The Zondervan Expository Dictionary of Bible Words says, “The number forty is symbolic at times. The word forty appears 159 times in the New King James. Noting that Israel had 12 sons, who were the progenitors of the 12 tribes of Israel (Genesis 35:23-26 49:28), and that Christ chose 12 apostles (Matthew 10:2-4), the New Bible Dictionary article suggests that 12 is “linked with the elective purposes of God.” What does 40 mean in the Bible? The word twelve is found 187 times in the New King James Version. Jesus often used 10 in His teachings, including the woman with 10 silver coins (Luke 15:8-10) the 10 servants, 10 minas and 10 cities (Luke 19:11-27) and 10 wise and foolish virgins (Matthew 25:2). In the Bible we find 10 plagues on Egypt, 10 Commandments and 1/10 being a tithe. The fact that God created us with 10 fingers has made the decimal system natural throughout much of the world, including the ancient Holy Land. The word ten occurs 226 times in the New King James Version. The 7th year was the sabbatical year (Ex 21:2, etc.)” ( International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Online, “Number”). There were 7 days of unleavened bread (Ex 34:18, etc.), and 7 days of the Feast of Tabernacles (Le 23:34). The 7th day of the week was holy (see Sabbath). “The number 7 plays a conspicuous part in a multitude of passages giving rules for worship or purification, or recording ritual actions. Could this not relate to God’s initial revelation of the seven-day week to all of mankind? The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia notes that the significance of the number seven was widespread-from Babylon to India and China, as well as among the Celts and Germans. In the creation narrative God rested from his work on the 7th day, and sanctified it” ( New Bible Dictionary, Second Edition, “Number,” p. For example, “Seven has an eminent place among sacred numbers in the Scriptures, and is associated with completion, fulfilment and perfection. Numerous Bible reference works mention the significance of 7. We find seven days of creation, Pharaoh’s dreams about seven good years and seven years of famine, seven days of Unleavened Bread, seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, seven lamps on the gold lampstand in the tabernacle, seven days of marching around Jericho, seven churches of Revelation, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven last plagues and much more. The word seven is found 461 times in the New King James Version of the Bible. However, there can be a danger in getting too caught up in looking for hidden meanings.
There are some significant numbers in the Bible that have a spiritual or symbolic meaning. Why? Is there a deeper meaning for some of these numbers? Many students of the Bible have noted that certain numbers show up again and again in the Bible.
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