Introduction
One clearly represents unity, primacy, the first, the best, the only, it has no divisors, no factors, no components, it is universal, whole and complete. One is independent of all other numbers, is the source of all other numbers. In this sense it represents God as the beginning and the end, the prime impulse, the source of creation. One usually represents God, His sovereign rule, His omnipotence, His supremacy, His unique character. One excludes all differences for there is no second with which it can either harmonize or conflict. Thus one can also represent harmony, unity or peace but because of its reference to God it also means harmony, unity or peace with God. The first of the Ten Commandments is:
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Exodus 20:3
Here in the first, of the ten great commandments of the Old Testament, we are told to put God first. Jesus said that the first and greatest of the commandments was to love God.
37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment.
Matthew 22:37-38
Thus in both the Old Testament and the New, we are commanded to place God in the number one position in our lives. In the two testaments we have one unity of message and purpose. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said:
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33
Here we see that all the things we need and many of the things we want (that are good for us) will follow from the first and greatest principle. Put God first, obey and good things will follow. This was also a promise in the Old Testament.
The first Verse
The very first verse of the entire Bible is:
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:1
This establishes God as the prime source of all, the first cause, the beginner and the creator and in itself is enough to establish a link between the number one and God. Also the first part of this verse, is the first phrase of the Bible and it is 'In the beginning God created' or in the Hebrew 'Inthebeginning created God'.
The first 'day'
The rest of the "First day" of the creation account is:
2And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
Genesis 1:2-5
Thus the "first day" of creation deals with God as the creator and shows his divine power.
It might also be worth noting that during this first day, in the first three verses all three parts of the threefold Godhead are mentioned. In verse 1 God created... In verse 2 And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. In verse 3 And God said... or the Word of God, we know Jesus is the Word of God made flesh (John 1:14), thus the Son is referred to in this verse. So not only can we see God clearly in the first verse of the Bible but also the entire Godhead is clearly shown in its position as the source of all things.
The first three verses of the Bible are also interesting for the symbols that they link with the Godhead. In verse 2 The Spirit is linked with Water and in Verse 3 the Word is linked with light. Jesus expands on this symbolism in the New Testament
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
John 7:37-39
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 8:12
The First Chapter
The entire first chapter of the Bible deals with God great work of creation. It highlights Gods sovereign power and His unique place as the creator of all things. No other but God can do such things.
It is worth mentioning that there are 31 verses in the first chapter. Interestingly the number of words in the original Hebrew, in the first chapter is 434 = 14 x 31. Many have argued over the centuries that the first three verses of chapter 2 should really be part of chapter 1. This seems logical, to unite all the seven days of the creation story into the one chapter. However doing so would destroy these features of 31.
The 'Tol`doth'
Bullinger notes that the book of Genesis can be divided into twelve parts by the phrase "these are the generations" the 'aleh Tol'doth' in the Hebrew. There are a total of 14 occurrences of this phrase in the Bible, which might be seen as dividing the Bible into 15 sections. Each of these sections then has a logical theme.
Genesis 1:1 Starts with "In the Beginning...". It is the introduction to Genesis, indeed the whole Bible and speaks of the perfection of Gods sovereign work. It ably shows the significance of the number one, being Gods sovereign power and majesty, unity, harmony. The theme for this section might well be "that it was good." This first section contains the 'days of creation'. This is the only section which, due to it being the first, does not start with ...the generations of... showing that the world was not generated, but was made in an act of creation.
Prime Numbers
Having established that the number one represents God and His sovereign nature let us follow the thread further into prime numbers. Numbers, which have no other known significance in themselves and are prime numbers, divisible only by themselves and one, are also stamped with this theme of God first.
The Link With 31
It is worth mentioning that there is another number that is especially representative of God. In the Hebrew one of the names of God is EL, meaning The Almighty. The numeric value of this word is 31. Thus 31 would mean The Almighty God, it is a prime number. Also the first chapter of the Bible, Genesis 1 has 31 verses. So again it is especially stamped with the sovereign power of The Almighty God.
