Hello Reader,
In writing Count the Stars, I have spent a lot of time working my way through different numbers in the Bible. However, when I tell someone the book I have been working on, they inevitably ask me for the meaning of an obscure number they remembered from a passage of the Bible. I love these moments and they terrify me.
I love them because it means that people are interested, they are reading closely, and they want to understand the Bible (and have a deep sense that there must be some meaning to this detail). I always encourage these types of questions because I believe it is a virtue that should be cultivated in our Bible-reading. Slow down and be curious about the details.
Yet, these moments also terrify me because I often don't have an immediate answer to the number they are asking about. Off the top of my head, I can give explanations of some of the more common and repeated numbers in the Bible (seven, ten, twelve, forty), but less used numbers require more work. I often don't know it quickly and then I doubt whether I should have written a book about biblical numbers at all.
My hope with Count the Stars is not to do the work for you, but to teach you how to read the Bible. You will learn about some of the key numbers in the Bible, yes, but the real goal is for you to gain skills and confidence to read the Bible well yourself. In this way, the method is more important than just memorizing the answers.
In this month's Theological Footnotes, I want to give you a sneak preview of a chapter from Count the Stars: A Handbook on Biblical Numbers that addresses what to do when our first reading tactic -- look for repetition -- doesn't quite work.
Enjoy.
Greater Glory: Comparing Numbers in the Bible
Comparison is a natural human activity. Sometimes it is for the better — when, for example, a runner puts up the time of her personal best on the wall as motivation to keep training. Sometimes, though, it is for the worse — when we compare our houses, possessions, or achievements with one another in order to determine who is “better” or “worse.” Even in the Bible, there is a place for comparison. When we compare our lives to the standard of God’s commandments, we see how far we have fallen short and of our great need for a Savior. Jesus often uses parables to compare common events to the kingdom of God.
Comparison can also be valuable in considering the numbers in the Bible. In this chapter, we will explore what to do when our search for repeated numbers fails to produce any fruit. After getting a handle on the principle of comparison, we will look at two examples that will hopefully help you get a taste of how to do this in your own reading of the Bible.
Explanation of Principle
Our primary principle when reading the Biblical numbers is to ask, “Where else have I seen this number before?” In many circumstances, this will provide myriad connections that will enhance our understanding of a biblical passage. However, sometimes that simply does not work. We do some research and find that the number does not appear anywhere else, or, if it does, it seems totally unconnected and we cannot make heads nor tails of what it might mean. When this happens, it is sometimes valuable to connect passages, not on the basis of number, but on the basis of similar events or circumstances. Then, instead of looking for the same number, we can look at how and why a number is different in different circumstances. We should ask, "If this number does not repeat, are there other numbers associated with similar events?"
Let's look at a few examples together.
Example 1: Temple and Tabernacle Size
Five different times in the Bible, we get a record of almost the same event — God’s people constructing the temple or tabernacle. The tabernacle was a mobile tent that travelled with Israel in the wilderness (and after), while the temple was built as a permanent structure for worship of God. However, they are essentially the same building, with the same furnishings, elements, and rooms.
Or are they the same?
Repetition in the Bible is a clue to slow down and pay attention. These five repetitions of the size and construction of the tabernacle/temple should cause us to pause and take a closer look. These accounts are filled with numbers and we can easily get overwhelmed. While there might be value in looking at the significance of the numbers themselves, it is equally (or perhaps more) important to consider these numbers in comparison to one another.
For instance, twice in the book of Exodus, we have a record of the dimensions of the tabernacle. Moses receives the blueprint for the tabernacle in Exodus 25-27 and the people build the tabernacle in Exodus 35-40. The same dimensions are recorded in both places (Ex. 26:15-25; Ex. 36:20-30). The Israelites are called to make twenty frames that are a cubit and a half wide and ten cubits tall (Ex. 26:16, 18). That would make the length of the tabernacle 30 cubits (20 x 1.5 = 30). The width of the tabernacle is six frames (Ex. 26:22), or nine cubits (6 x 1.5 =9). There is a lot more detail, but for the sake of illustration, simply remember that the size of the tabernacle was nine cubits by thirty cubits, and it was ten cubits high.
