Genesis 1 Numerology

1         2         3         4         5         6         7

Genesis 1 is filled with mystical numerological meaning. The use of numbers distinguishes it from Genesis 2 and is another of the reasons I don't believe they share the same author. 

Genesis 1 begins with God, the one who acts as the primary force that moves the progression of the creation narrative along its two dimensional linear axis from beginning to end. God is the main character, the protagonist. No one else shares the spotlight. There is no antagonist. God is above all.

The number one, here, is a background number, always present, as the singular will that drives the creation onward to the resting point and, of course, it represents the presence and will of God. In fact, I should point out, this is very Jewish.

The narrative progresses linearly from beginning to end while at the same time displaying a greater consciousness that also moves along a second axis. This second axis moves from higher to lower (literally from top to bottom). Higher representing the holy (the heavens), or more God-like character, and lower representing the less Holy, less God-like character of flesh (the earth), displaying a clear duality, distinguishing between that which is above from that which is below.

This concept also provides a framework for which man can begin to view God. Not only is God the creator, but by pointing upwards, it implies something beyond human ability, where humans are not allowed to go, a divine realm. "Higher" implies a better or more perfect nature, a great character and a place of trusted and ultimate authority. Man is made 'in the image of God'. This has significance that, in my opinion, has nothing to do with physical appearance. The author of Genesis 2 will use this same idea to elaborate on the image of God.

While the earth stands for a firm physical foundation, the heavens high above offer a different kind of foundation for men. Heaven identifies that part of a man that makes him different from the other animals: morality, awe of the divine, reason and respect for order or law.

This concept of higher and lower introduces us to our first number, two. While the number two indicates a division it is not necessarily a bad thing because it is an intentional separation. In ancient Judaism, this would be one of the major functions of the priesthood, to maintain the separation between the holy and the common.

Other numbers appear not quite so prominent in the text.

Three divides the six days of creation, so that each set portrays some specific characteristic of the work of creation. Three therefore indicates a time of change, from one thing to another. It signifies that work is being done on something to change it.

For some reason six is representative of mankind or of the creation of mankind as he is created on the sixth day. We know this is significant because other Levantine cultures pointed out the same thing. In the Babylonian creation account mankind is created on the sixth (of seven) tablet. In Genesis, the number six marks an end to action and seven a beginning of rest (from action).

By far the most prominent numbers are two and seven. Two representing various kinds of separation (which is brought about only through work) and seven the end of a work well done. Seven represents a creation completed, that is, with nothing more to be done, and now those who were working can relax and enjoy it's produce.

Two (this and that)

• God and creation, God representing order and creation BEFORE God's will imposed on it represents chaos and darkness
• beginning to end
• higher to lower
• creation days divided into two sets of three: first three days for forming the three parts of creation, second three days for filling what had been formed with life
• Day 1: separate light from dark
• Day 2: separate upper waters from lower waters
• Day 3: separate earth from the lower waters
• Day 4: create sun for the day (greater light) and moon and stars (lesser lights) for night
• Day 5: create birds and fish
• Day 6: create land animals and man, man created as male and female
• Judgment outcomes: God saw that it was good! Good as opposed to ?, judgments are comparisons of God's work to His plan/will. It is either according to His will or it is not. Good indicates that it is going 

Seven (it is finished)

• There are seven visible bodies in the night sky that are not part of the 'fixed' background of stars. These seven bodies were used to calculate times and seasons
• Judgments ("God saw..." and "...it was good")
• Commands ("let... and it was so...) directed at the creation, this does not include "let us..." with respect to the creation of mankind because that command was directed to a divine council 
• seven [total] days of creation
• 'heaven' and 'earth' each appear twenty one times (7 x 3)
• 'God' appears thirty five times (7 x 5)
• Day seven is a day of rest BECAUSE the work of the six previous days were completed, the work is done and there is nothing more to do, all has been prepared.

The numbers in Genesis tie the physical creation to the divine and the good intentions of the divine. This contradicts the seemingly ubiquitous idea that the physical world is evil and bad (as seen in a number of Greek philosophical schools and later in gnostic theology). Genesis implies the exact opposite. The numbers in Genesis reveal a natural order that has been planned and is beneficial.

Because of the existing order in the natural world, mankind has found rhythms and patterns. For example, the lunar calendar, from which most of these numbers probably originate. One lunar month is approximately 28 days. The new moon was considered the beginning of a new lunar month and the full moon appeared roughly 14 days later (7 x 2). The quarters further divided the lunar month into four seven day periods (7 x 4 = 28).

The new moon and the full moon were each thought to last for 3 days (3 days of light, 3 days of darkness) symbolically implying a cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth.

One lunar year was approximately 12 lunar months with a 13th month added every couple of years to keep it in sync with the solar calendar (later given to twelve months).

Everywhere in nature there seems to be repeated numbers and shapes making divine order more apparent. And this order is permanently set, repeating in predictable cycles, like a law that is inescapable, influencing everything. This law was considered divine, not natural, and certainly not according to human imagination.

The numerology found in Genesis is not intended to be the main point of the text. It is intended, by the author, to show God's wisdom in ordering the universe as it is. These numbers are 'natural' in that they are part of the natural world in which we live.