The Meaning Of The Number 8 In The Bible Explained
Numbers have always fascinated people. According to Nature, there is evidence that humans started to use numerical information approximately 60,000 years ago when a Neanderthal used a stone to make nine parallel bars in a hyena bone. From here, numbers were present in almost every ancient culture that followed. The Babylonians studied planet movements and used numbers to predict eclipses. Egyptians used numbers to forecast the flooding of the Nile. Pythagoreanism, a cult that surfaced in 6 B.C., looked at numbers in a whole new way and believed they were the root of all things in our universe (via Britannica).
Unsurprisingly, numbers have been associated with mysticism, superstitions, and religion. For example, many people fear the number 13, while 666 is known as the number of the beast in the Bible. In addition, Biblical numerology aims to understand the meaning behind the numbers in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament. According to Numerology Center, they are metaphors that can reveal mysteries or even change the meaning of a story.
The number 8 has different meanings
According to Numerology Center, the number 8 means "hope, new horizons, and bright future." Interestingly, the Bible was written by 40 different authors, a number multiple of 8. After Jesus was resurrected, he is said to have made eight appearances, which many people believe isn't a coincidence.
The first time the number 8 appears in the Bible is in the Book of Genesis. In the story of Noah's Ark, there are eight survivors after the great flood (via Bible Gateway): "Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons entered the ark."
Per the Bible, the circumcision of boys should take place eight days after they are born. "For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner — those who are not your offspring," it reads, per Bible Gateway. Circumcision is a process believed to bring about renovation and help people find God (via Numerology Center).
In Greek, the name Jesus has a numerological value of 888. According to Britannica, it is a sign of good luck.