When the Bible mentions a number, the Holy Spirit had it recorded in the Word of God for a reason. The number 6 meaning in the Bible broadly represents humanity. Attempting to understand the Biblical significance of any number in the Bible is the study of biblical numerology.
Within the study of numbers, the number 7 is generally regarded by Bible scholars as the number of God, the number of divine perfection. The number 6 is one less than 7. Since mankind falls short of God’s perfection, the number 6 is regarded as the number of man. The average man is 6 feet tall. In burial, a person is said to be put “six feet under.” Many times, the number 6 also has negative connotations.
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — Significant Occurrences in Genesis
When studying the spiritual meaning of numbers, according to God’s Word, it is good to start at the beginning. The Book of Genesis has several significant mentions of the number 6. God created all things in a total of 6 days, “For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Exodus 6:11 (KJV). But it was on the sixth day of the creation week that God created mankind (Genesis 1:26-31).
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — The 6th Day of Creation
The creation of man was on the sixth day of creation. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Genesis 1:27 (KJV) and “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — The Fall of Man
The fall of man is recorded in Genesis chapter 3 verse 6: “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” Genesis 3:6 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — Methuselah
The oldest man in the Bible, Methuselah, lived 969 years, according to Genesis 5:27 “And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.” (KJV) Playing with the digits that compose the age of Methuselah results in the number 6. The sum of 9+6+9 equals 24. Adding the numbers 2+4 equals 6.
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — Noah’s Flood
Genesis chapter 6 is where God said that He would bring judgement through a worldwide flood. “And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.” Genesis 6:17 (KJV)
Noah was 600 years old when the flood came. “And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.” Genesis 7:6 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — Abraham’s Intercession
Abraham interceded to God for the lives of the people of Sodom exactly 6 times in Genesis 18:16-33.
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — Leah’s Sons
Leah, the wife of Jacob, had 6 sons. “The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun” – Genesis 35:23 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — Numbers Chapter 6
With the meaning of number 6 in the Bible, there are two interesting things found the Book of Numbers, specifically chapter 6. These are the instructions for the Nazarite vow, which, when concluded, had 6 offerings, and the Aaronic Blessing, which consists of 6 different supplications.
Both the Nazarite vow and the special benediction must have a special meaning, and these instructions may also have a symbolic meaning than simply what is presented. A deep study of the Scriptures would surely discover hidden spiritual gems, but here are the basics to familiarize yourself with these in relation to the Biblical significance of the number 6.
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — The Nazarite Vow
The Nazarite, or Nazirite, vow was a special vow taken by either a man or a woman of Israel when they wanted to consecrate themselves unto God either for a special time or purpose. In some cases, as in the example of the judge Samson (Judges 13:5) and the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11), both were dedicated for the rest of their lives before they were even born.
The specifics of this particular vow are found in Numbers chapter 6. During the time of their vow, they were not allowed to cut their hair, touch any dead body, and had to avoid all parts of the grape vine, including abstaining from drinking grape juice.
If the person was accidently defiled by a dead body, which would have been considered as ceremonial pollution, he (or she) would have to shave their head that day, and again seven days later, and also bring a sacrifice of birds for a sin offering and a burnt offering.
Numbers 6:10 “And on the eighth day he shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons, to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation” (KJV)
When the days of that person’s separation were finished, the individual was to bring an offering to the Lord that consisted of 6 specific items — a male lamb, a female lamb, a ram, a basket of unleavened bread, cakes made with fine flour, and wafers of unleavened bread with oil.
Numbers 6:14-15 “And he shall offer his offering unto the LORD, one he lamb of the first year without blemish for a burnt offering, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish for a sin offering, and one ram without blemish for peace offerings, and a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings.” (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — The Aaronic Blessing
God instructed Moses to teach his brother Aaron specifically how to bless the children of Israel. This particular benediction, specifically for the children of Israel, which is recorded in Numbers 6:24-26, had exactly 6 parts divided into 3 dual requests:
Verse 24: “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
Verse 25: “The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
Verse 26: “The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — Other Significant Mentions in the Old Testament
There are many mentions of the number 6 in the Bible. Here are several instances. As with all of God’s Word, these mentions have a deeper meaning than simply coincidence. For your benefit and exhortation, here are some to consider.
The glory of the Lord covered Mount Sinai for six days. “And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.” – Exodus 24:16 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — The 10 Commandments
The sixth commandment is Exodus 20:13 “Thou shalt not kill.” (KJV). Also in the 10 Commandments, God told men to labor for 6 days and to rest on the seventh day.
Exodus 20:9-10 “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates” (KJV)
God did not make an exception to this, even when He fed them with manna, since the children of Israel were to gather manna for 6 days. On the sixth day they were to gather twice as much as what they normally did so they could rest on the seventh day — the sabbath. “And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.” Exodus 16:5 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — The Sabbath of the Land
The land itself was to have a sabbath after it was farmed for 6 years. Exodus 23:10-11 “And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: but the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard.” (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — Concerning a Hebrew Servant
A Hebrew servant (Interestingly, the Bible never mentions a Hebrew slave, only a servant) is only to serve for a period of 6 years, then he would be released. “If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.” Exodus 21:2 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — The Golden Lampstand
In the tabernacle, the golden lampstand, a symbol of Jesus Christ, the light of the world, had exactly 6 branches. “And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side” Exodus 25:31-32 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — The Cities of Refuge
God told the children of Israel to make six cities of refuge — a city where if an accidental death occurred, the slayer could live safely. “Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.” Numbers 35:14 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — The Book of Joshua
The sixth book of the Old Testament is the Book of Joshua. This book records the struggle of the people of Israel to enter the Promised Land.
