Meaning of Numbers: The Number 4
The English word "four" used for the number 4 is recorded 328 times in 282 King James Bible verses. 274 out of its 328 occurrences are in the Old Testament while the rest are in the New Testament.
The number 4 derives its Bible meaning from creation. On the fourth day of what is called "creation week" God completed the material universe. On this day he brought into existence our sun, the moon, and all the stars (Genesis 1:14 - 19). Their purpose was not only to give off light, but also to divide the day from the night on earth, thus becoming a basic demarcation of time. They were also made to be a type of signal that would mark off the days, years and seasons (of which there are 4).
Interestingly, the Hebrew word for "seasons" (of which there are 4) in Genesis 1:14 is moed (Strong's Concordance #H4150), which literally translated is "appointed times" (divine appointments) in reference to God's festivals. This is the earliest known allusion to what would later be called the Holy (or Feast) days (periods) of worship.
The fourth Commandment God gave to Israel commands we remember and keep God's holy Sabbath day (Exodus 20:9 - 11). The Sabbath day is tied directly to the creation week. God himself made the period between Friday sunset and Saturday sunset extra special when he rested on it after bringing everything into existence the previous six days (Genesis 2:1 - 3, Exodus 20:11).
Appearances of the Number Four
One of the top ten most frequently mentioned women in the Bible, Eve, is only referenced 4 times (Genesis 3:20, 4:1, 2Corinthians 11:3 and 1Timothy 2:13).
Psalm 107 is the only section or chapter in God's word that contains the exact same phrase 4 times. The phrase, "Oh that men would praise the Lord" is found in the King James translation of Psalm 107 in verses 8, 15, 21 and 31.
The apostle Paul was a man familiar with 4 major first century cultures. He was a Roman citizen, he was a Jew who spoke Greek as well as Hebrew, and he was a Christian.
The Garden of Eden had a river that parted into the headwaters of four other rivers. These rivers were the Pison, Gihon, Hiddekel and the Euphrates (Genesis 2:10 - 14).
After Jesus was nailed and hung on a cross, Roman soldiers divided his clothes into four parts (one for each soldier - John 19:23).
The 4 witnesses of God on earth are miracles, wonders, signs and the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 2).
Lazarus had been dead and in his tomb for 4 days before Jesus came to Bethany to resurrect him from the dead (John 11:39). Why did the Lord wait this long? He waited so that there would be no doubt, especially among his harshest critics, that Lazarus was undeniably dead. He also did it to maximize the glory God would receive from the incredibly rare miracle (John 11:4, 40).
The number of times rainbows are referenced in scripture are four (Genesis 9, Ezekiel 1, Revelation 4 and 10).
What is called the Tetragrammaton (from the Greek meaning "four letters") is composed of consonants used to designate God's name in the Hebrew Old Testament. These letters "YHWH" (or more likely "YHVH") are the most common proper name of God in Scripture. It is recorded the most in the book of Psalms.
Conversations with the Devil
The actual words spoken by Satan the devil are recorded in only 4 Biblical conversations. His first words found in Scripture revolve around his attempt to deceive Eve, in Eden, to disobey God and sin.
Now the serpent was more cunning than any creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Is it true that God has said, 'You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?'" . . .
And the serpent said to the woman, "In dying, you shall not surely die! For God knows that in the day you eat of it (the forbidden fruit), then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be like God, deciding good and evil." (Genesis 3:1, 4 - 5, HBFV).
The devil's second conversation, recorded in the Bible's oldest book, asserts that he knows the real reason why Job obeys the Lord.
"Does Job fear God for nothing? . . . But put forth Your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse You to Your face." (Job 1:9, 11).
The great adversary, a short time later, directly challenges God a second time regarding the genuineness of Job's righteous behavior.
And Satan answered the Lord and said, "Skin for skin, yea, all that a man has he will give for his life. But indeed put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse You to Your face." (Job 2:4 - 5).
The fourth and final time the devil speaks is in a series of temptations directed at Jesus. Satan's greatest temptation offers the Lord a chance to avoid the sufferings and trials that await him if he does just one thing.
And the devil said to Him (Jesus), "I will give You all this authority, and the glory of them all; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I desire. Therefore, if You will worship me in my presence, all things shall be Yours." (Luke 4:5 - 7, see also Matthew 4:8 - 9).
The First and the Last
The first letter of the Greek alphabet or A, Strong's Concordance #G1, is recorded 4 times in the original Greek of the New Testament. Additionally, the letter Ω, the last letter (Strong's #G5598), is also written only 4 times. They are both translated, in the King James, as their names Alpha for A and Omega for Ω. Alpha and Omega are only used in the book of Revelation.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8, KJV).
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last (Revelation 22:13, KJV, see also 1:11 and 21:6).
Jesus spoke these letters to John in order to convey, in part, that the Father created all things through him. The Lord not only brought into existence the physical universe but also the invisible spiritual world with its angelic lifeforms. He also was the One in the Garden of Eden who created man (John 1:1 - 3, Ephesians 3:9, etc.).
The Number 4 and Prophecy
In Ezekiel's well-known and awesome "wheel in the middle of a wheel" vision (Ezekiel 1, 10) he sees 4 living creatures transporting God's throne.
Also out of its midst came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And each had four faces, and each had four wings.
And the likeness of their faces was this: the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side of the four of them; and the face of a bull on the left side of the four of them; and the face of an eagle toward the rear of the four of them (Ezekiel 1:5 - 6, 10, HBFV).
Ezekiel, later in his book, is told to proclaim to Israel that an end is coming upon "the four corners of the land" (Ezekiel 7:2). The prophet is told by the Eternal to ask Israel's unrepentant elders to repent or else 4 sore judgments will come upon Jerusalem. They are the sword, famine, wild beasts or animals, and pestilence (14:21).
Revelation's four horsemen of the apocalypse symbolize global calamities to come upon the earth in the near future (Revelation 6). They will be unleased on mankind when Jesus, in heaven, opens the first 4 of 7 prophetic seals which will ultimately lead to his return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 4
The Old Testament writings that use "four" the most are Ezekiel (47 times) followed by Exodus (36) then 1Chronicles (33). The New Testament books that use the word the most are Revelation (30 times) then the book of Acts (11).
And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads (Genesis 2:10, KJV).
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come (Revelation 4:8, KJV).
There are 763 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 4 times.
Jesus appeared alive on nine separate occasions after he was resurrected from the dead. He appeared 4 times to one or more individuals and 5 times to various groupings of his apostles.
The Biblical books of Ruth, Jonah, Malachi, Philippians, Colossians and 2Timothy each number four chapters. Psalm 123 is the only chapter that contains 4 verses.
The 4 main types of sacrifices made to God in the Old Testament were burnt, sin, trespass and peace offerings (Leviticus 1, 3, 5 - 7). The first offering specifically called such in Scripture took place after Noah left the ark (Genesis 8:20).
There are 4 gospel accounts of Jesus' life and ministry. Each of these emphasizes a unique aspect of his sacrifice and ministry. Matthew's focus is on Christ being the son of David and a King. Mark highlights the suffering servant aspect of his ministry. John proclaims Jesus is the One and Only begotten Son of God while Luke presents him as the Perfect Man.