This is a reference post for those of you interested in Hebrew letter/number symbolism. You will be able to see related articles and reference information under the new menu heading Misparim — of which I will be adding to periodically. Studying Dr. Hollisa Alewine’s The Creation Gospel has been extremely helpful in making many of these determinations. I hope you will take the time to learn her material for yourself. You will see her work reflected in numbers 1-7 in regard to the seven creation days, seven Spirits of Adonai, seven Feast days, seven Churches, and in the seven abominations. Show  ZeroEfes (modern Hebrew). Ancient/Biblical Hebrew doesn’t have a representation for the number zero. The closest words would be no or nothing. In English, one typically thinks of zero as nothing, but in Hebrew, this idea isn’t so simple. “No” in Hebrew Although zero doesn’t have a value by itself, when placed behind another number it multiples or elevates the quantity. For example, 70 is the number 7 followed by a zero. In a case like this, zero has increased or “elevated” the number seven. When studying higher numbers, zero should be viewed with this in mind. The negative connotations of zero imply a lack of harvest, reward, or effort. Since there are many idioms in English that represent zero or nothing, sometimes zero will be just that. For example, one might say, “I received a big, fat goose egg,” to indicate a lack of success or reward for work/effort. In this sense, a dream with such idioms or an actual zero could imply uselessness or wasted efforts. One
Echad (one) is the watchword of Israel. The Shema (Dt.6:4): “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one (echad)!” These words are the first declaration taught to Jewish children and the last words on the lips of the dying. Praying the Shema affirms God’s authority over heaven and earth. He is the Eternal One and the Source of all creation. But even more than that, it is a declaration that His people accept and reverence His lofty position over mankind. One Day is a return to the beginning, a return to Eden. (Is. 46:10, Rev. 21: 6; 22:13) One Day, there will be a restoration of all things. (Acts 3:21) One Day, God will be all in all. (1 Cor. 15:28) One Day, every tear will be wiped away. (Rev. 7:17) One Day, YHWH will dwell permanently among men. (Rev. 21:3) One Day there will be no more death, no more sorrow, no more pain. (Rev. 21:4) It shall be one day Which is known to the LORD Neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen that it will be light. And in that day it shall be—That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and half of them toward the western sea; in both summer and winter it shall occur. And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be “The LORD is one,” and His name one. (Zech. 14:7-9 NKJV) TwoThere are two great commandments (love God/love neighbor), two houses of Israel, two sticks, two sisters, two olive branches, two silver trumpets, two leavened loaves on Shavuot, two cherubim guard Ark of the Covenant and the entrance to Eden, two good spies (Joshua and Caleb), and two witnesses mentioned in the Bible. What is opposite is meant to complement for a blessing, not bring division and conflict. There were two pillars that protected and watched over In the sense above, two (ideally) is meant to bring a blessing, barukh/berakhah, which begins with the letter beht. To bless, in simple understanding, is to multiply something or someone. With the number two, multiplication becomes possible. When two isn’t reflecting the positive side of one (unity), it denotes division rather than multiplication (blessing) in the Bible. For example, the second day of creation DIVIDES the upper and lower waters. The second sentence in scripture speaks of chaos, and the second chapter reveals two trees representing life and death. The Apostolic Writings (N.T.) also confirms two’s pattern of division or separation. Consider the second books of Corinthians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Peter, and 2 John; they each speak either about the enemy/antichrist or the assembly in ruin/apostasy. Two presents one with a choice, and hopefully that choice will lead to life and blessing, a positive change that repeats through each new cycle or shanah (year).
