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Offline OABrownson1876

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Sacred Numbers and their Symbolism in Scripture
« on: June 07, 2023, 12:34:43 PM »
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  • I am writing a small book on sacred numbers/symbolism as found in Sacred Scripture.  I have listed below some thoughts on various numbers found in Sacred Scripture, as well as additional commentary by the mystics.  This is by no means authoritative, but if you have any relevant commentary or numbers to add, please comment in this thread.

    The number 3 (30) (obviously representing divinity): 3 Persons in the Holy Family; 3 archangels known by name; Noah sent the dove from the Ark 3 times; Christ arose on the 3rd day; Mary was 3 when she was presented in the Temple by Anna and Joachim; Noah begat 3 sons; the Ark had 3 levels, there are 73 books in Holy Writ (seven is a sacred number); 3 persons in the Precursor's family; Genesis mentions 3 sons of Adam - Cain, Abel and Seth.  Christ was baptized at the age of 30 (Lk. Ch. 3); St. Joseph was married to BVM at the age of 30; the Ark was 30 cubits tall (Gen 6:15); Joseph of Old was 30 when he stood before king Pharao (Gen. 41:46); Judas sold Christ for 30 pieces of silver (Mt. 26:15); Abdemelech the Ethiopian with 30 men used a cord to draw up the prophet Jeremias from prison; King David was 30 years old when he began to reign (2 Samuel 5:4); Samson slew 30 men in Ascalon (Judges 14:19); the children of Israel mourned the death of Moses for 30 days (Deut. 34:8)   



    The number 6 (Man, sin, death, judgment): Man created on 6th day; Genesis Ch. 6 men are corrupt; Noah was 600 yr. old "when the waters overflowed the earth" (verse 6); Gen. 6:6 "And it repented him that he had made man on the earth."; Gen 7:6 "And he was six hundred years old, when the waters of the flood overflowed the earth."; Gen 8:6 "Noah...sent for the raven" (symbolic of the devil/death); Psalm 6:6 "For there is no one in death, that is mindful of thee: and who shall confess to thee in hell?"; the antichrist whose number is 666; John 6:66 "And he said: Therefore did I say to you, that no man can come to me, unless it be given him by my Father." (Christ is speaking to the unrepentant Jєωs/weak disciples); Wisdom 6:6 "Horribly and speedily will he appear to you: for a most severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule."; Jeremiah 6:6 "all oppression is in the midst of her" (speaking of Jerusalem); 6 water pots at Cana represent fallen man; St Joseph died at the age of 60, and in this sense he is the perfect man *I maintain that St. Joseph was the most perfect of men, even greater than St. John the Baptist.

    Number 7 (God, divinity): The number 7 is a constant theme in Sacred Scripture. 7 Sacraments; 7 days; Noah's father Lamech died at 777, signifying that Noah is a figure of the Trinity (see chapters 6,7,8 of Genesis); Gen. 7:2 "Of all clean beasts take 7 and 7"; Gen. Ch. 23 ("and Sarah lived 727 years") Gen. Ch. 29 (Jacob served 7 years for Rachel); Gen. 33:3 "And he went forward and bowed down his face to the ground 7 times until his brother came near"; Gen. Ch. 41 (7 years of plenty in Egypt followed by 7 years of famine; the Holy Family spent 7 years in Egypt); In Exodus the unleavened bread was eaten 7 days, and there were 7 lamps in the temple, and altar was sprinkled 7 times, et alia.   

    Number 8 (Mary): Dec 8th Immaculate Conception, Sept 8 Nativity; 8th Ch. of Genesis "He sent forth a dove (Mary) after him..." (8th verse); Assumption of Mary (8th Month); Wisdom 8:8 (the whole chapter is about Mary, but this verse specifies that the times are under her control); John 8:8 (is about Mary Magdalene) "And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground."; Canticle of Canticles 8:8 (8 chapters, all about Mary) "Our sister is little, and hath no breats. What shall we do to our sister in the day when she is to be spoken to?" (A clear reference to the Trinity speaking of Mary); Ruth 3:8 "And behold, when it was now midnight the man was afraid, and troubled: and he saw a woman lying at his feet" (Ruth at the feet of Booz is symbolic of Mary at the foot of the Cross); Judith 8:8 "And she was greatly renowned among all, because she feared the Lord very much, neither was there any one who spoke an ill word of her."; the 8th book of the Bible is Ruth, and it is Ruth who "enters Bethlehem" with Noemi; Leviticus Ch. 22 (the bullock or ram could be sacrificed on the 8th day of separation from its mother); The name Joseph appears 88 times in the book of Genesis *These are just a few examples, but more examples could be adduced.

