About one in five Bible scriptures contains a number. For example we find 6 days of work, 8 people in the ark, 10 commandments, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 disciples, 30 pieces of silver, 40 days in the wilderness, 70 prophetic weeks in Daniel, 153 fish in the net, 144,000 on Mount Zion, and 666 or the number of the beast. First a word of warning. We must be careful when assigning a symbolic meaning to a number in the Bible and refrain from doing so unless there is strong scriptural backing. Having said that, the meaning of some numbers is widely accepted. Let's examine the symbolic meaning of some of these numbers by highlighting Bible verses that appear to attach symbolism to the number [see also "Biblical Mathematics: Keys to Scripture Numerics" by E. F. Vallowe, and Bible Numbers - Ivan Panin]. Number 1 - unity
"I and the Father are ONE" (John 10 and 30).
"The glory which you have given Me I have given them, that they may be ONE, just as We are ONE" (John 17 and 22).
The millennial earth will be unified in Christ; "in that day the Lord will be the only ONE" (Zechariah 14 and 9).
Number 2 - union, division
In terms of union, Jesus sent His disciples out TWO by TWO, a union of minds and purpose. In marriage, TWO become one flesh. In terms of division:
"a DOUBLE-minded man is unstable in all his ways" (James 1 and 8).
"No one can serve TWO masters" (Matthew 6, 24).
Man has TWO natures, one in conflict with the other (Romans 7 and 14 through 25).
Number 3 - resurrection, divine completeness
"Destroy this temple and in THREE days I will raise it up" (John 2 and 19).
There are THREE cases in the OT where people were raised from the dead, and Jesus raised THREE people from the dead in His earthly ministry (the widow's son, Jairus's daughter and Lazarus). Divine completeness is found in Matthew 28 and 19: Go … in the name of the Father, which is Jesus, and the Son who was Jesus, and the Holy Spirit which was sent in the name of Jesus", implying ONE God manifested in three manners. One god being a father in creation, a son redemption and Holy Spirit in regeneration.
Number 4 - creation, world
There are FOUR points of the compass, FOUR seasons, FOUR primitive elements (earth, air, fire and water), FOUR living creatures around God's throne (Revelations 4 and 6). The angels will gather the elect "from the FOUR winds" (Matthew 24, 31). There are FOUR world kingdoms in Daniel's vision of the statue (Daniel 2 and 31). Since FOUR is not a prime number (it can be factored) it also symbolises weakness. The FOUR world kingdoms are man centred and weak, to be followed by a fifth kingdom – Christ's.
Number 5 - grace, God's goodness
There were FIVE ingredients in the holy anointing oil or perfume used in the OT: myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassis and olive oil (Exodus 30, 23 and 24). Grace came by Christ, who has FIVE names: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9, 6). There are FIVE ministries whereby God’s grace is given to the world: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers (Ephesians 4, 11). Jesus, out of compassion and grace fed FIVE THOUSAND men with FIVE loaves (John 6, 10).
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