Number symbolism in the Bible and early Christian works
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The meaning of numbers
- Words and their numbers
- Christian gematria
- Numbers and geometry
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
SummaryFor those who were trained in the art of interpreting them, the numbers themselves had special meanings. The result was that people in antiquity could talk to each other in a code language, that only those initiated into the symbolism of numbers could understand. Unless we understand this code, we will not be able to understand the meaning of many ancient texts. Scholars provided the code long ago:
One was the number of God in Hebrew thought. There was one God alone. (Deut. 6:4) In Greek thought one was the number of unity and unity was the highest good. In Christianity there was also one people of God (Jn. 10:16; Eph. 4:4).
Two was the number of duality in both Greek and Hebrew thought. Duality might manifest as opposites, like good and evil, right and wrong. It could also appear as complements, like male and female, night and day.
One was the number of God in Hebrew thought. There was one God alone. (Deut. 6:4) In Greek thought one was the number of unity and unity was the highest good. In Christianity there was also one people of God (Jn. 10:16; Eph. 4:4).
Two was the number of duality in both Greek and Hebrew thought. Duality might manifest as opposites, like good and evil, right and wrong. It could also appear as complements, like male and female, night and day.
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