[Biblemat] Question about "numbers" (question/answer)

[Don Martin]

Don Martin with question/answer number 900 since our
new year, July 16:

Hello Dianne,

Thank you so much for your question and for making
use of Bible Questions.  Please do so again.
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You asked:

What is significant about the number 12?

Reply:

Numerical symbolism (numbers used with symbolic importance) was
common in Bible days and is also seen in the literary composition
comprising the Bible.  For instance, the number seven is referred to in
one way or another in nearly 600 verses in the Bible.  It is obvious that
there is often symbolic association with the number seven (Lk. 17: 3, 4).
Regarding such a use of "seven,"  you also find combinations and multiples
of seven (Matt. 18: 22).  Many scholars attach significance to 14 (twice
seven), 49, 70, and 77 (Ex. 12: 6, Gal. 2: 1; Lev. 23: 15 ff; 2 Kgs. 10: 1;
Gen. 4: 24).

In addition to the number seven, the numbers three, four, ten, and twelve
also appear to be symbolically consequential on occasion (Gen. 6: 10, Ps.
55: 17; Jere. 49: 36, Matt. 13: 19-23; Ex. 20: 2-17, Matt. 25: 1; Ex. 24: 4,
28: 21, Rev. 7: 5).  Just as in the case regarding the number seven, there
also appears to be multiples of these numbers (five, Matt. 25: 2, etc.).

There is, however, attendant danger in becoming too involved with such a
use of numbers.  We must never read more into the use of a number than is
intended, make a perceived understanding of a number contradict plain
teaching found else where, or seek to create some formula involving the
biblical use of these numbers to attempt to foretell the future or engage in
exercises of chance, such as gambling.

Thanks again for your good question and for your interest in spiritual
matters. I recommend that you print out this email for future reference
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at the bottom of the home page in Bible Truths).

Cordially,
Don Martin