Number Six

From: The Numerals Of Scripture By: Edward C. Pressland

• 4 min. read • grade level: 9

Num. 11:5⁵We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: (Numbers 11:5). "Fish... the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick." This was the food of Egypt, 6 items.

2 Sam. 21:20²⁰And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant. (2 Samuel 21:20). The unnamed son of the giant had six fingers on each hand and 6 toes on each foot.

Also 6 is just short of seven.

It would seem therefore to represent imperfection or again to show the power of evil; and also that the scope of the world's supplies (i.e., Egypt's food) falls short of Divine provisions in Christ, which are (Deut. 8:8⁸A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; (Deuteronomy 8:8)): "wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates. . .oil olive, and honey": seven.

In a secondary way 6 is a half of twelve and is thus connected with administration. Each onyx stone on the high priest's shoulders was engraved with 6 names of Israel's tribes. So also 6 lions at each end of the 6 steps to Solomon's throne, in 1 Kings 10:19-20¹⁹The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays. ²⁰And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom. (1 Kings 10:19‑20). But the six steps themselves suggest rather the imperfection of his rule, which became manifest in spite of all his privileges and endowments.

The shewbread was ordered on the table in two rows of 6 (Lev. 24:6⁶And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the Lord. (Leviticus 24:6)) making 12. The reason of the division is doubtless something more than merely convenience; it may refer to the imperfection of the condition of the time.

There is no statement in Scripture as to the subdivision of the cubit; but it is generally regarded as six hand breadths. Nor is there any indication of various cubits from Noah's cubit downwards until 2 Chron. 3:3³Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits. (2 Chronicles 3:3) uses the expression "the length by cubits after the first measure." These words may refer to some alteration in the cubit, but not necessarily; and if they do, then Ezek. 40:5⁵And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed. (Ezekiel 40:5) may give a solution of their meaning. The prophet says "a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and a hand breadth." This tells us of a larger cubit than is spoken of before, larger by one hand breadth. So that if current reckoning allow 6 handbreadths to the usual cubit, then Ezekiel's measurements are on the basis of the new and enlarged cubit of seven handbreadths. Most significant this!!

The first temple erected with number 6 for its basis of measurement has long been both defiled and also a wreck. But the future temple which Ezekiel describes will be maintained in the integrity of its character even as its actual measures are founded on number seven. Indeed, the last line of Zechariah's prophecy is "and in that day" the millennial day, the day of Ezekiel's temple -"there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of Jehovah of hosts." Now "the Canaanite" is literally the merchant, it is the same Hebrew word as is so translated in Job 41:6⁶Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants? (Job 41:6) and also in Prov. 31:24²⁴She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. (Proverbs 31:24). The force of the prophecy being that Jehovah's temple shall not in that day be again defiled by the merchant but its holiness shall be well maintained. Compare John 2:16¹⁶And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. (John 2:16) and Matt. 21:12¹²And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, (Matthew 21:12). There will be no failure when number seven supersedes number 6.

In 1 Sam. 17, Goliath has six pieces of armor: a helmet, a coat of mail, greaves of brass, a target of brass, a spear and a shield; while his own height was 6 cubits and a span. In this connection with the power of evil, the number 666 may be noted which is the well known number of the beast in Rev. 13. Now 666 is also the number of talents of gold which were brought to Solomon in a year (1 Kings 10:14¹⁴Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold, (1 Kings 10:14)), which he comments on in Eccl. 2:8, 11⁸I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. (Ecclesiastes 2:8)
¹¹Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:11). Thus "I gathered me also silver and gold," &c.... "and, behold all was vanity and vexation of spirit and there was no profit under the sun," while we read in 1 Tim. 6:10¹⁰For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10), "the love of money is the root of all evil."

The only other occurrence of the number 666 is in the list of those who returned from the captivity (Ezra 2:13¹³The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six. (Ezra 2:13)), "The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six." The meaning of the name "Adonikam" appears to be "the Lord is risen," or by a varied derivation, "the Lord of enemies," i.e., victor. Is the double thought here of the Lord in resurrection, conqueror of all foes in this Name and the power of evil met in detail by the offspring of one with such a title? The wisdom of the Spirit of God has these three times so used and connected these three facts by the number 666. At the least it is ours to bow to the facts and reverently ask the meaning of the record.