Number Symbolism in E.W. Bullinger
Introduction
Ethelbert William Bullinger (1837–1913) was an Anglican theologian and biblical scholar who, in Number in Scripture (1894; 4th ed. 1921), argued that the symbolism of numbers in the Bible is evidence of divine authorship. His central thesis: the precision with which certain numbers recur throughout the whole of Scripture — both in content and in the literal frequency of words — is statistically impossible by chance and points to a single divine Author behind both Testaments.
Bullinger distinguishes two domains:
- Numbers in nature (Part I) — mathematical and biological patterns that confirm the same numbers.
- Numbers in Scripture (Part II) — symbolic meaning of every number, supported by word-frequencies and textual context.
He defines four perfect numbers from which all other symbolism is derived:
| Number | Type of perfection |
|---|---|
| 3 | Divine perfection |
| 7 | Spiritual perfection |
| 10 | Ordinal perfection |
| 12 | Governmental perfection |
Their product — 3 × 7 × 10 × 12 = 2520 — he names the number of chronological perfection.
Overview Table
| Number | Symbolism (Bullinger) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Unity, divine primacy, independence |
| 2 | Witness, difference, union |
| 3 | Divine perfection, resurrection |
| 4 | Creation, earthly power, weakness |
| 5 | Grace, human weakness |
| 6 | Man, imperfection, labour, sin |
| 7 | Spiritual perfection, rest, completion |
| 8 | Resurrection, new beginning, regeneration |
| 9 | Divine finality, judgement, fullness |
| 10 | Ordinal perfection, law, responsibility |
| 11 | Disorder, imperfection, chaos |
| 12 | Governmental perfection, authority, dominion |
| 13 | Rebellion, apostasy, lawlessness, betrayal |
| 14 | Deliverance, salvation (2 × 7) |
| 15 | Grace + holiness (3 × 5) |
| 17 | Victory |
| 19 | Faith, witness |
| 20 | Expectancy, awaiting God’s judgement |
| 21 | Threefold divine perfection (3 × 7) |
| 22 | Weakness, flesh (2 × 11) |
| 24 | Priestly order (2 × 12) |
| 25 | Grace multiplied (5²) |
| 27 | Divine perfection to the highest degree (3³) |
| 28 | Divine work, redemptive work (4 × 7) |
| 40 | Probation, testing, judgement, trial |
| 42 | Human imperfection redeemed (6 × 7) |
| 50 | Jubilee, freedom, deliverance |
| 70 | Spiritual order, Israel’s chastisement (7 × 10) |
| 120 | Governmental perfection extended (12 × 10) |
| 490 | Chronological perfection, full restoration (70 × 7) |
| 666 | The number of man, antichrist, rebellion (6³) |
| 2520 | Chronological perfection, divine order in time |
Per Number
1 — Unity / Divine Primacy
Symbolism: Unity, independence, primacy. God is the First; all else begins with Him.
Key verses:
- Deuteronomy 6:4 — “Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one.”
- Exodus 20:3 — the first commandment excludes idolatry.
- Isaiah 44:6; 48:12–13; 43:10–11 — God’s uniqueness.
- Revelation 1:11
Examples: The first recorded words of Jesus: “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). [b1]
2 — Witness / Difference / Union
Symbolism: Two are required for lawful witness; 2 also expresses separation and union.
Key verses: The law requires two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16).
Note: Bullinger treats this number primarily in Part II of his work. [b1]
3 — Divine Perfection / Resurrection
Symbolism: The number of divine perfection. Three is the first number that expresses fullness (beginning, middle, end).
Key verses: The triune structure of God; the third day as resurrection day (1 Corinthians 15:4).
Examples:
- The New Testament contains 27 books (3 × 3 × 3). [b1]
- Endogens (plants growing from within) have 3 as their structural principle in nature.
- 21 epistles in the NT (3 × 7). [b1]
4 — Earthly Creation / Weakness
Symbolism: The number of material creation and earthly power; opposite to the divine three.
Examples: Four points of the compass, four seasons, four elements (in ancient cosmology). [b1]
5 — Grace / Human Weakness
Symbolism: Grace; at the same time human weakness and imperfection in contrast with the divine.
Examples: Exogens (plants growing from without) have 5 as their structural principle. [b1]
6 — Man / Imperfection / Labour / Sin
Symbolism: The number of man: created on the sixth day; six days of labour.