Mankind has two natures. They mirror the TWO trees in the Garden, the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Christians might liken these to the Christ-nature and the sin-nature. Jews, however, refer to the two natures of man as the yetzer hara and the yetzer hatov. Literally this is the evil inclination and the good inclination. I prefer the latter designation as it doesn’t completely demonize the lower, earthly nature. The Bible declares that the second tree produces both good and The separation on day two divides between the earthly and heavenly waters, the second feast (Matzah) separates one from leaven, and the second Spirit of God (Binah) separates materials in order to build. Since this day is not called tov or good, we must be very careful in how and what we separate. Division is only truly good if it leads to building and gathering (multiplication), not tearing down and isolation (reducing/division). “A wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.” (Pr. 14:1) ThreeMoses was the third child in his family, and his name is often an idiom of the Torah (Law), which was given in month three or Sivan. (Ex. 19) God gave the Israelites three days to prepare themselves to receive the Torah (Ex. 19) The Tree of Life is an idiom for the Torah in Judaism. (Pr. 3:8 – God’s instructions/laws are His wisdom – Dt. 4:5-6) The spindles that hold the sacred scroll are called trees of life and each parchment is called a leave; trees were created on day three of creation. (Ps. 119:1-9; 119:92-94; 119:174-176, Pr. 3:18, Mt. 19:16-17, John 1;1-5; 5:46, 1 John 2:3-5 ) Messiah was in the grave for three days and three nights after dying on a tree (a day three creation). Sign of Jonah/resurrection. Seeds were also created on day three of creation. The natural function of seeds teaches death, burial, and resurrection to new life. Mashiach is the “Seed of the Woman” that will overcome the seed of the serpent. (Gen. 3:15) The Word of God is likened to a “Seed.” (Luke 8:11)
Waters are gathered and dry land appears on day three. With the dry land, seeds, trees, and fruit spring forth. Thus, the dividing and separating of day two is ideally to promote gathering, stability, and growth. Thus, three is the foundation of the House or Temple. Just as trees put down roots deep into the soil for strength, nourishment, and stability, so we too, anchor ourselves in three. One way that this manifests is in our Hope. Because Messiah was resurrected on the third day, we have hope for our own future resurrection. Because He is the early first fruits (3rd feast) unto God, we also have hope to be counted as His first fruits in resurrection. (1 Cor. 15:12-28) The menorah is the Light and the Tree of Life. It is fueled by the precious oil of the Holy Spirit. The Table of Presence (literally the bread of “faces”) has twelve loaves, one for each tribe of Israel. They remain in YHWH’s presence all week and are refreshed every Shabbat. Clearly, these loaves (which come from the grains created on day three) are the ground seeds of Torah that live in all Israel, making them one loaf. (1 Cor. 10:17) They are a memorial of His Word to His people. They also recall the double portion of manna (heavenly bread) given on day six, so one can rest on the seventh day as God commanded. The Altar of Incense is the closest piece of furniture to the Most Holy Place. It’s fragrance and covering cloud of sweet smelling smoke is indicative of prayers continually ascending to the Throne of Adonai. Notice that all three pieces of furniture in the Holy Place involve food stuffs or fuel that are derived from PLANT life created on the third day. Peter sees a vision in Acts 10 of a sheet that descends from heaven three times (heavenly witness). He would soon meet three Gentile men, and Peter wasn’t to think of them as something unclean or unfit. Peter explained his own vision, which had nothing to do with food or God changing His Law or Holy Word. (Acts 10:28, Mal. 3:6, Mat. 5:17-20) In the natural, Peter was “hungry” when he had this heavenly vision. The men that were coming to him were spiritually “hungry” for the message that Peter had for them. (Acts 10:33-48) In his discourse to those hungry for the Words Life, he mentions that he is a witness to the third day resurrection. For a more in depth Hebraic understanding of Peter’s vision, see Peter’s Vision: Beacon or Bacon? by Dr. Robin Gould. FourArbah [f.], arbahah [m.] Authority, government, rule, dominion, calendar, time, creation, kingdom, fullness, giving of the Torah (Law) and Holy Spirit. The most holy Name of G-d has four Hebrew letters (yohd, heh, vav, heh – YHWH). Judah was the fourth born son and has the scepter of rule. Pictures completeness much like seven. Four matriarchs, four corners of the earth, four horns on altar, four tassles (tzit-tziyot) are to be worn on one’s garment/robe, four living creatures, four horsemen, Four rivers of Eden, four winds, four gospels, etc.
