Biblical Meaning of the Number 8: Occurrences and Symbolism

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Find out why the number 8 is significant to Christians
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In the Bible, numbers often hold particular significance, and the number 8 is no exception. These symbolical numbers, known as “gematria,” can give people clues to the hidden messages in God’s Word. We’re breaking down what the number 8 represents and where you can find it throughout the Bible.

What is the significance of the number 8 in the Bible?

In the Bible, the number 8 represents resurrection and new beginnings. Jesus was resurrected on the 8th day after he entered Jerusalem, and he appeared to his followers 8 times between his resurrection and ascension. There were also 8 people saved on the ark, representing a fresh start for humanity.

Section 1 of 3:

Meaning of Number 8 in the Bible

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  1. Eight follows the number 7, which symbolizes completion or perfection—so 8 represents what comes after that completion. It can mean rebirth, the start of a new week, or resurrection. It’s also associated with Jesus, his resurrection, and his second coming—which is fitting, since he represents forgiveness and a fresh start for all mankind. [1]
    • Eight can also represent abundance. The word for “eight” in Hebrew is “sh’moneh,” which comes from the root word “shah’meyn,” which means to fatten or cover something with fat. [2]
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Section 2 of 3:

Where does the number 8 appear in the Bible?

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  1. Genesis 6:13–9:29 tells the story of Noah, who built an ark to save his family and the world’s animals from a Great Flood. According to the story, the only people to survive the flood were Noah, his wife, and their three sons and their wives—8 in total. [3]
    • The story of the Great Flood symbolizes God’s desire to start over because of “how great the wickedness of the human race had become on earth” (Genesis 6:5). The 8 members of Noah’s family represent a new beginning for humanity.
    • 1 Peter 3:19–20 says, "God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, 8 in all, were saved through water."
  2. In Genesis 17:9–14, God tells Abraham, “For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised.” This act is a symbol of the covenant between God and Abraham—Abraham agrees that his people will follow the Lord, and God promises to protect Abraham and his descendants. [4]
    • This covenant is the beginning of the Hebrew people, so we again see the number 8 associated with a fresh start.
    • The number 8 here may also be significant because by waiting until the baby’s 8th day to perform the circumcision ceremony, it ensures that he has experienced a Sabbath—undergoing his first holy experience and beginning his relationship with God.
  3. All 4 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) describe Jesus entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. He spent a few days with his followers, then was arrested on Thursday and crucified on Good Friday. He rose again on Easter Sunday—the 8th day after he arrived. [5]
    • Jesus’ resurrection is the ultimate symbol of rebirth. It represents a fresh start for all of humanity and the beginning of a new relationship with God where our sins are already forgiven.
  4. In the Greek language, letters also represent numbers. So, if you write out Jesus’ name in Greek—Ιησουσ, or Iesous—and substitute the letters for numbers, you get the following (which adds up to 888): [6]
    • I/I (Iota) = 10, η/e (Eta) = 8, σ/s (Sigma) = 200, ο/o (Omicron) = 70, υ/u (Upsilon) = 400, σ/s (Sigma) = 200
    • This is thought to be contrasted with the number of the beast, which is 666.
  5. In Judaism, Sukkot—or the Feast of Tabernacles—is a fall harvest festival that lasts for 7 days. The last day of the Feast, the 8th day, is known as the Last Great Day. This is a separate yet connected holiday, and it’s treated as a solemn occasion in the Hebrew faith.
    • According to Leviticus 23:36, when God is giving Moses instructions on how to observe Sukkot, He says: “On the eighth day hold a sacred assembly and present a food offering to the Lord.” [7]
    • Traditionally, people gave these food offerings on the Last Great Day as a prayer that the following year would provide a successful harvest—another new beginning. [8]
  6. The Beatitudes are a list of 8 virtues and the promise of blessings that God will give you if you exhibit those virtues. Jesus described these Beatitudes in his Sermon on the Mount, described in Matthew 5:1–12. They are:
    • “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
    • “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)
    • “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)
    • “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)
    • “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)
    • “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
    • “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
    • “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” (Matthew 5:10–11)
  7. The Creation story takes place over 6 days, and it encompasses a total of 8 steps. God speaks something new into existence in each step, as described in Genesis 1:1–31. God said:
    • “Let there be light.” (Genesis 1:3)
    • “Let there be a vault to separate water from water.” (Genesis 1:6)
    • “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place and let dry land appear.” (Genesis 1:9)
    • “Let the land produce vegetation.” (Genesis 1:11)
    • “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night.” (Genesis 1:14)
    • “Let the water teem with living creatures and let birds fly above the earth.” (Genesis 1:20)
    • “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds.” (Genesis 1:24)
    • “Let us make mankind in our image.” (Genesis 1:26)
  8. The number 8 continues to appear throughout the Bible. Some of the most important people in the Bible are associated with this number:
    • David is the 8th son of Jesse. [9] 1 Samuel 17:12 says, "Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had 8 sons, and in Saul's time he was very old."
    • Abraham had 8 sons.
    • The prophet Elijah performed 8 miracles. [10]
    • Abdon, a judge of Israel, served for 8 years. Judges 12:13–14 says, "After him, Abdon son of Hillel, from Pirathon, led Israel. He had 40 sons and 30 grandsons, who rode on 70 donkeys. He led Israel 8 years."
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Section 3 of 3:

What is the symbolism of other numbers in the Bible?

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  1. This numerical symbolism is known as “gematria.” Some significant numbers include: [11]
    • 1: Unity, the worship of one God
    • 3 : Completion, harmony, the Trinity
    • 5 : God's grace and mercy
    • 6: Man, rebellion
    • 7: Completion, perfection, God
    • 12: Perfection, the Church

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      References

      1. ↑ https://digitalbible.ca/article-page/bible-study-symbols-in-depth-exploration-of-the-number-eight-in-biblical-context-symbolism-history-and-significance-1700845096758x116376437080910830
      2. ↑ https://www.agapebiblestudy.com/documents/The%20Significance%20of%20Numbers%20in%20Scripture.htm
      3. ↑ https://www.agapebiblestudy.com/documents/The%20Significance%20of%20Numbers%20in%20Scripture.htm
      4. ↑ https://www.agapebiblestudy.com/documents/The%20Significance%20of%20Numbers%20in%20Scripture.htm
      5. ↑ https://www.agapebiblestudy.com/documents/The%20Significance%20of%20Numbers%20in%20Scripture.htm
      6. ↑ https://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/888.html
      7. ↑ https://digitalbible.ca/article-page/bible-study-symbols-in-depth-exploration-of-the-number-eight-in-biblical-context-symbolism-history-and-significance-1700845096758x116376437080910830
      8. ↑ https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/feast-of-tabernacles/
      9. ↑ https://www.agapebiblestudy.com/documents/The%20Significance%20of%20Numbers%20in%20Scripture.htm
      1. ↑ https://www.agapebiblestudy.com/documents/The%20Significance%20of%20Numbers%20in%20Scripture.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.agapebiblestudy.com/documents/The%20Significance%20of%20Numbers%20in%20Scripture.htm

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