If you have ever wondered what does the number 3 mean in the Bible, you are not alone. The study of numbers and their special significance in the Bible is collectively called “biblical numerology.” This can be an interesting study as there are spiritual meanings concerning numbers in the Bible.
The symbolic meaning of the number three in the Bible has a meaning of completeness and/or divine perfection. The number three is also very closely associated with God. The first, and perhaps most common, association of the number three in Christian theology is the Trinity, the triune nature of God, or, as the Bible refers, to Him — “the Godhead.”
The doctrine of the trinity is also an integral part of the Christian faith. This doctrine teaches that God is one, but He exists in three distinct Persons. These three Persons of the Godhead are co-equal, co-eternal parts, or rather, Persons, Who are God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This singular, but at the same time, plural Godhead, uses the number three many times throughout His book.
The number three is unique since it is the smallest number where both a pattern and a variation can co-exist.
What Does the Number 3 Mean In the Bible? — Three Related to God’s Word
There are 66 books in the Bible [(6+6=12) (1+2=3)].
The Old Testament has 39 books [(3+9-12) (1+2=3)].
The New Testament has 27 books. The number 3 cubed is 27.
The Bible itself has three divisions: book, chapter, and verse.
What Does the Number 3 Mean In the Bible? Three In the Natural World
On day three of the creation week, God created life in the natural world.The number three is seen predominantly in nature. Here are some examples of “threes” in the physical world.
Tree: roots, trunk, leaves
Earth: core, mantle, crust
Atom: protons, neutrons, electrons
Insect Body: head, thorax, abdomen
Three Types of Rocks: igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic
Egg: shell, white, yolk
Rivers: source, tributaries, mouth
Formation of Clouds: evaporation, condensation, precipitation
Human Brain: cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem
Water Wave: crest, trough, wavelength
Time: past, present, future
Each of these natural examples show three main parts, all of which compose a single entity. The pattern of the “three-in-one” is all throughout nature. These “threes,” seen in various parts of nature, all seem to reflect the concept of the Trinity, showing its Creator. Of all the numbers, it appears that the number three is God’s number. The number three can be considered His “signature” on the natural world, both as a reflection of completeness and divine perfection.
What Does the Number 3 Mean In the Bible? — Groups of Righteous Men
Many times in the Bible, prominent men are referred to in groups of threes. Here are some examples.
Shem, Ham, and Japheth
These are the three sons of Noah, who, with their wives started to repopulate the Earth after the great flood of Noah.
“Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.” Genesis 10:1 (KJV)
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
God promised Abraham both a land and children, and He repeated this promise to Abraham’s son, Isaac, and to Abraham’s grandson, Jacob. It is through these three men that God started the Jewish race.
“And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.” Exodus 6:8 (KJV)
Noah, Daniel, and Job
This trio of righteous men God mentioned twice to the prophet Ezekiel. Although these men were not contemporaries, nor were they related to each other, yet these men were in their own time and by right, stunning examples of faithfulness to God.
Peter, James, and John
Of the 12 apostles whom Jesus chose out of all who followed Him while He was on Earth, these three men were His “inner circle”; they seemed to have had the closest bond to Jesus Christ. These three apostles experienced and saw some of the most significant events in the life of Jesus while the others were not invited.
Jesus invited these three men to be with Him when He raised the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue from the dead. The Holy Spirit recorded this event in Mark 5:37. “And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.” (KJV)
These three saw the Transfiguration of Jesus, according to Mark 9:2. “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.” (KJV)
At this event, these three men saw three individuals in their glorified form — Jesus, Moses and Elijah (the Greek version spells his name “Elias”).
“And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him [Jesus].” Matthew 17:3 (KJV)
These three special apostles were also with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane during Jesus’ private time of prayer before He went to the cross, according to Mark 14:33. “And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy” (KJV)
The human groupings of three righteous men symbolically mirror the three Persons of the Godhead.
What Does the Number 3 Mean in the Bible — Jesus’ Ministry and Teachings
The Biblical significance of the number three representing divine completeness is seen in Jesus’ earthly ministry.
In the parable that Jesus told, the woman hid leaven in exactly three amounts of meal. This parable can be found in Matthew13:33. “Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.” (KJV)
The parable of the Good Samaritan had three distinct individuals according, to Luke 10:36. “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?” (KJV)
Jesus foretold that Peter would deny Him three times the night He was arrested.
“And he [Jesus] said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.” Luke 22:34 (KJV)
Jesus asked Peter three times if Peter loved Him in John 21:17. “He [Jesus] saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” (KJV)
Christ’s last recorded commandment to His people, which Matthew recorded in his Gospel, specifically referenced all three Persons of the Trinity. Christ said in Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (KJV)
What Does the Number 3 Mean In the Bible? — The Number 3 Surrounding Jesus’ Death, Burial, and Resurrection
The number of divine completeness is prominent in the events of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection.