    Number 15 (150) (15= 8+7, numbers which we have already seen): 15 Mysteries of Rosary, Mary was 15 at the Anunciation, the same year she was betrothed to St. Joseph; Mary walked up 15 stairs when she entered the temple at the age of three; Aug. 15th is the Assumption; Mary appears the first time in Scripture, Exodus 15:20 "So Mary the prophetess, the sister of Aaron..."; Gen 7:20 "The water was (15) cubits higher than the mountains which it covered" (The rosary is reflected even in Genesis) (verse 24, "And the waters prevailed upon the earth 150 days," (as there are 150 Hail Marys in the entire rosary).  And again, in Mary's chapter, Gen. ch. 8, we see the rosary again, "And the waters returned from off the earth going and coming: and they began to be abated after 150 days."

    The number 33 (divinity/perfection): Christ was 33 when crucified; there is a tradition that Adam and Eve had 33 sets of twins; Adam begat Seth when he was 133; Adam died at 933; King David reigned 33 years in Jerusalem, 7 years in Hebron (3 Kings 2:11)

    Number 46 is the number of books in OT.  The BVM was 16 and St. Joseph 30 when Christ was born, and their collected ages equal 46.     




    Bryan Shepherd, M.A. Phil.
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    2312 S. Preston
    Louisville, Ky. 40217; email:letsgobryan@protonmail.com
    website: www.orestesbrownson.org.


    Offline rosarytrad

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    Re: Sacred Numbers and their Symbolism in Scripture
    « Reply #1 on: June 07, 2023, 01:44:53 PM »
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  • Professor Shepherd, I am excited to read more of this!

    I'd consider adding a section on how the enemies of God pervert these numbers, like the number 33. Maybe a warning about the Jєωιѕн superstition of Gematria? This may be appropriate in a book of its own.

    Definitely include an index of the scripture passages where these numbers/symbolism occur for quick reference.

    I am looking forward to more, man!

     
    The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever. - Ps. 88:2a


    Offline rosarytrad

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    Re: Sacred Numbers and their Symbolism in Scripture
    « Reply #2 on: June 07, 2023, 02:24:27 PM »
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  • Also, my brother, you might consider using mind mapping software to help you organize all of your research for this. This is the software I use and it's awesome. There is a free and paid option. https://www.thebrain.com/

    also a passage for the number 7: 21 Then came Peter unto him and said: Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him? till seven times  22 Jesus saith to him: I say not to thee, till seven times; but till seventy times seven times  [Matthew 18:21-22] 
    The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever. - Ps. 88:2a

    Offline rosarytrad

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    Re: Sacred Numbers and their Symbolism in Scripture
    « Reply #3 on: June 07, 2023, 02:45:50 PM »
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  • Another for the number 7 is Our Lord's 7 last words spoken while on the Cross.
    The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever. - Ps. 88:2a

    Offline rosarytrad

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    Re: Sacred Numbers and their Symbolism in Scripture
    « Reply #4 on: June 07, 2023, 02:58:09 PM »
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  • Martin Luther removed 7 books from the Bible.
    The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever. - Ps. 88:2a


    Offline OABrownson1876

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    Re: Sacred Numbers and their Symbolism in Scripture
    « Reply #5 on: June 07, 2023, 03:33:04 PM »
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  • Thanks Rosarytrad. 
    Bryan Shepherd, M.A. Phil.
    PO Box 17248
    2312 S. Preston
    Louisville, Ky. 40217; email:letsgobryan@protonmail.com
    website: www.orestesbrownson.org.

    Offline Cryptinox

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    Re: Sacred Numbers and their Symbolism in Scripture
    « Reply #6 on: June 07, 2023, 03:37:19 PM »
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  • I am writing a small book on sacred numbers/symbolism as found in Sacred Scripture.  I have listed below some thoughts on various numbers found in Sacred Scripture, as well as additional commentary by the mystics.  This is by no means authoritative, but if you have any relevant commentary or numbers to add, please comment in this thread.

