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One of the most noticeable features of the book of Revelation is the ubiquity of arithmetic in the text. In this article, I survey the arithmetical functions found in the text (not only numbers but functions such as multiplication and applied mathematics, such as measurements), and note some patterns in John's use of numbers. Then the article explores precedents in the Hebrew Scriptures, Hellenistic culture (including astrology) and Jewish apocalyptic literature. I argue rhetorical criticism helps us identify what John is trying to do with his apocalyptic arithmetic. I draw on theological analysis, literary analysis (particularly the "writerly" nature of the text with its missing pieces for the audience to fill in) and especially intertextuality to understand his rhetorical strategy. I discuss various numbers but focus especially on ten and two passages (Rev 14:20 and 12:1‐6) as examples of John's use of numbers and arithmetical functions. I conclude that John uses arithmetic to support his Christocentric narrative and worldview in addressing his Jewish and Greek audience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The parallel narratives in Deuteronomy and in Exodus-Numbers have long provided a basis for literary-historical investigations of the composition of the Pentateuch. They also, however, contribute significantly to a canonical reading of Deuteronomy and its place in the Pentateuch. The parallel stories - and specifically the differences between them - allow for a sharper definition of Deuteronomy's message, the character of Moses, and the nature of biblical interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numbers 25.1–18 tells the story of Baal Peor, a moment lifted up as an example of apostasy and warning for life in the land in Psalm 106, Joshua 22, and Hos. 9.10. The violation central to the story of Baal Peor is intermarriage, for intermarriage is more than sexual relations or idolatry. Intermarriage affirms or forms kinship bonds. Numbers 25.1–18 joins the account of Baal Peor with the story of intermarriage with a Midianite (25.6–18). In this event Moses is confronted for his role in permitting the apostasy and his failure to oversee the people. Furthermore, he is implicated for his own marriage with a Midianite, Zipporah. This article argues that Moses too had yoked himself to the people of Midian. Moses's hybrid and intermarried past is reinterpreted in a new light where Moses's past, synecdochic of Israel's, must be confronted and atoned for, so that a sense of cultural identity can be (re)claimed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although interpreters of Philippians have observed both the number and the progression of items in Phil 3.5–6, previous scholarship on the letter has failed to recognise that this ‘catalogue of boasting’ consists of precisely seven items. As a result, commentators have not attempted to explicate these two verses in light of the ostensible presence and influence of numerical symbolism. This paper offers a fresh reading of Phil 3.5–6 (and surrounding verses) – one that keeps Paul's sevenfold list of his pedigree and performance in Judaism clearly in view. The insights gleaned from the interpretation proffered in this article enable a fuller understanding of this programmatic autobiographical text. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article argues that the diverse units present within Num. 1.1–10.10 are more elaborately arranged than has been widely assumed. By utilizing a synchronic approach that pays special attention to repetition and other structural markers, Num. 1.1–10.10 is shown to consist of two parallel panels of three units each: 1.1–6.27 (1.1–2.24; 3.1–1.49; 5.1–6.27) and 7.1–10.10 (7.1–89; 8.1–26; 9.1–10.10). A resultant laity-clergy-laity pattern in each panel reinforces the centrality of Yahweh's tabernacle presence in Israel's midst, as mediated through the priests, for the campaign ahead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers the author's analysis on complex numerical abbreviations in the "Codex Sinaiticus." The complex abbreviation appeared in Mark 1:13 consists of the standard letter-abbreviation for the number forty which is the Greek letter "mu," with a superlinear stroke and two dots. In the manuscripts and inscriptions, abbreviated numbers not fully spelled out were treated with special markers. He mentions three parts in the analysis of the dot's function such as The Scribes of Codex Sinaiticus, Dots and Nomina Sacra and Dots and Possible Lexical Units. An overview is provided regarding the conclusion made by Peter Head of Cambridge University and Fellow of New Testament research at Tyndale House in Great Britain, concerning the said dots and nomina sacra or sacred names.