Death
Before Jesus’ death, He prayed three different times to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. He said, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Matthew 26:39 (KJV). The Word of God records this in Matthew 26:44, “And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.” (KJV)
Jesus was crucified at the third hour, as recorded in Mark 15:25. “And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.” (KJV)
When Jesus was on the cross, there was three hours of darkness, as written in Matthew 27:45. “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.” (KJV)
Burial
Jesus’ body was in the tomb for three days and three nights. Centuries before, in the story of Jonah, who was three days and three nights inside the belly of the great fish before being vomited out alive, this event foreshadowed the future of Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus makes this clear in Matthew 12:40, when He said, “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (KJV)
Resurrection of Jesus Christ
After exactly three days and three nights, Jesus Christ arose from the dead. All three Persons of the Godhead assisted in this wonderful miracle. Here are the Scriptures that tell of the role of each.
God the Father in Acts 3:15. “And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.” (KJV)
God the Son raised Himself on the third day after His death in John 2:19-21. “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body.” (KJV)
God the Holy Spirit raised Christ in Romans 8:11. “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (KJV)
What Does the Number 3 Mean In the Bible? — The Apostle Paul
According to Scripture, the great Apostle Paul had some type of physical infirmity in which he asked God at three different times to remove it from him. He wrote about this trial in 2 Corinthians 12:7. “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.” (KJV)
Paul recorded God’s answer to his three prayers in 2 Corinthians 12:9. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (KJV)
Other “threes” in the form of trials that Paul endured as a servant of Jesus Christ was being beaten with rods and involved in three shipwrecks. He wrote about these trials in 2 Corinthians 11:25. “Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep” (KJV)
What Does the Number 3 Mean in the Bible? — The Third Heaven
Genesis 2:1 refers to more than a single heaven. “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.” (KJV).
If the number three is the number of completeness, then it would be logical that there are a total of three distinct heavens. The third heaven, counting from the Earth upward, must be the throne room of God.
The Apostle Paul got a glimpse of the third heaven and wrote about the throne room of God. Paul humbly explained his experience, referring to himself in the third person in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4. “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” (KJV)
Within the third heaven, there are both positive and negative aspects in using the number three. The first triple reference to this abode of God is in the book of Isaiah. The prophet wrote about holy beings there, which continually praise God, crying, “Holy, holy, holy.”
“And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3 (KJV).
This three-part praise is also seen in the Book of Revelation, chapter 4, verse 8. “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” (KJV)
The three-fold repetition continually uttered by the heavenly beings of the word “holy” could partly represent the concept of the Holy Trinity, as all three Persons of the Godhead are holy. Also, these three identical words show the divine perfection and completeness associated with God.
But also in the Book of Revelation, and in the setting of the third heaven in which the Apostle John was privileged to see, there are many examples of three associated with judgement. The verse in Revelation 8:13 is the most obvious example of three — divine perfection by God, but in the context of His judgement.
“And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!” Revelation 8:13 (KJV)
What Does the Number 3 Mean in the Bible? — The Unholy Trinity
Just as the Book of Revelation refers much to the triune Godhead, in Revelation, Satan, who desires to be God, imitates Him in his devices. These three individuals, the dragon (Satan), the beast (antichrist), and the false prophet, are called “the unholy trinity” by Bible scholars.
“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.” Revelation 16:13 (KJV)
The number of the beast, known for its infamous three digits — 666 —, is revealed in Revelation 13:18. “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.” (KJV)
This verse also tells the wise reader to look for, and understand, both the meaning of numbers and their symbolic significance in God’s Word. This injunction is found in the last book of the Bible but refers to all of the numbers in the Bible.
Seeing the number three in the unholy trinity, is also an example of numerical patterns in the Bible. Satan seeks to have his own mark, and his own number of completion, trying to mirror God, while also mocking His specific numbers.
What Does the Number 3 Mean in the Bible? — More Examples
Though not a comprehensive list, here are some other examples of the significant role of the number three in various contexts in the Bible. All of these examples have significant symbolism.
Age of Sacrificial Animals
“And he [God] said unto him [Abraham], Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” Genesis 15:9 (KJV)
Days of Preparation Prior to God’s Meeting with the Israelites
“And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.” Exodus 19:11 (KJV)
Annual Feast Days
“Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.” Exodus 23:14 (KJV)
God Called the Boy Samuel Three Times
“And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.” 1 Samuel 3:8 (KJV)
Three Sets of Fifty Men Sent to Take Elijah
“And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.” 2 Kings 1:13 (KJV)
Elisha’s Prophecy and King Joash’s Lack of Faith
“And he [Elisha] said, Take the arrows. And he [King Joash] took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed. And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.” 2 Kings 13:18-19 (KJV)
Times of Daily Prayer
“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” Psalm 55:17 (KJV)
Gifts of the Wise Men
“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 (KJV)
Gates of the New Jerusalem
“On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.” Revelation 21:13 (KJV)
After learning about the answer to the question, “What does the number 3 mean in the Bible?” may you always pause to consider the greater spiritual significance of this small number.
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