24 (Twenty-Four)
Symbolic treatment of this number in the corpus
Bullinger · Jones
Twenty-four is the number of the priesthood in its ordered fullness: two times twelve, a doubling of governmental perfection placed in service of worship. Bullinger and Jones connect the number to the twenty-four priestly divisions David established and to the twenty-four elders who worship around God’s throne in Revelation.
Biblical References
| Reference | Context |
|---|---|
| 1Chr. 24:1-4 | David organises the priesthood in twenty-four divisions |
| 1Chr. 25:9-31 | Twenty-four orders of temple musicians |
| Rev. 4:4 | Twenty-four elders seated on thrones around the throne |
| Rev. 4:10 | The twenty-four elders cast their crowns before the throne |
| Rev. 19:4 | The twenty-four elders worship God on the throne |
Symbolism in the Corpus
E.W. Bullinger
Bullinger describes twenty-four as 2 × 12: a doubling of governmental perfection placed in the service of worship. The twenty-four priestly divisions David established (1Chr. 24) mirror the governmental structure of the heavenly sanctuary. The twenty-four elders in Revelation represent the fullness of priestly and prophetic witness surrounding God’s throne: they are the heavenly counterparts of the earthly priestly ordering, called to worship God on behalf of creation. 1
Stephen E. Jones
Jones describes twenty-four as the number of the priesthood: “24 — Priestly Order.” As 2 × 12 it is a doubling of the governmental number twelve, now focused on the priestly function of mediation and worship. The twenty-four elders around the throne (Rev. 4:4) are for Jones the heavenly representatives of the priestly people of God: those called to live in the presence of God and to worship him on behalf of creation. The number joins the governmental with the worshipping: priesthood is government in the service of God. 2
Composite Use
Bullinger and Jones both treat twenty-four as 2 × 12: a doubling of governmental perfection. The doubling describes the priestly ministry as an extension of divine government into the service of worship — the governmental dimension at the service of the holy. 1