I only found 4 that are specifically mentioned in the Bible. Some numerologists will count the number of syllables in a passage, but that depends on the language used and how many verses/words are used. Not convincing for me.
Here’s the 4 I found referenced in the Bible using my own research. I confirmed using Google, although I do know that Google AI does make errors.
- 120 is the 15th and is found in Acts 1:15 as the number of disciples whom were in the house at Pentecost.
- 153 is the 17th and is the main number for this blog in John 21:11.
- 276 is the 23rd which is the number of people saved in Acts 27:37 from the shipwreck that Paul was in.
- 666 is the 36th triangular number and is mentioned in Rev 13:18 which is the most infamous of the triangular numbers in the Bible.
Is There a Correlation?
I was mostly focusing on the number itself searching for a correlation with something. Google was no help in finding a correlation. I even asked it about any connection with the 15, 17, 23, and 36, and of course nothing found.
At church this morning the first reading from the Bible was in Psalm 91. Then I had the thought, ‘What does Psalm 15 say?’.
Psalm 15
A PSALM OF DAVID. O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.
This Psalm describes who shall dwell with the Lord and describes what he does and doesn’t do. The person who does these things shall never be moved. This is a good description of the disciples where in that house at Pentecost as described in Acts 1:12-15.
Psalm 17
A PRAYER OF DAVID. Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right! You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me. They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly. They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush. Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, from men by your hand, O LORD, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants. As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.
This is a prayer of protection from the wicked of the world. The disciples who were present were protected from their fear when Jesus appeared to them and fed them with the 153 fish as described in John 21:1-14. They will be hunted, but will see His face when they awake from sleep, or as is symbolized by sleep, their death which they will awaken from in Heaven. It’s interesting that in John 21:14 we are told that this is the third time that Jesus was revealed to the Disciples after He was raised from the dead.
Psalm 23
A PSALM OF DAVID. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
This is a very familiar Psalm to many and mirrors what happened to the 276 who were saved from the shipwreck in Acts 27:37. Luke recorded that “When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.” in Acts 27:20. They were in the valley of the shadow of death…
Connecting the number 276 with Psalm 23 was an eye-opener for me.
Psalm 36
TO THE CHOIRMASTER. OF DAVID, THE SERVANT OF THE LORD. Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated. The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good. He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil. Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O LORD. How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart! Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. There the evildoers lie fallen; they are thrust down, unable to rise.
When I got to Psalm 36 as the 36th triangular number of 666, I was amazed at the way it talks about the wicked in the first 4 verses. It lines up with what we are told about the beast in Revelation 13.
Conclusion
So that was my epiphany that I had at church as Psalm 91 was read. All these years I was focusing on 153, when the triangular numbers used in the New Testament seem to be the key. 153 was my gateway to a deeper truth, in my opinion.
Proverbs 25:2 comes to mind in this case:
It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
Acts 17:11 as well:
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
153 Fish 