Even though we have addressed symbolism and ancient Hebrew frequently on this blog, we have not discussed the significance of numbers much. In ancient Hebrew, there is much meaning and symbolism connected to numbers beyond the numerical value. In fact, there are no separate numbers in Hebrew, but rather letters that also have a numerical value. Like A = 1, B = 2, etc. This is very common in ancient languages and I would guess most likely also the case among the Nephites.
I was thinking of writing a post on the number 8, but
Lord Wilmore beat me to it. (Yes, we read the same Val Larsen paper). I am still going to piggyback off of his post to add a few thoughts.
As he wrote, the number 8 represented new beginnings. On a grand scale, Israelites measured time in "worlds" or ages. There were seven days of creation. So the eighth day marked a new beginning, a new age with man in the paradisiacal garden. We know little about the time there. But from the fall we also count seven millennia, before a new heaven and a new earth. Seven is the completion of a full circle (seven itself being the number for completeness and perfection) and eight therefore the number representing a new age and a new beginning.
There are many examples of this symbolism in the scriptures. For instance:
- In Israel, boys were circumcised on the 8th day. This is connected to the covenant and a new creation.
- In 1 Peter 3:20, Peter makes a point of there being 8 people saved in the flood, representing a new beginning for the earth
- In addition to the earth's baptism with Noah, 8 is obviously connected to baptism today as well because we are baptized at 8 years
- Jesus was resurrected on the "first day of the week", which is the day after the sabbath and can therefore be considered the eighth day
In addition to the eight generations before "new beginnings" in the aftermath of Nephite destruction, there are other uses of the number 8 fitting into this pattern.
This post shows parallels between the Nephites and the Jaredites in fleeing Babel/Babylon before journeying to the promised land. Another parallel is the number 8 connected with the sea journey to a new beginning.
In 1 Nephi 17, Nephi is building a ship to sail to the promised land. Just before that, Nephi mentions that they spent eight years in the wilderness. In Hebrew, the number eight is "
shemoneh" and comes from the root, "
shamen", which means "to grow fat" and is therefore also linked to abundance. Notice what 1 Nephi 17:4-5 says:
4 And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness.
5 And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of the Lord that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which, being interpreted, is many waters.
Bountiful certainly has that abundance and the eight years mark the new beginning. We find the number eight in the story of the Jaredites too, also connected to the sea journey (hat tip to Lord Wilmore for reminding me of that). It is mentioned in passing in Ether 3:1
And it came to pass that the brother of Jared, (now the number of the vessels which had been prepared was eight) went forth unto the mount
Things like these are always a bit speculative. Perhaps the authors simply wanted to write how many years they spent in the wilderness or how many ships they built without further meaning. But I find it likely that Nephites brought Hebrew culture with them and, just like the authors of the Old Testament, frequently used symbolism of various numbers to highlight particular points or teach deeper lessons.