Number in Scripture Its Supernatural Design and Spiritual Significance By E. W. Bullinger (1837-1913) Fourth Edition, Revised London Eyre & Spottiswoode (Bible Warehouse) Ltd. 33. Paternoster Row, E.C. 1921 This book is in the Public Domain.Copy Freely More Freeware from www.levendwater.org Table of Contents Preface PART I SUPERNATURAL DESIGN CHAPTER 1 THE WORKS OF GOD The Heavens Chronology Nature The Vegetable Kingdom Physiology Chemistry Sound and Music Colour CHAPTER II THE WORD OF GOD The Books of the Bible The Writers Occurrences of Words in Old Testament Occurrences of Words in New Testament Occurrences of Words in the Apocalypse Occurrences of Phrases Evidence as to Authorship of Hebrews and 2 Peter Occurrences of Words and Phrases in Old and New Testaments combined PART II SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE Introduction One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Six and Seven together Seven by itself Eight Eight and Seven together Eight by itself Eight and Thirteen together Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen Seventeen Nineteen Twenty Twenty-one Twenty-two Twenty-four Twenty-five Twenty-seven Twenty-eight Twenty-nine Thirty Thirty-one Forty Forty-two Fifty Fifty-one Sixty-five Seventy One hundred and twenty One hundred and fifty and three Two hundred Three hundred and ninety Four hundred Four hundred and thirty Four hundred and ninety Six hundred and sixty-six Conclusion Preface Many writers, from the earliest times, have called attention to the importance of the great subject of Number in Scripture. It has been dealt with, for the most part, in a fragmentary way. One has dealt with some particular number, such as "seven"; another has been content with a view of the primary numbers, and even when defining their significance, has given only one or two examples by way of illustration; another has confined himself to "symbolical numbers," such as 10, 40, 666, etc.; another has taken up such symbolical numbers in their relation to chronology or to prophecy; another has collected examples, but has dealt little with their meaning. There seemed, therefore, to be room, and indeed a call, for a work which would be more complete, embrace a larger area, and at the same time be free from the many fancies which all, more or less, indulge in when the mind is occupied too much with one subject. Anyone who values the importance of a particular principle will be tempted to see it where it does not exist, and if it be not there will force it in, in spite sometimes of the original text. Especially is this the case when chronology is dealt with, the greater uncertainty of dates lending itself more readily to the author's fancy. The greatest work on this subject, both chronological and numerical, is not free from these defects. But its value is nevertheless very great. It is by the late Dr. Milo Mahan, of New York. His work Palmoni*, which was republished among his collected works, has long been out of print. It greatly increased my interest in this subject, and led me to further study, besides furnishing a number of valuable illustrations. * Not the anonymous Palmoni by an English author, published in London. It is too much to hope that the present work should be free from these defects, which are inseparable from human infirmity. From one point of view it is a subject which must prove disappointing, at any rate to the author, for illustrations are continually being discovered; and yet, from another point of view, it would be blasphemy to suppose that such a work could be complete; for it would assume that the wonders of this mine could be exhausted, and that its treasures could be all explored! I must, therefore, be content with the setting forth of general principles, and with giving a few examples from God's Word which illustrate them, leaving others to extend the application of these principles and search out illustrations of them for themselves. May the result of this contribution to a great subject be to stimulate the labours of Bible students; to strengthen believers in their most holy faith; and to convince doubters of the Divine perfection and inspiration of the Book of Books, to the praise and glory of God. E.W. BULLINGER 17 North End Road, Golders Green, N.W. Back | Contents | Next PART I ITS SUPERNATURAL DESIGN Chapter I DESIGN SHOWN IN THE WORKS OF GOD "Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand; And meted out heaven with a span; And comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, And weighed the mountains in scales, And the hills in a balance?" (Isa 40:12) "The works of the LORD are great, Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein." (Psa 111:2) There can be neither works nor words without number. We can understand how man can act and speak without design or significance, but we cannot imagine that the great and infinite Creator and Redeemer could either work or speak without both His words and His works being absolutely perfect in every particular. "As for God His WAY is perfect" (Psa 18:30). "The Law of the LORD is perfect" (Psa 19:7). They are both perfect in power, perfect in holiness and righteousness, perfect in design, perfect in execution, perfect in their object and end, and, may we not say, perfect in number. "The LORD is righteous in all His ways: and holy in all His works" (Psa 145:17). All His works were (and are) done, and all His words were spoken and written, in the right way, at the right time, in the right order, and in the right number. "He telleth the number of the stars" (Psa 147:4). He "bringeth out their host by number" (Isa 40:26). "He weigheth the waters by measure" (Job 28:25). We may, therefore, say with David: "I meditate on all Thy works; I muse on the work of Thy hands" (Psa 143:5). In all the works of God we find not only what we call "Law," and a Law-maker, but we observe a Law enforcer. We speak of laws, but they are nothing in themselves. They have no being; they possess no power; they cannot make themselves, or carry themselves out. What we mean when we speak of law in nature is simply this: God in action; God not merely giving or making laws, but carrying them out and enforcing them. As He is perfect, so His works and His words also must be perfect. And when we see number used not by chance, but by design; not at haphazard, but with significance; then we see not merely so many works and words, but the Living God working and speaking. In this first part of our subject we are to speak only of design in the use of number; and in the second part, of significance. In this first chapter we will confine our thoughts to design as it is seen in the works of God; and in the second, as it is seen in the Word of God. When we see the same design in each; the same laws at work; the same mysterious principles being carried out in each, the conviction is overwhelming that we have the same great Designer, the same Author; and we see the same Hand, the same seal stamped on all His works, and the same signature or autograph, as it were, upon every page of His Word. And that, not an autograph which may be torn off or obliterated, but indelible, like the water-mark in the paper; so impressed upon and interwoven with it that no power on earth can blot it out. Let us turn first to THE HEAVENS Here we see number displayed in a remarkable manner. The 12 signs of the Zodiac, each with three constellations, making 36 in all, which together with the 12 signs make a total of 48. There must be a reason, therefore, why the number 12 should thus pervade the heavens. Why should 12 be the predominating factor? Why should it not be 11, or 13, or 7, or 20? Because 12 is one of the four perfect numbers, the number of governmental perfection; hence it is associated with the rule of the heavens, for the sun is given "to rule the day," and the moon "to govern the night." The significance of this, however, must be deferred till we come to consider the number "twelve" under this head. It is enough for us now to notice the fact here, upon the threshold of our subject, that we have one common measure, or factor, which is seen in the 12 signs of the Zodiac, the 36 (3x12) constellations,* the total 48 (4x12); the 360 (12x30) degrees, into which the great circle of the heavens is divided. No one can tell us why the number of degrees was first fixed at 360. It has come down to us from ancient times, and is used universally without a question.** And it is this division of the Zodiac which gives us the 12 months of the Zodiacal year. This is called also the Prophetic year, for it is the year which is used in the prophecies of the Bible.*** * There are other modern constellations now: Hevelius (1611-1687) added twenty-two; Halley (1656-1742) added fifteen. But every one knows how different these are from the ancient constellations, both in their names, their character, and their utter absence of all significance. ** It probably arises from the product of the four numbers, 3, 4, 5, 6, which arise out of the phenomena which lie at the root of Geometrical and Arithmetical Science.