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seeking whom he may devour" (I Pet. 5: 8), showing that sometimes a symbol can be
used in more than one way; only the context and usage can decide. In consideration of
symbols used in the Bible, there is no doubt that numbers are sometimes used
symbolically, though here, once again, we need to take great care, for some have gone to
great lengths in lack of wisdom and flights of fancy, especially those who are
mathematically minded. Not every number in the Bible has spiritual significance, and to
try and deduce all sorts of doctrines from numbers and gematria can be most misleading
and also lead to error and division. It hardly needs stressing that seven is an important
number in God's purpose. The creation in seven days (however we interpret the days);
the religious life of Israel revolving around seven, seven weeks from Passover to
Pentecost, seven years with its Sabbatical year, seven times seven years with the Jubilee;
the seventy sevens of Daniel's prophecy, and the book of the Revelation is just full of
sevens, not only the figure, but in the occurrence of words and phrases as well.
Six is man's number. He was created on the sixth day and so comes short of seven,
God's perfect standard, and it is noteworthy that some of the enemies of God, such as
Goliath, for instance, are stamped with six, and the superman of the end time is linked
with a triple six (Rev. 13: 18). Four is linked with the earth (the four quarters), forty
with testing (Israel in the wilderness and the Lord Jesus likewise). Thirteen (ominous
number for some) is linked with Satan. For a Scriptural exposition of this subject we
recommend Dr. E.W. Bullinger's Number in Scripture.
There is also symbolism in colour, even though the colours of the Bible may be
difficult to determine exactly. While there is room for differences of opinion here,
scarlet seems to be linked with sacrifice. Blue is the heavenly colour. Purple, having
been worn by kings and high dignitaries, is the colour of royalty, whereas white suggests
purity or righteousness. It is significant that in the last book of the Bible, where a
spotless creation is finally reached, there are more references to white than in any other
book in the New Testament.
Metals have a significance too. Silver was connected to the atonement money
(Exod. 30: 12-16), and therefore linked with redemption and atonement. Gold stands
for the highest and holiest and can therefore in some contexts represent Deity. The brass
of the Bible is not the same as the metal we know today, being composed of copper and
tin, whereas the modern metal consists of copper and zinc. Bronze or copper would be
nearer the mark than brass. Its use in connection with the brazen altar, upon which all the
sacrifices for sin were made, the brazen serpent in the wilderness and the brazen feet of
Christ in glory, about to return in power and glory (Rev. 1: 15), link this metal with
judgment.
Needless to say, a fixed meaning cannot be made for every occurrence of a metal or a
colour in the Scriptures. Wisdom and balance must obtain here, as in all our dealings
with the Word of God.