In my booklet ‘Reading the Preston Temple’ I comment on the symbolic meaning of certain numbers.  Some people have expressed an interest in the symbolic meaning of numbers found in the  scriptures so I thought I would share some thoughts on some significant numbers.

1 – God, Unity

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: (Deut 6:4)

2 –  symbolizes witness and support.

• Two witnesses establish truth (Matthew 26:60).
• The disciples were sent two by two (Luke 10:1).
• The Ten Commandments were inscribed on two tablets of stone.
• The Old and New Testament

3 –  Signifies completion or perfection, and unity.

• Three is the number of Personages in the Godhead.
• Many significant events in the Bible happened “on the third day” (Hosea 6:2).
• Jesus’ earthly ministry lasted three years
• This number operates as a “sign-post” in Scripture study for the reader to “pay attention” to the significance of the next event (eg Jesus spoke 3 times to the Nephites at Bountiful before they recognised his voice)

 4 – Relates to the earth.

• Earth has four seasons: winter, spring, summer, fall.
• There are four primary directions: north, south, east, west.
• The four corners of the earth
• Four earthly kingdoms (Daniel 7:3).
• Parable with four types of soil (Matthew 13).
• Four lunar phases

 5 – A number associated with grace

• Five kinds of animals were sacrificed under the Old Covenant Law of sacrifice: goats, sheep, cattle, pigeons and doves
• Samuel the Lamanite prophesied that Jesus would be born in 5 years
• David chose 5 stones for his sling (indicating his reliance on the grace of God)

 6 – imperfection, opposition to God

• It falls short of 7
• The mark of the Beast is 666.
• Goliath was 6 foot 6 inches tall and wore 6 pieces of armour.

7– Refers to perfection or completeness.

• On the seventh day God rested after completing the creation (Genesis 2:2).
• Jesus taught Peter to forgive 70 times seven (Matthew 18:22).
• 7 days in a week
• In Hebrew seven is shevah (shebah) from the root shava, meaning “to be full.”
• It took Solomon seven years to build the Temple in Jerusalem.
• There are multiple sevens in the Book of Revelation

 8 – new beginnings, rebirth, resurrection

• Eight people survived the flood (Genesis 7:13, 23).
• Circumcision took place on the eighth day (Genesis 17:12).
• Aaron and his sons were consecrated on the 8^th day
• Jesus was resurrected on the day following the 7^th day
• Children are baptised at 8
• 8 Jaredite barges
• Lehis’s family wandered in the wilderness for 8 years before sailing for the promised land
• Alma the Elder and his converts travelled 8 days into the wilderness to escape King Noah.

12– Relates to divine government, priesthood authority

• The 12 tribes of Israel.
• The 12 apostles
• Baptismal fonts resting on the back of 12 oxen

30 –associated with mourning and sorrow.

• Aaron’s death was mourned for 30 days (Numbers 20:29).
• Moses’ death was mourned for 30 days (Deuteronomy 34:8).
• 30 pieces of silver

40 – A number associated with testing and trials.

• During the flood it rained 40 days (Genesis 7:4).
• Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years (Numbers 14:33).
• Jesus was in the wilderness 40 days before being tempted(Matthew 4:2).
• 40 years to build the Salt Lake Temple.