THE MYSTERY OF THE NUMBER 10 IN THE BIBLE

The Hebrew alphabet consists of 22 letters with each letter having its own numeric value. Just as each letter in the alphabet has its own meaning and sometimes more than one, the numbers each have their own significance. In Hebrew Numerology, called Gematria, each letter is given a numerical equivalence corresponding to the letters, words or phrases.


The ancient Jewish sages who were entrusted with the Word of God studied incessantly. They pondered over the meaning of words and numbers when deciphering the Holy Scriptures. Many of their conclusions are spiritually breath taking and help us understand the nature of Elohim.

I try to sift through a lot of this stuff in my studies. We really do have to sift or winnow through it all because some of the things the ancient sages came up with are just mere stories with no scriptural background as proof. So I look for things that witness to and are written in the word. I am not into “oral law” as I try to follow what is written. That is how I sift through the writings and conclusions of the wise ancient sages.

If you study in this manner and allow the Bible, the written Word, to interpret itself you are using discernment in you study.

Ten is the number of Divine order, as we discern from the Ten Commandments. Ten is a number which has a prominent role in the Scriptures, where it represents the “Perfection of Divine order.” It is the “completeness of order” because it marks a complete round. After ten, the numbers start all over again, as with 11, 12, etc.

In addition to the Ten Commandments giving us our Creator’s instruction as to how to live by His perfect standards, there are many other significant tens in Scripture. There were the Ten Plagues sent upon Egypt that represented the full cycle of GOD’s (YHVH’s) judgment upon Pharaoh, his gods, and his people, according to Exodus 9:14.

There were the ten tests, or rebellions of our forefathers, the children of Israel, in the wilderness. The tenth rebellion involved the bad report given by ten of the 12 spies send out by Moses to spy out the Promised Land.

Ten men getting hold of the skirt of a Jewish man. Perhaps one of the most significant examples is found in the Book of Zechariah 8.23, where the prophet refers to the people from the Ten Lost Tribes (i.e. Christians/Gentiles), approaching the people from the tribe of Judah by pulling on the skirts of a Jew. Hebrew roots move is an example.

The reference to the TEN men from all the nations and languages appears to be an indirect reference to the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel seeking some sort of reconciliation with their Jewish brothers. Also see Ezekiel 37.15-28. Zechariah highlights the return of our Messiah to Jerusalem in verses 3 & 4 of the same chapter, and the term ‘in those days’ is a reference to the end times!

There is also the tithe or the tenth part of our increase that we are to give.


All humans have two hands with five fingers on each hand. Lose a finger or a hand and any task becomes difficult. We would not be complete. We work with both hands—sets of five. Just as the ten commands were given on two tablets of five. Divine order


Let’s look at some New Testament examples, which indirectly point us to the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.


There are the ten virgins in the parable in Matthew 25; five of which were wise and were prepared for their wedding and five foolish who were unprepared. Both were believers but not all were prepared.

Five is the number of grace and five also represents the Five Books of Moses, or Torah. The Ten Commandments were given in two tablets of 5 commands each. God’s grace and law.

In the Gospel of Luke, Yeshua relates the Parable of the Ten Minas. Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.” So he called TEN of his servants, delivered to them TEN minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.” But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, “We will not have this man to reign over us.” (Luke 19:12-14)

This parable is about both Judah/Jews and Israel/Ephraim/Gentiles the lost ten tribes. Many Christians think it is only about the Jewish people, but we know that is not so. Yeshua actually gave us the reason why He had come: “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Remember: We are grafted into Israel.

Yeshua is not addressing the house of Judah here, but rather is speaking to His scattered sheep of the house of Israel/Ephraim/Gentiles!

We find further evidence when we search for the hidden meaning in the Parable of the Lost Coin. In Luke 15 Yeshua relates the Parable of the Lost Coin, as follows: Or what woman, having TEN SILVER COINS, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? (Luke 15:8, NKJV).

Notice, once again we witness this extraordinary and repeated reference to the number TEN! Truly, if we can but grasp the significance and the Mystery of the Gospel of the Kingdom, we will instantly recognize each reference to the number Ten, as being an allegorical reference to the lost house of Israel! It is Yeshua’s Divine commission to bring them back to the Father and after this to the Land. This will be an end time regathering!

In the Bible silver as a metal denotes refinement and redemption. The ten silver coins refer to the redemption of Israel. Silver invariably has to go through a process of refinement, which allegorically refers to the Father molding His people through affliction and testing. (Jer. 9:7; Dan. 11:35; Zech. 13:9; Hos. 1:10 & Mal. 3:3).

A few more examples of ten:

10 righteous men could have saved Sodom from destruction.

 

10 blessings were given by Isaac to Jacob:

1.     G-d give you the dew of heaven

2.     The fat of the land

3.     Plenty of grain

4.     And wine

5.     Nations shall serve you

6.     And bow down to you

7.     You shall be master over your brothers

8.     And your mother’s sons shall bow down to you

9.     A curse to all who curse you

10.  A blessing to all who bless you

 

10 incidents tried Elohim’s patience in the wilderness, 10 spies gave a false report about the land, 10 strings were made for David’s harp, 10 menorah’s lit Solomon’s Temple, 10 tribes exiled to Assyria, 10 lions were in the den with Daniel, 10 sons of Haman were hanged, 10 days of repentance between Feast of Trumpets and Day of Atonement.

 

We can see there is a Divine order and completeness in the number 10. There is also a division. Two tablets of stone with five commands on each. The first five have to do with our relationship with Elohim. The second five with our relationships with one another.

 

We see five wise virgins and five foolish. Ten silver coins, one lost and found. Twelve spies, ten with a bad report, two with a good report.

 

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4.12

 

There can only be perfection of Divine Order through division. There can never be true unity unless there is a dividing out of the false. Once this process is finished we have true Divine Order.

 

The world wants total inclusiveness. God winnows and sifts. That which is false is burned in the fire!

 

In the Jewish religion, upon which Christianity is based, a quorum or minyan is required before a religious service can begin. A minyan is ten persons over the age of 13! When at least ten are together the service can begin. In ancient days this was to be ten men over the age of 13.

 

It is interesting that the number 10 is required to begin the service. Until the ten tribes of Ephraim/Israel are truly united with Judah we cannot begin the Millennial Kingdom!

 

NOTE: I’d like to share a great source for all sorts of spiritual information. This source is by a rabbi who believes that Yeshua is the Messiah. It is packed with information from the ancient Jewish Sages study of the Holy Scriptures. I only wish to offer some advice when you search this information.

 

The writer also believes that the oral law or traditions have the same weight as the written scriptures. Deuteronomy 4.2 warns us: "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”

 

Only the written word in the Scriptures should be followed. Everything else is hearsay. Allow the Bible to interpret itself. Some of the Ancient Sages got carried away telling stories that cannot be documented in the written word.

 

Would you enter an oral contract to purchase a house or a car? You would certainly want the details of the agreement written down.

 

Keep this in mind while looking at the information in this link. Test and prove everything with the written word. http://www.betemunah.org/

 

Blessings to all