First Words
The first words in the Bible;
In the beginning God...
Genesis 1:1
Jesus first recorded words properly put into perspective his highest priority and also what ours should be;
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Luke 2:49
This is especially relevant when his last words are remembered, 'It is finished'. Also of note is Jesus first words in his ministry. After he was baptized by full immersion by John the Baptist in the river Jordan, He received the Holy Spirit. He then went and prayed and fasted in the wilderness for 40 days. At the end of that time he was tempted by the devil His responses to Satan at that time are the first words he spoke in His ministry.
It is written...
Matthew 4:4,7,10
Thus Jesus not only used the Word of God the resist the devil, but also showed that the first place any ministry should start is with Gods Word. When the angels sang to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus they sang:
Glory to God in the highest...
Luke 2:14
First they sang glory to God before good will toward all men. In all of these 'first words' God is given priority.
One Lord
Hear, O Israel: the Lord thy God is one Lord:
Deuteronomy 6:4
It does not deny the trinity but it absolutely excludes the possibility of another Lord, it excludes, therefore, all idolatry. Interestingly; the term 'one Lord' occurs only five times in the bible, firstly in Deuteronomy as mentioned above.
And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one
Zechariah 14:9
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
Mark 12:29
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
1 Corinthians 8:6
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Ephesians 4:5
The sum of the verse numbers that these occur in is: 4 + 9 + 29 + 6 + 5 = 53. Which is a prime number which representsm potential children of God. The sum of the chapter numbers in which these occur is: 6 + 14 + 12 + 8 + 4 = 44. Which is divisible by 11, a prime number which represents revelation.
One God
Interestingly the term 'one God' also has similar numeric features. It occurs seven times in the Bible:
Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?
Malachi 2:10
And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
Mark 12:32
Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
Romans 3:30
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
1 Corinthians 8:6
One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Ephesians 4:6
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Timothy 2:5
19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
James 2:19
The numeric value of 'one God' in the Hebrew (one El) is:
= (4 + 8 + 1) |
+ (30 + 1) |
The same value we saw earlier in the sum of the chapter values for the term 'one Lord'. It can be seen that the two different words sum to 13 and 31 respectively, a nice pattern in itself. Also the digits of the sum of each word sum to four, almost a preview of the total sum being 44. This is the exact same number that we saw for the sum of the chapter numbers of 'one Lord' above. What a nice coincidence.
The numeric value of 'one God' in the Greek (one Theos) is:
= (5 + 10 + 200) |
+ (9 + 5 + 70 + 200) |
This is a prime number just like the the sum of the verse value for the occurence of the phrase 'one Lord'. This phrase is stamped with the significance of prime numbers and the meaning of one.
Other Primes
The first occurrence of the word 'one' in the Bible is in the phrase one place, which has a numeric value of 199, a prime with no other known significance.
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
Genesis 1:9
The Hebrew word ra-ah meaning to tend a flock, to pasture it, to associate with as a friend or often, shepherd. This word is used in the most famous of Psalms, Psalm 23.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1
This word occurs in the Bible 173 times in 144 verses. 173 is a prime number with no other known significance. Thus God puts his seal on it, as indeed the Lord is my shepherd/friend does sum up our relationship with Him. It is also of interest to note that the 144 verses in which it is found is 12 times 12. This number is also used symbolically in Revelation of the Lords Perfect Government. So this word shepherd/friend is also associated with Gods perfect kingdom to come. Any perfect government must entail a relationship between the ruler (God) and his people in which the peoples best interests are sought, ie they are shepherded, but also there must be love, friendship. So not only does this word sum up our relationship with God but also the qualities which are required in a perfect government.
Words that Occur in the Bible Only Once
Words that only occur once in the Bible are especially stamped with Gods sovereign authority and power. Such words can be especially instructive. For example:
Of salvation
He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.
