Meaning of Numbers
in the Bible

The Biblical Meaning of the Number 6

The Hebrew #$#$' (shaish) is supposed to be derived from the root #$da#$af (shah-dash), but nothing is known about its origin or signification.

At any rate it is certain that man was created on the sixth day, and thus he has the number six impressed upon him. Moreover, six days were appointed to him for his labor; while one day is associated in sovereignty with the Lord God, as His rest.

Six, therefore, is the number of labor also, of man's labor as apart and distinct from God's rest. True, it marks the completion of Creation as God's work, and therefore the number is significant of secular completeness.

The serpent also was created on the sixth day.

The Sixth Commandment relates to the worst sin — murder.

The sixth clause of the Lord's prayer treats of sin.

Six is the number stamped on all that is connected with human labor. We see it stamped upon his measures which he uses in his labor, and on the time during which he labors. And we see this from the very beginning.

d number, was a multiple, indeed the square of 5, being 25.3 inches.

The number six is stamped upon the measurements of the Great Pyramid, the unit of which was the inch and its sexagesimal multiples. The first multiple is the foot, 12 inches (2x6); and after this the rises are 18 (3x6), 24 (4x6), 30 (5x6), and 36 (6x6 or 6²=the yard).*

* On the other hand, the sacred cubit, though not a roun

Corresponding to these measures we have the first division of the natural time-spaces which measure man's labor and rest,—the day, consisting of 24 hours (4x6), divided into the day and night of 12 hours. The multiples and subdivisions are also stamped by the number six. The months being 12; while the hours consist of 60 minutes (6x10), and the minutes of 60 seconds (6x10).

The base of the Great Pyramid shows that the unit-inch* was obtained by a division of the original circuit, 36,000 inches or 1,000 yards.

* Differing from the Pyramid inch by only 1 in 40,000.

On account of the curse (Genesis 3), the number six tells not only of labor, but of "labor and sorrow," and it specially marks all that is "under the sun," all that is "not of God." The true sabbath-keeping, now, is in reserve; for there is no rest apart from "peace with God"; the rest which God gives and which we find (Matthew 11:28).

But now to turn to the Scripture examples and illustrations, we note first that Cain's descendants are given only as far as the sixth generation.

Why is 6 the number of imperfection?

When twelve (the number of governmental perfection) is divided, it indicates imperfection in rule and administration. Solomon's throne had six steps (1 Kings 10:19), and his kingdom was soon divided. The twelve loaves of the Shew Bread were divided into two sixes (Leviticus 24:6), and the Twelve Tribes were divided tribes.

Abraham's six intercessions for Sodom (Genesis 18) marked man's imperfection in prayer, which falls short of that of the Divine Intercessor.

The Burnt Offering in Genesis 22

The burnt offering in Genesis 22 is mentioned six times (verses 2,3,6,7,8,13) because the seventh was that of the Divine Substitute which God Himself would provide (verse 8).

"The Man of the Earth."

In Psalms 9 and 10, through which there is a running alphabetical acrostic, uniting the two Psalms, six letters of the alphabet are wanting (m to c). It is the Scripture which describes "the Man of the Earth" (Psalm 10:18), the coming Anti-Christ, and the Apostasy which marks his presence, called the "times of trouble" (Psalm 9:9, 10:1).

Were Earthquakes mentioned in the Bible?

Six earthquakes are mentioned:—Exodus 19:18; 1 Kings 19:11; Amos 1:1 (Zechariah 14:5); Matthew 27:54, 28:2; Acts 16:26.

The Six Years of Athaliah's Reign

The six years of Athaliah's reign were six years of usurpation of the throne of David (2 Kings 11; 2Chronicles 23). Athaliah slew all the seed-royal, as she thought; but God in His providence over-ruled events so that one son, Joash, was "rescued from among the king's sons that were slain." He was hid in the house of God during the six years with Jehosheba, who was shut up with him, her affections being centred upon him, while Jehoiada her husband was occupied for the king, going about and securing loyal adherents by his simple repetition of God's promise,

"Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David" (2Chronicles 23:3).

This promise was the support of the hearts of the faithful during those six years of usurpation, until the seventh year came, and Joash was manifested upon his throne and all his enemies destroyed. Which things are a type of the King's son, even Jesus, who was rescued, by resurrection, from among the dead, and is now hid in the house of God on high. While He is seated and expecting, (Hebrews 10:12,13), all who are "in Christ" are hid with Him (Colossians 3:3); and while, in this aspect, their hearts (like Jehosheba's) are occupied with the person of the King, their activities (like Jehoiada's) are going out for Him, witnessing and testifying to the blessed truth that the King is coming again and will surely reign, and the seventh year of blessing will come at last. Until that moment arrives, the promise of God will be their support, that the Seed of the woman shall in due time crush the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15).

What were the 6 times Jesus was accused of having a DEVIL?