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — The Judge Jephthah
Jephthah judged Israel for exactly 6 years. “And Jephthah judged Israel six years.” Judges 12:7 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — David’s Actions with the Ark of God
When King David brought the Ark of God to Jerusalem, after those who were carrying the Ark took six paces, David sacrificed sheep and oxen. “And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. 2 Samuel 6:13 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — Giants
Goliath was six cubits plus in length. “And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.” 1 Samuel 17:4 (KJV) One of his brothers had 6 fingers on each hand and 6 toes on each foot. “And 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.” 2 Samuel 21:20 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — Solomon’s Throne
King Solomon’s throne had 6 steps. “And there were six steps to the throne.” 2 Chronicles 9:18 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — Joab’s Military Conquest in Edom
Joab, David’s military commander, stayed in Edom with his men for 6 months until he had killed every male there. “For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom.” 1 Kings 11:16 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — Evil Queen Athaliah’s Reign and Joash
Joash’s nurse hid him for 6 years in the house of the Lord while his evil grandmother, Athaliah, reigned over Judah. “But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain. And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.” – 2 Kings 11 2-3 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — Boaz’s Gift
Boaz gave Ruth 6 ephahs of barley after she asked him to marry her. “Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.” Ruth 3:15 (KJV)
This act of kindness on the part of Boaz was not a grain offering to Ruth, but rather, a promise to her that he did desire her to be his wife.
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — Seraphim Wings
The number 6 could be regarded as an angel number since it is associated with seraphim, a type of angel that has six wings. Isaiah 6:2 describes these beings: “Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.” (KJV)
These 6-winged creatures may or may not guardian angels, but they seem to be very powerful creatures that are associated with the holiness of God in heaven.
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — New Testament Mentions
The number 6 is also seen in the New Testament. Again, this number, and any other number specifically mentioned in the Bible, has a special meaning. These instances show the context of the mention of the number 6 but does not go into a deep study of the Scriptures.
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — The Timing of Jesus Transfiguration
Six days after Jesus said that some of His disciples would see Him coming in His kingdom, three of His disciples saw Him transfigured. “And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.” Mark 9:1-2 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — Elizabeth’s Pregnancy
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s (the mother of John the Baptist) pregnancy, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce she would give birth to Jesus. “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth” Luke 1:26 (KJV)
Mary and Elizabeth were cousins. Therefore, their children, Jesus and John the Baptist, respectively, were both cousins and only 6 months apart in age.
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — The Miracle at Cana
Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine contained in 6 waterpots. “And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.” John 2:6 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — The Woman at the Well
Jesus met with the Samaritan woman at the well about the sixth hour of the day. “Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.”– John 4:6 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — Mary’s Anointing Jesus’ Feet
Six days before the Passover when Jesus was crucified, He went to a supper hosted by Lazurus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. It was there that Mary anointed Jesus’ feet. “Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.” John 12:1-3 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — Pilate’s Judgment on Jesus
When sentencing Jesus Christ, Pontius Pilate did so at the sixth hour. “When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!” John 19:13-14 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — 6 People Convinced of Jesus Innocence
The Bible records 6 individuals who, although they were not followers of Jesus, yet they realized that He was innocent of the charges laid upon Him.
Pontius Pilate — “Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him” Luke 23:14 (KJV)
Herod — Pilate also references that Herod also did not believe Jesus was guilty. “No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.” Luke 23:15 (KJV).
Judas — Judas realized the grave sin he did, and repented, but to the wrong people. “Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.” Matthew 27:3-4 (KJV)
Pilate’s Wife — She told her husband that Jesus was a “just man.” “When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.” Matthew 27:19 (KJV)
A Thief on the Cross — One of the thieves between which Jesus was crucified, said about Him, “…but this man hath done nothing amiss.” Luke 23:41 (KJV)
A Roman Centurion — One of the Roman centurions who was watching the crucifixion realized that Jesus was righteous. “Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.” Luke 23:47 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — Peter’s Vision
When Peter received his vision concerning God opening the door of grace to the Gentiles, it was the near the sixth hour. “Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour” Acts 10:9 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — The Book of Romans and the “Old Man”
The sixth book of the New Testament, Romans, the sixth chapter and the sixth verse of that chapter, introduces the concept of the “old man,” the natural, fleshly part of every believer. The term “old man” also contains six letters. “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:6 (KJV)
Number 6 Meaning in the Bible — The Number of Antichrist
In the Book of Revelation, the most infamous allusion to the number 6 the is number of the beast — the antichrist. The Book of Revelation, written by the Apostle John, says this about the number 6: “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” Revelation 13:18 (KJV)
This number associated with the antichrist — 666 — gives an even more ominous tone to the number 6. That the dragon, beast, and false prophet are “men,” and not God. They do not come to the number 7, the number of perfection that is associated with God Almighty.
All of these references do not equate an exhaustive study of the meaning of the number 6 in the Bible, but from what is presented here, one can see that numbers in the Bible are significant, and may prompt a deeper study of the Holy Scriptures.
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