Ezekiel 14:21 (NASB) For thus says the Lord GOD, “How much more when I send My four severe judgments against Jerusalem: sword, famine, wild beasts and plague to cut off man and beast from it! Four is indicative of AUTHORITY. The fourth branch on the Menorah is the center, main shaft. It is the source for the other six branches. Yeshua stands in the midst of the menorah. (Rev. 1:12-13) On the fourth day of creation, YHWH declared His GOVERNMENT of the earth and all who dwell in it by creating the sun, moon, and stars. These celestial bodies faithfully keep and proclaim His calendar, His months, His weeks, and His holy days to the world. Only the Creator of the Universe has the ability to define and regulate a man’s clock and calendar. Our life (time) is limited and decreed by the King of all Creation. Every second of our lives is in the palm of His hands whether we recognize His authority or not. Thus, TIME and AUTHORITY are intrinsically linked with day four. The fourth feast day, Shavuot, the Feast of weeks (time), or Pentecost arrives after one counts fifty days and seven times seven weeks of TIME. It is the fullness of all the feast days as it commemorates Adonai giving His people His Torah (Covenant) and His Spirit (Seal). Again, this is about TIME and AUTHORITY, which declares Adonai’s GOVERNMENT of the Universe (this is mirrored by the Sabbath day – a weekly feast day that is also about Time and Authority). See more about the fourth feast, Pentecost here. Moreover, the Sabbath is the “oht” or sign Between YHWH and His people for all generations, as is keeping the Feast of Unleavened Bread. (Ex. 13:9, 31:13, 17) The “oht” were given on day four of creation. The fourth piece of furniture in the covered place of the Tabernacle/Temple/House is the Ark of the Covenant, but if one counts from the courtyard, it is the seventh. The Most Holy Place could only be entered ONCE in a YEAR. One must know the Creator’s calendar given on day four in order to live and not die in this sacred space. The mercy seat is a type of Throne, another picture of Authority and Government. Four Living Creatures surround the Throne of Elohim, always declaring, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.” (Is. 6:3, Rev. 4:8) Four and seven have many common factors. They depict holy places in both SPACE and TIME. (For more on this see Rivers of Eden.) Fullness and completeness are characteristics of Abba’s House. As the door (delet), four shows one the Way into the Throne room of Adonai, the place of Authority/Kingship. Yeshua is the door for the sheep. (John 10:7-9) It is impossible to get this close and personal with YHWH by entering another door or way. Thus, intimacy and authority are linked. FiveChamesh [f.], chameeshah [m.] Power, strength, alertness (wake-up!), Torah, grace, ministry, service, gospel, fruitfulness, going forth, fast movement, anointed, prayers, and protection. The holy anointing oil had five ingredients: four spices mixed with olive oil. (Ex. 30:23-25.) The holy incense also had five ingredients: four spices mixed with salt. (Ex. 30:34-35 – though tradition says there were eleven ingredients.) We are empowered by the Word (Torah) and the Spirit. All is given by God’s mercy and grace. There are five Books of Torah (Moses/Law), the five-fold ministry (Eph. 4:11), David’s 5 smooth stones, fruit from trees is fit to eat in the fifth year.