    The number 3 (30) (obviously representing divinity): 3 Persons in the Holy Family; 3 archangels known by name; Noah sent the dove from the Ark 3 times; Christ arose on the 3rd day; Mary was 3 when she was presented in the Temple by Anna and Joachim; Noah begat 3 sons; the Ark had 3 levels, there are 73 books in Holy Writ (seven is a sacred number); 3 persons in the Precursor's family; Genesis mentions 3 sons of Adam - Cain, Abel and Seth.  Christ was baptized at the age of 30 (Lk. Ch. 3); St. Joseph was married to BVM at the age of 30; the Ark was 30 cubits tall (Gen 6:15); Joseph of Old was 30 when he stood before king Pharao (Gen. 41:46); Judas sold Christ for 30 pieces of silver (Mt. 26:15); Abdemelech the Ethiopian with 30 men used a cord to draw up the prophet Jeremias from prison; King David was 30 years old when he began to reign (2 Samuel 5:4); Samson slew 30 men in Ascalon (Judges 14:19); the children of Israel mourned the death of Moses for 30 days (Deut. 34:8)   



    The number 6 (Man, sin, death, judgment): Man created on 6th day; Genesis Ch. 6 men are corrupt; Noah was 600 yr. old "when the waters overflowed the earth" (verse 6); Gen. 6:6 "And it repented him that he had made man on the earth."; Gen 7:6 "And he was six hundred years old, when the waters of the flood overflowed the earth."; Gen 8:6 "Noah...sent for the raven" (symbolic of the devil/death); Psalm 6:6 "For there is no one in death, that is mindful of thee: and who shall confess to thee in hell?"; the antichrist whose number is 666; John 6:66 "And he said: Therefore did I say to you, that no man can come to me, unless it be given him by my Father." (Christ is speaking to the unrepentant Jєωs/weak disciples); Wisdom 6:6 "Horribly and speedily will he appear to you: for a most severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule."; Jeremiah 6:6 "all oppression is in the midst of her" (speaking of Jerusalem); 6 water pots at Cana represent fallen man; St Joseph died at the age of 60, and in this sense he is the perfect man *I maintain that St. Joseph was the most perfect of men, even greater than St. John the Baptist.

    Number 7 (God, divinity): The number 7 is a constant theme in Sacred Scripture. 7 Sacraments; 7 days; Noah's father Lamech died at 777, signifying that Noah is a figure of the Trinity (see chapters 6,7,8 of Genesis); Gen. 7:2 "Of all clean beasts take 7 and 7"; Gen. Ch. 23 ("and Sarah lived 727 years") Gen. Ch. 29 (Jacob served 7 years for Rachel); Gen. 33:3 "And he went forward and bowed down his face to the ground 7 times until his brother came near"; Gen. Ch. 41 (7 years of plenty in Egypt followed by 7 years of famine; the Holy Family spent 7 years in Egypt); In Exodus the unleavened bread was eaten 7 days, and there were 7 lamps in the temple, and altar was sprinkled 7 times, et alia.   

    Number 8 (Mary): Dec 8th Immaculate Conception, Sept 8 Nativity; 8th Ch. of Genesis "He sent forth a dove (Mary) after him..." (8th verse); Assumption of Mary (8th Month); Wisdom 8:8 (the whole chapter is about Mary, but this verse specifies that the times are under her control); John 8:8 (is about Mary Magdalene) "And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground."; Canticle of Canticles 8:8 (8 chapters, all about Mary) "Our sister is little, and hath no breats. What shall we do to our sister in the day when she is to be spoken to?" (A clear reference to the Trinity speaking of Mary); Ruth 3:8 "And behold, when it was now midnight the man was afraid, and troubled: and he saw a woman lying at his feet" (Ruth at the feet of Booz is symbolic of Mary at the foot of the Cross); Judith 8:8 "And she was greatly renowned among all, because she feared the Lord very much, neither was there any one who spoke an ill word of her."; the 8th book of the Bible is Ruth, and it is Ruth who "enters Bethlehem" with Noemi; Leviticus Ch. 22 (the bullock or ram could be sacrificed on the 8th day of separation from its mother); The name Joseph appears 88 times in the book of Genesis *These are just a few examples, but more examples could be adduced.

