Our Wonderful Bible: It’s Numerical Design / Part 5

Series – February 2022 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Our Wonderful Bible
Its Numerical Design – Part 5

In this part we will conclude our brief study of numbers in Scripture.

• Ten.
This numeral is the sum of two fives. Ten has the same thought of responsibility seen in the number five, but it is double responsibility. It is responsibility toward God and toward man, as set forth in the Ten Commandments.

• Eleven.
The Hebrew word “feast” has the numerical value of 11. This word directs us to the Lord Jesus Christ, as so many of the numbers do. He is God’s great feast. The Feasts Of Jehovah all tell of Him and His work on the cross. This number also speaks of the joy we find in Him.

In Scripture as well as in the world, joy, music and feasting go together. We are told that in music there is a multiple of 11 vibrations that give us each note in the musical scale, and a multiple of 11 vibrations that come between each note. In God’s Word we find that number 11 is connected with song, music and harmony. The same God who created all things stamped this number upon music and song in His Book. Hence, 11 speaks to us of the joy, song and praise associated with a feast, which points to the Savior Himself.

• Twelve.
This number suggests the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles of Christ. It speaks of divine government and of God manifesting Himself in the world of His creation (4 x 3). It also tells of His sovereignty in ruling over man, as He did in the past with Israel, and will rule in a future day over the whole world. To the apostles He said, “Ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Mt. 19:28 KJV).

• Thirteen.
The Hebrew word for one (echad) has the numerical value of 13. The fundamental significance of this number is unity. In this numeral we come back to the thought of unity which we had in the number one. Echad is the word used in the passages that tell us that God is one, but this word is never used in Scripture for “one only,” as “an only son.” It means many units making up one, as “one people,” and gives us thought that God is more than one person but always one in unity. In fact, we find in Revelation 1:4-5 where the Trinity is mentioned, a suggestion of 13 and its numerical word echad – one unity, emphasizing the unity of Deity. Here it is:

1 “Him which is The Father

1 and which was,

1 and which is to come;

7 and from the seven Spirits which are before
His throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is The Spirit

1 the faithful witness, The Son

1 and the first begotten of the dead,

1 and the prince of the kings of the earth.”

13 The Trinity

We close our meditations on the meaning of numbers in Scripture by a brief reference to one more.

• Forty.
This number is associated with four – a number associated with the world or earth – and generally has the meaning of trial and testing. Moses was 40 days on the mount with God, and Israel was tested by God during this time with the result that they failed and made the golden calf for their god. Israel was 40 years in the wilderness, tested and tried. Jesus was 40 days in the wilderness, tempted and tried by Satan, but the Lord was victorious and without failure.

We trust that this study has helped our readers to see somewhat of the beautiful numerical design in the Holy Scriptures and that further evidence of the divine inspiration and perfection of God’s Word has been gained. For additional study, consider reading The Numerical Bible by F. W. Grant, especially Volume 1 and the article “Numerical Structure.” His book The Numerical Structure Of Scripture is another valuable resource. They can be read on the STEM Publishing website.

By R. K. Campbell

This short Series is adapted from the book, “Our Wonderful Bible.” The original articles, revised and compiled later for the book, were published in Grace & Truth Magazine between 1942 and 1949. The full book can be purchased from Believers Bookshelf USA.

Look for a new Series soon!