[Greek] ἀριθμέω (arithmeō), [Latin] numare: Rev.7:9, Mt.10:30, Lk.12:7; to number, to count, to sum, to calculate
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to count, to consider, to number, to pay, and to reckon. Primitive man could only count when he uses his fingers, toes, stones, sticks and notches. Before an abstract numbering system was used, man simply used pebbles. The Latin calculus means stone. Homer’s Odyssey 13.218 states “So he set him to count the beautiful tripods, the cauldrons, and the gold.” Homer’s Iliad 2.124 states “We should be minded to swear a solemn oath with sacrifice and number ourselves.”
New Testament: This term is used in the literal sense in the gospels. God tells us that the number of our hairs (on our heads) have all been counted. This term is used in a theological sense in the book of Revelations. 666 is the number of the beast.
Scripture:
“Wisdom is needed here; on who understands can calculate the number of the beast, for it is a number that stands for a person. His number is 666.” Rev. 13:18
These numbers represent the epitome of evil and imperfection.
“Even all the hairs of your head are counted.” Mt. 10:30
God has everything in control. However, many of use often do not see it that way.
Symbolic Numbers
1: God
2: witness
3: God’s salvation
4: the world (four corners of the world)
5: Moses and the Law (those under the Law)
6: sin and imperfection
7: the completion and perfection of God’s work
8: resurrection and new creation
10: testing
12: God’s people (Israel, the Church)
40: testing
1000: infinite (uncountable)
4000: the whole world
5000: all those under the Law
Conclusion:
Arithmetic, number
From this comes the word arithmetic. It is also interesting to note that stones were used in casting votes whether or not to put someone to death. A white stone was used in voting for acquittal. A black stone was used in voting for sentencing to death. The Greek word for stone is psephos. Psephology is the study of elections and voting patterns.
It is interesting to note that in Jn.6:66, many of many of Jesus’ disciples left Him.