Five is associated with prayers and being anointed, as both the incense and the anointing oil had five ingredients. This indicates that anointment and prayer are POWERFUL. Both define and declare YHWH’s authority, gifts, callings, favor, direction, purpose, and will. They release a sweet fragrance. Both can be a hedge of protection like the clouds, the seal, and the “hiddenness” of Yom Teruah. Five also indicates maturity and unity. Notice how perfectly synchronized the movements of flocks of birds and schools of fish are in the mayim (waters) and shamayim (heavens). Though they are many, they flow as one fluid Body. This is the Spirit of Power, which cannot be accomplished if there isn’t a love for the brethren. Without love, there is no unity or gathering. SixAbove all, the letter/number vav is about connection and relationship. The Talmud says that wherever the vav appears, it also serves to “add” something that is not obvious – something that goes beyond the simple meaning of the text. To whom or what are you connected with? Mankind is a relational being meant for connection. With whom or what shall we attach ourselves? That is the question of Day Six, and the answer to the “mark of the beast.” On the Torah scroll, each column of text begins with the letter vav (the conjunction “and”), which joins each section to the next in a continual untied flow.[1] Thus, the Word of Adonai in man connects him/her with God. Without the Words of Life, one is disconnected or disjointed from God, because one has chosen to join with the words of “another,” such as self or other falsehoods (idolatry). The purposeful alignment to start each Torah column with a vav is based on the construction of the Tabernacle. Like the Mishkan, the Torah is meant to contain the Spirit or Presence of Adonai. And like man, if the Ruach HaKodesh is not present, it is just letters on parchment, lifeless and incapable of projecting His image to the world. Exodus 27:9-10 (NKJV) You shall also make the court of the tabernacle. For the south side there shall be hangings for the court made of fine woven linen, one hundred cubits long for one side. 10 And its twenty pillars and their twenty sockets shall be bronze. The hooks of the pillars and their bands shall be silver. The Hebrew word for curtains/hangings is the same word for the parchment of the Torah scroll. Likewise, the Hebrew word for pillars is the same word for the columns on the Torah scroll. In the Tabernacle, the curtains were held up by vavim (plural of vav), hooks that hold two things together.[2] Just as the vavim held the court curtains in place and connected them one to another, firm to the pillars, the Torah connects and stabilizes earth (beings) with the heavenly realm. “Six is the revealed creation of the physical world… seven or Shabbat reveals the spiritual within the physical.” (Alewine)
Peter had a vision of a sheet with unclean beasts at the sixth hour. (Acts 10:9) The vision was a parable; the beasts represented people (men), not food. Peter saw the sheet three times and three Gentile men (3+3=6) came to see him. (Acts 10:28-29) This story is a great example of how to discern between the Spirit of Adonai and the desires of the flesh, or the number six. How do you view Peter’s vision? A flesh ruled person (6) can and usually will twist this encounter to condone the appetites of the flesh; that is, eating unclean animals that YHWH calls an abomination. (Lev. 11) This is a false witness. To their credit, most have been taught by misinformed teachers to view Peter’s encounter as a license to indulge in the desires of the flesh. In other words, they’ve been deceived and are not in outright rebellion, but still a false witness. On the other hand, one that knows and loves God’s Word and commandments will not be looking for a loophole to disobey what is written and will immediately discern the context of Acts chapter 10. Peter clearly interprets his own vision in the text; it’s better to take his word for it. The unclean animals symbolize men, and have nothing to do with food or eating what God has forbidden. We must have the mind of Messiah, not a mind set on appeasing the wants, desires, and appetites of the flesh, which is the image of a beast. The beauty and depth of Peter’s vision has been tainted by the desire to consume swine’s flesh for far too long. Peter’s vision is about God’s love and acceptance of people from all nations, tribes, and tongues. You must decide which interpretation is spiritual and which one is from the appetite of a beast. This decision is made in the sixth hour (noon) when the sunlight is at its peak in the sky. In other words, there should be no ambiguity or darkness to blind one to truth. See also Dr. Robin Gould’s book, Peter’s Vision: Beacon or Bacon. Song of Solomon 3:6-8 (NASB) What is this coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all scented powders of the merchant? 