1. Mark 3:22, and Matthew 12:24, "He hath Beelzebub."

2. John 7:20, "Thou hast a devil."

3. John 8:48, "Say we not well that . . . Thou hast a devil?"

4. John 8:52, "Now we know that Thou hast a devil."

5. John 10:20, "He hath a devil, and is mad."

6. Luke 11:15, "He casteth out devils by Beelzebub."

This is most significant. Man's enmity to the Person of the Lord Jesus is thus branded with man's number. It will repay careful study to note the chronological order of these occasions and speakers. The very order and structure is important.

A. 1. Beelzebub, and casting out devils.

B. 2. A simple charge, "Thou hast,"

C. 3. Introduced by "Say we not well," [in John 8]

C. 4. Introduced by "Now we know." [in John 8]

B. 5. A simple charge, "He hath."

A. 6. Beelzebub, and casting out devils.

What is man's six-fold opposition to God's work?

The six-fold opposition to the work of God on the part of man is seen in the opposition to Nehemiah. It forms a lesson for all time, being enacted every day where any, like Nehemiah, begin a work for God.

There was—

1. Grief, Nehemiah 2:10.

2. Laughter, Nehemiah 2:19.

3. Wrath, indignation, and mocking, Nehemiah 4:1-4.

4. Fighting and open opposition, Nehemiah 4:7,8.

5. Conference, Nehemiah 6:1,2.—"Come and let us meet together." "Let us take counsel together" (verse 7). This attempt was to "weaken them from the work" (verse 9). But Nehemiah refused to parley with the enemies, or meet them in conference.

6. False friends, Nehemiah 6:10-14.—Here was the greatest danger of all. Satan, "as an angel of light" seeking to mar, and hinder, and stop the work.

The careful study of these six steps in man's opposition to the work of God will yield great spiritual profit, and arm us against the wiles of the Devil.

Now let us pass to the number, as it concerns words, and first note that there are six words used for Man.

What are the 6 words the Bible uses for MAN?

Six words are used for man in the Bible. Four in the Old Testament, and two in the New.

Word #1 the Bible uses for man

Md) (ad-dahm). Man as a human being (Latin homo), having regard to his being created, and to his earthly origin. This is the word used of Messiah as the "Son of Man." See a few examples:—

• Genesis 1:26, "Let us make man."

• Genesis 2:7, "God formed man of the dust of the ground."

• Genesis 3:24, "So He drove out the man."

• Isaiah 2:11, "The lofty looks of man shall be humbled."

• Isaiah 2:17, "The loftiness of man shall be bowed down."

• Isaiah 2:9, "The mean man boweth down."

• Isaiah 2:9, "The great man [Ish, see next word] humbleth himself."

• Isaiah 5:15, "The mean man shall be brought down."

• Isaiah 5:15, "The mighty man [Ish] shall be humbled."

• 2Samuel 7:19, "Is this the manner of man, O LORD God?"

• Psalm 8:4, "What is man [Enosh, see the third word] that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him?"

Word #2 the Bible uses for man

#y) (Ish). Man, as strong and vigorous of mind and body. Man with some degree of pre-eminence of strength and endowment.

• Zechariah 6:12, "Behold the man whose name is the Branch."

• Psalm 22:6, "I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men [Adam, see No. 1], and despised of the people."

• Psalm 25:12, "What man is he that feareth the LORD?"

• Psalm 39:11, "When Thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity: surely every man is vanity."

• Psalm 90 Title, "The man of God."

Word #3 the Bible uses for man

#wn) (Enosh). Weak man, as mortal and subject to suffering and death; the heir of corruption.

• Psalm 8:4, "What is man that Thou art mindful of him? or the son of man" [Adam, see No. 1].

• Psalm 73:5, "They are not in trouble as other men."

• Psalm 103:15, "As for man, his days are as grass."

Word #4 the Bible uses for man

rbg (Gehver), a strong man, a man of might and valour. Man as distinct from God (Job 22:2), and from a woman or wife (Proverbs 6:34).

• Zechariah 13:7, "Awake, O sword, against . . . the man that is My fellow, saith the LORD of Hosts."

• Exodus 10:11, "Go now, ye that are men."

• Exodus 12:37, "Six hundred thousand on foot that were men."

• Psalm 52:7, "Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength."

• Jeremiah 17:5, "Cursed be the man that trusteth in man" [Adam, see No. 1].

• Jeremiah 17:7, "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD."

Then in the New Testament we have the two words:

Word #5 the Bible uses for man

anqrwpoV, which answers to Adam (No. 1).

Word #6 the Bible uses for man

anhr, which answers to Ish (No. 2).

It is worthy of note that these four Hebrew words are each used of the Messiah, and that the Holy Spirit has revealed a blessing for each in and through the man Christ Jesus.

1. Md) (Adam), Psalm 32:2, "Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity."

2. #y) (Ish), Psalm 1:1, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."

