Symbols of faith final paper
Biblical Numerology Backstage |

The world is composed of complicated mathematics.
We often speak of its ability to expose and explain a number of beliefs and scientific happenings. Truth is, it has found itself to be both the ‘chicken and the egg’ to most arguments. Numerical significance can be both a proof, demonstration of an idea, or it can be the reason for the thought, concept, or philosophy. By definition, scholars believe that numerology is the placing of meaning on numbers in the Scriptures. Numerology is by no means restricted to Christianity, even though we choose to make it our focus for the purpose of this paper. Numerology attempts to explain the reason why God used numbers as he did, and what he was potentially trying to tell us. Thorough analysis and interpretation efforts have taken place along the years, in other to find meaning behind this scientific, most often philosophical, symbol use.

“The Pythagoreans made number games philosophically respectable, and the great authority of Plato raised mathematics into theological realms. But at the lowest level, numbers remained magical.”

The fall of the Roman Empire, caused a challenging transition for many, especially in terms of religion. From Paganism to Christianity, many had to look for a meaning, and be convinced, or understand, regardless of doubts that a new religion was to emerge. The early years of Christianity revolved around strong thinkers who were able to establish arguments in order to defend a newborn faith. Those strong thinkers, not always referred to as Saints, are known to us as the Fathers of the Church.
The three that we will briefly look into in order to stabilize the basis of the argument are: Irenaeus of Lyons, Ambrose of Milan, and Augustine of Hippo.
Irenaeus, born in 130AD, was an early Greek Church Father, and apologist, and his writings were formative in the early development of Christian theology.
Ambrose, born in 340AD, was an influential ecclesiastical figure. He was one of the four original doctors of the Church and is credited with promoting “antiphonal chant”.
Notably influenced by Ambrose, Augustine was a philosopher whose writing influenced the development of Western Christianity, as he is viewed to be the most important Church Father.
We know that throughout Christianity, many numbers have significant meaning, and their interpretation is key to many religious arguments. That being said, in the era of the first Church Fathers, numerology per se, initially, was not greatly supported, and sometimes even strongly condemned. Numerology and mystical relationships between numbers and events was often believed to be the roots, if not the core of Paganism. Our Church Fathers, led battles on a daily basis, redefining belief, and recollecting minds in order to convert as much of the faith-resistant civilization as possible. Their clenching to prior beliefs increased the challenge. New symbols, and new meaning were to be emphasized in order to successfully spread the word of Christ. Nonetheless, we observe common roots from which the Fathers cannot escape. Pagans, had many Gods, and allocated the role of the King of the Gods to Jupiter. The number of Gods within the Pagan religion is almost impossible to keep track of. In the same way, when looking at the development of Christianity, we have one God, however, we have many saints, and each saint is attributed an importance or an achievement of some sort.
The Fathers of the Church eventually came to an agreement deciding to encourage their faithful to scrutinize the Bible for underlying numerical meaning. Evidently, the readers did not have to look very hard, as the Bible is filled with number philosophy. Being preceded by Paganism, Christianity’s New Testament is infused in Greek number philosophies. In Revelation 22.13 Jesus states, “ I am the Alpha and the Omega”, and since the letters in the Greek alphabet also have numerical value, Jesus is using number symbolism. Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, whereas Omega, is the last. Which consequently explains that Christ therefore embodies totality, all numbers, and all creation.

Within the Bible, numbers are often to be taken and interpreted literally; however, they do in a number of occasions take a symbolic stance. It is usually the context that helps us determine whether the number is used as a symbol. A few examples of such symbolic numbers are the following:
One, is usually representative of unity. “That all of them may be one, father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” Furthermore, the basis for Nicomachean philosophical mathematics, drawing from Plato’s Forms, is the number one. In Greek, one, was not a number at all. The number series actually began with the number two. “One” became the motivating force for all numbers, the necessary beginning although it was not a number itself. This leads easily to the association of monad, “the one” and God.
Two, can often be associated to legal matters, as you need two people to prove an argument.
Three is not only associated to the trinity as most of us, have been taught to assume, but it is also stated in the Revelation 4:8 that if a concern is justified by not two, but three witnesses it can only be true. Furthermore, when anything is repeated at least three times, it serves as a purpose of consolidation. Three is also an interesting number because geometrically speaking a triangle has three sides. Even though the triangle in most art pieces often reminds us of fertility for a number of reasons, some say that a triangle can be associated to God as a triangle is the only elementary geometric figure that cannot be deformed.
The number four happens to be filled with meaning. Firstly, in art and other creative aspects we attribute its value (as in four items) to the four Gospels, Matthew, John, Mark, and Luke. It is however, also linked to universality or the symmetry and the shape of a square. It appears three times in Revelation 7:1. This passage specifically speaks of ‘four angels’, which are responsible for the ‘four winds’, standing at the ‘four corners’ of the earth. In western culture, we associate the number four to the elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Wind. Finally, we also refer to number four when speaking of the four cardinals, which are very important to the Fathers of the Church mentioned previously.
Six, is not only the number associated to evil, but it is also the number following five which defines normality, such as the number of fingers on human hands and feet. Six is also the number prior to the well-known number of perfection. The fact six is very close to seven and yet cannot be seven intensifies its association to evil, or the antichrist.
The number seven is one of, if not the most powerful number within biblical context. When it is used in a symbolic sense, it is most often, if not always in regards of the heavenly or spiritual, and represents fullness. It is a sign that in God’s point of view, items associated to the value of seven, are fully accomplished. In some sense, when the number seven appears in different texts, it is often considered to be a signature of God. In Matthew 18, 21-22, its multiple (77) is even used in order to intensify the argument. In this context, the double seven indicates the perfection of the evangelical love that has no limits. Indeed, from the very first page of the Bible we learn to count by ‘sevens’. God created the heaven and the earth and everything they contain in seven days. The importance of the number goes beyond as we find connections amongst variables of our daily life. There were known to be seven planets, seven musical notes, seven colors in the rainbow, seven virtues versus seven vices. The number seven can be made up of the number three and four. As mentioned, three can be associated to the trinity, whilst four reminds us of the gospels. The combination of the two enables us to make the mysteries of faith, and the men who expressed them in writing, one.
An endless list could be made regarding the definition and interpretation of biblical numbers. Many religions, if not all, associate meaning and symbolism to them. Those often vary in the most astronomical way, but it is in human nature to aim towards resolving mystery and will continue to find a way to do so. Numbers are only a fraction of the different codes the Bible likes to put to use. It uses many other codes which can be compared to watermarks within the numerous different texts which remind you of God, like a sign from God.

