Hidden Meanings Behind Numbers in the Bible

Usually when I read a number in the Bible, I take it as face value. If the Bible says for example that five days passed between one event and the next, then I basically assume that five days went by between the two events. I’m fairly simple that way, and I would guess that most of us would think similarly. Often, we are correct in that assumption, but not always. Let me explain.

For many ancient people groups, numbers had special significance and meaning. The number 12 has always been significant to the Hebrews because their whole family lineage is based around the 12 sons of Jacob who become the 12 Tribes of Israel. Jesus mirrors this when He appoints 12 Apostles to be the foundations of His new movement called the Kingdom of God. For many people, 12 is the number representing perfection in government. (Interestingly, there are 12 months in the year and 12 signs in the zodiac. Don’t get weirded out by this. People have been staring into the heavens at night for millennia, seeing patterns and shapes, and assigning them names.)

In Rev. 4:4, there are 24 elders surrounding the Throne. Throughout the Bible Elders are always human beings, so we have to make that assumption here as well. Where do we get the number 24? Well throughout the New Testament, the church is described as the body of believers first from the Jews and then from the Gentiles. The 24 Elders are a symbolic picture of the church, a combination of the 12 Tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles gathered in Heaven to worship the Lord.

In Mark 6:32-44 we have the story of Jesus feeding the masses. With only five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus fed over 5,000 men, not counting the women and children. Remarkably there are 12 baskets of leftovers! 

Then in Mark 8:1-13 Jesus feeds 4,000 people with seven loaves of bread, with seven baskets remaining.

It would be easy to just assume God is a God of abundance and move on, but in Mark 8:19-21 Jesus asks the disciples to specifically recount the numbers involved in these events right down to the leftovers. Something is going on here!

As we’ve already said, 12 often represents Israel. So, Jesus, the bread of Heaven, feeds the multitude, symbolically represented by the 12 basketfuls. This salvation is more than enough for the Jews of Israel! But wait there’s more…

The next story of multiplied food happens in a predominantly Gentile area (Mk. 7:31 the Decapolis). Frequently the number seven represents perfection, fullness or completion, and often it is a number assigned to God. However, in this case, I think it means something different. You see in Dt. 7:1 the Israelites had to defeat seven nations in order to conquer the promised land (the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites). So, this bread from heaven isn’t just for the Jews (12), it’s also for the Gentiles (seven nations).

“We should be aware…when a passage gives us clues to look deeper than just the surface.”

Can you handle just a little more? The number five is often associated with power and divine grace. (Jesus bled from five wounds—two hands, two feet, side; Daniel proclaimed the 5th kingdom to be an everlasting Kingdom {Dan. 2:37-44}). So, 5,000 (5 x 1,000) is overflowing and abounding grace being extended to the people of Israel. Four is often associated with the earth (the four directions: North, East, South, West; the four basic elements: Earth, Wind, Fire, Water etc.). The Grace of God is not only extended to the people of Israel, but it also overflows to the Gentiles in all four corners of the earth as well. Mark drives the point home even more in Mk. 8:2 telling us that the feeding of the 4,000 happens after “three days.” Once Jesus went to the cross and rose from the dead, grace and salvation were available to everyone!

This is so fascinating to me, but we do have to be careful. Not every number has some deep, secret meaning. However, we should be aware of these things, especially when a passage gives us clues to look deeper than just the surface. Numbers held special significance and meaning for many ancient peoples. This helped them understand their world and communicate truths to one another. Here is a link to a page that I find very helpful in these matters.

Have fun digging deeper into God’s Word!!