32:39, EZE 11:19, ACT 4:32); Israel pledges with one voice to follow God's law (EXO 24:3); the divided kingdom shall become one nation under one king (EZE 37:19-24); the church has many members but only one body (ROM 12:4-5, 1CO 12:12-26); Christ said he and the Father are one (JOH 10:30); Christ prayed that we would be one with him and God (JOH 17:21-23); and God himself is three in one (1 JOH 5:7).
At other times the Bible uses the number one to indicate uniqueness, special value, or significance. For example, God took one of Adam's ribs to make Eve (GEN 2:21); the kingdom of God was like one pearl of great price (MAT 13:46); the rich young ruler lacked one thing (MAR 10:21, Luke 18:22); Christ said only one thing is needful (LUK 10:42); there is joy over one sinner that repents (LUK 15:7); Christ silenced his questioners with one question (MAR 11:29, LUK 20:3); and one man (Christ) atoned for the sin brought about by one man (Adam) (ROM 5:12-19).
Sometimes the Bible uses the number one to indicate the significance of even small details. For example, not one jot or one tittle are to pass from the law until all be fulfilled (MAT 5:18); Christ recognizes those who receive even one little child in Christ's name (MAT 18:5); Christ wished his disciples could pray for one hour to avoid temptation (MAR 14:37); and we cannot make even one hair white or black (MAT 5:36) or add one cubit to our stature (LUK 12:25).
The number of times the Bible uses the number one to indicate individuality are too numerous to mention. Every time the bible refers to one particular person it obviously is speaking of that particular individual.
As a final example of the use of the number one in the Bible, look at how that number was used over and over again when the altar of the tabernacle was dedicated through the offerings of the leaders of Israel. At that time each of the twelve leaders offered one silver charger, one silver bowl, one spoon, one young bullock, one ram, one lamb, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering (NUM 7:11-82). The numerological implications of this event should now be quite clear: there was unity, wholeness, uniqueness, significance, and individuality associated with the whole affair.
In the Bible, the number two indicates testimony (witness, agreement, assurance, strength, sufficiency, representation) or contrast (division, judgment, liberation, unification).
Examples of two indicating testimony are: the testimony of two or three witnesses are required before judgment can be made (DEU 17:6, 19:15, MAT 18:16, JOH 8:17, 2CO 13:1, 1TI 5:19, HEB 10:28-29); two angels testified to the resurrection of Jesus (JOH 20:12); two men in white apparel testified that Christ would return as the disciples had seen him ascend (LUK 24:4, ACT 1:10); Christ appeared to two disciples when the testimony of Mary Magdalene was insufficient to convince the other disciples of his resurrection; two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared when Christ was transfigured and God himself testified that Jesus was His Son (MAT 17:1-8, LUK 9:28-36); two silver trumpets were to be used to call the people to worship (NUM 10:2); Christ stayed two days after he had heard that Lazarus was sick (JOH 11:6); Jephtah's daughter bewailed her virginity for two months as a lamentation and testimony against her father's rash vow to God (JDG 11:37-39); and Paul remained in Ephesus for two years to testify about the Gospel of Jesus Christ to both Jews and Greeks (ACT 19:10).
Examples of two indicating witnessing are: Christ sent his disciples out two by two to witness to the lost (MAR 6:7, LUK 10:1); going the second mile is a witness to the lost (MAT 5:41); and two olive trees and two lampstands symbolizing two witnesses standing beside the Lord of the whole earth (ZEC 4:11-14, REV 11:3,4).
Examples of two indicating agreement are: two in agreement can ask anything of God (MAT 18:19) and two walking together confirms agreement (AMO 3:3).
An example of two indicating assurance is where two or three gathered together in Jesus' name have assurance of Christ's presence (MAT 18:20).
An example of two indicating strength is where the Bible says that two is better than one because they can stay warm and strengthen one another (ECC 4:9-12).
Examples of two indicating sufficiency are: Joshua sent out two men to spy out the land (JOS 2:1); Naaman urged Gehazi to take two talents of silver in two bags with two changes of garments to be carried by two servants (2KI 5:23); Peter was bound with two chains between two soldiers (which should have been sufficient to prevent his escape) (ACT 12:6); and two great lights, the sun and moon, are sufficient to light the sky day and night (GEN 1:16).
