Meaning of Numbers
in the Bible

The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 9

* Among others may be mentioned (1) that the sum of the digits which form its multiples are themselves always a multiple of nine; e.g., 2 x 9 = 18 (and 1+8=9); 3 x 9 = 27 (and 2+7=9); 4 x 9 = 36 (and 3+6=9); 5 x 9 = 45 (and 4+5=9), etc., etc.; and so with the larger numbers: 52843 x 9 = 475587 (and 4+7+5+5+8+7=36, and 3+6=9). (2) The sum of its multiples through the nine digits = 405, or 9 times 45.

It is the last of the digits, and thus marks the end; and is significant of the conclusion of a matter.

It is akin to the number six, six being the sum of its factors (3 x 3=9, and 3+3=6), and is thus significant of the end of man, and the summation of all man's works. Nine is, therefore, the number of finality or judgment.

Why does the number 9 represent finality or judgment?

The number of finality or judgment is committed unto Jesus as "the Son of man" (John 5:27; Acts 17:31). It marks the completeness, the end and issue of all things as to man — the judgment of man and all his works.

It is a factor of 666, which is 9 times 74.

The Gematria (substituting numbers for letters) of the word "Dan," which means a judge, is 54 (9 x 6).

The sum of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet is 4995 (5 x 999). It is stamped, therefore, with the numbers of grace and finality. The sum of the Greek alphabet is 3999.

What is the first battle found in God's word?

The first contest is a battle between a group of 4 and a group of 5 kings: *

"And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations, that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar)." (Genesis 14:1-2, NKJV)

* The Gematria (substituting numbers for letters) of verses 3 and 4, Genesis 14, which describe the rebellion and the battle, is 5655 (13 x 435). And verses 4 and 5, which describe the coming of the four kings, = 5590 (13 x 430). Thus the rebellion verse binds the war and its cause together. Verse 9, also, which describes the battle, is 4732 (13 x 13 x 28).

The swift vengeance of Abram, verses 13-16, = 10738 (13 x 7 x 118).

The standing of Abram before Melchizedek (Melchizedek) = 19019 (13 x 7 x 11 x 19). Thus with Abram we find not only the 13, but 7 marking the spiritual character of himself and his mission.

How is the number 9 related to the judgment of SODOM?

Genesis 19, recording the judgment of Sodom, is marked by multiples of nine. Verses 4-29 amount to 89550 (9 x 9950, or 9 x 50 x 199). The same is seen if we divide it into sections: —

• Verses 4-18. From the riot in Sodom to Lot's plea for Zoar is 50733 (9 x 3 x 1879).

• Verses 19-25. From Lot's plea to the overthrow is 24543 (9 x 9 x 303).

• Verses 26-29. From "Lot's wife" to the end of the history is 14274 (9 x 2 x 13 x 61).*

* It is interesting to note that in the midst of all this, the words which refer to the deliverance of Lot, "Haste thee" (verse 22) to "out of the midst" (verse 29), give a multiple of 8, the Dominical Number; it is 25304 (8 x 3163); while four of the verses of this section (25-28) are each separately multiples of 8; their total sum being 11312 (8 x 1414). The sum of the whole chapter is a multiple of 13.

We see the same phenomena in the account as given in the Second Epistle of St. Peter. As we do also in the judgment pronounced upon Jerusalem.

What are the 9 judgments of God?

The judgments of God in Haggai 1:11 are enumerated in nine particulars:

"And I called for a drought upon the land,
and upon the mountains,
and upon the corn,
and upon the new wine,
and upon the oil,
and upon that which the ground bringeth forth,
and upon men,
and upon cattle,
and upon all the labor of the hands."

There are nine words used from the root dikh, right or judgment: -

1. δίκη (dikee), right, right proceeding, judgment (Acts 25:15, 28:4; 2Thessalonians 1:9; Jude 7).

2. dikaioV (dikaios), right, just as it should be.

3. dikaiow (dikaioo), to make dikaioV (No. 2), to account righteous.

4. dikaiosunh (dikaiosunee), the state, or quality, or condition of him who is dikaioV (dikaios).

5. dikaiwV (dikaios), justly, rightly.

6. dikaiwma (dikaioma), a righteous act or requirement.

7. dikaiwsiV (dikaiosis), is the action of the judge in promulgating a decree, in declaring or recognizing a person as dikaioV (Romans 4:25, 5:18).

8. dikasthV (dikastees) is the judge (Luke 12:14; Acts 7:27,35).

9. dikaiokrisia (dikaiokrisia) is the righteous judgment of the judge (Romans 2:5).

Enough has been said to show that the signification of the number nine is judgment, especially divine judgment, and the conclusion of the whole matter so far as man is concerned.

But nine is the square of three, and three is the number of Divine perfection, as well as the number peculiar to the Holy Spirit. It is not surprising, therefore, to find that this number denotes finality in divine things.

The number 9 and the gifts of the Holy Spirit

The gifts of the spirit in 1Corinthians 12:8-10 are also nine in number:

1. The word of wisdom

2. The word of knowledge

3. Faith

4. Healing

5. The working of miracles

6. Prophecy

7. Discerning of spirits

8. Divers kinds of tongues

9. The interpretation of tongues

Who were the 9 people STONED?

The 9 people stoned:

1. The blasphemer, Leviticus 24:14.

2. The Sabbath-breaker, Numbers 15:36.

3. Achan, Joshua 7:25.

4. Abimelech, Judges 9:53.

5. Adoram, 1Kings 12:18.

6. Naboth, 1Kings 21:10.

7. Zechariah, 2Chronicles 24:21.

8. Stephen, Acts 7.

9. Paul, Acts 14:19.

Who were the 9 special widows?

1. Tamar, Genesis 38:19.

2. Woman of Tekoah, 2Samuel 14:5.

3. Hiram's mother, 1Kings 7:14.

4. Zeruah, 1Kings 11:26.

5. Woman of Zarephath, 1Kings 17:9.

6. The poor widow, Mark 12:42.

7. Anna, Luke 2:37.

8. Widow of Nain, Luke 7:12.

9. The importunate widow, Luke 18:3.

Who were the 9 people afflicted with BLINDNESS?

• The men at Lot's door, Genesis 19:11.

• Isaac, Genesis 27:1.

• Jacob, Genesis 48:10.

• Samson, Judges 16:21.

• Eli, 1Samuel 4:15.

• The prophet Ahijah, 1Kings 14:4.

• The Syrian army, 2Kings 6:18.

• King Zedekiah, 2Kings 25:7.

• Elymas, Acts 13:11.

Who were the nine people afflicted with LEPROSY?

1. Moses, Exodus 4:6.

2. Miriam, Numbers 12:10.

3. Naaman, 2Kings 5:1.

4. Gehazi, 2Kings 5:27.

5. 5 through 8: The four lepers at Samaria, 2Kings 7:3.

6. Azariah, 2Kings 15:5.

Additional commentary on the Biblical Meaning of 9 *

In the Bible the number 9 is used 49 times in the Bible and pictures finality or divine completeness from the Lord.

Jesus died at the 9th hour, the completion of His physical life. His death was the beginning of the finishing of sin and Satan.

As 8 symbolizes circumcision of the heart and the receiving of the Holy Spirit, the significance of 9 is that it signifies the fruit of the Spirit. There are 9 fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23:

1. Love

2. Joy

3. Peace

4. Longsuffering

5. Kindness

6. Goodness

7. Faithfullness

8. Gentleness

9. Self-control