Let’s compare that to the record of the temple built by Solomon. In 1 Kings 6, we hear that “The temple that King Solomon built for the Lord was sixty cubits long, twenty wide and thirty high” (v.2). In addition to the temple itself, Solomon built a porch that extended another ten cubits in front of the temple (1 Kings 6:3). Unlike the tent of the tabernacle, a structure was built around the outside of the temple courtyard that was three stories high, with side rooms. Each floor was progressively wider: “The lowest floor was five cubits wide, the middle floor six cubits and the third floor seven” (1 Kings 6:6). The first thing we should notice is that the temple was quite a bit bigger than the tabernacle. The proportions were similar, though not exactly the same (3:1 vs. 10:3), but the temple is twice as long and over twice as wide as the original tabernacle. Size tends to communicate importance. In the ancient world, the greater the god, the greater size the temple should be. The LORD is larger and greater than any temple could hold, since he is the one who created all things. Even the gates of such a large temple as Solomon’s were said to need to be lifted up so that God could enter (Ps. 24). Yet, the size of Solomon’s temple is meant to communicate something of the grandeur and majesty of God. A big temple for a big God.
When Israel is carted off into exile, having disobeyed God repeatedly, the temple of Solomon is destroyed by the invading Babylonians. The people weep at the destruction of the temple. The entire book of Lamentations is a cry of distress and anguish over the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. During that period of exile, God gives a vision to the prophet Ezekiel. In that vision (Ezekiel 40-48), Ezekiel is shown a temple area and describes in great detail the dimensions and construction of this temple of the Lord. The dimensions are on a significantly larger scale than even Solomon’s temple. The entire compound is five hundred cubits long and five hundred cubits wide (Ezek. 42:15-20). The inner courtyard is one hundred cubits long and one hundred cubits wide (Ezek. 40:47). Everything in this temple, from the gates to the gatehouses to the kitchens and the altars, is massive in comparison to the descriptions we hear in either Exodus or 1 Kings. For this reason, it has often been associated with the ‘heavenly temple’ or the true temple of which the earthly temple is but a shadow. A truly immense temple for our great God.
However, when the people return from exile and Zerubbabel begins to rebuild the temple, there are mixed reactions. The altar is built, so that people can perform sacrifices, and the foundation is laid (Ezra 3:1-9). According to the decree of King Darius, the temple mount is expanded to sixty cubits by sixty cubits (Ezra 6:3). This second temple is as long as Solomon’s (though shorter if you include Solomon’s porch) but significantly wider. However, it is larger than the original tabernacle. The reactions of the people are mixed:
When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the Lord, as prescribed by David king of Israel. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord:
“He is good;
his love toward Israel endures forever.”
And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away. (Ezra 3:10-13)
Those who had seen the old temple weep, while those who had never seen a temple rejoice to see what the Lord has provided for them. The prophet Haggai says to the people, “‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing?” (Haggai 2:3). To those who had seen the old temple, this new one seems like nothing. Particularly compared to the glory of the vision given to Ezekiel, this temple falls woefully short. However, the Lord promises through Haggai, “‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” (Haggai 2:9).
In addition to comparing the size of these structures, a similar pattern is seen when we compare the size of the sacrifices at the dedication of these structures. In Numbers 7, there is a list of all the various items offered for the dedication of the tabernacle, with a significant amount of gold and silver for use in the tabernacle itself. However, there are also animal’s sacrificed at the dedication:
“The total number of animals for the burnt offering came to twelve young bulls, twelve rams and twelve male lambs a year old, together with their grain offering. Twelve male goats were used for the sin offering. The total number of animals for the sacrifice of the fellowship offering came to twenty-four oxen, sixty rams, sixty male goats and sixty male lambs a year old. These were the offerings for the dedication of the altar after it was anointed”(Numbers 7:87-88).
Compare this to the dedication of Solomon’s temple, where the numbers are significantly higher: “Solomon offered a sacrifice of fellowship offerings to the Lord: twenty-two thousand cattle and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep and goats. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the temple of the Lord” (1 Kings 8:63). One of the reasons that the second temple is considered lesser is because it is compared to the temple of Solomon, for consider how much smaller the dedication sacrifice is: “For the dedication of this house of God they offered a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred male lambs and, as a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, one for each of the tribes of Israel” (Ezra 6:17).
Comparing the size of the structures and the number of sacrifices helps us see more clearly the difference between the tabernacle and temple(s). While there might be value in considering the specific numbers and measurements of the tabernacle and temple, their significance comes into view when we compare the various structures. The tabernacle is a relatively small structure, designed to move along with the people of Israel during their time in the wilderness. The temple of Solomon is a larger, permanent structure that seeks to communicate the glory and grandeur of God. The heavenly temple seen by Ezekiel gives a glimpse of what a truly fitting sanctuary for worshipping the Lord might look like. Though smaller and visually “less” than the temple of Solomon, the second temple will have greater glory. It’s glory comes not from its size, but from the fact that the Lord himself will glorify it with his presence.
