Philo - Numbers

Numbers

Philo analyzed the usage of numbers of the Bible, and believed that certain numbers symbolized different ideas.

• Philo regards number one as God's number, and the basis for all numbers ("De Allegoriis Legum," ii.12 ).
• Philo regards number two as the number of schism, of that which has been created, of death ("De Opificio Mundi, § 9 ; "De Allegoriis Legum," i.2 ; "De Somaniis," ii.10 ).
• Three is the number of the body ("De Allegoriis Legum," i. 2 ) or of the Divine Being in connection with His fundamental powers ("De Sacrificiis Abelis et Caini," § 15 ).
• Four is potentially what the number ten actually is, the perfect number ("De Opificio Mundi," §§ 15, 16, etc.); but in an evil sense four is the number of the passions, πάθη ("De Congressu Quærendæ Eruditionis Gratia." § 17 ).
• Five is the number of the senses and of sensibility ("De Opificio Mundi," § 20, etc.).
• Six, the product of the masculine and feminine numbers 3 × 2 and in its parts equal to 3+3, is the symbol of the movement of organic beings ("De Allegoriis Legum," i.2 ).
• Seven has the most various and marvelous attributes ("De Opificio Mundi," §§ 30-43 ).
• Eight, the number of the cube, has many of the attributes determined by the Pythagoreans ("Quæstiones in Genesin," iii.49 ).
• Nine is the number of strife, according to Gen. xiv. ("De Congressu Qu. Eruditionis Gratia," § 17 ).
• Ten is the number of perfection ("De Plantatione Noë," § 29 ).

Philo determines also the values of the numbers 50, 70, and 100, 12, and 120.