Numerology has been a fascinating subject, with Bible numerology taking precedence because of its symbolism and impact on life. Therefore, specific numbers appearing in scriptures carry more weight than others. Many have studied the symbolism for numbers like 3, 7, or 12; today, the focus is on the number 5. Numerology enthusiasts cannot help but wonder, what does the number five mean in the Bible? And this post shares deep numerological insights on the number 5.
While there is endless debate on whether the number 5 has spiritual significance, the number 5 is believed to symbolize balance and God’s Grace. 5 is said to be the number that represents the balance between one’s spirituality and material aspects of life.
Besides balance and Grace, several things in the Bible point to the number 5, and they all signify different things. Find out all about the meaning of the number 5 in this article.
What does the number 5 represent in the Bible?
Grace
In the Bible, the Number 5 is mentioned 318 times, which is believed to be the case because this number is a symbol of the Goodness and Grace of God and also God’s favor to humans. Essentially, the number 5 is the number of Grace, and when multiplied by itself, this number means Grace upon Grace, as implied in John 1:16.
Accordingly, there are also two sets of commandments, and the first set of 5 commandments relates to how people are treated and the relationships that human beings have with God. The last set of 5 concerns the relationships humans have with each other.
5 Types of offerings
The number 5 appears severally in the Bible, but implied meanings or symbolism are associated with the number 5. One notable use of the number 5 is the description of the types of offerings God commanded the Israelites to take to him.
These offerings were in 5 major categories. The Burnt offerings as implied in Leviticus Chapters 1 and 8:18-21 and 16:24.
Sin offerings (given to seek forgiveness) as suggested in Leviticus 4; 16:3-22.
Trespass Offerings (for forgiveness in case they trespassed) as suggested in Leviticus 6:1-7, and chapter 7:1-6, or Leviticus Chapter 5:14-19.
Grain Offerings were also given as implied in Leviticus Chapter 2; and
Peace Offerings as illustrated in Leviticus Chapter 3 and Chapter 7:11-34.
Division of Book of Psalms
The other notable symbolism behind the number 5 is in its use in the Book of Psalms, a book that contains 5 sections, with Section 1 of the Psalm being from Psalm 1-41, which has references to the Passover, the beginning of Israel’s life, and also the beginning of God’s plans for humankind’s salvation centering on Christ’s life.
Section II of the Book of Psalms is from the Chapters 42 to 72. These chapters sing praises about the Unified land of the Israelites and pictures of the New Testament Church’s Creation.
Section III of the Book of Psalms spans Chapters 73 to 89, and it is a section of the Bible that bemoans the wanton destruction of both Jerusalem and God’s Temple. Additionally, these chapters hint at the many prophecies about the End Times’ Great Tribulations.
Section IV, the Book of Psalms, includes Chapters 90 through 106. These chapters talk and rejoice over the 1000 years of Jesus Christ’s reign. They also talk about and show the gathering of Israel once again.
Lastly, Section V covers chapters 107 to 150, depicting a picture of a time when Judah was delivered again. Judah represented the entirety of Israel.
The 5 Books of the Laws of God
The other use of 5 or something related to the number 5 in the Bible is in the 5 Books that have teachings of God’s Governing Laws. These books include Leviticus, Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, and the Book of Deuteronomy. These books are often called the Pentateuch because the prefix Penta means 5.
Gospels and the Book of Acts
These are often studied as a set and sometimes referred to as the New Testament Pentateuch. These five New Testament Books all reveal the teachings of Jesus Christ, specifically, the teachings that regard the Laws and Prophets.
It is also important to note that Apostle John wrote 5 Bible books, all centered on God’s Grace and eternal life. These books include the Gospel of John. 1ST John, 2ND John, 3rd John, and the Book of Revelation.
Lastly, Jesus multiplied five loaves of bread into 5000, as implied in Matthew 14:17.
What is the significance of the number 5 in the Bible?
While the number 5 is quite symbolic in several biblical texts, its symbolism isn’t mentioned directly, and the world’s view of the number keeps changing. The number 5 might not have the spiritual or universal truths attached to it, but it’s found in many parts of the Bible, among other ancient books and texts that share their worldview. This is implied in John 17:17. But for most people, the number 5 represents the Grace of God.
What does the number 5 symbolize in the Bible?
