and studies of things in the Bible
July 30, 2010 (Friday)
There are many special studies in the Bible that one might find quite interesting. They may or may not have any spiritual significance, but, as I said, they are interesting.
For instance, the gemstones mentioned in the Bible. The Bible names, followed by the present names, are: Sardius (Carnelian), Topaz (Peridot), Chalcedony (Emerald), Emerald (Almandine garnet), Sapphire (Lapis Lazuli), Sardonyx (Onyx), Jacinth (Agate), Amethystos (Amethyst), Chrysoprase (Citrine), Agate(Agate), Jasper (Jasper), and Onyx (Turquoise). There are scholarly explanations of what these gems may symbolize, and there are also many fanciful ideas about what they might mean.
Then there are the colors named in the Bible: Amber, Black, Blue, Brown, Crimson, Gold, Gray, Green, Purple, Red, Scarlet, Silver, White, and Yellow. Some of these have symbolic significance.
How about the numbers in the Bible, especially in the Book of Revelation? The symbolism represented in numbers is not only interesting, but sometimes necessary to the understanding of a specific verse of the Bible. For example, “3” is a divine number, but “4” is an earthly number. Added together, we get “7,” which is the perfect number. The number, “6,” falls short of “7,” and represents sin or evil. Emphasized, as in “666,” it means “very evil.”
One of the most fascinating numbers in the Bible is repeated time after time, but in various contexts. It is the number, “40.” The number, “10,” represents “completeness,” and “4,” as stated above, “earthly, or related to life on earth.” “4 X 10 = 40.” The number, “40,” therefore, seems to mean an extended period of time on earth. Studies in the Bible can be interesting, indeed.