ἀριθμός (arithmos)
arithmos
number
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 16 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun arithmos refers to a specific count or a fixed number, derived from the root for counting. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts ranging from practical logistics to profound theology. Jesus uses it when describing the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:10), emphasizing the precise quantity of people present. Similarly, Luke records that the number of disciples grew significantly in Jerusalem (Acts 4:4; 5:36), highlighting measurable expansion within the early church.
While often used for ordinary quantities, the word carries significant weight in Revelation. John employs it to describe the vast multitude of angels (Revelation 5:11) and the sealed servants of God (Revelation 7:4). Most notably, it features in the famous passage regarding the "number of the beast" (Revelation 13:17-18), where the term shifts from simple arithmetic to a symbol of identity or allegiance. This usage suggests that arithmos can denote not just a quantity, but a defined group with specific characteristics.
The distinction between a definite count and an indefinite multitude is central to its meaning. Thayer notes that it implies a fixed and definite number, contrasting with vague estimates. In Romans 9:27, Paul quotes Isaiah to speak of a remnant, using the word to indicate a specific, preserved portion of Israel rather than the whole nation. This precision allows the text to move from historical narrative to symbolic prophecy without losing clarity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we encounter the word arithmos, it often points to something fixed and definite. In John's Gospel, Jesus uses this term to describe the five thousand men who sat down to eat (John 6:10). This detail reminds us that God pays attention to the specific needs of individuals within a large crowd. He knows exactly how many are present and provides for them with precision.
In Revelation, the concept shifts from simple counting to spiritual identity. The 'number of the beast' (Revelation 13:18) is not merely a mathematical puzzle but a marker of allegiance. Conversely, the sealed servants in Revelation 7:4 are marked by God’s name, showing that our true identity is defined by whom we follow. This word invites us to consider where our loyalty lies.
Paul also uses this idea in Romans 9:27, speaking of a 'remnant' saved from Israel. Here, the number signifies a specific group chosen by grace rather than a vague majority. Whether describing a large crowd or a small faithful few, arithmos highlights that God’s plans are specific and purposeful. We can trust that He knows us by name and has a defined place for us in His story.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 16 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- number17×
- number [is]1×
- in number1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀριθμὸς10×
- ἀριθμὸν5×
- ἀριθμοῦ2×
- ἀριθμῷ1×
- ἀριθμός1×
Key Verses
-
John 6:10
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in that place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
This verse uses the word to ground the miracle of multiplication in a concrete reality, showing Jesus' care for the specific physical needs of the crowd.
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Revelation of John 7:4
I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel:
The precise count of 144,000 serves as a symbol of God’s complete protection and ownership over His people during times of trial.
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Revelation of John 13:18
Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six.
Here the number functions as a test of wisdom and discernment, linking numerical value directly to spiritual allegiance and identity.
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Romans 9:27
Isaiah cries concerning Israel, “If the number of the children of Israel are as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant who will be saved;
Paul applies this term to a 'remnant,' emphasizing that salvation is for a specific, preserved group rather than the entire nation by default.