Key verses: Genesis 1:26–31; Exodus 20:9.
Examples: Human gestation lasts 280 days (40 × 7), linking 6 and 7. [b1]
7 — Spiritual Perfection / Rest / Completion
Symbolism: The central number of the Bible. Spiritual perfection, rest, divine completion.
Key verses:
- Genesis 2:3 — “And on the seventh day God ended his work… and he rested.”
- Daniel 9 — the seventy weeks.
Examples:
- Seventh day: holy day of rest; seventh month: holy with feasts; seventh year: sabbatical year; 7 × 7 years: jubilee. [b1]
- Four periods of Israel’s history, each 490 years (70 × 7). [b1]
- Lifespan of man: “threescore years and ten” (Psalm 90:10 = 7 × 10). [b1]
- Animal gestation: mouse 21 days (3 × 7); cat 56 (8 × 7); dog 63 (9 × 7); man 280 (40 × 7) days. [b1]
- Music: 7 notes in the scale; 7 colours in the spectrum. [b1]
- Revelation: the number 7 occurs 42 times as a multiple of 7. [b1]
8 — Resurrection / New Beginning / Regeneration
Symbolism: New life, resurrection, regeneration. Eight follows seven (completion) as a new beginning.
Examples:
- 8 writers in the New Testament (2³). [b1]
- “Son of God” in gematria linked with 64 (8²). [b1]
9 — Divine Finality / Judgement / Fullness
Symbolism: Finality and judgement; the last single digit before ten.
Examples: 9 = 3² (divine perfection squared). The chemical elements display mathematical precision expressed in 9 and 11. [b1]
10 — Ordinal Perfection / Law / Responsibility
Symbolism: Orderly fullness; the Ten Commandments as foundation of law and responsibility.
Key verses: Exodus 20 — the Ten Commandments.
Examples: Basis of the decimal system; product 3 × 7 × 10 × 12 = 2520. [b1]
11 — Disorder / Imperfection / Chaos
Symbolism: One more than ten (order), one less than twelve (government): disorder and imperfection.
Examples:
- Music: 11 semitones in the scale; together with 7: 7 + 11 = 18. [b1]
- Geometry: pyramid (5 faces) + cube (6 faces) = 11. [b1]
- The Hebrew alphabet: 22 letters (2 × 11). [b1]
12 — Governmental Perfection / Authority / Dominion
Symbolism: The number of divine government and institutional order.
Examples:
- 12 tribes of Israel; 12 apostles. [b1]
- 12 signs of the zodiac; 12 months; 360° circle (12 × 30). [b1]
- The apostles are arranged in four groups of three. [b1]
- Jesus in the temple: 12 years old at his first recorded words. [b1]
13 — Rebellion / Apostasy / Betrayal
Symbolism: Rebellion, apostasy, lawlessness.
Examples:
- Judas as the 13th member = betrayal. [b1]
- “Nazarene” occurs 13 times. [b1]
- κατεχειν (to hold fast) occurs 10 + 3 = 13 times. [b1]
14 — Deliverance / Salvation (2 × 7)
Symbolism: Double completion; deliverance and salvation.
Examples:
- “Tol’doth” (generations) appears 14 times (13 OT + 1 NT). [b1]
- “Holy” (ἅγιος) in 1 and 2 Peter together: 14 times (2 × 7). [b1]
- “Woe” in Revelation: 14 times (2 × 7). [b1]
15 — Grace + Holiness (3 × 5)
Symbolism: Grace operating through divine perfection.
Examples: Ishmael’s birth deferred God’s promise by 15 years. [b1]
17 — Victory
Symbolism: Victory and the overcoming of enemies. [b1]
19 — Faith / Witness
Symbolism: Linked with faith and divine witness. [b1]
21 — Threefold Divine Perfection (3 × 7)
Symbolism: Three times spiritual perfection.
Examples:
- “Lord” in Revelation: 21 times (3 × 7). [b1]
- “In all the land of Egypt”: 21 times (3 × 7). [b1]
- “Incense” in Leviticus + the rest of OT: 7 + 14 = 21 (3 × 7). [b1]
22 — Weakness / Flesh (2 × 11)
Symbolism: Doubled disorder; human weakness.
Examples:
- Hebrew alphabet: 22 letters (2 × 11). [b1]
- “The Father” in Mark: 22 times. [b1]
28 — Divine Redemptive Work (4 × 7)
Symbolism: Earthly working perfected by spiritual perfection.
Examples:
- “The Lamb” (αρνίον, Christ) in Revelation: 28 times (4 × 7). [b1]
- 28 writers in the Old Testament (4 × 7). [b1]
- “Wave-offering”: 28 times; “Heave-offering”: 28 times; “Shittim wood”: 28 times. [b1]
- “As it is written”: 28 times. [b1]
40 — Probation / Testing / Judgement / Trial
Symbolism: The great number of probation and trial.
Key verses: Numbers 14 (forty years in the wilderness); 1 Samuel 8 (Saul, David, Solomon each 40 years); Genesis 7:12 (rain 40 days).
Examples:
- Philistine domination: 40 years. [b1]
- Jesus: 40 days tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2). [b1]
- Human gestation: 280 days = 40 × 7. [b1]
42 — Human Imperfection Redeemed (6 × 7)
Symbolism: Human weakness (6) redeemed by spiritual perfection (7).
Examples:
- 42 generations in Matthew’s genealogy. [b1]
- “Thus saith the Lord GOD”: 126 times (7 × 18). [b1]
- “His mercy endureth for ever”: 42 times (6 × 7). [b1]
50 — Jubilee / Freedom / Deliverance
Symbolism: The jubilee: full freedom, remission, return.
Key verses: Leviticus 25:10 — “And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year.”
Examples: 7 × 7 sabbatical years + 1 year = 50. [b1]
70 — Spiritual Order / Israel’s Chastisement (7 × 10)
Symbolism: Spiritual perfection of orderly completion; also Israel’s national chastisement.
Key verses:
- Jeremiah 25:11–12; Daniel 9:2 — Babylonian exile of 70 years.
Examples:
- Jesus sends out 70 disciples (Luke 10:1). [b1]
- Four periods of Israel’s history: each 490 years (70 × 7). [b1]
490 — Chronological Perfection (70 × 7)
Symbolism: The most important compound number for prophetic chronology.
Key verses: Daniel 9:24–27 — “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people.”
Examples: Bullinger identifies four periods of 490 years in the history of Israel:
- Abraham → Exodus: 490 years (with a 15-year pause for Ishmael).
- Exodus → laying of the Temple’s foundation: 573 − 93 years of captivity = 480 years.
- Temple dedication → Nehemiah’s return: 560 − 70 years of exile = 490 years.
- Nehemiah → Second Coming: 49 + 434 + 7 (future) = 490 years. [b1]
666 — The Number of Man / Antichrist
Symbolism: Human rebellion to its uttermost; the number of the antichrist.
Key verses: Revelation 13:18 — “Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast.”
Examples:
- ΧξΣ (Chi-xi-sigma) in Greek contains the first and last letters of Christos with the serpent-symbol between them. [b1]
- 6 is the number of man; 666 = human imperfection raised to the third power. [b1]
- Linked with ancient Egyptian mystery cults (Isis-symbolism). [b1]
2520 — Chronological Perfection / Divine Order in Time
Symbolism: The supreme compound number in Bullinger.
Mathematical properties:
- Product of the four perfect numbers: 3 × 7 × 10 × 12 = 2520. [b1]
- Least common multiple of the digits 1–10: LCM(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10) = 2520. [b1]
- 360 × 7 = 2520. [b1]
Examples: Marks the times of Israel’s chastisement and the times of the Gentiles over Jerusalem. [b1]
Closing: Connections and Patterns
Bullinger points to several overarching patterns:
-
Numerical structure as evidence of divine authorship. The consistency with which words occur exactly 7, 14, 28 or 42 times — across both Testaments, in widely differing books — is, for him, irreducible to human design. [b1]
-
The four perfect numbers as key. All other symbolic numbers are derived from or composed of 3, 7, 10 and 12. [b1]
-
Nature confirms Scripture. Biological rhythms (gestation, bodily renewal, plant structures) reproduce the same numbers — especially 7 and its multiples — which Bullinger considers further evidence of one creator-author. [b1]
-
Chronological architecture. The great prophetic periods (490, 2520) structure the whole of redemptive history according to the same mathematical principles. [b1]
Source references: [b1] = E.W. Bullinger, Number in Scripture (4th ed., 1921).