The article discusses concepts of creation and evolution with regard to how the world came into existence through a comparison of texts from the Bible and through Darwin's theory of evolution. A debate was undertaken wherein in a creationist point of view, the universe is within the authoritative control of a divine being. It notes that the biblical text in Genesis was known to point the possible ages of the planet that was based of how the Old Testament texts were used to structure its own literary universe. It was justified that the biblical use of numbers should not be used in a literal sense. However, in an evolutionary perspective, human beings were regarded as part of the gradual development of life based on the evolutionary thesis of Charles Darwin.

This article directs attention to a largely unobserved, and grossly ignored, aspect of the biblical writings in general and of the Psalms in particular: their numerical features. It shall be demonstrated that in composing their texts, the biblical writers used specific numbers as an organizing principle to shape their texts and as a means of imbuing them with symbolic significance. In doing so, they employed a variety of numerical techniques, in which 7 and 11, symbolizing 'fullness' and 'comprehensiveness', play a crucial role as ordering devices. Evidence is adduced to show that the scribes also used the divine name numbers 17 and 26 in various ways to symbolically express God's presence and to give prominence to their texts. Approaching the book of Psalms from this perspective provides us with a new key to unlock and understand the compositional architecture of the psalms and the five books of the Psalter. These claims are substantiated by a discussion of sufficient examples to illustrate that the psalms are interrelated numerical compositions and that the book of Psalms is a sophisticated, meticulously designed work of art, shaped primarily by numerical considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes seven elements for interpreting the 666 number of Revelation 13:18. By understanding completely these elements, they evidence a non-gematric symbolic sense. The paper proposes to find them by reading the text, in the syntactic-grammatical and structural relation the passage has to the total context of the book, underlining the close relation of the number with the mark of the beast, as a starting point for its proper interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay presents an interpretation of Numbers xi that highlights its coherence and humor. Although source-critics see opposing views of Moses stitched together from separate sources by a later redactor—a bad Moses in the quail segment and a good Moses in the elders segment, this essay manifests the chapter's narrative integrity. A close literary analysis reveals an aesthetically-pleasing account, free of the disjunctions and non-sequiturs posited by other commentators; theme, puns, wordplay, and an ingenious man/quail metaphor unite all of the pericope's verses in a single favorable view of Moses. Far from revealing him as "snitch" and "informer," this holistic reading of the undivided text harmonizes with the rest of the Bible's consistent portrayal of Moses as the invariant champion of the Israelites, their never-failing mediator before God. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the interpretation of commentators on the numbers in Daniel 12: 11-12. Interpretation of the relationship between the juxtaposed numbers in Dan 12: 11-12; Implication of the addition of the numbers in Dan 12: 11-12; Relationship of Daniel's numbers to Pythagorean numbers.

Suggests that early Christian reflections on names and numbers manifest a significant difference between signifier and referent, as well as bear witness to a strong relationship between language and reality. Hypothesis that early Christians used the categories of name and numbers as theological tools; Presumption that they are inextricably related.

This short note deduces evidence in support of both E. W. Davies (with qualification) and C. J. Humphreys in their differing approaches to the problem of the large number of Israelites during the exodus and wandering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the number symbolism in the first cantata cycle by composer Johan Sebastian Bach from 1723-1724. It describes the measurements and movements, as well as the Biblical texts of the cycle of cantata with which Bach inaugurated his activity as cantor and director musices in Leipzg, Germany. The cantatas include "Passion Psalm," "The Heavens Declare of the Glory of God," "Come Ye, Mortals, Laud Ye God's Perfection!," and Serve Thy God With Fear, Not Show Hypocrisy."

Mathematical analysis of Bible passages promises surprising new insights into the meanings of the texts. Relations among God, man and sheep, for example, are clarified with simple algebraic manipulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A literary criticism of the story of apostle Simon Peter and the 153 fish in John 21:11 is presented. It discusses the significance of the number 153 and provides suggestions for their theological meaning. The author argues that the number illustrates themes relative to the Creation story in the book of Genesis, the providence of God, the multiplication of the children of God through Jesus Christ, and the justice of God.

The author discusses the issue regarding the religion and science integration. The author mentions the efforts of Christian scientists and engineers in exploring the origin of biblical numerology and flood geology. The author also denotes the religious aspects of current natural phenomena and events including the discovery of gene therapy, global climate change and biotechnology.