Examples of two indicating a sufficient number to be representative of all are: two tablets of stone represent all of the law of God (EXO 31:18); two commandments are sufficient to summarize all the laws of God (MAT 22:35-40, LUK 10:25-28); representatives of all animals entered the ark two by two (GEN 6:19-20); two tunics represent sufficient abundance to share with others who have none (LUK 3:11); two or three speaking in tongues and two or three prophets speaking during a worship service maintain order while representing everyone (1CO 14:27-29); and two swords taken by the disciples were sufficient to represent worldly power. Furthermore, there are at least 29 times in the book of Leviticus where a pair of small animals were acceptable sacrifices or offerings by poor people rather than one more expensive larger animal. The word "two" is also mentioned more than 75 times in describing design and construction of the tabernacle (EXO 25-39); at least 20 times in describing the design and construction of Soloman's temple (1KI 6-7); and 13 times in Ezekiel's vision of the New Temple (EZE 40-41). In each of these cases, the numerological implications of the number two can be interpreted as confirming the representation on earth of the dwelling place of God in heaven.
The second major numerological use of the number two in the Bible is where it indicates contrast. For example, no one can serve God and mammon (MAT 6:24, LUK 16:13); one will be raptured, another left (MAT 24:40-41, LUK 17;34-36); the Pharisee and the repentant tax collector (LUK 18:10); the prodigal son and his brother (LUK 15:11-32); and the two robbers crucified with Christ, one saved and the other lost (LUK 23:32-43).
Closely associated with contrast is the concept of division. Examples of two indicating division are: Solomon proposed that a child be divided in two (1KI 3:25); Elisha tore his clothes in two to lament the loss of his mentor, Elijah (2KI 2:12); the word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword (HEB 4:12); and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two with the coming of the Lord (ZEC 14:4).
Closely associated with the concept of division is that of judgment. Examples of two indicating judgment are: disloyal servants will be cut in two in the day of judgment (LUK 12:46); two things, loss of children and widowhood, confirm the judgment of God against Israel (ISA 47:9); two things, desolation and destruction, famine and sword, confirm God's judgment (ISA 51:19); and where God points out two evils, forsaking God and making false gods, as a judgment against Israel (JER 2:13).
Often the judgment associated with the number two results in some type of liberation. For example, our liberation from sin through the death of Jesus is symbolized when the veil of the temple is torn in two (MAT 27:51); our liberation from war is indicated when the bow is broken and the spear is cut in two (Psalms 46:9); and our liberation from bondage is symbolized when the gates of bronze are broken and the bars of iron are cut in two (PSA 107:16).
And finally, the number two sometimes symbolizes unity when two parts are brought together to form a complete whole. Examples of this are when the two nations of God shall be unified (EZE 37:22) and when man and woman are united through marriage (GEN 2:24, MAR 10:8).
In the Bible, the number three is most often associated with God or godlike characteristics such as godly, holy, mighty, awesome, blessed, refuge, heaven, full, complete, sufficient, excessive.
For example, the concept of a triune God, consisting of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, permeates the New Testament (1JO 5:7). Even the antithesis of God; namely, the antigodhead, consisting of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, is associated with the number three (REV 16:13).
Examples of three being associated with godly characteristics are: the godly witness of spirit, water, and blood (1JO 5:8); three godly men (GEN 18:2, 1SA 10:3, DAN 3:23); three annual godly assemblies (DEU 16:16, EXO 23:14; EXO 23:17); three days' journey out of Egypt before sacrificing to God (EXO 3:18, EXO 5:3, EXO 8:27); three days into wilderness before God miraculously supplied water (EXO 15:22, NUM 33:8); and three days before Christ's resurrection (JOH 2:19, MAR 8:31, MAT 26:61).
