Biblical Meaning of Number 6: Symbolism, Significance, and Spiritual Insights
In Biblical numerology, the number 6 represents man’s imperfection, falling short of the divine ideal represented by the number 7. It is associated with man’s creation on the sixth day, as well as his struggles, labors, and ultimately, his need for a savior.
Key takeaways:
In biblical numerology, the number 6 represents man’s imperfection, sin, and falling short of God’s divine ideal.
In Hebrew gematria, the number 6 corresponds to the letter “vav,” which signifies connection and attachment.
Biblical examples of the number 6 include the six days of creation, the six cities of refuge, the six trials of Jesus, and the six hours of crucifixion.
In dreams, the number 6 may symbolize human weakness, incompleteness, labor, or being on the verge of a spiritual breakthrough.
Seeing the number 6 in dreams may be a sign that God is communicating about one’s spiritual journey, opportunities for growth, transformation, or challenges to overcome.
In the Bible, the number 6 is associated with man’s weakness, imperfection, and sin. God created man on the sixth day, and although made in God’s image, man fell into sin through temptation in the Garden of Eden. The number 6 thus represents man’s fallen state and separation from God.
Men are appointed 6 days to labor before resting on the seventh (Exodus 20:9-11)
“Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
Hebrew slaves were to serve 6 years before being released in the 7th year (Exodus 21:2)
“If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything.”
Jesus was accused 6 times of being demon-possessed
Mark 3:22 – “And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, ‘He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.'”
John 7:20 – “‘You are demon-possessed,’ the crowd answered. ‘Who is trying to kill you?'”
John 8:48 – “The Jews answered him, ‘Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?'”
John 8:52 – “At this they exclaimed, ‘Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death.'”
John 10:20 – “Many of them said, ‘He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?'”
Luke 11:15 – “But some of them said, ‘By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.'”
Incompleteness and Imperfection
As the number 7 represents perfection and completeness in the Bible, the number 6 falls short of that ideal. It symbolizes incompleteness, imperfection, and being “under” the perfect number 7.
God’s creation was completed in 6 days, with the 7th day signifying rest and completeness (Genesis 1).
Genesis 1:31-2:3 – “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
Labor and Toil
The number 6 is closely tied to man’s labor and the hardships faced in a fallen world. After Adam and Eve sinned, God declared that man would toil and sweat to work the ground (Genesis 3:17-19). This theme of 6 days of labor is seen throughout the Bible:
God commanded the Israelites to gather manna for 6 days before resting on the 7th (Exodus 16:26)
“Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any.”
The land was to be sown and harvested for 6 years (Leviticus 25:3)
“For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops.”
The Number 6 in Hebrew
In Hebrew, each letter has a numerical value, a practice known as gematria. The number 6 corresponds to the sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet – “vav” (or “waw”). Vav has great significance in Hebrew thought. The ancient pictograph for vav was a tent peg or hook, signifying connection and attachment. In Hebrew grammar, vav acts as a connector, often translated as “and.”
On a spiritual level, vav illustrates:
Connecting heaven and earth
Connecting man (6) with God (number 1) to find completeness (number 7)
Jesus connected God and man by taking on flesh and being nailed to the cross for our sins
Biblical Examples of Number 6
The number 6 appears in many significant places in the Bible, always pointing to man’s frailty contrasted with God’s strength and perfection.
The Six Days of Creation
God created the heavens and earth in 6 days, with man being created on the 6th day (Genesis 1). This underscores man’s subordinate position to God. The 7th day was set apart as holy, showing that man’s ultimate purpose is found in resting in God.
The Six Cities of Refuge
In Numbers 35, God instructed the Israelites to designate 6 cities as places of refuge for those who accidentally killed someone. These cities symbolize God’s grace and protection despite man’s propensity to sin.
The Six Hours of the Crucifixion
Jesus hung on the cross for 6 hours (Mark 15:25-37). For the first 3 hours, he bore the judgment of man, but for the last 3 hours, he bore God’s judgment for our sin. Again, 6 represents man’s sin, which Jesus took upon himself to give us complete forgiveness.
The significance of 6 interplays with other key numbers. For instance, the number 12, symbolizing divine governmental perfection, can be seen as 6 (man) multiplied by 2 (union with God), illustrating divine order imposed on human imperfection.
Spiritual Meaning of Number 6 in a Dream
Throughout the Bible, God often used dreams to convey messages, warnings, and revelations to His people. Some notable examples include:
Joseph’s dreams about his future (Genesis 37:5-11)
Pharaoh’s dreams interpreted by Joseph (Genesis 41:1-36)
Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams (Daniel 2, 4)
When you see the number 6 in your dreams, it may be a sign that God is trying to communicate with you about your spiritual journey, areas where you need to grow, or challenges you need to overcome. This is because the number 6 in the Bible often represents man’s weakness, imperfection, and sin.
God may be using the symbolism of the number 6 to draw your attention to specific aspects of your life that need improvement or refinement. This could relate to areas where you are struggling with temptation, doubting your faith, or feeling distant from God. The appearance of the number 6 in your dreams may serve as a gentle reminder that you need to rely on God’s strength and grace to overcome these challenges.
Additionally, seeing the number 6 in dreams could indicate that you are on the verge of a spiritual breakthrough. Just as the number 6 falls short of the perfect number 7, God may be showing you that you are close to a significant milestone in your spiritual growth. This could be a call to persevere in your faith, trust in God’s plan, and continue seeking His guidance and wisdom.
Ultimately, when you see the number 6 in your dreams, it is an invitation to draw closer to God, seek His will for your life, and trust in His plan for your spiritual growth and transformation. By approaching these dreams with a prayerful and open heart, you can gain valuable insights and direction for your spiritual journey.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the number 6 in dreams can hold significant spiritual meaning, offering guidance, warnings, or encouragement from God. If you find yourself frequently seeing the number 6 in your dreams, it may be a sign that God is trying to communicate with you about your spiritual journey, areas where you need to grow, or challenges you need to overcome.
When you encounter the number 6, take time to pray and reflect on the dream’s context and message. Ask God for wisdom and discernment to understand the dream’s significance and how it applies to your life. If the message seems unclear, don’t hesitate to seek counsel from trusted spiritual mentors or pastors who can offer biblical insight and guidance.
As you continue to seek God’s will and apply the lessons learned from your dreams, you’ll find that even the challenges and struggles represented by the number 6 can be opportunities for growth, transformation, and ultimate victory in Christ. May you always find hope, encouragement, and direction in the spiritual meaning of your dreams.
My prayer:
Dear God,
Thank You for speaking to me through my dreams, especially when I see the number 6. Grant me wisdom and discernment to understand the meaning behind these dreams and how they apply to my life. Help me grow through the challenges and lessons You reveal, knowing that You are always with me. May these dreams draw me closer to You and strengthen my faith. I surrender my dreams and life to You, Lord. Use them for Your glory.
