Dict: smith - NUMBER

smith:

NUMBER - N>@ - Like most Oriental nations, it is probable that the Hebrews in their written calculations made use of the letters of the alphabet. That they did so in post
- Babylonian times we have conclusive evidence in the Maccabaean coins; and it is highly probable that this was the ease also in earlier times. But though, on the one hand, it is certain that in all existing MSS of the Hebrew text of the Old Testament the numerical expressions are written at length, yet, on the other, the variations in the several versions between themselves and from the Hebrew text, added to the evident inconsistencies in numerical statement between certain passages of that text itself seems to prove that some shorter mode of writing was originally in vogue, liable to be misunderstood, and in fact misunderstood by copyists and translators. These variations appear to have proceeded from the alphabetic method of writing numbers. There can be little doubt, however, that some at least of the numbers mentioned in Scripture are intended to be representative rather than determinative. Certain numbers, as 7,10,40,100, were regarded as giving the idea of completeness. Without entering into St. Augustine’s theory of this usage, we may remark that the notion of representative numbers in certain cases is one extremely common among eastern nations, who have a prejudice against counting their possessions accurately; that it enters largely into many ancient systems of chronology, and that it is found in the philosophical and metaphysical speculations not only of the Pythagorean and other ancient schools of philosophy, both Greek and Roman, but also in those of the later Jewish writers, of the Gnostics, and also of such Christian writers se St. Augustine himself. We proceed to give some instances of numbers used, (a) representatively, and thus probably by design indefinitely, or, (b) definitely, but, as we may say, preferentially, i.e. because some meaning (which we do not in all cases understand) was attached to them. Seven as denoting either plurality or completeness, perhaps because seven days completed the week is so frequent as to make a selection only of instances necessary, e.g. seven fold kjv@Genesis:4:24) seven times , i.e. completely, kjv@Leviticus:26:24; kjv@Psalms:12:6) seven (i.e. many) ways, (28:25) Ten as a preferential number is exemplified in the Ten Commandments and the law of tithe. Seventy , as compounded of 7 10:10, appears frequently e.g. seventy fold. kjv@Genesis:4:24; kjv@Matthew:18:22) Its definite use appears in the offerings of 70 shekels, kjv@Numbers:7:13 kjv@Numbers:7:19) ff,; the 70 elders, ch. kjv@Numbers:11:16) 70 Years of captivity. kjv@Jeremiah:25:11) Five appears in the table of punishments, of legal requirements, kjv@Exodus:22:1; kjv@Leviticus:5:16 kjv@Leviticus:22:14 kjv@Leviticus:27:15 ; kjv@Numbers:5:7 kjv@Numbers:18:16) and in the five empires of Daniel. kjv@Daniel:2:1) ... Four is used in reference to the 4 winds, kjv@Daniel:7:2) and the so-called 4 corners of the earth; the creatures, each with 4 wings and 4 faces, of Ezekiel, kjv@Ezekiel:1:5) ff.; 4 Rivers of Paradise kjv@Genesis:2:10) 4 Beasts, kjv@Daniel:7:1) ... and Reve 4:6 The 4 equal-sided temple-chamber. kjv@Ezekiel:40:47) Three was regarded, by both the Jews and other nations as a specially complete and mystic number. Twelve (3X4) appears in 12 tribes 12 stones in the high priest’s breastplate, 12 apostles, 12 foundation-stones, and 12 gates. kjv@Revelation:21:19-21) Lastly, the mystic number 666. kjv@Revelation:13:18)

NUMBERS - N>@ - the fourth book of the law or Pentateuch. It takes its name in the LXX. and Vulgate (whence our "Numbers") from the double numbering or census of the people, the first of which is given in chs. 1-4, and the second in ch. 28. Contents .
The book may be said to contain generally the history of the Israelites from the time of their leaving Sinai, in the second year after the exodus till their arrival at the borders of the Promised land in the fortieth year of their journeyings It consists of the following principal divisions: 1, The Preparations for the departure from Sinai. kjv@Numbers:1:1; kjv@Numbers:10:10) The journey from Sinai to the borders of Canaan. ch. kjv@Numbers:10:11; kjv@Numbers:14:45) A brief notice of laws and events which transpired during the thirty-seven years wandering in the wilderness. ch. kjv@Numbers:15:1; kjv@Numbers:19:22) The history of the last year, from the second arrival of the Israelites in Kadesh till they reached "the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho." ch, kjv@Numbers:20:1; kjv@Numbers:36:13) Integrity .
This, like the other books of the Pentateuch, is supposed by many critics to consist of a compilation from two or three or more earlier documents; but the grounds on which this distinction of documents rests are in every respect most unsatisfactory, and it may, in common with the preceding books and Deuteronomy, be regarded as the work of Moses. The book of Numbers is rich in fragments of ancient poetry, some of them of great beauty and all throwing an interesting light on the character of the times in which they were composed. Such, for instance, is the blessing of the high priest. ch. kjv@Numbers:6:24-26) Such too are chants which were the signal for the ark to move when the people journeyed, and for it to rest when they were about to encamp. In ch. 21 we have a passage cited from a book called the "Book of the Wars of Jehovah." This was probably a collection of ballads and songs composed on different occasions by the watch-fires of the camp, and for the most part, though not perhaps exclusively, in commemoration of the victories of the Israelites over their enemies.