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