The comparison of the temple size reminds us that it is not the size itself that determines how glorious it is, but whether God is present there. This is just as true of churches, church buildings, and ministries as it was with the temple. The size itself is not as significant as whether God is there. Though smaller, the second temple had greater glory: “‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” (Haggai 2:9).
Example 2: Family Size
When God makes his covenant with Abraham, he promises him both land and descendants. Abraham will have a place, a home, where he will live out his calling to be a blessing. He will also have descendants who will be God’s people and through his seed all nations will be blessed. The Bible spends a significant amount of space recording the names and numbers of the descendants of Abraham. In part, this is to show God fulfilling his promise to make a nation out of the children of Abraham and that God continues to protect and preserve this people. Yet, the numbers also communicate something else when we compare them. For instance, comparing the number of children in Abraham’s family points to a pattern of patience, where God’s people are called to patiently wait for God to fulfill his promise. Abraham’s brother Nahor has twelve sons (Gen. 22:20-24), but Abraham has two — Ishmael and Isaac — but only one can carry on the covenant — Isaac. Ishmael will have twelve sons (Gen. 25:12-18), but Isaac and Rebekah will struggle with barrenness and have two — Jacob and Esau — but only one is able to carry on the covenant — Jacob. It is not until the children of Jacob that we see the people begin to multiply as God promised. It takes several generations longer for God’s people to experience these blessings than for those out in the world.
Comparison is also helpful in illuminating the significance of the size of the various tribes of Israel. In the book of Numbers, there is a census taken of the people of God. The total number of men aged twenty and older who are available for battle was 603,550 (Num. 1:46). Each of the tribes is listed, but rather than try and do some complicated math to puzzle out some secret meaning from these numbers, we can simply note which tribes are smaller and which tribes are larger. Judah is already the largest by far, with 74,600 members (Num. 1:27), more than the two smallest tribes — Mannasseh and Benjamin — combined (1:34-37). The second-largest tribe, Dan, will face the most tragic fate. Though large at this point, it will not be included in the roster of the people of God in the book of Revelation (Rev. 7:5-8).
At this point, the people of Israel are numerous, but these numbers would dwindle after the exile. The entire number of those who returned from exile from all the tribes is smaller than eight of the tribes’ numbers in the wilderness (42,360, cf. Ezra 6:64). Though Israel has broken the covenant and fallen low, God does not abandon them and he does indeed preserve a remnant.
While the comparison of the temple and tabernacle shows God’s presence and glory in both large and small structures, the comparison of the size of Israel’s tribes reminds us of God’s faithfulness. He is faithful in the times where there is growth and visible success (Numbers) and he faithfully keeps us when we stumble, struggle, and fall (Ezra). Ultimately, he will keep and preserve his people all the way to the end (Rev. 7). What is true for Israel is also true for us as God’s people. God is faithful and will guard and keep us when life is blessed, when we fail, and all the way to the end, when we will see him face to face. As Paul says, “What if some were unfaithful? Will their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means!” (Rom. 3:3-4).
Conclusion
This way of reading Scripture is all about finding connections. We can make connections between specific numbers as they are used through the Bible, but we can also make connections between similar circumstances where larger or smaller numbers are used. In addition to the examples in this chapter, we can look at the differences in ages of the patriarchs, the relative ages before and after the flood, or even the number 666 in the book of Revelation. All these are places where comparison yields interesting results.
New Youtube Podcast
I was recently allowed to put my sermons up on my Youtube channel, so I have been back-posting them for the better part of this month. You can find them all on my channel, but they are also collected into a podcast that is available through Youtube Music. The early ones were recorded in March 2020, but I have included one from my series on Genesis 37-50 during the summer of 2020.
Writing Updates
My goal of getting the first draft of The Body of Orthodox Doctrine finished by the end of 2025 is getting further out of reach, partially because we are hard at work on the typesetting and cover material for Count the Stars and, partially, because I have been enjoying a lot of reading lately. Look for book reviews and recommendations in the near future and more information about Count the Stars (including how to pre-order!).
Thank You
We appreciate your prayers for the work we are doing in providing theological resources for the church. One of the best ways to support us to buy our books and tell your friends to do the same. However, if you'd like to contribute in other ways, you can always put a few dollars in the tip jar to get me a coffee. If someone shared this issue with you and you would like to receive it in your own inbox, you can sign up by clicking here.
From the desk of
Stephen C. Shaffer
Author, Pastor-Theologian
www.penielpress.com
Click Here to Read on the Web
Affiliate Disclaimer: If you click on the links to the above products on Amazon and then purchase them, I may get a small commission (at no cost to you!). All of it helps keep the work going here at Peniel Press, so thank you!