Examples of the number three being associated with the concept of holiness are: three days away from women before being considered holy (1SA 21:5); three holy assemblies each year (2CH 8:13); three years of nourishment before standing before the king (DAN 1:5); Daniel prayed three times per day (DAN 6:10, DAN 6:13); Daniel mourned and fasted three weeks before a vision (DAN 10:2-3); Jews fasted three days before Esther approached the king (EST 4:16); three of many things were used in the construction of the tabernacle (EXO 27:14-15, 38:14-15); Ezra stayed three days before a major decision (EZR 8:15, EZR 8:32); Paul studied on his own three years before going to Jerusalem to see Peter (GAL 1:18); Joshua waited three days before crossing the Jordan (JOS 1:11); the fruit from newly planted trees was not to be eaten for three years (LEV 19:23); Peter wanted to make three tabernacles, one each for Jesus, Moses, and Elias at the Mount of Transfiguration (MAT 17:4, MAR 9:5, LUK 9:33).
Other aspects of God that are associated with the number three are: three days in gathering abundant spoils (2CH 20:25); three days of awesome darkness (EXO 10:22-23); three mighty men (1CH 11:12, 18-19, 21, 24, 25); three months of blessing (1CH 13:14, 2SA 6:11); three cities of refuge (DEU 19:2, 7, 9; JOS 21:32); and Paul speaks about knowing someone caught up to the third heaven (2CO 12:2).
The number three is also associated with the concept of fullness or completeness. For example, people were often told to wait three days before doing something important (1KI 12:5, 1SA 20:19); Samuel prayed three times before a dead child was resurrected (1KI 17:21); Jonathan shot three arrows to warn David to flee Saul (1SA 20:20) and bowed three times to David before they parted company (1SA 20:41); Saul was three days without sight (ACT 9:9); the spies hid three days before returning to report to Joshua (JOS 2:16, JOS 2:22); three days after signing the treaty, the Israelites learned that the Gibeonites were their neighbors (JOS 9:16); the good Samaritan was one of three men who saw the person in need (LUK 10:36); three last woes to follow the three last trumpet soundings of three angels in Revelation (REV 8:13); three angels killed one third of mankind by fire, smoke and brimstone (REV 9:18); they searched for the body of Moses three days (2KI 2:17); Publius courteously lodged Paul and company for three days (ACT 28:7); Delilah said Samson mocked her three times (JDG 16:15); Job's three friends (JOB 2:11, JOB 32:1-5); Balaam blessed Isreal three times rather than cursing them (NUM 24:10); for three days the boy Jesus was in the temple asking questions (LUK 2:46); three days before prophetic dream was fulfilled (GEN 40:10-19); and baby Moses was hidden for three months (EXO 2:2, ACT 7:20, HEB 11:23).
Sometimes the number three is used to signify sufficiency. For example, Israel's army was often divided into three companies (JDG 7:20, JDG 9:43, 1SA 11:11); three years were long enough before Absalom returned (2SA 13:38); three darts were sufficient to kill Absalom (2SA 18:14); three hours after Ananias died, his wife came in with the same lie (ACT 5:7); three times Peter had the vision of unclean animals in the sheet (ACT 11:10) and then found that three men were seeking him (ACT 10:19, 11:11); Paul often abode in a place three days (ACT 28:12), three months (ACT 19:8, ACT 20:3, ACT 28:11), or three years (ACT 20:31) before leaving; three days were considered long enough for the people to respond to a call (EZR 10:8-9); Isaiah walked naked and barefoot for three years as a sign from God (ISA 20:3); Samson gave the Philistines three days to solve his riddle (JDG 14:14); Mary abode with Elisabeth three months before John the Baptist was born (LUK 1:56); three years were considered long enough for a tree to start producing fruit (LUK 13:7); and two or three persons were considered adequate for speaking in unknown tongues (1CO 14:27), for speaking as prophets (1CO 14:29), for testifying as witnesses (DEU 17:6, DEU 19:15, HEB 10:28, MAT 18:16, 1TI 5:19), or for calling Christ into their midst (MAT 18:20).
