An NIV text note for Proverbs 10:1 tickled my fancy today (sidenote: where and what the heck is my fancy? Seriously.) Proverbs 10 starts a collection and new section in the book. The note mentions that there are 375 verses in this section which runs through Prov 22:16. So what, you say? (Get out the tape for your glasses because the geek factor is going to kick in right about now.). Turns out that the value of the letters in Solomon's name is... 375.
[Hebrews were highly numerical and devised a system of assigning a value to each letter in the alphabet, so that a name and words had a number.]
Some people have taken Biblical numerology to the H.N.L. (whole 'notha level). Kabbala is a mystic sect based on Old Testament numerology and has recently gotten a shot in the arm thanks to Madonna.
And rabid eschatologists spend their holiday weekends trying to determine the name of the antichrist based on 666, the number of his name. And, yes, there's an app for that.
My interest in numbers is not in the mystical or end-times-guessing-game camp. But the geek aspect of how numbers are used in the Bible.
For example, everybody who has watched even a single snap of a football game knows John 3:16 Even Raiders fans.
But there are truckloads of other very cool 3:16 verses in the bible. Check out:
2 Timothy 3:16
Joshua 3:16
Matthew 3:16
Luke 3:16
1 Corinthians 3:16
Sequential Bible Verses
Some key passages in the Bible have cool numeric chapter/verse sequences:
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Phillipians 4: 5,6,7
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Exodus 34:5,6,7
Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.”
Luke 23:45
The sun stopped shining and the curtain of the temple was torn in two [at Jesus death. ]
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Fear God and keep his commands, for this is the whole duty of man.
Repeating Numbers
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
2 Tim 2:2
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
(Not coincidentally this is the basis for a cool mentoring ministry called Lead222)
Proverbs 21:21
He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
2 Peter 1:21
For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Anagrams
Some great passages have cool number things and have anagrams embedded:
Matthew 7:7
Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you (A.S.K.)
These are the tip of the iceberg. I'd love to hear of other geeky number things you've found in the Bible.
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