Numbers in the Bible

[shardae]

I am currently starting to study Matthew and I have noticed there are a lot of references to numbers in the Bible. For example, Matthew 1:17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ. The number 14 is repeated three times and I wonder the significance. I think it is because it is 2 times 7, which is the number of completeness. Please give me your opinion on the significance in numbers in the Bible and your opinion on the issue.

[Soldier4Christ]

All too often we make more out of things that are in the Bible than what they were intended to be. Such numbers were used in ancient times to help them in keeping track of specific events since much of this was relegated to memorization instead of just being written down. Memorization was an important part of their lives since the possibility always existed for written material to be destroyed.

[shardae]

How do we know we are overanalyzing things Pastor Roger? I do admit I am very knew to Bible study but I am trying to learn. Thank you for responding.

[nChrist]

I agree with Pastor Roger completely. I think that far too much attention is given to side issues like this instead of the message itself.

Some have carried this to the extremes and tried to make numerology in the Bible almost a religion. I feel this is wrong. On the other side of the coin, it is obvious that GOD uses certain numbers like "7" for HIS Purposes. So, I think there can be a common sense use of numbers in connection with GOD'S WORD with the message GOD is delivering as the highest priority. As a contrast, numerology is one of man's devices that should not be mixed with the Holy Bible. This isn't understood as wrong until a Christian tries to wade through man's numerology. You might not have even been talking about numerology, but I wanted to bring it up because it's misused. I don't pay any attention to Astrology for the same reasons.

There are some fascinating comparisons to be made with the number 7 in the Holy Bible, but it's GOD'S WORD - not numerology. I hope that most understand the difference.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Isaiah 13:9-13 NIV  9  See, the day of the LORD is coming --a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger-- to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.  10  The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.  11  I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.  12  I will make man scarcer than pure gold, more rare than the gold of Sophi.  13  Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the LORD Almighty, in the day of his burning anger.

[Soldier4Christ]

When we start reading between the lines in order to get extra messages then we have gone into over analyzing. What is the message being spoken of in Matthew 1:17? Is the message about numbers? No, it is about the genealogy of Jesus. Why is this important to scripture? Because it is another item on the long list that shows that Old Testament prophecy was fulfilled, that Jesus Christ was indeed the Messiah.

[shardae]

Thank you both Tom and Pastor Roger for taking the time to explain that to me.

There are some fascinating comparisons to be made with the number 7 in the Holy Bible, but it's GOD'S WORD - not numerology. I hope that most understand the difference.

Where in the Bible can I learn more about these comparisons?

[nChrist]

Hello Shardae,

That would depend on a lot of things:

The indexes, dictionaries, and extra study functions of your Bible and/or the Bible Software you use. I'm spoiled with the use of Bible Software and have a huge library that I can search in seconds. I also have poor eyesight and need to be able to make the fonts bigger, so my Bible Software handles it all. I can mention it because it's FREE - e-Sword. I've been using e-Sword since about the time it started, so I've made many of my own tools to use with it. I stopped upgrading it when I thought the software was nearly perfect for my use and did everything I wanted it to. It's ironic that I stopped with version 7.77.

There's a massive amount of free things already made to use with e-Sword, so it's really the poor man's answer to a full Bible Study Library. It has FREE dictionaries, commentaries, and add-ons of all types - all completely FREE. The search functions built into it are excellent. I usually keep it running in the background at all times, and I have it running now. It took me less that 2 seconds to find out that the word "seven" is mentioned 467 times in the American Standard Bible. When I entered the word "seven", I also had lights on many of my add-ons - indicating they had more information about the word "seven".

Good study Bibles also have indexes, chain references, and other helps designed to help people find various things in the Bible. I've had some really good Study Bibles, but none compare to e-Sword. If you do a Google Search on e-Sword, you'll find thousands of sites dealing with e-Sword. The vast majority of everything for it is FREE, but there are a few commercial modules that are reasonably priced if you think that you must have that module. I stopped looking after the number of my add-ons got over 4,000, and all of it can be searched in seconds from a single page. I must say that nearly all of the best e-Sword modules are FREE, and you really don't need to spend any money.

There are all kinds of study tools either included in a good study Bible or in separate books designed to be used with the Bible. I only mentioned a tiny sampling. I'll just say that I use the search functions, topical indexes, and ancient language helps the most - all FREE in e-Sword. I hope this helps you some. By the way, when I did the search for "seven", I also had a Verse List pop-up, and I could have clicked to go to any of them. I also had several summaries to choose from.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Psalms 23:1-6 NASB  1  A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.  2  He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.  3  He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.  4  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  5  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.  6  Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

[shardae]

 ;DThank you so much for the suggestion. I will look into right now.

[nChrist]

Here's a wonderful first stop that has links to just about everything

The David Cox Bible Study Library. He's a missionary in Old Mexico. He also has links for the main program and excellent instructions for everything. Many missionaries around the world use e-Sword because of the limited cost and large variety of languages.


http://www.davidcox.com.mx/e-swordmodules/topicsA.html