The Significance of Numbers

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost and these three are one.”  I John 5:7

Numbers are significant in scripture, not in some sort of code that some have calculated in an attempt to predict the future, but as reference points from Old Testament to New Testament and vice versa to show comparisons and contrasts between the law and grace or between good and evil.  The number seven shows completeness, but so does the number three to a lesser degree.  Scripture is filled with references to the number three or multiples thereof.

Noah had three sons (Genesis 6:10) whose descendants populated the Middle East (Shem), Africa (Ham), and Europe (Japheth).  The patriarchs of God’s people were Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  When Moses was born, his mother hid him three months (Exodus 2:2).  By God’s help, Gideon and 300 men were victorious over thousands of Midianites (Judges 7:7).  Esther and her maidens fasted three days and nights before she went to king Ahasuerus to save her people (Esther 4:16).  In Ecclesiastes 4:12, we are told that a threefold cord is not quickly broken.  There are many other references to the number three in the Old Testament.

There are also many references to the number three in the New Testament.  Jesus arose after three days (Mark 8:31).  He was betrayed by Judas for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15).  Jesus’ right hand men were Peter, James, and John (Matthew 7:1).  Jesus died on the cross at the ninth hour (three o’clock in Jewish time).  Paul was blind after his conversion to Christianity for three days (Acts 9:9).  In Revelation 21:13, the New Jerusalem is described as having three gates on each wall.  An example of a multiple of three being used in contrast is as follows:  in the Old Testament, 3,000 people died as a result of their idolatry.  They lost patience waiting for Moses to come down from Mt. Sinai and made a golden calf to worship (Exodus 32:28).  In contrast, 3,000 people received Christ on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41).

We know that God is one God in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  We also know that what we call the “unholy trinity” is made up of the devil, the beast, and the false prophet (Revelation 20:10).  The Old Testament has 39 books, and the New Testament has 27 books, both divisible by three.  God is described in Revelation 1:4 as He “which is, and which was, and which is to come”, that is present, past, and future.  Thus we see that the number three in God’s word is highly significant.  The next time the number three comes across our minds at work, in class, or in any other endeavor, perhaps we will be reminded of some of these scriptural references, and it will cause us to reflect on the importance and significance of God’s word.  One more example: the three letter word JOY–Jesus, others, and you!