What Does the Number 5 Mean in the Bible?

PDF download Download Article
Uncover the biblical symbols of this powerful holy number
PDF download Download Article

In the Bible, numbers are more than just numbers; they represent a higher, holy power. The number 5 is a prime example of this used to describe God’s grace and kind nature toward humanity. From the Leviticus offerings to the separation of the Pentateuch, God’s holy word is consistently followed by the number 5. In this article, we’ll explain why the number 5 is biblically important from a Christian and literary standpoint.

Things You Should Know

  • The number 5 symbolizes God’s grace, kindness, and mercy toward humankind, as it’s often associated with prayers and devotion in Hebrew.
  • The number 5 comes up the most when God’s grace is shown, such as the Leviticus offerings and building of the Tabernacle.
  • In the Bible, God’s Law or Pentateuch is divided into 5 books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Section 1 of 3:

Number 5 Biblical Meaning

PDF download Download Article
  1. This number is powerful in scripture because it symbolizes God’s kindness and good favor of humankind, as it’s associated with prayers and faith in Hebrew. [1] 5 represents grace in Christianity, and when multiplied by itself (5 x 5), you get 25 or “grace upon grace” (John 1:16). [2] This makes the number 5 one of the Bible's most symbolic and meaningful numbers.
    • In Hebrew, the number 5 relates to the fifth letter of the alphabet: Hei , He , or Heh . This letter means “to look” or “to behold.” [3]
    • The number 5 is used over 300 times in the Bible.
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

Appearances of the Number 5 in the Bible

PDF download Download Article
  1. In Leviticus, there are 5 offerings that sum up God’s sacrificial work and mercy to humankind. The offerings are as follows: [4]
    • The Burnt Offering: An animal is sacrificed on an altar and is burned (except for the skin) to represent God’s will. (Leviticus 1; 8:18-21; 16:24)
    • The Meal Offering: A handful of flour and oil is burned while priests eat the rest to offer God gratitude. (Leviticus 2)
    • The Peace Offering: The blood, fat, and kidneys of the sacrificed animal are put on the altar, as God and man can feed on the same offering. (Leviticus 3; 7:11-34)
    • The Sin Offering: The buttock of the animal is burned outside of Israel to represent humankind’s sins. (Leviticus 4; 16:3-22)
    • The Trespass Offering: A person who unintentionally violated the Lord is sacrificed where the animal was burned. (Leviticus 5:14-19; 6:1-7)
  2. The Tabernacle is a temporary, portable temple the Israelites made for God to dwell. God gave specific instructions on how the Tabernacle would be built, including specific measurements and structures. [5] This included:
    • The holy anointing oil used on the furniture had 5 ingredients: pure myrrh, sweet cinnamon, sweet calamus, and cassia blended with olive oil. [6]
    • 5 curtains, bars, and pillars (Exodus 26:3, 26-27, 37). [7]
    • A wood altar that was 5 cubits long and 5 cubits wide (Exodus 27:1). [8]
  3. The sections are as follows: [9]
    • Section 1 (Psalms 1 to 41) includes the Passover, Israel’s beginning, and the start of God’s salvation.
    • Section 2 (Psalms 42 to 72) refers to Israel's unification and the church's creation.
    • Section 3 (Psalms 73 to 89) highlights the destruction of God’s Temple and Jerusalem.
    • Section 4 (Psalms 90 to 106) celebrates Jesus’s reign and the Israelites's gathering.
    • Section 5 (Psalms 107 to 150) alludes to Judah being delivered again.
  4. In the Bible, God’s Law or holy rules are divided into 5 books or sections: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. This is also known as the Pentateuch. [10]
    • Moses, the leader of the Israelites and a Hebrew prophet, is believed to have written these first 5 books. [11]
  5. In Ephesians 4:11-13, the Lord asks Christians to fill 5 roles to make up the church, also known as the five-fold ministry: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. [12]
  6. Gifted to Moses and the Israelites, the Ten Commandments are the set of biblical principles believers in Christ must follow. In other words, they’re the rules of Christianity. [13] The Commandments can be split into 2 sections of 5, dividing guidelines for worshiping the Lord with personal values.
  7. In Matthew 14:13-21, Jesus feeds 5,000 men, women, and children with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. By giving thanks to God over the food, Jesus is able to show the people that God’s love for them is abundant and creates a miracle. [14]
    8. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

Why is the number 5 important in the Bible?

PDF download Download Article
  1. The number 5 is one of the most commonly used numbers in the Bible, and that’s no mistake. Every number or symbolic placement of 5 was put in the scripture by God intentionally. This in itself is enough to justify the number 5’s importance in faith. Even so, every time the number 5 is used in scripture, it proves God’s mercy and grace.

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      The Meaning of Number 777 in the Bible
      Why Is the Number 3 Important in the Bible?
      How to
      Love Your Wife According to the Bible
      Is Burning Sage a Sin? What the Bible Says
      The Biblical Meaning & Spiritual Significance of 1212
      Who Were the 12 Apostles of Jesus? Their Lives & Contributions Explained
      How to
      Look up a Bible Verse
      How Much Time Does It Take to Read the Entire Bible?
      How to
      Feel the Holy Ghost’s Presence, According to the Bible
      How to
      Dispose of a Bible
      How to
      Read the Bible in a Year: Sample Reading Plans & Strategies
      How to
      Meditate on the Word of God
      How to
      Cite the Bible
      How to
      Study the Bible
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://graceintorah.net/2015/06/15/hebrew-numbers-1-10/
      2. ↑ https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201%3A16&version=NIV
      3. ↑ https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/137077/jewish/Heh.htm
      4. ↑ https://biblecentre.org/content.php?mode=7&item=899
      5. ↑ https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-terms/what-was-the-purpose-of-the-tabernacle.html
      6. ↑ https://graceintorah.net/2015/06/15/hebrew-numbers-1-10/
      7. ↑ https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2026&version=NIV
      8. ↑ https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+27%3A1&version=NIV
      9. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Psalms
      1. ↑ https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780195393361/obo-9780195393361-0092.xml
      2. ↑ https://jashow.org/articles/what-evidence-proves-moses-wrote-the-first-five-books-of-the-bible/
      3. ↑ https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204%3A11-13&version=NIV
      4. ↑ https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/uk/beliefs/holy-bible/the-ten-commandments
      5. ↑ https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1236&context=second_person

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 64,298 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Linda H.

        Nov 25

        "The Lord gives me dreams, I seek Him to interpret them in prayer, this helped understand the importance of numbers ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement