The number 5 holds significant symbolic meaning throughout the Bible, often representing God's grace, goodness, and favor toward humanity. It is a number that appears in various contexts, each contributing to its theological and spiritual significance.

Symbolism and Meaning

In biblical numerology, the number 5 is frequently associated with grace. This connection is derived from the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, which lay the foundation for God's covenant and law, ultimately pointing to His grace and redemption plan. The number 5 is also seen as a symbol of God's provision and protection.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. The Tabernacle and Offerings: The number 5 is prominent in the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. For instance, the altar of burnt offering was five cubits long and five cubits wide (Exodus 27:1). The use of five in the Tabernacle's design underscores the grace and order of God's dwelling place among His people.

2. The Five Loaves: In the New Testament, Jesus performed the miracle of feeding the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish (Matthew 14:17-21). This miracle not only demonstrates Christ's compassion and provision but also symbolizes the abundance of God's grace, as the leftovers filled twelve baskets.

3. The Five Wise Virgins: In the parable of the ten virgins, five were wise and prepared for the bridegroom's arrival, while five were foolish and unprepared (Matthew 25:1-13). This parable emphasizes the importance of readiness and the grace extended to those who are vigilant and faithful.

4. David's Five Stones: When David faced Goliath, he chose five smooth stones from the brook (1 Samuel 17:40). This act of faith and reliance on God's strength rather than human might highlights the grace and divine assistance available to those who trust in the Lord.

5. The Fivefold Ministry: In Ephesians 4:11, the Apostle Paul describes the fivefold ministry gifts given to the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. These gifts are expressions of God's grace, intended to equip and edify the body of Christ.

Theological Implications

The number 5, as seen in these examples, is intricately linked to the concept of divine grace. It serves as a reminder of God's unmerited favor and His provision for humanity's spiritual and physical needs. The recurrence of the number 5 in various biblical narratives and structures underscores the consistency of God's character and His covenantal promises.

Conclusion

While the number 5 is not as frequently discussed as other biblical numbers, its presence in Scripture is both intentional and meaningful. It invites believers to reflect on the grace of God that permeates His interactions with humanity, encouraging a deeper appreciation for His benevolent and sustaining presence in the lives of His people.1 Kings 7:23
And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
Topicalbible.org

706. arithmos -- a number
... number. From airo; a number (as reckoned up) -- number. see GREEK airo. (arithmon) --
5 Occurrences. (arithmos) -- 10 Occurrences. (arithmou) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/706.htm - 6k

3756. ou, ouk, ouch -- not, no
... 6), never* (17), no (147), no* (22), none (4), none* (3), nor (3), nothing (8),
nothing* (13), nowhere* (2), number (1), number* (2), only* (5), rather (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3756.htm - 7k

1325. didomi -- to give (in various senses lit. or fig.)
... by the connection) -- adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give,
grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have ... (dedoka) -- 5 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1325.htm - 12k

2425. hikanos -- sufficient, fit
... aloud (1), considerable (4), enough (1), fit (4), good many (1), large (1), large
sum (1), length* (1), long (5), long while (1), many (9), number (1), pledge ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2425.htm - 8k

4413. protos -- first, chief
... the superlative form of 4253 ("before") meaning "what comes first" (is "number one ...
1), first one (1), first things (1), first time (1), foremost (5), leading (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4413.htm - 8k

4183. polus -- much, many
... 4183 ("much in number") emphasizes the involved. ... 1), full (1), further (1), further*
(3), great (33), greater (4), greater numbers (1), greatly (5), hard (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4183.htm - 9k

1767. ennea -- nine
... 1), ninety-nine* (4). nine. A primary number; nine -- nine. (ennea) -- 5
Occurrences. 1766, 1767. ennea. 1768 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1767.htm - 6k

5064. tessares -- four
... tes'-sar-ah) a plural number; four -- four. (tessara) -- 6 Occurrences. (tessaras) --
7 Occurrences. (tessares) -- 11 Occurrences. (tessarsin) -- 5 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5064.htm - 6k

5048. teleioo -- to bring to an end, to complete, perfect
... made...perfect (1), make...perfect (1), make perfect (1), perfect (2), perfected
(7), reach...goal (1), spending the full number (1 ... (etelesen) -- 5 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5048.htm - 9k

4004. pentekonta -- fifty
... 4004 -- . Word Origin a cardinal number from pente and a modified form of deka
Definition fifty NASB Word Usage fifties (1), fifty (5), fifty-three* (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4004.htm - 6k

4487. manah -- to count, number, reckon
... number, reckon NASB Word Usage appoint (1), appointed (9), count (3), counted (2),
counts (1), destine (1), muster (1), number (4), numbered (5), numbers (1). ...
/hebrew/4487.htm - 6k