And finally, the number three is sometimes associated with excessiveness. For example, the multitude was three days without eating before Jesus fed them (MAR 8:2, MAT 15:32); three times Balaam struck his donkey before it spoke (NUM 22:28, NUM 22:32-33); and David was given three choices of punishment (2SA 24:12-13, 1CH 21:10-12). The phrase "three and four" almost always indicates too much, too many, or too little as in too many transgressions to forgive (AMO 1:3, AMO 1:6, AMO 1:9, AMO 1:11, AMO 1:13, AMO 2:1, AMO 2:4, AMO 2:6); too much to bear (PRO 30:21); too wonderful for me (PRO 30:18); too beautiful (PRO 30:29); never satisfied (PRO 30:15).
The number three and a half is rarely used in the Bible, but when it is used it usually indicates half complete or a complete part. This follows logically from the fact that three and a half is half of seven, which signifies completeness. Examples of the use of three and a half to indicate half complete or a complete part are: one week is cut in half (Dan. 9:27); Elijah prayed and it did not rain for a complete period of three and a half years (JAM 5:17); and the dead bodies of the two Witnesses were left lying in the street for three and a half days before they were resurrected (REV 11:9-11).
In the Bible, the number four is usually associated with the earth or with worldly power.
For example, in reference to the earth the Bible mentions the four corners of the earth (ISA 11:12, EZE 7:2, REV 7:1, REV 20:8); four things upon the earth (PRO 30:24); four angels to hurt the earth (REV 7:2); four spirits before the Lord of all the earth (ZEC 6:5); four anchors holding a boat to the earth (ACT 27:29); a sheet with four corners let down to the earth (ACT 10:11, ACT 11:5); and Lazarus being dead in the earth for four days (JOH 11:17, JOH 11:39). It also mentions four corners of the house (JOB 1:19); the four compass directions (1CH 9:24, GEN 2:10); four companies of soldiers (JDG 9:34); dividing Jesus's clothing into four parts (JOH 19:23); and unclean animals creeping on all four feet (LEV 11:20, LEV 11:21, LEV 11:23, LEV 11:27, LEV 11:42); all of which pertain to various aspects of this world. The Bible also mentions the four winds of the earth and the heaven (ISA 11:12, JER 49:36, EZE 37:9, DAN 7:2, DAN 8:8, DAN 11:4, ZEC 2:6, MAR 13:27, MAT 24:31, REV 7:1). But even when it mentions the four winds of heaven it is referring to the expanse of this universe, particularly in regard to gathering the elect from everywhere in this world.
The Bible also associates the number four with some aspect of the tabernacle or the temple too many times to list (more than 38 verses). Since both the tabernacle and the temple are worldly representations or symbols of heavenly realities, even these reverences can be interpreted as being associated with this world.
In regard to worldly power, the Bible mentions four angels (REV 7:11, REV 9:14, REV 4:6, REV 9:15); four beasts (DAN 7:3, DAN 7:6, DAN 7:17, REV 4:8, REV 5:6, REV 6:1, REV 6:6, REV 7:11, REV 15:7); four creatures (EZE 1:5-18); four wheels (EZE 10:9-21); and four horns (ZEC 1:18, ZEC 1:20, DAN 8:22, REV 9:13), which symbolize power, knowledge, destruction, kingdoms, and/or dominions. The Bible also uses the number four to refer to judgments upon this earth (EZE 14:21, JER 15:3) and squads of soldiers holding Peter in prison (ACT 12:4).
In the Bible, the number five is most often associated with a representation, representatives, or a representative sample. A few times it is associated with anxiety or with an enemy.
For example, five brothers were presented to Pharaoh (GEN 47:2); five shall chase a hundred (LEV 26:8); five shekels required for redemption (NUM 3:47; 18:16); five spies to search the land (JDG 18:2-17); five smooth stones (1SA 17:40); five loaves of bread requested from the priest (1SA 21:3); five thousand men fed with the five loaves of bread and two fishes (MAT 14:17-19; MAR 6:38-41); LUK 9:13-16; JOH 6:9-13); five virgins represented the wise and five the foolish (MAT 25:2); five pounds or talents gained five more for the good steward (MAT 25:15-20; LUK 19:18); five yoke of oxen (LUK 14:19); five brethren needed to be warned by someone rising from the dead (LUK 16:28); five husbands (JOH 4:18); five words of understanding (1CO 14:19); and five time Paul received forty stripes save one (2CO 11:24)
Since the tabernacle and temple on earth are representative of God's abode in heaven, it is not surprising to find the number five frequently associated with the tabernacle (EXO 26:3, 9, 26, 27, 37; EXO 36:10, 16, 31, 32, 38; EXO 38:1,18) and the temple (1KI 6:6, 10, 24; 1KI 7:3, 16, 23, 39, 49; 2CH 3:11, 12; 2CH 4:2,6,7,8; 2CH 6:13; EZE 40:7, 48; EZE 41:2, 9; EZE 41:11-12).
Since the sacrifice of animals is representative of the sacrifice of Christ, the number five is also associated with sacrifice (1SA 6:4; NUM 7:17, 23, 29, 35, 41, 47, 53, 59, 65, 71, 77, 83).
Sometimes the number five is associated with anxiety (LUK 1:24, ACT 24:1, REV 9:5-9) or the enemy (JOS 10:5-26, JOS 13:3, JDG 3:3-4, 1SA 6:16-18). In the secular world (but not in the Bible itself) the number five is even associated with the ultimate enemy; namely, Satan.
In the Bible, the number six is most often associated with some aspect of man's toil, labor, servitude, sacrifice, or patience.
For example, man was to work six days per week (DEU 5:13, EXO 16:26, 20:9, 20:11, 23:12, 31:15, 31:17, 34:21, 35:2, EZE 46:1, LEV 23:3, LUK 13:14); a Hebrew slave had to be released after six years of service (DEU 15:12, DEU 15:18, EXO 21:2, JER 34:14); there were six cities of refuge for the manslayer (NUM 35:6, NUM 35:13, NUM 35:15); man often had to wait six days upon the Lord (DEU 16:8, EXO 24:16, JOH 12:1, JOS 6:3, JOS 6:14, MAR 9:2, MAT 17:1); and Judah had to wait six years for a male king while the woman Athaliah reigned (2CH 22:12, 2KI 11:3).
The number six is also associated with certain sacrifices and offerings (EZE 46:4, NUM 7:3, 2SA 6:13) and with a group of six men (ACT 11:12, EZE 9:2).
Sometimes the number six is not directly associated with man, particularly when it signifies two times three (REV 4:8, ISA 6:2), twelve divided by two (EXO 28:10, LEV 24:6, 1KI 10:19-20, 2CH 9:18-19), or when it is associated with the tabernacle (EXO 25:33, 25:35, 26:22, 36:27, 37:19, 37:21).
In the Bible the number seven is used to indicate completeness, perfection, fullness, and totality.
For example, the Bible uses the number seven when referring to complete deliverance (JOB 5:19), total abomination (PRO 6:16; 26:16), perfect wisdom (PRO 9:1; 26:16), complete desperation (ISA 4:1), total languish (JER 15:9), and fully demon possessed (MAT 12:45, MAR 16:9, LUK 8:2, LUK 11:26)
Other examples of completeness are: Christ said to Peter that the number seven should not be taken literally when applied to complete forgiveness, seventy times seven is a better approximation (MAT 18:21-22); Joshua had seven priests blow seven trumpets while the army of Israel marched around Jerico for seven days and then repeat everything seven times on the seventh day before completely destroying the city (JOS 6:6-8); Samson told Delilah to bind him with seven unused bowstrings (JDG 16:7), to weave the seven locks of his head (JDG 16:13), and finally, to cut off his seven locks of hair (JDG 16:19) in order to make him completely lose his strength; seven ewe lambs were given as a complete witness that Abraham dug his own well (GEN 21:28-30); the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven months (1SA 6:1); the Lord promised to completely cast out many nations before Israel; namely, seven (DEU 7:1); the seven brethren with one wife completely illustrated the pharisees' point regarding the resurrection (MAT 22:25-28; MAR 12:20-23; LUK 20:29-33); and the seven loaves of bread and two fish were completely adequate for Jesus to feed the four thousand and still have seven baskets of food remaining (MAT 15:36-37, MAR 8:5-8, 20); when people flee seven ways they are completely scattered (DEU 28:7, DEU 28:25).
