The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 555
In Scripture, there is insufficient use of multiple number fives, such as 555, to determine an overall meaning. It is used, however, in relation to Moses and to Israel's wilderness tabernacle. It can also be found in Abraham's attempt to save Sodom and in God's judgment for lying to him!
The fifth book of the Bible is named Deuteronomy, a name which means "fifth book." Its fifth chapter and fifth verse (555) states the following about Moses and his role in God's plan.
I (Moses) stood between the Lord and you at that time to show you the word of the Lord, for you were afraid because of the fire, and did not go up into the mountain . . . (Deuteronomy 5:5, HBFV).
Multiple fives (555) confirm Moses' role as the mediator of the Old Covenant between God and the children of Israel. It also confirmed, as an intercessor, he was a type of Jesus (1Corinthians 10:2).
Wilderness tabernacle and multiple fives
When Moses finished setting up God's tabernacle in the wilderness he anointed and consecrated the entire structure including its altar (Numbers 7:1). Each leader of Israel's twelve tribes then presented a gift at the dedication of the altar.
Each tribal leader, among their many offerings, gave five rams, five male breeding goats and five male lambs (555) as a fellowship (peace) offering (Num. 7:12 - 83). Peace offerings (Leviticus 3:1 - 17, 7:11 - 36) symbolized thanksgiving for blessings received and fellowship with God. Those who made such offerings were also allowed to eat some of its meat.
As an interesting side note, the first tribe to make an offering was Judah (Numbers 7:12 - 17), followed by Issachar, Zebulon and so on to Naphtali. The order of the offering corresponded to the camping arrangement of Israel's tribes around the tabernacle.
Sodom and number 555
Multiple number fives (555) are involved in Abraham's negotiations with God to save the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. He starts bargaining by requesting the cities be saved if fifty righteous folks are found in them (Genesis 18:24). He then proposes to Jesus, in the form of a man, that they be spared if only forty-five, five less than fifty, are found.
Perhaps there will be five lacking from the fifty righteous. Will You destroy all the city for lack of five? (Genesis 18:28).
Abraham's faith and relationship with God allows him to negotiate five times (50 to 45, 45 to 40, 40 to 30, 30 to 20 and 20 to 10). Two of these decreases were five less than the previous figure for 555. Unfortunately, Sodom and Gomorrah were still judged worthy of destruction as not even ten righteous could be found!
More info on Biblical Meaning of 555
The Tetragrammaton, or four Hebrew consonants used to represent God's proper name in Scripture, is found 555 times in the book of Jeremiah. It is second only to the Psalms, where this name for the Eternal is written 645 times.
In the New Testament, the fifth book, fifth chapter and fifth verse (555) reveals how seriously God takes people who attempt to fool him.
And when Ananias heard these words (Peter's condemnation of his lying to the church), he fell down and expired; and great fear came upon all those who heard these things (Acts 5:5).
Ananias' wife Sapphira, who was also part of the scheme to deceive the early New Testament church, was also killed directly by God (Acts 5:9 - 10).