3. #wn) (Enosh), Job 5:17, "Happy* is the man whom God correcteth, therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty."

   * The same word as in the other passages, viz., r#) (Ashrai), blessed. Lit. Oh, the blessednesses of.

4. rbg (Gehver), Psalm 94:12, "Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of Thy law."

What are the 6 names used for the Serpent?

The Talmud calls attention to this fact, and gives the following:—

1. #xn (nachash), a shining one (Genesis 3:1; Job 26:13. See also No. 6 below).

2. bw#k( (ak-shoov), from #k(, "to bend back," "lie in wait." Translated adder, Psalm 140:3.

3. h(p) (ephah), any poisonous serpent. Translated adder; also viper (Job 20:16; Isaiah 30:6, 59:5).

4. yn(pc (tsiph-ohnee), a small hissing serpent (Isaiah 11:8, 59:5; Proverbs 23:32), from (pc, to hiss. Translated viper.

5. Nynt (Tanneen), a great serpent, or dragon (from the root "to stretch out" or "extend"), on account of its length (Exodus 7:9,10,12).

6. Pr# (Saraph), from root "to burn"; a venomous, deadly serpent, from the heat and inflammation caused by its bite. Translated serpents, Numbers 21:8; Isaiah 14:29, 30:6.

What are the 6 Old Testament names for the Lion?

The Lion has six names in the Old Testament and all are found in the Book of Job (Job 4:10,11 and 28:8).

1. yr) (Aree), the roaring lion (Genesis 49:9; Numbers 23:24, 24:9, etc.).

2. lx# (Shachal), the fierce lion, with special reference to his voice (Job 4:10, 10:16, 28:8; Psalm 91:13; Hosea 13:7).

3. rypk (K'pheer), the young lion—not a whelp as in Ezekiel 19:2—(Judges 14:5; Job 4:10, 38:39; Psa 17:12, 34:10).

4. #yl (Lah-yish), the old lion—not from age, but brave and strong—(Job 4:11; Proverbs 30:30; Isa 30:6).

5. )ybl (Lahvee), the old lioness (from root to roar) (Genesis 49:9; Numbers 23:24; Deuteronomy 33:20, etc.).

6. Cx# (Shachatz), the lion's whelps (Job 28:8, 41:34; translated "of pride").

Which words occur six times?

• Nwdb) (avad-dohn), destruction.

• +wm (moht), bar, staff, or yoke.

• Mtkm (mich-tahm), Michtam (Psalm 16, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60). This word is connected with death, and at the same time with resurrection also (3x2). It is from Mtk, to cut in, engrave (LXX, sthlografia, a sculptured writing; sthlh was the word for grave-stone). Hence "Michtam," like our "Resurgam," indicates that these six Psalms, though connected with death, point to the hope of resurrection. This is notably true of Psalm 16, and may be traced in the others also.

• aiscunh (aischunee), shame.

• allattw (allatto), to change.

• asebeia (asebeia), ungodliness.

• atimazw (atimazo), entreat shamefully.

• bdelugma (bdelugma), abomination. Three in Gospels: Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; Luke 16:15. Three in Revelation: Rev 17:4, 5, 21:27.

For the combinations of 6, 66, and 666, see further under the number Six Hundred Sixty Six.

What were the 6 times Jesus was asked for a SIGN?

Six times our Lord was asked for a sign:—

1. The Pharisees, Matthew 12:38; Mark 8:11.

2. The Sadducees, Matthew 16:1.

3. The Disciples, Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:4.

4. The people, Luke 11:16.

5. The Jews, John 2:18.

6. The people, John 6:30.

Which six people stated Jesus was INNOCENT?

Six persons bore testimony to the Savior's innocency:—

1. Pilate, Luke 23:14.

2. Herod, Luke 23:15.

3. Judas, Matthew 27:3.

4. Pilate's wife, Matthew 27:19.

5. The dying thief, Luke 23:41.

6. The centurion, Luke 23:47.

Additional commentary on the Biblical Meaning of 6 *

The number 6 symbolizes man and human weakness, the evils of Satan and the manifestation of sin. Man was created on the sixth day. Men are appointed 6 days to labor.

A Hebrew slave was to serve 6 years and be released in the 7th year. Six years were appointed for the land to be sown and harvested. Six is associated with Satan in his temptation of Jesus.

"666" is the number and mark of the Beast of Revelation 13. It symbolizes the perfection of man’s system — separated from God and under Satan’s rule — in two ways:

1. First, 6 divided by 2 equals 3. Man’s system is made up of 3 parts, with each represented by a 6: man’s governments under Satan, man’s religions worshiping Satan, and man’s economic systems under Satan.

2. Second, when 666 is multiplied by 7 it equals 4662, which depicts man’s complete imperfection under Satan. When added across, 4 + 6 + 6 + 2 = 18; and 18 divided by 3 is 6.