The number 2 is a very significant digit in the Bible and appears several times. It usually speaks of God’s purpose and plan—primarily in the context of holiness, covenant and division. In the Old Testament, the Number 2 often points to the fact of division or double and signify the intention of God to reveal His commandments and divide between good and evil.
The number 2 is associated with the concept of ordered or divided rule, with the idea of unity and division. This issue is apparent in the Creation story in Genesis. God separated the light from the darkness, day from night and land from sea. 2 is also the number associated with union to form one flesh in marriage. God ordered the division of nations after the Tower of Babel, and also divided the Promised Land. These show us the importance of division and order in the manuscripts.
The Bible is rich with archetypes and images that appear numerically; thus it’s not surprising that the number 2 often appears in scripture. The number 2 symbolises contradistinction, opposition, risk, opposition and accomplishment; from the battle between Michael and the dragon to the 12 apostles sent to preach the word of God.
Biblical dualism – the concept of dualism – or the idea that two halves form one complete entity – is represented in the number 2. Dualism is easily seen in the concepts of dual authority, dual divisions of labour, unity, as two shall become one, holiness and death. This can be seen in Jesus’ teaching on marriage in Matthew 19:5-6, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh.”
This idea of dualism is seen in the concept of the mysterious number of the beast written in Revelation 13:18 – 666. This number is believed to represent an anti-christ figure, an affront to Gods will and plan. The beast is accompanied by its second beast, a set of false prophets.
No matter what the context, the number 2 often speaks of divine order and judgement. The number itself speaks of separation, cooperation, and unity – of something being created from its opposite, or divided and ruled. The number 2 is significant in the Bible and carries a lot of spiritual weight.
Holiness and Covenant
The Number 2 often speaks of holiness and covenant in the Bible. Covenant refers to the arrangement God has made with his people, through Jesus death and resurrection. God’s covenant speaks of his unbreakable commitment to his children and serves as a symbol of the bond between us.
The number 2 is also relevant in the Priesthood, with the role of the High Priest being held by one man. Since Jesus is our high priest the Number 2 is used to represent Him and His authority. A good example is in Exodus 28:30 where a holy plate is made for Aaron, the head of the priesthood, with a chain of gold with two strands.
Another example is in the tabernacle. In Exodus 26:1, we find instructions for making the tabernacle with two sets of curtains that were made with 11 cloths in total. The number 2 symbolizes the unity of those who are bound by covenant to one another.
The number 2 is also present in the Book of Daniel, which told of a vision of the ram and goat from Persia, Greece and Rome that stood for two kings in a covenant relationship. These two were two halves of a whole, as one could complement the other and together they lead to unity.
Division and Breakth
The number 2 plays a significant role in the Bible with regards to the idea of division and breakth. In the first chapters of Genesis, God separates the darkness from the light and the sea from the dry ground. This speaks of separation and the introduction of order through division.
In Exodus 32, the Israelites try to create a golden calf as a replacement for God, but Moses breaks the tablets on which God has written the Ten Commandments. This action symbolizes God’s judgement and power over false gods. The number 2 is also significant in the story of the Tower of Babel, when God confuses the languages of the people and scatters them across the world.
In Daniel 2, the King Nebuchadnezzar has a disturbing dream in which he is shown a gigantic statue, made of four different materials that all come together to form one being. In his interpretation of the dream, Daniel explains how God will bring together the four kingdoms in one and divide the world, again symbolizing the themes of separation and order.
The number 2 is also seen in the concept of’binding and loosing’. Binding and loosing speaks of the authority of one’s words and the power of an individual to bind and loose things in heaven and on earth. This is seen in Matthew 16:19, when Jesus tells Peter,“Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Judgment and Punishment
The number 2 has a close connection with judgment and punishment in the Bible. In Genesis 19, God sends two angels to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, in a powerful demonstration of his authority and judgement. The story speaks to the power of Divine judgement in cases of wickedness and perversion.
In Exodus 32, Moses destroys the golden calf which the Israelites have created in a fit of faithlessness and idolatry. The number 2 is seen again when Moses throws onto the ground the two stone tablets upon which God has written the Ten Commandments. The action symbolizes the wrath of God and his judgement of those who break the covenant.
The number 2 can also be seen in the frightening image of Revelation 20:14, where angels are sent to throw all sinners into the lake of fire. The use of two angels speaks to the dual nature of judgement: of being found guilty and then being sentenced to punishment.
Conclusion
The number 2 is a significant figure in the Bible as it speaks to the themes of holiness, covenant, division, unity, judgement and punishment. It often points to the fact of God’s divine orders and judgement, and speaks of the power of his authority. As such, the number 2 is featured in both the Old and New Testaments and provides us with a powerful message of order and judgement.