Examples of the Bible using the number seven to indicate fullness occur when Jacob worked seven full years for Leah, waited seven full days, and served seven more years for Rachel GEN 29:27-30) and when Pharaoh dreamed of seven good years and seven lean years (GEN 41:2-47).
Examples of seven indicating perfection are: Balaam prepared seven altars and sacrificed seven bullocks and seven rams on them (NUM 23:4-14); seven lamps were in the tabernacle (NUM 8:2); and the prescribed burnt offerings for Isreal often required seven first year lambs without spot (LEV 23:18, NUM 28:11, 19, 27; 29:2, 8, 36; 2CH 29:21; EZR 8:35).
An example of seven indicating totality occurred when the seven original deacons were to serve all of the church ( ACT 6:3).
And finally, the number seven is used extensively in the book of Revelation. There are the seven churches (REV 1:4,11), seven Spirits (REV 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6), seven golden candlesticks (REV 1:12, 13, 20; 2:1), seven stars (REV 1:16, 20; 2:1; 3:1), seven lamps (REV 4:5), seven seals (REV 5:1, 5), seven horns (REV 5:6), seven eyes (REV 5:6), seven angels (REV 8:2, 6; 15:1, 7-8; 16:1; 17:1; 21:9), seven trumpets (REV 8:6), seven thunders (REV 10:3-4), seven heads (REV 12:3; 13:1; 17:3, 7, 9), seven crowns (REV 12:3; 13:1), seven last plagues (REV 15:1, 6, 8; 21:9), seven vials (REV 17:1; 21:9). By now the numerological implications of each of these references should be quite clear: in each case the number seven symbolizes that the item is complete, whole, perfect, total, or all-encompassing.
In the Bible, the number ten indicates that something is sufficient or enough.
For example: Ten righteous men would have been enough to deliver Sodom from destruction (GEN 18:32); the ten plagues in Egypt were sufficient to convince Pharaoh to let God's people go (Ex. 7:14-12:32); the Ten Commandments are adequate to represent all of God's Laws (Ex. 20); the ten degrees on the sundial of Ahaz were sufficient proof that Hezekiah would live (2KI 20:8-11); the ten days of testing were enough to prove Daniel and his friends would remain healthy (Dan. 1:11-16); the ten virgins are adequate to represent all professed Christians at the time of Christ's return (MAT 25:1-13); and the ten horns of the beast symbolize enough earthly power to rule the whole world (REV 17:12-13).
In the Bible, the number twelve almost always refers to God's Chosen People, either the sons of Israel, the tribes of Israel, the apostles of Christ, or the Church of God.
There were twelve sons of Jacob and the nation of Israel was always considered to be composed of twelve tribes (even after Manasseh and Ephraim were introduced). (GEN 35:22; 42:13, 32; 49:28; EXO 28:21; 39:14; NUM 1:44; 7:84; 17:2,6; DEU 1:23; JOS 3:12; 4:2-4, 8-9, 20; 19:29; 1KI 4:7; 11:30; 18:31; 2KI 3:1; EZR 6:17; 8:35; 47:13; MAT 19:28; LUK 22:30; ACT 7:8; 26:7; JAM 1:1; REV 21:12).
As a result, the Lord often required the Children of Israel to offer twelve sets of identical sacrifices (NUM 7:86-87; 29:17).
King David chose 24 groups of 12 brethren to serve God through musical instruments. (1CH 25).
Elisha was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen when he was chosen to follow Elijah as Israel's prophet (1KI 19:19).
God promised to bless even the twelve nations of Ishmael (GEN 17:20; 25:16).
The specially chosen apostles of Jesus were mentioned as being twelve more than 35 times (MAT 10:1-2, 5; 11:1; 20:17; 26:14, 20,47; MAR 3:14; 4:10; 6:7; 8:19; 9:35; 10:32; 11:11; 14:10, 17, 20, 43; LUK 6:13; 8:1; 9:1, 12; 18:31; 22:3, 14, 47; JOH 6:67, 70-71; 20:24; ACT 6:2; 1CO 15:5; REV 21:14).