7 Behold, it is the traveling couch of Solomon; sixty mighty men around it, of the mighty men of Israel. 8 All of them are wielders of the sword, expert in war; each man has his sword at his side, guarding against the terrors of the night. SevenOn day seven of creation, God rested from His work. He set the seventh day apart as holy, and gave it a name: Shabbat. Seven transcends the natural and moves into the supernatural. We begin every week (and even every day as the day begins at sunset) by RESTING. First, we rest in the finished work of God, then we go to work (perform good deeds). This has been G-d’s pattern from the very beginning. Rest, then work. Any other pattern proclaims mankind’s desire to rest in the work of his own hands. “Six is the revealed creation of the physical world… seven or Shabbat reveals the spiritual within the physical. The Sabbath seven exposes the spirit that moves inside the physical garment of the six.” (Alewine)
The harlot in the Book of Revelation rides a scarlet beast (see number 6) that has SEVEN heads. She is the epitome of one ruled by the image of the beast created on day six and the lusts of the flesh (the beast is red like Esau). The beast has ten horns (see 10 below), which denotes a completely wicked assembly. Instead of holding the holy Shabbat (7) Kiddush cup, she has a cup full of abominations. (Pr. 6:16-19) EightTorah Portion Shemini – “Eighth” (Lev. 9:1-11:47) describes what occurs “on the eighth day” after the inauguration of the Tabernacle. Aaron’s sons brought an esh zarah, a strange fire, before Adonai and His fire consumed them. There is a connection between the brazen altar and the incense altar (the latter being the offering of Aaron’s sons). Both discern between the spirit and the nephesh. While some nephesh might remain after passing through the brazen altar, none can be present at the golden altar, which is closer to the Presence of the Holy One. For YHWH our God is a consuming fire; He is a jealous God. (Dt. 4:24) His priests are required to teach the people the difference between the holy and the profane. (Lev. 10:10-11) While “new beginnings” sound wonderful to the soul, it is imperative that one considers the cost for this to occur. All new life, new births, and new beginnings require a death (at least figuratively). The old must die in order for new life or for a new beginning to occur. The nephesh hates this message, because it does not want to relinquish the power of the soul, the power of sin, to God’s holy fire/altar. The ego wars against letting go, to submission, and obedience, because it cannot see past the natural, earthy realm. It doesn’t understand that the smoke rising up from its demise IS the Way to the heavenly realm, and true life. The sign of the covenant, circumcision, which is performed on the “eighth” day, teaches this same message. Saul and David are figures of the desires of the nephesh and the spirit, respectively. It’s not a coincidence that David was an “Eighth” son. There is a distinction, a division, a set-apartness involved with “eight.” Holiness is, in a sense, a boundary – or rather, a set of boundaries. There are levels of holiness explained in intricate detail in the Torah (Instructions) of God. Even at Mt. Sinai, the children of Israel were told not to cross the boundary set by Adonai, even in their zeal to gaze upon Him, or they would die. (Ex. 19) In our current state, God’s holiness would consume us. Until the final redemption, the redemption of our bodies (resurrection/change), we will suffer the same fate as Nadab and Abihu if we try to zealously cross a holiness boundary beyond what Adonai has prescribed for us. (Rom. 8:18-30, Eph. 4:30-32) The priesthood had to live by stricter standards than average Israelites. Their boundaries were not as “loose,” because they were mediators and drew closer to the Holy One. Aside from this most holy duty, they were to teach the people the difference between the holy and the profane, and the clean and the unclean. These were/are God’s standards, not man’s. Carnal man is deeply opposed to such laws and standards, because these things are Holy and Spiritual, and man is not. (Rom. 7:12-24) The holiness of Adonai and His Torah are spiritually discerned, a carnal man cannot know them. (1 Cor. 2:14) Failing to teach these spiritual instructions to Adonai’s people does “violence” to His Torah, and profanes His Name. Ezekiel 22:26 (NASB) “Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane, and they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they hide their eyes from My sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.” It is important to read the entirety of portion Shemini. The last half explains the distinctions between clean and unclean animals. This is not disconnected from what happened on the “eighth day” with Nadab and Abihu. The Christian world has mostly ignored or explained these laws