3076. Yehochanan -- "the LORD has been gracious," the name of a ...
... from Yhvh and chanan Definition "the LORD has been gracious," the name of a number
of Isr., a lso a son of Tobiah NASB Word Usage Jehohanan (5), Johanan (28). ...
/hebrew/3076.htm - 6k

8147. shenayim -- two (a cardinal number)
... number) NASB Word Usage 1,052* (2), 1,222* (1), 112* (3), 12* (2), 12,000* (8 ... 22),
twelve* (93), twenty-second* (2), twenty-two* (10), twice (5), two (424), two ...
/hebrew/8147.htm - 7k

7230. rob -- multitude, abundance, greatness
... 1), magnitude (1), many (25), mass (1), mighty (1), more (2), much (7), multiplied
(1), multiply (1), multitude (11), number (3), numerous (5), plentiful (4 ...
/hebrew/7230.htm - 6k

5608. saphar -- to count, recount, relate
... NASB Word Usage assigned (1), count (17), counted (6), counts (2), declare (6),
declared (2), elapse (1), measuring (1), number (3), numbered (5), proclaim (1 ...
/hebrew/5608.htm - 6k

6485. paqad -- to attend to, visit, muster, appoint
... 1), made him overseer (2), made them overseers (1), miss (2), missed (3), misses
me at all (1), missing (5), mustered (6), mustering (1), number (13), numbered ...
/hebrew/6485.htm - 7k

3187. yachas -- to enroll oneself or be enrolled by genealogy
... by genealogy NASB Word Usage ancestral (2), enrolled by genealogies (2), enrolled
by genealogy (5), enrolled in the ... number after, be reckoned by genealogies. ...
/hebrew/3187.htm - 6k

7651. sheba -- seven
... 8), 7,100* (1), 7,337* (4), 7,500* (1), 7,700* (4), 700* (5), 721* (1 ... Or (masculine)
shibrah {shib-aw'}; from shaba'; a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the ...
/hebrew/7651.htm - 7k

834. asher -- who, which, that
... much (1), powder* (1), reason (1), set (1), since (3), since* (5), so (9 ... A primitive
relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also ...
/hebrew/834.htm - 7k

8672. tesha -- a nine
... 21), nine-tenths (1), nineteen* (3), nineteenth* (4), ninety-nine* (2), ninth (5),
sixty-nine ... ah through the idea of a turn to the next or full number ten; nine ...
/hebrew/8672.htm - 6k

The Number Six is Also Commended in the Building up of the Body of ...
... Book IV. Chapter 5."The Number Six is Also Commended in the Building
Up of the Body of Christ and of the Temple at Jerusalem. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 5 the number six is.htm

Did we Bring it About, that Ten Thousand Years Ago a Vast Number ...
... Book I. 5 Did we bring it about, that ten thousand years ago a vast number
of men? Did we bring it about, that ten thousand years ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/5 did we bring it.htm

Number Index
... Number Index. 1. [142]Salvation by Faith"Ephesians 2:8. 2. [143]Almost Christian,
The"Acts 26:28. 3. [144]Awake, Thou That Sleepest"Ephesians 5:14. 4. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/wesley/sermons on several occasions/number index.htm

The Limit of Forgiveness.
... Book XIV. 5. The Limit of Forgiveness. ... The number six, then, appears to be working
and toilsome, but the number seven to contain the idea of repose. ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/5 the limit of forgiveness.htm

The Mystical Meanings in the Proportions of Numbers, Geometrical ...
... succession, proportionally. Now 25, which is the number 5 from unity, is
said to be the symbol of the Levitical tribe. And the number ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xi the mystical meanings in.htm

Mission Work
... Chapter 5 MISSION WORK. ... Its members were three in number: Vincent, his friend
M. Portail, and a poor priest who had lately joined them. ...
/.../forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 5 mission work.htm

The Kingdom Undivided
... (2) Chastity. (3) Society (4) Business. (5) Wisdom. (6) Home. ... VII. Number of Solomon's
Proverbs: 1. How many proverbs did King Solomon write? See I Kings 4. ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/iv the kingdom undivided.htm

The Doctrine of Angels.
... II. THEIR NATURE. 1. CREATED BEINGS. 2. SPIRITUAL BEINGS. 3. GREAT POWER AND MIGHT.
4. VARIOUS GRADES. 5. THE NUMBER OF ANGELS. III. ... 5. THE NUMBER OF ANGELS. ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of angels.htm

Classification of Creeds.
... A HISTORY OF THE CREEDS OF CHRISTENDOM 5. Classification of Creeds. ... of the Reformation,
but differ from Lutheranism and Calvinism in a number of articles ...
/.../ 5 classification of creeds.htm

Although Certain as to the Number of the Name of Antichrist, yet ...
... 4. But he indicates the number of the name now, that when this man comes we may
avoid him, being aware who he is: the name, however ... 4705] Revelation 7:5-7. [The ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxx although certain as to.htm

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