Destruction of enemies
The other meaning attached to the number 5 is that in addition to being a number representing the Grace of God, it is also a powerful symbol associated with God’s power to destroy one’s enemies. The Story of Goliath and David demonstrates this in the Old Testament. While the odds were in favor of Goliath, given his giant stature and military training, not to mention that Goliath was a fighting Champion of the Philistines, David won the fight. Unlike Goliath, David didn’t have any military training. But He won because God led him in the right direction, and David selected 5 specific stones that allowed him to win over Goliath. 1 Samuel 17.
God’s Grace
The number 5 has been used differently in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelations. But it’s worth noting that Bible Scholars agree that the number 5 symbolizes man’s impotence.
And the reason why God gives humanity a great deal of favor and Grace is because of man’s helplessness. There is also the implied belief that Man doesn’t have any power on their own and that no man prosers without the will of God.
In the Old Testament, God granted humanity a particular set of rules or commandments to guide humans on earth. These rules were also necessary for men to live in harmony with one another. These rules were all necessary because of humankind’s weakness, which was suggested by their inability to keep the commandments of God, and for them to obey God’s rules. Deuteronomy 4:44–30:20
But since man couldn’t keep these commands, Deuteronomy 5:6-21, He sent his Son Jesus Christ, and through God’s Grace, all sins of men would be forgiven. And so, through Jesus Christ, humanity no longer had to struggle to do right in the eyes of God.
Miracle Sign
The number 5 is also symbolic of God’s favor to humankind, as demonstrated by the 5 loaves he turned into 5000 and the 2 fish converted to 2000 to feed the people that have gathered – Matthew 14:13-21. This was nothing more than the miraculous works because God was gracious to humankind.
Man’s transformation
The Number 5 is considered a symbol of divine transformation, and it is believed to be the number that takes men from being nobodies to somebodies, as per the will of God. An example is when Abraham’s name changed to Abraham from Abram. This is meaningful because the letter H, placed as the 5th letter, represented all the change and power that this man of God needed to be transformed. After the change, Abraham became the Father of multiple nations. Genesis 17
What does the number 5 mean spiritually?
According to numerology, the number 5 symbolizes spiritual growth and self-confidence. In this regard, the number 5 represents a powerful number that makes someone more aware of their spirituality. It also has hidden symbolism and is considered effective in making someone more creative, intuitive, wise, and courageous.
How does God use the number five in the Bible?
These are the ways that the number 5 has been used in the Bible –
- 5 Books of the Laws = Genesis – Deuteronomy
- 5 Toes, fingers, and senses
- 5 loaves multiplied to feed a multitude – Mark 6:30-44, Matthew 14:13-21, John 6:1-15), Luke 9:10-17;
- 5 wounds inflicted on Jesus Christ – Galatians 6:17
- Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Christ~s-Wounds
- 5 Brothers who didn’t believe in the Prophets, including Moses, as outlined in the Book of Luke 16
How does the number 5 appear in the Bible?’
As mentioned above, the number 5 appears 318 times in the Bible. And as a number that means Grace, or multiple graces, it is an important and very symbolic number. Note, however, that the number 5 isn’t always mentioned directly, but as the number of things in fives in the Bible.
Other than the listed ways that the number 5 appears in the Bible, here are the other ways that Number 5
Is the number 5 in God’s Tabernacle?
It is, but not directly. Note that God’s Tabernacle had the Holy Anointing oil mentioned in the Book of Exodus 30:23-25. What stands out is that the oil was made using 5 main ingredients, whose knowledge is implied to have been given to the creators by God. The Holy Anointing Oil was used to consecrate all the Tabernacle’s furniture. The other important thing to note about the oil is that it contained 5 parts, but most importantly, it was considered a revelation of God’s pure Grace.
The other thing that made the Anointing special was the specificity of the spices used. All spices used were multiples of five, which would be mixed with a Hin of olive oil. The spices used included 500 Shekels of Pure Myrrh, 250 Shekels of Sweet Cinnamon, 250 Shekels of sweet calamus, and 500 shekels of Cassia.
Besides the spices for the Holy Anointing oil, there’s the Tabernacle in the wilderness which has a profound reflection on God’s Grace, not to mention the use of the Number 5. Since God directed the Tabernacle’s design which contained 5 curtains, pillars, sockets, and bars, according to Exodus Chapter 26:3 and 26:26-37 and 37. The Tabernacle’s altar was wooden and was 5 *5 cubits wide, as mentioned in Exodus 27:1. The court’s height within the Tabernacle was also 5 cubits, as suggested in Exodus 27:18.
References
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