away to conform to the desires of the nephesh (flesh). But, it is in this section that Adonai twice declares, “Be holy, because I am holy.” (Lev. 11:45-46) Food, what one “eats,” is deeply intimate. We are to make distinctions, based on what the Word of God says, between the creatures we eat, because they become a part of us (physical body). The spiritual counterpart is even more vital. We are to “eat” the Bread of God, the heavenly bread, which is His Word and Messiah, so it/He becomes a part of us too. This is what sustains, preserves, and allows life to continue in us in both the natural and spiritual realms. Be holy, be set apart, live by the boundaries declared from the mouth of Adonai in regard to food. Then, consider that only some “clean” creatures were fit to be placed on God’s holy altar – another, tighter boundary (holiness). These animals represented the offerer. Closely consider their natural aspects. Cows, goats, and sheep have “cloven hoofs” or feet. They are divided or separated in two, a distinction, akin to holiness and discernment. They also chew the cud. Study that process and relate to the Word of God, the word of His ministers, and the things you “consume.” What does this teach us, spiritually? The swine or pigs have feet that look “clean,” but they do not chew the cud. They are a figure of deception, hypocrisy, rebellion, and “strangeness.” Many years of my life, I could say that I resembled this unclean creature, because while I might have had cloven hoofs, I did not “chew the cud.” I ate anything – in both the physical and spiritual sense. I did not ruminate, meditate, or cut, divide, and separate what I was consuming (physically and spiritually), which means the desirable and undesirable both mixed together in my being to became one with me. I ate whatever came my way, just as the swine does. God’s people are to make a distinction between such things, even spiritual things, like the Bereans. (Acts 17:10-12) Want a New Beginning? Make distinctions between the holy and profane, the clean and the unclean. Let those things that war against “it is written” in you DIE by the Letter, so the Spirit can quicken you to Life.
Eight is passes the completed work of seven and moves one into the realm of the supernatural or the world to come. It also depicts new beginnings as Hebraic thought sees time and the calendar as cyclical, rather than linear. It is a doubling of four or authority and government. Thus, eight is a re-creation of the House/Tabernacle/Temple of YHWH. Coupled with the letter “yohd” (also the symbol for 10), creates the Hebrew word chai or LIFE. It is impossible to get to this level of closeness with Adonai without complete submission and obedience, as demonstrated by Yeshua. Nine
For much more on nine, click here. TenThe orig. meaning of this base prob. was ‘gathering, collection, union’. cp. Arab. ‘ashara (= he formed a community), ‘ashirah ( = tribe), ma’ashar (=a group of ten men). Accordingly, Heb. עשר (eser), Arab. ‘ashr, etc. prob. meant orig. ‘a group collection’, whence ‘a group of ten’, and ultimately ‘ten’.
Thus says the LORD of hosts, “In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'” (Zec. 8:23 NASB) [1] There are only five exceptions to this: Genesis 1:1 starts with bet (ב); and the other four start with the letters י (Genesis 49:8), ה (Exodus 14:28), ש (Leviticus 18:8), and מ (Numbers 24:5). [2] Luton, Grant. In His Own Words: Messianic Insights into the Hebrew Alphabet. Beth Tikkun Publishing, 2018. p. 84 [3] The baraita continues: And as for the tablets, their length was six handbreadths, their width was six handbreadths, and their thickness was three handbreadths. The tablets were placed along the length of the Ark, one next to the other. If so, how much space did the tablets occupy along the length of the Ark? Twelve handbreadths, as each tablet was six handbreadths long. Three handbreadths were left there along the length of the Ark, for a total of fifteen handbreadths. Deduct a handbreadth from them: One-half a handbreadth for this wall, namely, the thickness of the wooden Ark itself, and one-half a handbreadth for the other wall. Accordingly, two handbreadths were left there, in which the Torah scroll written by Moses lay. (Bava Batra 14a) [4] https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/mishnah For Hebrew numbers 11-30, click here. For references, please see footnotes on this page: Misparim Alewine, Hollisa. The Creation Gospel Workbook 2: The Seven Abominations of the Wicked Lamp. The Creation Gospel, 2020. What is the number one in Hebrew?Cardinal values. What is the number for Jesus?Symbolism and numerology
In some Christian numerology, the number 888 represents Jesus, or sometimes more specifically Christ the Redeemer.
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What does the number 1 mean in Hebrew?
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