Numbers are one of the most searched for dream elements; they can be intriguing, a complete mystery, or simply confusing. It is always worth paying attention to numbers in dreams, so make sure to note them down as soon as you wake up - otherwise it’s easy to forget them. Many articles have been written on the meaning of numbers in dreams, and there are some good online resources on the biblical meaning of numbers.
Firstly, if you have just come across this post and are new to dream interpretation, it is worth mentioning that dreams are symbolic in nature. Secondly, remember that dreams are personal, so the meanings that I suggest may not apply to your specific dream. But please feel free to use my ideas as a springboard to thinking and praying about dreams yourself.
I have been interpreting my own dreams for more than 15 years in the light of my relationship with God. I have found that God is generally consistent in the way he uses numbers. However, nothing is absolute with dreams. In longer dreams, there are usually other symbols and colours which can be crossmatched to confirm the number meaning. Numbers can be treated in the same way as any other symbols.
Five Common Ways Numbers Are Used in Dreams
I have identified five common ways numbers can be used in dreams, which are unpacked below. These can be used as potential ideas to consider.
1. Biblical Meaning of Numbers
It is commonly known that the bible uses numbers in a consistent way to convey certain meanings. This is not the same as numerology which has occult associations. These meanings have also borne out in my own experience. Number in Scripture by E.W. Bullinger is still one of the definitive resources on this subject, even though it was first written more than a century ago. My knowledge of numbers in Scripture initially came from the teaching of the late John Paul Jackson, the founder of Streams Ministries.
Read also: Understanding anemia spiritually
Over the past 15 years I have faithfully interpreted my dreams daily, and then reviewed my interpretations with hindsight. I believe that the God who we read about in the bible is the same God who speaks through dreams - and that he is generally consistent in the way he uses numbers.
2. Numbers as Timing Indicators
Numbers in dreams can be timing indicators. Numbers of objects can relate to periods of time. This can be frustrating, and means we must walk out our dream journey within the context of a personal relationship with God.
In Genesis 40:9-13, Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer dreamed of three branches bearing grapes, which he squeezed into Pharaoh’s cup. This was prophetic about the cupbearer’s pending release from prison and reinstatement. In Genesis 40:16-19, Pharaoh’s chief baker dreamed of three baskets of bread eaten by birds. This was prophetic about his coming death. In the above dreams, serving Pharoah with fresh food and drink was a daily activity for the dreamers.
In Genesis 41:1-4, Pharaoh dreamed that seven healthy fat cows came out of the Nile and grazed in the grass, followed by seven gaunt cows which ate up the fat cows. This was prophetic of a severe famine that was coming. In Genesis 41:5-7, Pharaoh dreamed of seven plump ears of grain, followed by seven thin ears which swallowed up the plump ears. The Nile has an annual flood cycle (first dream), and the crops also have an annual cycle (second dream).
Numbers could represent physical ages. I.e., the number in the dream could point to things that will happen during the year when we are that age. I recently dreamed about the number 54 which corresponds to my age next year.Numbers can relate to specific years. This is more likely if they correspond to years that are coming up soon. For example, 24 could be about 2024.
Read also: Light Blue: Calmness and Healing
I dreamed I was driving down the M20, and although it was quiet at the start, there were road works all the rest of the way along to the end. I had this dream on New Years Eve, 2019, so I could see that this dream was about the coming decade (the 20’s) and the ‘work’ God was going to do in my life.
3. Numbers Referring to Bible Chapters or Verses
Numbers can refer to chapters of the bible. Search for options: Carry out a search through the bible for bible chapters with that number. I dreamed about the number 45. Someone had recently given me a ‘word’ about Psalm 45 and writing. The first line of that psalm is, ‘My tongue shall be the pen of a ready writer’.
Numbers can point to specific bible verses. With times and prices the numbers are written in a way that makes it easy to read as a bible verse. I dreamed I went to Marks and Spencer’s (commonly known in UK as ‘Marks’) to buy milk for £3:21, which I thought was expensive. With hindsight, I could see that this referred to Mark 3:21.
4. Strong's Numbers
Strong’s has assigned each word in the original biblical manuscripts a number.
5. Personal Significance
They could be linked to something significant for us and drawing attention to that part of our life. I have found that God also speaks through these numbers in real life. The above types of details in our life may seem random, but they are probably not! It might be that the number is linked to a special interest we have.
Read also: Explained: Spiritual Blessings
Numbers can appear in a variety of formats in our dreams.
- Prices: These might indicate some kind of personal price/sacrifice is involved, or about ‘counting the cost’.
- Dates and times: These could be timing indicators. The time on the clock when we wake up can also be significant, so it’s worth noting down if we see it immediately on waking from a dream.
- Distances and roads: These numbers could link to our life journey.
The Meaning of Numbers in Dreams/Biblical Dream Interpretation!
Common Numbers in Dreams and Their Biblical Meanings
Here is a summary of common numbers in dreams and what they could mean from a biblical perspective. These meanings are not set in stone, but rather suggested ideas to help get you thinking metaphorically.
| Number | Possible Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | Unity, the one true God, making God the focus, first in order/time/priority/significance. Dreaming of the number one could indicate authority and order. |
| 2 | Witness or agreement, confirmation, multiplication (or division). Dreams about the number 2 let you know that you need to make a big decision in your life. |
| 3 | The triune God, foundational, wholeness, completeness, ultimate witness/confirmation. The number 3 in dreams is a wake-up call prodding you to embrace spiritual guidance. |
| 4 | The created world, natural things. Number 4 in your dreams is a warning to get organized. |
| 5 | Coming across number 5 in your dreams denotes good health and satisfaction with your life. |
| 6 | Humanity, man’s works, mid-process, not the end of the story. Dreams about the number 6 are a clear signal to pay attention to what’s going on with you internally. |
| 7 | Completeness, fulfilment, spiritual perfection. Number 7 appears in your dreams to let you know that you are on the right path in life. |
| 8 | New beginnings, a new phase of our journey. The number 8 is a clue that you are going to be showered with abundance in the near future. |
| 9 | Harvest and judgment, results and fruit, internal motives being revealed. If you happen to dream of the number 9, know that you are in the midst of figuring out what your purpose in the world is. |
| 10 | Divine order, a journey/process. Ten is the number of divine order, but it can also represent a journey. |
| 11 | Change and transition (an in-between place). Dreaming of the number eleven could represent the end of something or finality. |
| 12 | Heavenly-appointed government, spiritual authority on the earth. |
| 13 | Rebellion against God, false authority, refusing to obey God. Dreaming of the number thirteen could represent love or a covenant. |
| 40 | A preparation time, or wilderness (transition) time. Dreaming of forty could represent passing tests and trials. |
Additional Considerations
- Extra zeros can emphasize a number or add magnitude/weight to it.
- Repeated digits can also bring emphasis and confirmation.
- Three repeated digits can indicate a totality, certainty, or completeness.
- Doubles of numbers can be important.
All kinds of multiples and additions of numbers might be relevant. There are many ways these can be interpreted, so we must be careful not to go off on tangents or place too much weight on unclear meanings.
In addition to dreams, God regularly speaks through everyday events and signs in real life. Numbers are one of the most common ways this happens. Seeing repeated numbers all the time could just meaning that ‘things are lining up’; but the meaning of the numbers could be important.
Usually, these everyday signs will serve as confirmation of the messages in our dreams and the things we feel God has been saying to us.