1652 numbers, 3-5

The number three, primarily associated with the doctrine of the Trinity, is also associated with periods of specially significant divine activity (e.g., “on the third day”). Four and five have a variety of associations.

Three

The Trinity Mt 28:19 See also Jn 14:26; Jn 15:26; 1Co 12:4-6; 1Pe 1:2

The triad of faith, hope and love 1Co 13:13 See also 1Th 1:3

Three days Ge 30:36 Three days is a common period, often indicating the length of a journey or a period leading to a critical point. See also Ge 40:12-22; Ex 3:18; Ex 10:22; Nu 10:33; Jdg 14:14; 1Ki 12:5 pp 2Ch 10:5

Jesus Christ was raised after three days Lk 24:46 See also Mt 16:21 pp Mk 8:31 pp Lk 9:22; Mt 17:23 pp Mk 9:31; Mt 20:19 pp Mk 10:34 pp Lk 18:33; Mt 27:63-64; Lk 24:7,21; Ac 10:40; 1Co 15:3-4 Comparison between Jonah’s three days in the fish and Jesus Christ’s three days in the tomb: Jnh 1:17; Mt 12:39-40 pp Lk 11:29-30; Mt 16:4

Three brothers Shem, Ham and Japheth: Ge 6:10; Ge 7:13; Ge 9:19
1Sa 2:21; 1Sa 31:6 pp 1Ch 10:6; 2Sa 2:18

Groups of three men Job’s friends: Job 2:11; Job 32:3,5 Jesus Christ’s disciples: Mt 17:1 pp Mk 9:2 pp Lk 9:28; Mt 26:37 pp Mk 14:33; Ge 18:2; Eze 14:14-18; Da 3:23-24; Zec 11:8; 2Sa 23:8-12 the Three in David’s army; 2Sa 23:13-23 pp 1Ch 11:15-25 the three mighty men among David’s chiefs

Three annual festivals Ex 23:14,17; Ex 34:23-24; Dt 16:16; 1Ki 9:25; 2Ch 8:13

Three and a half

Da 7:25 NIV footnote. See also Da 12:7; Rev 11:2; Rev 12:6; Rev 13:5

Four

Four representing the complete created order Rev 7:1 This symbol is probably based on the four points of the compass. See also Jer 49:36; Eze 37:9; Da 7:2; Mt 24:31 pp Mk 13:27

Four living creatures The four living creatures in Ezekiel and Revelation represent the whole animate creation glorifying God: Eze 1:5-10; Rev 4:6-7; Rev 5:6,8; Rev 14:3

Four kingdoms Human history before the coming of God’s kingdom is spanned by four great human kingdoms, often understood to refer to the empires of Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome: Da 2:39-40; Da 7:17

Five

Fives in Jesus Christ’s teaching Mt 25:2,15-20; Lk 12:6,52; Lk 14:19; Lk 16:28; Lk 19:18-19; Jn 4:18

Five loaves 1Sa 21:3; Mt 14:17-19 pp Mk 6:38-41 pp Lk 9:13-16 pp Jn 6:8-13; Mt 16:9 pp Mk 8:19

See also