Twelve men baptized previously by John were rebaptized in the name of Jesus, received the Holy Spirit, spoke in tongues and prophesied (ACT 19:1-7).
Christ said he could call 12 legions of angels to save him (MAT 26:53).
In the Bible, the number forty is most often associated with a period of testing, maturing, or service. This follows from the fact that the number forty is a combination of (the product of) the number ten (sufficiency) and the number four (the world). Therefore, the number forty signifies a sufficient amount of time in a worldly situation to prove or make a point. There are numerous examples of this in the Bible as can be seen below:
A rain that lasted forty days caused the great flood (GEN 7:17, GEN 8:6). The twelve Israeli spies spent forty days spying out the land (NUM 13:25). Goliath tormented Israel forty days (1SA 17:16). Jonah warned Nineveh for forty days (JON 3:4). Christ was in the wilderness tempted by Satan for forty days (MAR 1:13, LUK 4:2). Christ remained after his resurrection forty days (ACT 1:3).
Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to be his wife (GEN 25:20). Esau was forty years old when he took Judith to be his wife (GEN 26:34). Moses was forty years old when he fled from Egypt (ACTS 7:23), spent forty years in the land of Midian (ACT 7:30), and led the children of Israel forty years in the wilderness (EXO 16:35, NUM 14:33-34, NUM 32:13, DEU 2:7, DEU 8:2, DEU 8:4, DEU 29:5, JOS 5:6, JOS 14:7, NEH 9:21, PSA 95:10, AMO 2:10, AMO 5:25, ACT 7:36, HEB 3:9, HEB 3:17). During the time of the Judges, the land had rest for forty years (JDG 3:11, JDG 5:31), or it was ruled by the enemy for forty years (JDG 13:1). Saul, David, Solomon, and Josiah each reigned for forty years (2SA 5:4, 2SA 15:7, 1KI 2:11, 1KI 11:42, 1CH 29:27, 2CH 9:30, 2CH 24:1, ACT 13:21).
Peter and John healed a forty-year old man who had been lame from birth (ACT 4:22-23).
Forty stripes was the maximum flogging allowed by Hebrew law (DEU 25:3) and Paul received forty stripes save one in five different floggings by the Jews (2CO 11:24).
There are numerous examples in the Bible when the phrase "a thousand" should not be taken literally to mean "exactly one thousand." Whenever this happens, the symbolism is quiet clear. The phrase "a thousand" means "a large number of." In fact, even in those cases where "a thousand" should be taken literally, it also has a symbolic meaning of "a large number of." Some examples of this symbolism are listed below:
Moses asked God to make Israel a thousand times as numerous as they were when entering the promised land (DEU 1:11).
Moses praised God for his faithfulness even to a thousand generations (DEU 7:9); David told his subjects to be mindful of God's covenant which pertained to a thousand generations (1CH 16:15); and the Psalmist said that God has remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations (PSA 105:8).
Joshua prophesied that one Israelite would chase a thousand of his enemies (JOS 23:10) and Isaiah prophesied that at a later time a thousand Israelites would flee at the rebuke of one of their enemies (ISA 30:17).
Samson slew a thousand Philistines (JDG 15:15-16).
When David made Solomon king a second time sacrifices were made of a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs (1CH 29:21) and later Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings upon one altar (1KI 3:4, 2CH 1:6).
The Psalmist said that God owns the cattle upon a thousand hills (PSA 50:10); that a day in God's courts is better than a thousand regular days (PSA 84:10); that a thousand years in God's sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night (PSA 90:4); and that God would protect his own even though a thousand should fall at his side (PSA 91:7).
Peter said that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2PE 3:8).
