E.W. Bullinger — Hamartology
b1 — Number in Scripture
Sin as Violation of Divine Order
Bullinger defines human sin as man’s claiming of the independence that belongs to God alone. In his treatment of the number one he writes:
“Man’s ways and thoughts are the opposite of God’s. God says, ‘Seek first.’ Man says, ‘Take care of number one.’ He is in his own eyes this ‘number one,’ and his great aim is to be independent of God. Independence, in God, is His glory. Independence in man, is his sin, and rebellion, and shame.”
(Number in Scripture, Part II, Chapter “ONE”)
Interpretatie: Bullinger equates the essence of human sin with man’s claim to divine independence — structurally equivalent to a violation of the first commandment.
Human Rebellion
Bullinger explicitly links the number 13 with apostasy. In a footnote to his statistical study of Paul’s epistles he writes:
“κατέχειν (katechein), to hold fast, 10 + 3 = 13. See under significance of 13 and the use of this word in connection with the Apostacy.”
(Number in Scripture, Part I, Chapter II)
If Hebrews is excluded from the Pauline corpus, Paul’s epistles number only thirteen — a number Bullinger consistently associates with rebellion and apostasy.
The Fall — Adam and His Posterity
In his discussion of the Hebrew term תּוֹלְדוֹת (toledoth, “generations”), Bullinger observes that the eleven occurrences relating to Adam and his descendants are spelled defectively in Hebrew, while the first occurrence (creation before the Fall) and the last (the lineage to David) are spelled plene (fully):
“Thus the eleven which relate to Adam and his posterity (5:1, &c.) are stamped with defect: while the first, which relates to the heavens and the earth, tells of the perfection in which they were created; and the last, which relates to Pharez (Ruth 4:18), contains the first mention of the name of David, and tells of the Perfect One—David’s Son and David’s Lord, who shall restore perfection to His people as well as to the new heavens and the new earth.”
(Number in Scripture, Part I, Chapter II)
Interpretation: Bullinger encodes the Fall and its consequences in Hebrew orthographic variants: Adam’s entire human lineage bears the mark of defect, in contrast to the pre-Fall creation and the eschatological promise of restoration.
Bullinger cites Gen. 3:15 as the first word of redemption after the Fall:
“Redemption and salvation began with God. His was the word which first revealed it (Gen 3:15). His was the will which first purposed it (Heb 10:7). His was the power that alone accomplished it. Hence ‘Salvation is of the LORD.‘”
(Number in Scripture, Part II, Chapter “ONE”)
Number Six as the Mark of Moral Failure
Bullinger describes the number six as carrying a “moral significance.” In his discussion of the Greek word “Nazarene” (Ναζαρηνός) he remarks:
“There is another word Ναζαρηνος (Nazarene), which seems to have not so much a local reference, but a moral sense. This word occurs six times, and partakes of the moral significance of the number six.”
(Number in Scripture, Part I, Chapter II — footnote)
Interpretation: For Bullinger, the number six is systematically theological: it represents the moral dimension of human imperfection, in distinction from divine perfection (number seven). His full treatment is in the chapter “Six” (not present in this extract).
Number Thirteen as the Sign of Rebellion and Apostasy
Bullinger explicitly links the number 13 with the concept of “Apostacy.” In his statistical analysis of the New Testament he treats the Greek word κατέχειν (“to hold fast / to remain faithful”), which occurs exactly 13 times when Hebrews is excluded from the Pauline canon. He directs the reader to his full treatment:
“See under significance of 13 and the use of this word in connection with the Apostacy.”
(Number in Scripture, Part I, Chapter II)
[TENSION with prior source: the full treatment of 13 = apostasy is absent from this PDF extract; content available only as a footnote cross-reference]
The Number 666 and the Symbol of the Serpent
In his discussion of the Greek letter Stigma (ς = 6) used in gematria, Bullinger writes:
“This letter ς (called Stigma) is used for the number 6. Why this letter and number should be thus associated we cannot tell, except that both are intimately connected with the ancient Egyptian ‘mysteries.’ The three letters SSS (in Greek ΣΣΣ) were the symbol of Isis, which is thus connected with 666. Indeed the expression of this number, Χξς, consists of the initial and final letters of the word Xριστος (Christos), Christ, viz., X and ς, with the symbol of the serpent between them, X—ξ—ς.”
(Number in Scripture, Part II, Introduction)
Interpretation: Bullinger presents 666 and the serpent symbol as a satanic parody of Christ, linked to pagan mystery religion.
Universal Human Failure Before God’s Gifts
Bullinger identifies a pattern of universal human failure toward God’s gifts:
“God gave to man these heavenly time-keepers, he has so misused the gift (as he has every other gift which God has ever given him) that he cannot tell you now what year it really is!”
(Number in Scripture, Part I, Chapter I)
And on humanity’s treatment of God’s Word:
“But this is what man has done and is doing;—he is charging upon God the result of his own sin, neglect, and folly!”
(Number in Scripture, Part I, Chapter II)
“Man has been false to his trust. He has not preserved it with the faithfulness which should ever characterise a steward.”
(Number in Scripture, Part I, Chapter II)
The Sin of Presumption
“With what God has been pleased not to reveal, but to keep secret, not only have we nothing whatever to do, but we are guilty of the sin of presumption in even speculating about it.”
(Number in Scripture, Part II, Introduction)
Statistical Treatment of Sin Terminology
Bullinger analyses the frequency of Greek sin-related words in Paul’s epistles:
| Greek term | Paul (excl. Heb.) | Hebrews | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἁμαρτία (sin) | 63 | 25 | 88 (= 8 × 11) |
| ἀνομία (lawlessness) | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| ἀπιστία (unbelief) | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| μετάνοια (repentance) | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| διάβολος (devil) | 8 | 1 | 9 (= 3²) |
(Number in Scripture, Part I, Chapter II)
On the number nine Bullinger states: “The number of judgment.” The devil is thus linked through his numerical frequency to divine judgment.
Interpretation: The numerical ordering of sin terminology serves Bullinger as evidence for divine inspiration of Scripture.
Human Wisdom as Darkening of the Knowledge of God
“Truly ‘the world by wisdom knew not God’ (1 Cor 1:21). It never did and never will. Human wisdom ever leads from God.”
(Number in Scripture, Part I, Chapter II)