Psalm 68:20
'Of salvation' is the Hebrew word Moh-shah-oth, which is only used this once, so God puts His especial stamp on it. For salvation is from God and none other, we cannot earn it or achieve it ourselves, no statues of wood, stone metal or any other material can give it to us, no philosophy or belief can win it for us. Only God.
Destruction
The Hebrew word hs;WbT] - teb-oo-saw’ which means destruction is only used once.
And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.
2 Chronicles 22:7
This single use of this word speaks of a fulfillment of the purpose of God. The house of Ahab, kings of the northern nation of Israel had been very wicked in idolatry and leading the nation to worship false gods. Thus, after prolonged warning from several prophets, God removes them from ruling the nation and brings punishment upon the house. However Ahaziah was the king of the southern nation of Judah at this time. He, and his family that went with him, was slain because they were with the evil house of Ahab when judgment fell. Galatians 3:24 tells us that the Old Testament is to teach us. The lesson that we should not keep company with bad influences, could not be clearer.
Destruction
The Hebrew word @d;b]a; - ob-dawn’ which also means destruction is only used once.
6For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred? 7Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.
Esther 8:6-7
In this instance queen Esther is pleading with the king for her people. This passage also shows the completion of Gods purpose. Haman the enemy of the Jews was completely defeated and the things he had planned for the Jews was done to him. By using this word only once the great emphasis is placed upon He who wrought this salvation, God.
Critic
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
kritiko" (kritikos) from which we get the word 'critic'. It is translated as 'a discerner'. We are told that The Word of God is a judge, able to distinguish between the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Man has now taken to 'higher criticisms' of the Bible appropriating this word unto themselves while the Bible only uses this word once of The Word saying that it is a judge of men.
For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
2 Corinthians 2:17
Kaphleuw "to corrupt" it is derived from a word meaning "one who sells provisions" especially a vintner. Because it was the habit of such people to add water to their wine (indeed a wine not watered down, by up to 10 part water per part wine, is what the Bible considers "strong drink") the word came to mean to adulterate, water down, to dilute. By using this word only once the Word places the greatest possible emphasis on not adulterating, or watering down the Word.
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
2 Corinthians 4:2
dolow "to handle deceitfully" again used of the Word of God. This word means the act of deceiving by a trick or some craft. Any trick or contrivance or stratagem whereby another is deceived. Again by using this word only once the greatest possible emphasis is made of not handling the Word deceitfully.
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
1 Peter 5:4
arcipoimhn "chief shepherd" a single supreme position, and a word used only once. A shepherd is someone who deals personally with the flock, not an administrator, nor a ruler, but someone who leads the flock. Jesus is just such a leader, he has been touched with our infirmities and knows our estate, He does not order us to go here or there but leads us there. Not only is He our personal shepherd but He is also the chief shepherd. His title is supreme and above all others. This one Greek work sums up both aspects of our Lord's leadership.
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
Acts 1:3
tekmhrion "infallible proofs" this word by being used once only has Gods especial stamp of authority on it. It is derived from the word for a mark or a sign. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), but God is willing to show proof of His truth. Doubting Thomas said that he would not believe unless he could touch the wounds of Jesus, Jesus presented Himself to Thomas so he could do just that. Our faith is not in vain, we worship a God who can, will and does, DO things.
Phrases that Occur Only Once
Hebrews 10:12
One Sacrifice - by using this phrase in the Bible only once, God is emphasizing that Jesus did in fact make a once and only sacrifice for our sins. There is no more sacrifice for sins.
The phrase 'I AM THAT I AM' occurs in the Bible only once. The numeric value of this phrase is 347, a prime number with no other known significance.
The phrase 'one faith' occurs in the Bible only once in Ephesians 4:5. Its numeric value is 851 which has the factors 37 and 23, in other words it is the product of a prime times a prime.
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Ephesians 4:5
The phrase 'one baptism' also occurs only this once in Scripture. Its numeric value is 689, which is 13 x 53, or also the sum of two primes.
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