E. W. Bullinger
(1837-1913)
“The works of the Lord are great,
Sought out of all them have pleasure therein.”
Ps. cxi. 2.
London:
Eyre & Spottiswoode (Bible Warehouse) Ltd.,
33. Paternoster Row, E.C.
1921
Preface
Many writers, from the earliest times, have called attention to the importance of the great subject of Number in Scripture. It has been dealt with, for the most part, in a fragmentary way. One has dealt with some particular number, such as “seven”; another has been content with a view of the primary numbers, and even when defining their significance, has given only one or two examples by way of illustration; another has confined himself to “symbolical numbers,” such as 10, 40, 666, etc.; another has taken up such symbolical numbers in their relation to chronology or to prophecy; another has collected examples, but has dealt little with their meaning.
There seemed, therefore, to be room, and indeed a call, for a work which would be more complete, embrace a larger area, and at the same time be free from the many fancies which all, more or less, indulge in when the mind is occupied too much with one subject. Anyone who values the importance of a particular principle will be tempted to see it where it does not exist, and if it be not there will force it in, in spite sometimes of the original text. Especially is this the case when chronology is dealt with, the greater uncertainty of dates lending itself more readily to the author’s fancy.
The greatest work on this subject, both chronological and numerical, is not free from these defects. But its value is nevertheless very great. It is by the late Dr. Milo Mahan, of New York. His work Palmoni*, which was republished among his collected works, has long been out of print. It greatly increased my interest in this subject, and led me to further study, besides furnishing a number of valuable illustrations.
* Not the anonymous Palmoni by an English author, published in London.
It is too much to hope that the present work should be free from these defects, which are inseparable from human infirmity. From one point of view it is a subject which must prove disappointing, at any rate to the author, for illustrations are continually being discovered; and yet, from another point of view, it would be blasphemy to suppose that such a work could be complete; for it would assume that the wonders of this mine could be exhausted, and that its treasures could be all explored!
I must, therefore, be content with the setting forth of general principles, and with giving a few examples from God’s Word which illustrate them, leaving others to extend the application of these principles and search out illustrations of them for themselves.
May the result of this contribution to a great subject be to stimulate the labours of Bible students; to strengthen believers in their most holy faith; and to convince doubters of the Divine perfection and inspiration of the Book of Books, to the praise and glory of God.
E.W. BULLINGER
17 North End Road,
Golders Green, N.W.
Contents
PART I
SUPERNATURAL DESIGN
CHAPTER 1
THE WORKS OF GOD
The Heavens
Chronology
Nature
The Vegetable Kingdom
Physiology
Chemistry
Sound and Music
Colour
CHAPTER II
THE WORD OF GOD
The Books of the Bible
The Writers
Occurrences of Words in Old Testament
Occurrences of Words in New Testament
Occurrences of Words in the Apocalypse
Occurrences of Phrases
Evidence as to Authorship of Hebrews and 2 Peter
Occurrences of Words and Phrases in Old and New Testaments combined
PART II
SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Introduction
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Six and Seven together
Seven by itself
Eight
Eight and Seven together
Eight by itself
Eight and Thirteen together
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Seventeen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-one
Twenty-two
Twenty-four
Twenty-five
Twenty-seven
Twenty-eight
Twenty-nine
Thirty
Thirty-one
Forty
Forty-two
Fifty
Fifty-one
Sixty-five
Seventy
One hundred and twenty
One hundred and fifty and three
Two hundred
Three hundred and ninety
Four hundred
Four hundred and thirty
Four hundred and ninety
Six hundred and sixty-six
Conclusion
