Biblical Hermeneutics

PRINCIPLES OF BIBLICAL HERMENETICS ; M. M. NINAN
PRINCIPLE #8:
FIGURES OF SPEECH GROUP OF PRINCIPLES:
Luke 8 :10
And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of
God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And
hearing they may not understand.'
THE NUMERICAL PRINCIPLE (NUMEROLOGY)
Bible numerology is the study of individual numbers in Scripture. Numbers have both literal
and symbolic meanings especially in the Prophetic books of the Bible. Daniel and Revelation,
introduce a complex, interrelated system of numerology which exhibits definite patterns.
Traditionally, most Bible scholars agree that the following numbers possess some symbolic or
literal significance. In the early years of Christianity, the Church Fathers commented
extensively on numerology. The Fathers repeatedly condemned the magical use of numbers
which had descended from Babylonian sources to the Pythagoreans and Gnostics of their
times. They denounced any system of philosophy which rested upon an exclusively numerical
basis. Even so, they almost unanimously regarded the numbers of Holy Writ as full of
mystical meaning, and they considered the interpretation of these mystical meanings as an
important branch of exegesis. There was reluctance in the Christian teachers of the early
centuries to push this recognition of the significance of numbers to extremes.
1. One - Unity
Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Israel: The Lords our Gods, the Lord is One."
Ephesians 4:5 "one Lord, one faith, one baptism."
2. Two - Symbolizes witness and support.
o There were two great lights of creation (Genesis 1:16).
o Two cherubim guarded the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:22).
o Two witnesses establish truth (Matthew 26:60).
o The disciples were sent two by two (Luke 10:1).
o The Son who has two natures: human and divine.
o There are 2 Testaments: the Old and New.
o Man is Male and Female.
o Rom. 9 speaks of two vessels: one for honorable use and the other for
dishonorable use.
o Two types of people: Sheep and Goats.
o There are two ages, this age and the age to come: Matt. 12:32; 13:39,40,49;
Mark 10:30
3. Three - Signifies completion or perfection, and unity.
o Three is the number of Persons in the Trinity. Father, Son and Spirit
o Man has three parts: Body, Mind and Spirit.
o There are three qualities of the universe: Time, Space, and Matter.
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