Numbers hold a special place in the Bible, with each one carrying symbolic and spiritual meanings beyond their numerical value. From the sacred number seven, representing completion and perfection, to the number forty, symbolizing testing and purification, biblical numbers are woven into the very fabric of the text. They serve as powerful tools to convey divine messages, and the number 888 is no exception.
What Does 888 Mean In the Bible?
The number 888 may have many symbolisms but the most notable is it represents Jesus. When spelled in Greek, the letters that make up the name Jesus add up to a total of 888. Number 888 can therefore be seen as a metaphor of God’s salvation that was revealed in Jesus Christ.
The Number Eight in the Bible
Number 8 is the building block of the number 888. In Biblical numerology, the number 8 represents new beginnings, resurrection, and regeneration. There are several illustrations from the Bible that illustrate the symbolism of the number 8. These include:
- The covenant of circumcision – God commanded Israel to circumcise every male child on the 8th day. Circumcision was begun by Father Abraham who was circumcised to represent the new beginnings in this life as evidenced by the covenant between him and God (Genesis 17:12).
- Noah’s Ark – The story of Noah’s Ark is another prominent example. After surviving the great flood, Noah, his family, and the animals emerged from the ark on the eighth day, signifying a new beginning for humanity and creation (Genesis 7:13).
- Pentecost – Pentecost was celebrated after 7 weeks of spring harvest (or more precisely, on the 8th week). The celebration of Pentecost on the 8th week signified the new beginning. This explains why the Holy Spirit came upon the New Testament church on the day of Pentecost. It marked a new chapter in the New Testament Church
The Symbolism of the Triple Eight
Repetition always illustrates the significance of a number. Tripled numbers may not be common in the Bible but they carry profound meaning whenever they appear. For instance, the Bible mentions the seraphim with six wings, who cry “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3). The triple repetition of “holy” emphasizes the absolute holiness of God.
In the case of 888, repeating 8 is meant to create emphasis on the idea of new beginnings. The number 8 is already associated with new beginnings, and when tripled, it takes on a heightened sense of renewal and spiritual rebirth.
The Number of Jesus
The name Jesus (Ιησούς) has a numerical value of 888 and this is quite significant in numerology. Unlike English, each Greek letter is usually assigned a numerical value and that is how the name Jesus adds up to 888. The breakdown is as follows:
- I=10
- η=8
- σ=200
- ο=70
- υ=400
- σ=200
Interstingly, most of the other names of Jesus also have factors of eight. For instance, the name Christ totals up to 1480 which is 8 times 185, Lord totals 800 which is 8 times 100, and Messiah totals 656 which is 8 times 82.
It is no accident that 888 represents the name Jesus. As we have already established, the number 8 symbolizes new beginnings and what better new beginning is there other than the one that was brought by Jesus? Speaking about his coming, the prophet Isaiah reckoned that Jesus would ensure that those who were living in darkness would see great light. Here are just a couple of the new things that Jesus brought:
- The Kingdom of God: Jesus preached about the Kingdom of God, a new way of living in which God’s rule and reign were established in the hearts of believers. This represented a new beginning in how people related to God and each other.
- Salvation and Forgiveness: We were lost in sin but Jesus came to give us a new beginning in God. As a result of the work of the cross, we have obtained forgiveness of sins and can now partake in the divine nature.
- New Covenant: Jesus inaugurated a new covenant between God and humanity, replacing the old Mosaic covenant. This new covenant was marked by grace, faith, and a personal relationship with God, rather than strict adherence to the Mosaic Law that characterized the old covenant.
- Equality and Inclusion: one of the highlights of Jesus’ ministry is his stand on inclusion. He challenged societal norms of His time by including marginalized groups, such as women, Samaritans, and tax collectors, in His ministry. This promoted a new beginning in the way society treated outcasts and the marginalized.
These are just some of the highlights of the new things that Jesus represented but there are many more including resurrection from the dead that signified victory over death, the establishment of a victorious church, the great commission, etc.
Another interesting illustration of how 888 represents the salvation that was brought by Jesus can be found in the Book of Daniel. In chapter 2 of Daniel, the king had a troubling dream that he couldn’t remember. He then called all his astrologers and wise men including Daniel to reveal and interpret the dream. On hearing this, the astrologers told the king what he was requesting was impossible. The king was furious and ordered them killed. However, Daniel asked for some time and he then took the matter to his three friends Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego whose original Hebrew names were Hanniah, Mishael, and Azariah.
Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, that they might pray for the mercies of God in heaven concerning this secret. (Daniel 2:17 – 18).
The Hebrew spelling of Daniel using Gematria totals 95. Hananiah totals 120, Mishael totals 381, and Azariah totals 292. Together, their names add up to 888. Because their coming together brought out the symbolism of Jesus, God responded to their plea and they were able to do the impossible.
Conclusion
To wrap things up, 888 is the number of Jesus. This is based on the spelling of the name Jesus using the Gematria in Greek which adds up to 888. A study of the other names of Jesus like Christ, Lord, and Messiah also reveals that they are all factors of 8 which further confirms this symbolism.