    Number 15 (150) (15= 8+7, numbers which we have already seen): 15 Mysteries of Rosary, Mary was 15 at the Anunciation, the same year she was betrothed to St. Joseph; Mary walked up 15 stairs when she entered the temple at the age of three; Aug. 15th is the Assumption; Mary appears the first time in Scripture, Exodus 15:20 "So Mary the prophetess, the sister of Aaron..."; Gen 7:20 "The water was (15) cubits higher than the mountains which it covered" (The rosary is reflected even in Genesis) (verse 24, "And the waters prevailed upon the earth 150 days," (as there are 150 Hail Marys in the entire rosary).  And again, in Mary's chapter, Gen. ch. 8, we see the rosary again, "And the waters returned from off the earth going and coming: and they began to be abated after 150 days."

    The number 33 (divinity/perfection): Christ was 33 when crucified; there is a tradition that Adam and Eve had 33 sets of twins; Adam begat Seth when he was 133; Adam died at 933; King David reigned 33 years in Jerusalem, 7 years in Hebron (3 Kings 2:11)

    Number 46 is the number of books in OT.  The BVM was 16 and St. Joseph 30 when Christ was born, and their collected ages equal 46.   
    I remember a priest mentioning how the Fathers supposedly drew parallels between 6th commandment, the 6th beatitude (blessed are the clean of heart), and the 6th day of creation (be fruitful and multiply)

    Offline rosarytrad

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    Re: Sacred Numbers and their Symbolism in Scripture
    « Reply #7 on: June 07, 2023, 04:21:28 PM »
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  • Thanks Rosarytrad.
    You're welcome, OABrownson1876. :smirk:

    I remember a priest mentioning how the Fathers supposedly drew parallels between 6th commandment, the 6th beatitude (blessed are the clean of heart), and the 6th day of creation (be fruitful and multiply)
    That sounds like a great read.  Cryptinox, if you have a link or title, post it, please!

     It's interesting to note that these numbers are 666, considering how adultery, impurity, and the destruction of the family are today "normal" and "healthy." It reminds me of the words of Our Lady of Fatima, that "more souls go to hell for sins against purity than for any other reason."
    The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever. - Ps. 88:2a


    Offline Nadir

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    Re: Sacred Numbers and their Symbolism in Scripture
    « Reply #8 on: June 07, 2023, 04:43:09 PM »
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  • Number 144,00 in Revelation: 7 squared by 1000: Completion of the Church, where the Lamb of God and His 144,000 faithful  assemble marked, not  by the sign of the beast but by the mark of the Lamb and the name of his Father on their foreheads. The 144,000 have kept themselves pure from the idolatrous worship of the beast. 

    Help of Christians, guard our land from assault or inward stain,
    Let it be what God has planned, His new Eden where You reign.

    Offline Cryptinox

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    Re: Sacred Numbers and their Symbolism in Scripture
    « Reply #9 on: June 08, 2023, 12:26:04 AM »
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  • You're welcome, OABrownson1876. :smirk:
    That sounds like a great read.  Cryptinox, if you have a link or title, post it, please!

     It's interesting to note that these numbers are 666, considering how adultery, impurity, and the destruction of the family are today "normal" and "healthy." It reminds me of the words of Our Lady of Fatima, that "more souls go to hell for sins against purity than for any other reason."
    I got that from the sermon of a priest whose church I had attended because I didn't know of any other traditional liturgies I could go to on All Saints Day. I could possibly ask the priest about where he learned that. I found it quite interesting. 

    Offline AnthonyPadua

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    Re: Sacred Numbers and their Symbolism in Scripture
    « Reply #10 on: June 08, 2023, 08:34:21 AM »
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  • ; St Joseph died at the age of 60, and in this sense he is the perfect man *I maintain that St. Joseph was the most perfect of men, even greater than St. John the Baptist.
    That's quite the claim to have. (Though I may be ignorant here)

    Quote
    "Amen I say to you, there hath not risen among them that are born of women a greater than John the Baptist"

    Also I always thought the canticle of canticles was about the Church. Your post was enlightening.

    What's the source for Mary being 15 at the annunciation?