A cipher, in the context of biblical studies, refers to a method of transforming a text to conceal its meaning, often through a system of codes or symbols. While the Bible does not explicitly mention the use of ciphers, the concept of hidden or deeper meanings within the Scriptures is a recurring theme. The use of symbolic language, parables, and prophetic imagery can be seen as a form of divine cipher, intended to convey spiritual truths to those with the discernment to understand them.

Symbolism and Hidden Meanings

The Bible is rich with symbolic language and imagery, which can be considered a form of cipher. For example, the Book of Revelation is filled with symbolic visions and numbers that have been interpreted in various ways throughout Christian history. Revelation 13:18 states, "This calls for wisdom: Let the one who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and that number is 666." This verse has been the subject of much speculation and interpretation, as the number 666 is seen as a symbolic cipher representing evil or opposition to God.

Parables as Ciphers

Jesus often spoke in parables, which can be viewed as a type of cipher. Parables are simple accounts used to illustrate moral or spiritual lessons, but they often contain deeper meanings that are not immediately apparent. In Matthew 13:10-11 , the disciples ask Jesus why He speaks to the people in parables. He replies, "The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them." This suggests that parables serve as a cipher, revealing truths to those who are spiritually perceptive while concealing them from others.

Prophetic Imagery

The prophetic books of the Old Testament, such as Daniel and Ezekiel, are replete with visions and symbols that function as ciphers. These prophetic ciphers often require interpretation to understand their full meaning. For instance, Daniel 7:17 explains, "These four great beasts are four kings who will arise from the earth." The imagery of beasts is a cipher for political powers and kingdoms, requiring insight to decode the message.

Numerology

Biblical numerology is another area where ciphers are evident. Numbers in the Bible often carry symbolic significance beyond their literal meaning. The number seven, for example, is frequently associated with completeness or divine perfection, as seen in the seven days of creation in Genesis. Similarly, the number forty often signifies a period of testing or trial, such as the forty days and nights of rain during the flood (Genesis 7:12) or Jesus' forty days of fasting in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2).

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "cipher," the concept of hidden or encoded messages is present throughout the Scriptures. Through symbolic language, parables, prophetic imagery, and numerology, the Bible communicates profound spiritual truths that require discernment and insight to fully understand. These elements serve as divine ciphers, inviting believers to seek deeper understanding and revelation from God.1. (n.) A numerical character zero; also a cryptographic system or key where each letter or digit replaces another.

2. (n.) One who, or that which, has no weight or influence.

3. (n.) A character in general, as a figure or letter.

4. (n.) A combination or interweaving of letters, as the initials of a name; a device; a monogram; as, a painter's cipher, an engraver's cipher, etc. The cut represents the initials N. W.

5. (n.) A private alphabet, system of characters, or other mode of writing, contrived for the safe transmission of secrets; also, a writing in such characters.

6. (a.) of the nature of a cipher; of no weight or influence.

7. (v. i.) To use figures in a mathematical process; to do sums in arithmetic.

8. (v. t.) To write in occult characters.

9. (v. t.) To get by ciphering; as, to cipher out the answer.

10. (v. t.) To decipher.

11. (v. t.) To designate by characters.

Typology
... A cipher has a double meaning, one clear and one in which it is said that
the meaning is hidden. 678. ... A cipher has two meanings. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section x typology.htm

A Liberal Education: and Where to Find It.
... At any rate "make people learn to read, write, and cipher," say a great many;
and the advice is undoubtedly sensible as far as it goes. ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/iii a liberal education and.htm

Power --Its Source
... given."T. Goodwin. To unconverted persons, a great part of the Bible
resembles a letter written in cipher. The blessed Spirit's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter i powerits source.htm

Now There were Few Barriers Between the Emperor and the People. .. ...
... The old emperor, leaning forward, touched the arm of the young man and gave him
a cunning glance. "A cipher," he added, passing the sheet of vellum. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 6 now there were.htm

Appendix B: Forgery Procured by Mary of Guise
... {280e} There exists a document, in the cipher of Throckmorton, English Ambassador
in France, purporting to be a copy of a letter from the Regent to the Duc and ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/appendix b forgery procured by.htm

Birth and Ancestors. Family Circumstances. "Fist and Skull" ...
... They thought that "to read, write and cipher" as far as the single rule of three,
was all the learning one needed for this life, unless he was going to teach. ...
/.../chapter i birth and ancestors.htm

Treats of the Sublime Favours God Bestows on Souls which have ...
... [392] It is impossible, so do not be amazed at what I write about them which
is but a cipher of what remains untold concerning God. ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter i treats of the 2.htm

And Now a Civil War Broke Out Between Constantine and Maxentius. . ...
... commanded, and he marked on their shields the letter Ch, with a perpendicular line
drawn through it and turned round thus at the top, being the cipher of Christ ...
/.../lactantius/of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap xliv and now a.htm

The Great Revival
... Whenever I see a man who is called a revivalist, I always set him down for a cipher.
I would scorn the taking of such a title as that to myself. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the great revival.htm

Search Me.
... these words are! Many a splendid life to-day is an utter cipher in the spirit
atmosphere because of some such hindrance. And God's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/search me.htm

Cipher (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (n.) A combination or interweaving of letters, as the initials of a name; a device;
a monogram; as, a painter's cipher, an engraver's cipher, etc. ...
/c/cipher.htm - 7k

Naught (40 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) Nothing. 2. (n.) The arithmetical character
0; a cipher. See Cipher. 3. (adv.) In no degree; not at all. ...
/n/naught.htm - 19k

Nothing (769 Occurrences)
... a trifle. 4. (n.) A cipher; naught. 5. (adv.) In no degree; not at all;
in no wise. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NOTHING. nuth ...
/n/nothing.htm - 40k

Null (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Something that has no force or meaning. 3. (n.) That which has no value;
a cipher; zero. 4. (vt) To annul. 5. (n.) One of the beads in nulled work. ...
/n/null.htm - 7k

O (1414 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The letter O, or its sound. 4. (n.) Something shaped like the letter
O; a circle or oval. 5. (n.) A cipher; zero. 6. (a.) One. ...
/o/o.htm - 37k

Cinneroth (4 Occurrences)

/c/cinneroth.htm - 8k

Cirama

/c/cirama.htm - 6k

Games (2 Occurrences)
... In the Book of Jeremiah (25:26; 51:41:00; 51:1) are two examples of a cryptic
or cipher mode of writing which comes very near the riddle. ...
/g/games.htm - 40k

Esteemed (44 Occurrences)
... atom. (DBY). Isaiah 40:17 All the nations are as nothing before him; they
are esteemed by him less than a cipher, and vanity. (DBY). ...
/e/esteemed.htm - 20k

Polygamy
... it could? This is what polygamy has done-reduced woman as nearly to a cipher
as it could in all the departments of her being. She ...
/p/polygamy.htm - 19k

Who/what is Baphomet? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Atbash code, and why is it used in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Cipher: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus