Introduction
Thirty seven is a prime number, so there are no clues from any factors to guide us as to its symbolic meaning. It only occurs in the text of the Bible once, and in a passage that does not appear to give us any clues as to its meaning. To unravel its meaning we need to dig a little deeper. In fact its meaning seems clearest when we look at Gematria. In Genesis 1:1, we have the first words of the Bible.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:1
In the Hebrew there are seven words: 'Inthebeginning created God the heavens andthe earth'. If we take the first and third words 'Inthebeginning God' we have the numeric value of 999 = 3 x 3 x 3 x 37 = 33 x 37. In fact the first five words 'Inthe beginning created God the heavens' has a numeric value of 1998 = 2 x 3 x 3 x 3 x 37 = 54 x 37. Also the entire verse has the numeric value of 2701 = 73 x 37. This is quite a coincidence, because 37 and 73 are also related geometrically.
Geometry
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Thirty seven can be arranged as a perfect hexagon. If we then add a triangle to each side of the hexagon, we get a hexagram of 73. While the digit reversal relation ship between the two numbers is dependent on the number system we write the numbers in, the geometric relationship is not. It we write 37 and 73 in binary, or Roman numerals, or Egyptian symbols, the digit reversal "trick" no longer works but the geometric relationship is still present. The first image on the right shows a yellow hexagon of thirty seven counters contained in an orange hexagram of seventy three. Thirty seven is also a perfect 'hexagram'. if we add a layer of counters all around it we get 73 as a hexagram. Thus 37 as a hexagram neatly sits inside 73 as a hexagram. The second image at the right shows a green hexagram of thirty seven counters within the yellow hexagram of seventy three. Another interesting point about these numbers is that in the 73 hexagram if the counters are numbered from top to bottom, the central counter is the 37th. Thus 37 is central to 73 as well as being its digit reverse. |
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The Word
The Old Testament starts with 'in the beginning God...'. In John 1:1 we have the New Testament parallel of this. Then we are given more information in verse 14.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
So we clearly see that Jesus was there at the beginning as the Word of God. The Greek word used for 'Word' is logos which has the numeric value of 373. It is a prime number, which is thus stamped with the notion of God first. But the digits 3 7 3 are interesting in the light of the numeric value of Genesis 1:1 = 37 x 73.
The Thirty Seventh Verse
The 37th verse of the Bible is Genesis 2:6. It speaks of a mist or vapor that waters the earth.
Words that are used 37 times
Riches
The Hebrew word rv,[o o’-sher, is used exactly 37 times in the Bible. It is derived from another word which means to accumulate, with specific reference to growing wealthy. However this word is a more powerful version, it really means 'great wealth'. However the wealth is not always meant in purely fiscal terms, it often refers to wealth of cattle, possessions, strength of armies and so on. What has wealth to do with the Word of God? In most of the cases where this particular word is used it is talking of wealth that has been given or granted by the Lord. Let us look at the first time this word is used.
14And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? 15Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money. 16For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.
Genesis 31:14-16
In this case Rachel and Leah are telling their husband Jacob that they could see that the Lord had taken wealth from their father and given it unto Jacob. And they would stick by Jacob rather than their cheating father. Thus in this case the wealth in question was clearly seen to have been granted by the Lord, as both a recompense for right doing (and taken from the wrong doer) and as their inheritance, for which they praised the Lord.
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