In Number in Scripture, E.W. Bullinger has endeavored to explore the entire field and present conclusions in accord with facts and free of needless spiritualization. In the process he has constructed a book that is both captivating and validly helpful. It is also relatively free of the excesses which so often characterize works of this nature.

Dr. E.W. Bullinger 's deep appreciation of Scripture shows itself in a thorough familiarity with the entire Bible, but the Sacred Book is not his sole textbook as is shown by his knowledge of the natural world and related subjects.

The first section of Number in Scripture, E.W. Bullinger deals with the significance of numbers as they relate to the works of God in the natural world around us. In the second section E.W. Bullinger presents an overview of numerics as seen in the Bible as a whole. This section includes thoughtprovoking material on the way Biblical Numerics suggest a solution to the problems of authorship in Hebrews and II Peter. The remaining portion of Number in Scripture examines each Biblically mentioned numeral from one tot six hunderd and sixty-six and seeks to discern its special spiritual significance and connotation.

Contents

Part I
Supernatural Design

CHAPTER 1
THE WORKS OF GOD

The Heavens
Chronology
Nature
The Vegetable Kingdom
Physiology
Chemistry
Sound and Music  
Colour

CHAPTER II
THE WORD OF GOD

The Books of the Bible
The Writers
Occurrences of Words in Old Testament
Occurrences of Words in New Testament
Occurrences of Words in the Apocalypse
Occurrences of Phrases
Evidence as to Authorship of Hebrews and 2 Peter
Occurrences of Words and Phrases in Old and New Testaments combined

Part II
Spiritual Significance

Introduction
1 - One
2 - Two
3 - Three
4 - Four
5 - Five
6 - Six
7 - Seven
6 + 7 - Six and Seven together
7 -        Seven by itself
8 -        Eight
8 + 7 - Eight and Seven together
8 -        Eight by itself
8 + 13 - Eight and Thirteen together
9 -   Nine
10 - Ten
11 - Eleven
12 - Twelve
13 - Thirteen
14 - Fourteen
15 - Fifteen
17 - Seventeen
19 - Nineteen
20 - Twenty
21 - Twenty-one
22 - Twenty-two
24 - Twenty-four
25 - Twenty-five
27 - Twenty-seven
28 - Twenty-eight
29 - Twenty-nine
30 - Thirty
31 - Thirty-one
40 - Forty
42 - Forty-two
50 - Fifty
51 - Fifty-one
65 - Sixty-five
70 - Seventy
120 - One hundred and twenty
153 - One hundred and fifty and three
200 - Two hundred
390 - Three hundred and ninety
400 - Four hundred
430 - Four hundred and thirty
490 - Four hundred and ninety
666 - Six hundred and sixty-six
Conclusion

Preface

Many writers, from the earliest times, have called attention to the importance of the great subject of Number in Scripture. It has been dealt with, for the most part, in a fragmentary way. One has dealt with some particular number, such as "seven"; another has been content with a view of the primary numbers, and even when defining their significance, has given only one or two examples by way of illustration; another has confined himself to "symbolical numbers," such as 10, 40, 666, etc.; another has taken up such symbolical numbers in their relation to chronology or to prophecy; another has collected examples, but has dealt little with their meaning.

There seemed, therefore, to be room, and indeed a call, for a work which would be more complete, embrace a larger area, and at the same time be free from the many fancies which all, more or less, indulge in when the mind is occupied too much with one subject. Anyone who values the importance of a particular principle will be tempted to see it where it does not exist, and if it be not there will force it in, in spite sometimes of the original text. Especially is this the case when chronology is dealt with, the greater uncertainty of dates lending itself more readily to the author's fancy.

The greatest work on this subject, both chronological and numerical, is not free from these defects. But its value is nevertheless very great. It is by the late Dr. Milo Mahan, of New York. His work Palmoni*, which was republished among his collected works, has long been out of print. It greatly increased my interest in this subject, and led me to further study, besides furnishing a number of valuable illustrations.

* Not the anonymous Palmoni by an English author, published in London.

It is too much to hope that the present work should be free from these defects, which are inseparable from human infirmity. From one point of view it is a subject which must prove disappointing, at any rate to the author, for illustrations are continually being discovered; and yet, from another point of view, it would be blasphemy to suppose that such a work could be complete; for it would assume that the wonders of this mine could be exhausted, and that its treasures could be all explored!

I must, therefore, be content with the setting forth of general principles, and with giving a few examples from God's Word which illustrate them, leaving others to extend the application of these principles and search out illustrations of them for themselves.

May the result of this contribution to a great subject be to stimulate the labours of Bible students; to strengthen believers in their most holy faith; and to convince doubters of the Divine perfection and inspiration of the Book of Books, to the praise and glory of God.

E.W. BULLINGER

17 North End Road,
Golders Green, N.W.