In the Bible, as well as in common usage in English and other languages, the word "all" rarely means "absolutely everything without exception." More often than not it means "essentially all," "all that we know about," or "all of those in the subgroup that we are talking about." In other words, the Bible often uses the word "all" to symbolize "most," "many," or even "some." Examples of this are given below:
According to the Bible, all the people in Sodom encompassed Lot's house (GEN 19:4); Jacob said all his flock would die if his herds were over-driven (GEN 33:13); Joseph advised Pharaoh to gather up all the food of Egypt during the seven years of plenty (GEN 41:35; GEN 41:48); Pharaoh said that no man in all the land would be able to lift hand or foot without Joseph's approval (GEN 41:44); Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt (GEN 41:45-46); the Egyptian famine was over all the face of the earth (GEN 41:56); Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and Canaan (GEN 47:14) and bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh (GEN 47:20); all the servants of Pharaoh and all the elders of the land of Egypt went with Joseph to bury his father (GEN 50:7); during the Egyptian plagues locusts covered the face of the whole earth and ate every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees through all the land of Egypt (EXO 10:15); all the women went out after Miriam and danced with timbrels after the Egyptian army was drowned (EXO 15:20); all the children of Israel murmured against Moses (NUM 14:2, NUM 14:36, NUM 16:41); all the men of war were consumed and died in the wilderness (DEU 2:14, NUM 32:13, JOS 5:4, JOS 5:6); disobedient Israel one day would be dispersed into all the kingdoms of the earth (DEU 28:25); the Jordan river overflows all its banks all the time of harvest (JOS 3:15); a single band of Amalekites were spread abroad upon all the earth (1SA 30:16); all the people of Israel were present when David made Solomon king the first time (1KI 1:39-40); all the earth sought to hear the wisdom of Solomon (1KI 10:24, 2CH 9:23); God gave Cyrus king of Persia all the kingdoms of the earth (EZR 1:2); King Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth (DAN 6:25); all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death (MAT 27:1); all the Jews said that Christ's blood would be on them and their children (MAT 27:25); all the people in the land of Judaea and Jerusalem were baptized by John the Baptist (MAR 1:5); all the city was gathered together at one door (MAR 1:33); all the Jews wash their hands according to the tradition of the elders (MAR 7:3); all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes were at Jesus' trial before the high priest (MAR 14:53); all the world was taxed by Caesar Augustus (LUK 2:1); all the publicans and sinners came to hear Jesus (LUK 15:1); all the people came early in the morning to the temple to hear Jesus (LUK 21:38, JOH 8:2); there was a darkness over all the earth when Jesus died (LUK 23:44); there was a great dearth throughout all the world during the days of Claudius Caesar (ACT 11:28); all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing (ACT 17:21); and all the Greeks took Sosthenes and beat him before the judgment seat (ACT 18:17).
The fractional number one-third is usually translated in the King James version of the Bible as a "a third part of" or "the third part of." When translated as "a third part of" it almost always means "one of three parts" (2SA 18:2, 2KI 11:5-6, 2CH 23:4-5, EZE 5:2, EZE 5:12, ZEC 13:8-9). When translated as "the third part of" it means either "the third part of something to be given as an offering to God" (NUM 15:6-7, NUM 28:14, NEH 10:32, EZE 46:14) or "a significant fraction of something to be destroyed or devastated" (REV 8:7-12; 9:15, 18; 12:4).
Notice that the use of the symbolism of the number one-third in the book of Revelation is different from its use anywhere else in the Bible. The book of Revelation never uses the number one-third to mean "one of three parts." Nor does it ever use one-third to signify "the third part of something to be given as an offering to God" (unless one concludes that God is forcibly extracting his own offering from unbelievers unwilling to give him his due).
In Revelation and only in Revelation, the number one-third is associated with something to be destroyed or devastated. Therefore, the numerological significance of one-third as used in the book of Revelation is unique to that book and must be determined exclusively from the context of that book. Since the context of Chapters 8 and 9, where the symbolism occurs, refers to an extensive amount of destruction or devastation, we can conclude that the phrase "the third part of" has a symbolism equivalent to "an extensive amount of."
[1]Notice that I have made no attempt in this appendix to provide a complete listing of all the numbers used in the Bible. This appendix contains only a brief summary of some of the more obvious aspects of biblical numerology. Hopefully, these examples and their accompanying biblical references will be adequate to demonstrate that the numerological interpretations used in the Harmony of Revelation are consistent with the symbolism of these numbers used throughout the Bible.