Before commenting, I delved into Biblical numerology. As with numerology in general, most people get carried away. It's a subject I approach with prejudiced skepticism. The sheer volume of commentary, both wrong-headed and well-meaning, is daunting. I did find what I consider to be stable resources, but nothing satisfying or solid. I think number symbolism is hard to capture objectively in many cases.
I realize this is a light attempt at proof considering the 'base 60 + subtraction = measure of righteousness' system is clearly flawed. It surely gets carried away with itself.
Yes. I’m not convinced by it. And I agree you can get distracted by it. But we do see that symbolism in 666. The idea is it falls short of 777, the perfect number.
The previous explanations have been interesting and satisfying because it accepts the information we were given and fits an explanation around it. Numerology seems to treat as unimportant the fact that we were told names and ages. Surely to be included in scripture the plain reading has to make some kind of sense? I could not have figured out the numerology without you writing this article--if it was important to our faith why use cryptic numbers? if it was unimportant to our faith, why include it?
This is all very interesting. looking forward to seeing what the Greeks have to add!
Yes. I agree. This theory is less than satisfying and not my favourite.
In Ancient Hebrew, the numbers and letters were interchangeable. So the first letter in Hebrew is the same as the number 1.
It’s like reading the name Alfred as - 1lfred.
I am not wholly sold on numerology, but it is clear the Bible sometimes uses ‘gematria’ and symbolic numbers to make theological points. It’s worthwhile keeping an eye on the numbers as you read the Bible. There may be extra meaning sitting in plain sight.
Before commenting, I delved into Biblical numerology. As with numerology in general, most people get carried away. It's a subject I approach with prejudiced skepticism. The sheer volume of commentary, both wrong-headed and well-meaning, is daunting. I did find what I consider to be stable resources, but nothing satisfying or solid. I think number symbolism is hard to capture objectively in many cases.
I realize this is a light attempt at proof considering the 'base 60 + subtraction = measure of righteousness' system is clearly flawed. It surely gets carried away with itself.
Yes. I’m not convinced by it. And I agree you can get distracted by it. But we do see that symbolism in 666. The idea is it falls short of 777, the perfect number.
The previous explanations have been interesting and satisfying because it accepts the information we were given and fits an explanation around it. Numerology seems to treat as unimportant the fact that we were told names and ages. Surely to be included in scripture the plain reading has to make some kind of sense? I could not have figured out the numerology without you writing this article--if it was important to our faith why use cryptic numbers? if it was unimportant to our faith, why include it?
This is all very interesting. looking forward to seeing what the Greeks have to add!
Yes. I agree. This theory is less than satisfying and not my favourite.
In Ancient Hebrew, the numbers and letters were interchangeable. So the first letter in Hebrew is the same as the number 1.
It’s like reading the name Alfred as - 1lfred.
I am not wholly sold on numerology, but it is clear the Bible sometimes uses ‘gematria’ and symbolic numbers to make theological points. It’s worthwhile keeping an eye on the numbers as you read the Bible. There may be extra meaning sitting in plain sight.