What does the number 6 mean in the Bible? What does it mean if you’ve been seeing the number 6 a lot? Let us learn about all these things in this blog one by one.
The Bible is a rich source of symbolism and numbers play a significant role in conveying spiritual truths. The Bible makes numerous references to numbers, including 6, which is one of them. In Genesis 1:27,31, the number 6 is associated with the sixth day of creation, when God created mankind in his own image and declared everything he had made as “very good“.
The number 6 is also associated with other significant events and concepts in the Bible, such as the six days of work followed by a day of rest in the creation account, and the six-fold description of the characteristics of the Antichrist in the book of Revelation.
In this article, we will delve deeper into the meaning of the number 6 in the Bible and explore its significance in various contexts.
“So God created man in His own image…Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So, the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”
– Genesis 1:27,31
Contents
What Does The Number 6 Mean In The Bible?
In the Bible, the number 6 has several symbolic meanings. Firstly, it represents the imperfect nature of human beings and their inclination towards sin.
This is because 6 is one less than 7, which is often considered a number of perfection and completeness. Additionally, 6 is also associated with the idea of rest and true peace after a period of strife.
The number 6 is mentioned in several significant passages of the Bible. For instance, according to the book of Genesis, God made the universe in six days before taking a day of rest (Genesis 2:2).
This sequence of six days of work followed by one day of rest has become the basis for the seven-day week observed by many cultures.
In addition, the idea of sin is linked to the number 6. The term “mark of the beast,” which refers to the number 666, is frequently used in the book of Revelation to denote the height of human disobedience against God (Revelation 13:18).
This suggests that 6 is a number associated with the imperfection and sinfulness of humanity.
However, the number 6 can also stand for relaxation and tranquility. In the book of Exodus, the Israelites were commanded to work for six days and rest on the seventh day, which became the Sabbath day (Exodus 20:9-11).
This idea of rest after a period of work suggests that the number 6 can represent the attainment of peace and rest after a period of struggle.
Also read: What Is The Shortest Book In The Bible?
Where Does The Number 6 Appear In The Bible?
Both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible contain numerous instances of the number 6. The number 6 in the Bible is often associated with human weakness, imperfection, and incompleteness, as well as with the natural world and the importance of respecting and valuing life.
The exact context in which it occurs will, however, affect its meaning. Here are some examples of where the number 6 appears and what it represents:
Creation:
The number 6 is prominently associated with the creation account in the book of Genesis. According to the Bible, God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh day (Genesis 1:31-2:2). This sequence of events is often referred to as the “six days of creation.”
The number 6 in this context represents the natural world, which was created in a specific order and with a specific purpose.
The Mark of the Beast:
The number six is connected to the mark of the beast in the book of Revelation, which is frequently seen as a representation of disobedience to God. According to Revelation 13:18, “This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.”
The number 666 is often seen as representing the ultimate imperfection and incompleteness of human efforts to assert power and control over the world.
Also read: What Does The Bible Say About Modesty?
Goliath’s Height:
In the Old Testament, the Philistine giant Goliath is described as being “six cubits and a span” tall (1 Samuel 17:4). This height is often interpreted as being symbolic of Goliath’s power and dominance over the Israelites.
The fact that Goliath is defeated by the young David, who is seen as being empowered by God, suggests that the number 6 in this context represents human weakness and vulnerability in the face of divine power.
The Sixth Commandment:
The sixth of the Ten Commandments given to Moses is “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). This commandment is often interpreted as reflecting the importance of respecting human life and valuing the sanctity of all living things.
The number 6 in this context represents the importance of human life and the responsibility that comes with it.
The Sixth Hour:
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is crucified at the sixth hour of the day (John 19:14). This event is seen as being symbolic of the sacrifice that Jesus made for humanity and the redemption that is available to all who believe in him.
The number 6 in this context represents the imperfection and incompleteness of human efforts to achieve salvation, which can only be attained through faith in God.
Also read: How Many Chapters In The Bible – Old & New Testament Chapters
Number 6 And Its Association With Devil And Sorcery In Bible
In the Bible, the number 6 is not always associated with positive meanings. In reality, there are numerous instances where the number 6 is associated with sorcery and the devil.
The Number 666 and the Mark of the Beast
The book of Revelation contains one of the most well-known allusions to the number 6 in the Scriptures, where it is connected to the “mark of the beast.”
In Revelation 13:18, it says: “This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.” This number is commonly interpreted as representing the Antichrist or Satan.
According to some interpretations, the number 666 represents the ultimate rebellion against God and the perfection that is found in the number 7.
The repetition of the number 6 three times is seen as emphasizing the completeness of the devil’s power, as three is also a number of completeness in the Bible.
The Witch of Endor
In the Old Testament, there is also an association between the number 6 and witchcraft or sorcery. In 1 Samuel 28, King Saul visits the witch of Endor, a woman who was believed to have the power to communicate with the dead.
In verse 7, it says that Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” This act of seeking out a witch was considered a sin, as it went against God’s commands.
The number 6 comes into play in verse 23, where the witch of Endor tells Saul that he and his sons will die in battle the next day. This is significant because Saul had six sons who were with him at the time.
The mention of the number 6 in this context may be seen as emphasizing the witch’s power to predict and control events that are outside of human control.
If you keep seeing the number 6 frequently, it may have a special significance or message for you. According to some interpretations, seeing repeated numbers or patterns can be a sign from the divine or a message from the universe.
Positive Meanings
One possible interpretation of seeing the number 6 frequently is that it is a reminder of God’s love and protection. This is because the number 6 is associated with the concept of rest and peace, as well as the idea of completeness and perfection when combined with the number 7.
For example, in Psalm 23:1-3, it says: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” This passage emphasizes the idea of rest and peace that can be found in God’s presence, which is also associated with the number 6.
Negative Meanings
On the other hand, seeing the number 6 frequently may also have negative connotations, depending on the context and your personal beliefs. As mentioned earlier, the number 6 is associated with the imperfection and sinfulness of human beings, as well as the concept of rebellion against God.
For instance, the reference to the number 666 in the book of Revelation is often interpreted as a warning of the ultimate evil and rebellion against God. In this case, seeing the number 6 frequently may be seen as a warning of the dangers of giving in to temptation and straying from the path of righteousness.
Conclusion
So what does the number 6 mean in the Bible? Ultimately, the meaning of seeing the number 6 frequently depends on your personal beliefs and the context in which it appears.
If you are seeing repeated patterns or numbers, it may be helpful to reflect on your thoughts and actions and seek guidance from a trusted spiritual advisor or mentor. Remember that the Bible offers guidance and wisdom on how to live a meaningful and fulfilling life and that God’s love and protection are always available to those who seek it.