As fascinating as all these different theories and concepts regarding symbols of numbers seem and sound, there has always been one main reproach to this so-called science. As previously mentioned, different religions give different meaning to different numbers, and often choose complete different numbers which have no meaning to others. For instance, 9 is the Royal Thai lucky number. In this case, it is a difference at a national level, however, it has become quite common to attribute meaning to numbers at a personal level. This practice is quite common due to the fact that numerology is very easy to modify and interpret different on the basis of convenience. For example, when one chooses to find meaning for a specific date, he may choose a combination of the month and year, or the day and month, etc. It has therefore been criticized by many different practitioners and philosophers that there must be some sort of limit in order to conserve the credibility of the practice. This critic also goes further by stating that throughout history it was found to be quite common for rulers, and general leaders of communities, to redefine different texts by mutating numerical variables into resourceful arguments in order to convince society of a new necessary normality.
Regardless of the critics, and counterarguments of this symbolism method, it is without doubt that society needs some sort of benchmark, a point of reference, especially counting the number of years of human existence if not worldly existence. Numbers will always remain necessary in their literal way; however, again, people need to give meaning to things in order to remember, or for the sole purpose of having a purpose. Quickly, numbers generate meaning and in a parallel manner, they generate symbolism as single or within combinations, such as certain dates, i.e. a loved-one’s birthday, a holiday and so on. Today, number symbolism still plays a huge part in society which in some cases remains linked to some biblical features. The European Union flag for instance is composed of a blue background, and twelve golden stars forming a circle. The number twelve unmentioned up to this point, is very often considered an incarnation of perfection and completion. It corresponds to the twelve hours of day and night, as well as the twelve months of a year. These temporal implications stand for a constant evolution of Europe, though the circle claims its infinite unity symbolization.

Finally, I believe it is permissible to conclude that numerology should be seen as an art. It, without doubt, enhances and optimizes the word of God, and makes it simpler to interpret the Bible in the 21st century whilst society advances intellectually at a growth rate surpassing historical average.

Work Cited

Barrow, Richard. "09 09 09 Lucky 9 In Thailand." Thai School Life. N.p., 09 Sept. 2009. Web. 09 May 2015. .

Chapman, John. "Fathers of the Church." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company,1909. 9 May 2015 .

Davis, John James. Biblical Numerology. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1968. Print.

Fairchild, Mary. "Bible Numerology - The Meaning Of Numbers In The Bible."Bible Numerology. About, n.d. Web. 09 May 2015. .

Lucas, John Scott. "Chapter 2, Numerology and Astrology." Astrology and Numerology in Medieval and Early Modern Catalonia: The Tractat De Prenostication De La Vida Natural Dels Hòmens. Leiden: Brill, 2003. N. pag. Print.

Pernot, Marc. "Questions De Visiteurs Et Réponses Proposées." Quelle Est La Signification Du Chiffre 7 Dans La Bible ? L'Oratoir Du Louvre, n.d. Web. 09 May 2015. .
Hòmens. Leiden: Brill, 2003. N. pag. Print.

Tester, S. J. A History of Western Astrology. Woodbridge, Suffolk: Boydell, 1987. Print.

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[ 1 ]. Fairchild, Mary (see work cited)
[ 2 ]. Tester, S.J. page 65
[ 3 ]. Chapman, John - Catholic Encyclopedia
[ 4 ]. John 17:21
[ 5 ]. On the definition of “one”, St. Isidore repeats this observation verbatim: “Numerus autem est multitudo ex unitatibus constituta. Nam unum semen numeri esse, non numerum” (Etymologiae 3.3.1).
[ 6 ]. (Lucas, John Scott, 47)
[ 7 ]. Deutéronome 17:6, Matthew 26:60
[ 8 ]. From the blog of priest Marc Pernot
[ 9 ]. Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Courage.
[ 10 ]. Revelation 13:15-18