Numerical Symbolism—I

(Note:  again, there are three articles in this series, and I have arranged them below in sequence.  The reader is encouraged to read the older posts first.  I am writing this series with a certain arrangement and organization, and to fully understand these newer posts, it would be well to study the older ones first.)


Part of “apocalyptic” literature is the symbolism of numbers. It’s not just apocalyptic writing that uses numbers like this; remember that Jesus told Peter to forgive his brother “seventy times seven” times, i.e., indefinitely. But certainly the symbolism of numbers is extremely important in the book of Revelation. Indeed, it is impossible to correctly diagnose the book unless one understands that nearly all of the numbers therein are intended to be comprehended in their symbolic, rather than mathematically literal, meaning. In this post, I want to give a brief overview of the symbolic meaning of numbers in ancient Hebrew literature, again, something that is very common in apocalyptic-type literature.

“One.” Man saw a single object and came to associate the number “1” with unity or independent existence. “One’ thus stood for that which was unique and alone. This usage of the number “one,” to my immediate recollection, is not found in the book of Revelation or anywhere else in Scripture, though I stand to be corrected if an instance is brought forth.

“Two.” Amid the dangers of primitive life, with the fear of wild beasts or hostile attack by enemies, man gained courage in companionship. Two are stronger than one; thus “two” came to symbolize strengthening, confirmation, redoubled courage or energy. This number is found often in Scripture. For example, though Jesus sent out His disciples literally two by two in the “limited commission” (Matt. 10), there was symbolism in this: the Jews would understand that the message was being confirmed because two were involved in its dissemination. In Revelation 11:3-12, the truth of God is confirmed by two witnesses who are slain and rise again—a strong witness which prospers, then seems to be beaten to earth only to rise again in heavenly triumph. Also, there are two beasts mutually confirming and supporting each other in the war against righteousness (chapter 13). The meaning is that Satan is very strong, and his message convinces many. Against these two beasts, God has a “twofold” instrument of warfare—the conquering Christ and the sickle of judgment. They are too strong for the beasts to overcome. Thus, symbolically we see the cause of righteousness triumph over evil.

“Three.” This number was a symbol of the divine. The source of this could be the home where primitive man found the most divine things to be father love, mother love, and filial love. As knowledge of God increased, man understood Him as a “godhead three”—Father, Son, Spirit. There appear glimmerings of this not only in the Old Testament, but also in Greek philosophy and dreams. Thus, the most divine aspects of life could be symbolized with the number three. This isn’t often found, if at all, in the book of Revelation.

“Four.” When man looked outside the home, he had no conception of the modern world as we know it. The world was a flat surface with four boundaries. There were four winds from the four sides of the earth. Man believed there were four angels to govern the four winds. In town he placed himself within the confines of four walls. Thus, when man thought of the world, he though in terms of “four,” the “cosmic” number. In Revelation, the four living creatures would represent all the divisions of animal life (all breath praises God). The four horsemen symbolize all the destructive powers of humanity on this earth—powers that were to come in judgment upon the world. The world in which men lived and worked and died was symbolized by “four.”

To be continued…