Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things,
that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of
his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
Isaiah 40:26
Figurate Numbers are numbers that can be represented as a regular array
of points, such as a triangle,
square, or pentagon. Such numbers figure prominently in Scripture and are a
highly significant part of its divine design.
I am greatly indebted to Vernon Jenkins for his pioneering work in this area. His
introduction to this topic and its relation to Scripture is well worth reading.
Another excellent introduction - from a purely mathematical point of view - may be found in the
Figurate Number article on
MathWorld site.
Many of the significant numbers found in Scripture are members of geometric number sequences. For example,
the entire Canon is divided into segments that contain 5, 12, or 22 Books. As discussed below, these three
numbers of the second, third, and fourth terms of the Pentagonal Number Sequence. An excellent site
that has a huge searchable database of such number sequences is found at
The On-Line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences
The nth Triangular Number is the sum of all the numbers from 1 to n. It is represented
as T(n). For example, the number of fish caught in John 21 is the seventeenth triangular number:
T(17) = 1 + 2 + ... + 16 + 17 = 153
This relation has been known and meditated upon since at least the 5th century when Augustine commented on it in his
his Tractate 122 on John 20:30-21:11.
Notation Change: When I first designed this website,
I denoted triangular numbers with the heuristic "Sum(n)" to remind the
non-mathematically trained reader that the nth triangular number is formed by summing the integers from 1 to n.
But I have since come to realize that every extra symbol clutters the equations, and so have decided to change
the notation to the simpler and standard "T(n)." Readers therefore may encounter triangular numbers represented either
as T(n) or Sum(n) until I have completed the update.
Triangular Numbers appear frequently in Scripure. Here are a few
of the more obvious, with their associated concepts:
Index |
Value |
Associated Concepts |
1 |
T(1) = 1 |
All geometric numbers begin with the value "1" which is therefore called the "trivial case." |
2 |
T(2) = 3 |
The Trinity: The Spirit (3) proceeds from the Father (1) and the Son (2). This manifests with great clarity on
Spoke 3 as discussed on pages 164-5 of the Bible Wheel book, reproduced online here. |
3 |
T(3) = 6 |
Creation of Man and Cosmos: Six = 600 = Cosmos. Six is a "perfect number" in that
1 + 2 + 3 = 1 x 2 x 3 = 6. It is profoundly integrated with the
Creation Holograph as well as Spoke 6 of the Bible Wheel. |
4 |
T(4) = 10 |
Number of the Ten Commandments and base of the Bibical numerical system.
It is profoundly integrated with Spoke 10 of the Bible Wheel. |
7 |
T(7) = 28 |
The Number of words (7) and letters (28) of the Creation Holograph (Genesis 1.1)
which sums to 2701 = T(73)! [See below] |
11 |
T(11) = 66 |
The Number of Books in the Wheel, and the value of the word Wheel itself:
Wheel
Galgal |
= 66 |
|
19 |
T(19) = 190 |
The Index and the Value are related through this fundamental identity from Genesis 3:
Rib
Tsalo |
= 190 = T(19) = T(Eve) |
|
23 |
T(23) = 276 |
The Number of souls saved in Paul's shipwreck (Acts 27.37) |
24 |
T(24) = 300 |
The Value of (Ruach Elohim, The Spirit of God).
This is an extremely profound relationship. |
32 |
T(32) = 528 |
The KEY to the Bible = T(32)! (Note: The Hebrew for Heart is Lev = 32) |
36 |
T(36) = 666 |
The Number of the Beast (Rev. 13.18). |
43 |
T(43) = 946 |
The Spirit = T(43) (Note: The Hebrew word for "Greatness" is Gadol = 43.
This is the primary role of Holy Spirit - to magnify the Father and the Son. |
73 |
T(73) = 2701 |
The sum of Genesis 1.1, the Creation Holograph. It is expressible as a very simple
combinations of elements from the
Holographic Generating Set: 2701 = 0 = T(C) = T(B) + 0 |
112 |
T(112) = 6328 |
The sum of Genesis 1.1 + John 1:1 from the Creation HyperHolograph.
The index 112 = YHVH Elohim (The LORD GOD) from the Unity Holograph (Shema).
It also is expressible as a simple combination of the
Holographic Generating Set: 6328 = 0 + C2 |
Square Numbers are associated with structure - e.g. the Altar, The Temple, and the New Jerusalem are all described as
foursquare, as was the camp that formed a Cross in the Wilderness. This is particularly astouding
in light of this pair of identities:
The New Jerusalem
Heh Kaine Ierusalem |
|
= 961 = 31 x 31 = |
Heaven
Ho Ouranos |
|
We also have the identity:
The Kingdom of God
Heh Basileia tou Theou |
= 1521 = 39 x 39 |
The Kingdom of God is ruled by Truth, which is a Square Number in both Hebrew and Greek:
Hebrew | Greek |
|
Truth
Aletheia |
= 64 = 8 x 8 |
|
This manifests in popular numerical slang that takes "foursquare" as representing Truth, Honesty, and
Integrity.
Another significant Square is found in the Number 144, which represents the Elect of God and eternal
citizens of the New Jerusalem:
The Elect
Hay Ekloge |
= 144 = 12 x 12 |
This is tremendously significant, in that the pattern based on the Number 12 was established in the Hebrew
Testament, yet it manifests in the intrinsic alphanumeric structure of the Greek language and the explicit
message of the text of the New Testatment (Revelation 14.1)!
Pentangular Numbers are extremely significant in the structure of the Christian Canon in that the entire
structure is built upon the first three:
The Number 5 integrates with the Creation of Life on the
Fifth Day (which also records the first
Blessing) and the
Fifth Commandment which is "the first commandment with promise."
Here are a few of the more significant Pentagonal Numbers and their associated concepts:
Index |
Value |
Associated Concepts |
2 |
5 |
The Number of Books in four canonical divisions: Torah, Major Prophets, Wisdom, and NT History. |
3 |
12 |
The Number of Books in two canonical divisions: OT HIstory and Minor Prophets. This Number relates to
the Twelfth Letter Lamedh, which signifies an ox-goad and symbolizes the idea of To Teach. Hence Lamed
is the root of Talmud, and Jesus had 12 disciples, and so forth. |
4 |
22 |
The Number of Letters in the Hebrew Alphabet, the Number of Spokes of the Wheel and the Number of
Books in one canonical division: NT Epistles. The Number 22 is the root of the KEY
(528 - Triangular, see above) given in Isaiah 22.22. |
9 |
117 |
Scripture is divided into categories based on Pentangular Numbers 5, 12, and 22. This theme is continued
in Psalm 117, which is the dividing chapter of the Bible (i.e. it is chapter 595 at the center
of 1189 chapters, as discussed by
Mark Darroch in his article Dividing the Waters of the Word found in the Collaboration section.
Darroch then links the structure of Scripture to this identity from Genesis 1.6:
And let it divide
Veyhi MavDeel |
= 117 |
This further integrates with the Word of the Lord through the identity:
Saith the Lord
Na'am YHVH |
= 117 |
This phrase occurs in 267 verses of the Old Testament, 167 of which appear
in the Book of Jeremiah on Spoke 2. This integrates with the concepts of the
Division and the Word which dominate that Spoke.
|
14 |
287 |
This refers to the Wonderful Counselor, the Spirit of Wisdom who is My Help.
It integrates beautifully
with the general concepts of Scripture subsumed in the Pentagonal Number Category. |
19 |
532 |
This is the value of Alpha - the symbol of Almighty God - and many of His Titles, such
as "The Holy Lord God." |
27 |
1080 |
This is the value of "The Holy Spirit". This integrates with its index
27 = 3 x 3 x 3 and the Comforter = 810 = 3 x 3 x 3 x 30, and all of this relates to the Third Person of
the Holy Trinity. Glory! Praise God! |
Hexagonal Numbers are a subsequence of Triangular Numbers, generated by the Triangular Numbers
with odd indices.
Index |
Value |
Associated Concepts |
2 |
6 |
The Number Six is the Number of Man, Work, and Cosmos. Its relation to these concepts arises from
the creation of Man and the completion of God's Work on the Sixth Day. It also integrates with
the Six Directions of the Cosmos is amplified in this pair of identites:
World
Cosmos |
|
= 600 = |
Six
Shaysh |
|
|
4 |
45 |
The value of (Adam). Using the Sofit Value of
the final letter Mayim yields
Adam = 610 = (HaShaysh, The Six).
|
7 |
66 |
The Seventh Hexagonal Number coincides with the number of books in the Canon, while the Index coincides
with the number of Canonical Divisions. This all coheres with God's use of the Number 6 in Creation.
|
These Numbers, along with the Star Numbers (see below) are essential to the holographic structure of Holy
Scripture.
Index |
Value |
Associated Concepts |
2 |
7 |
This is the premier number in all of Scripture, as discussed in some detail in the article
Seven and Scripture. |
3 |
19 |
The Number 19 is the number of Physical Manifestation. It appears reiteratively in the
Grace Manifest Holograph in eight nested word clusters.
|
4 |
37 |
The Number 37 is the only number less that 1261 that is both a Centered Hexagonal and a
Star Number. It is the Hexagonal core of the fourth Star Number 73, and this palindromic
Hexagon/Star pair forms two of the elements of the Holographic Generating Set (27, 37, 73) found throughout
the components of the Creation HyperHolograph.
|
These four numbers figure prominently in many holographs. They are deeply integrated with the Lord's Work
of Creation. Their beauty knows no limit. What glory in the Lord's Work! How great is His understanding!
Index |
Value |
Associated Concepts |
2 |
13 |
This Number is the basis of the Unity Holograph which is built upon
four nested word clusters that sum to multiples of the Number (= One = Love). This further manifests
in 1 Corinthians 13 - the Love Chapter. |
3 |
37 |
The Numbers 37 and 73 (the fourth Star Number) are palindromic primes. They are both a kind of "division of
unity" into two primes 10 = 3 (Trinity) + 7 (Fullness). Their product is the sum
of the Creation Holograph: 2701 = 37 x 73 = T(73).
The Number 37 is the Ordinal Value of the word Wisdom:
Wisdom (Ord)
Chokmah |
= 37 |
|
4 |
73 |
The Numbers 37 (the third Star Number) and 73 are palindromic primes. Their product is the sum of the
Creation Holograph (see above) and the Number 73 is one of the fundamental primes in the
Logos Holograph. The primary meaning of the Number 73
is found in this fundamental identity:
Wisdom (Std)
Chokmah |
= 73 |
This means that both the Standard and the Ordinal Values of Wisdom are Centerer Hexagonal Numbers, with
their proiduct giving the value of the Creation Holograph, the sum of Genesis 1.1!
This certainly adds an unexpected dimension to the teaching that (Jeremiah 10.12):
He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his
wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
|
10 |
541 |
The value of Israel, The Commandments,
and Stone Tablets. Simply one of the most astounding discoveries!
How is it that the Israel chose this, the Tenth Star of David, as its national symbol? Is it conceiveable
that this is a "mere coincidence?
|
Centered Hexagonal and Star Numbers all come in pairs.
This is extremely significant because the
Creation Holograph and
Logos Star are built off such pairs.
The product of any such pair is always a Triangular Number because Star(n) + 1 is always
twice the value of its Hexagon pair:
Some examples:
- T(S(2)) = T(13) = 91 = 7 x 13 = H(2)S(2)
- T(S(3)) = T(37) = 703 = 19 x 37 = H(3)S(3)
- T(S(4)) = T(73) = 2701 = 37 x 73 = H(4)S(4)
These numbers play an essential role in the Creation Holograph, the alphanumeric structure of Genesis 1:1.
|