The Meaning of the Number Three in Scripture—Part 4—More Spiritual Things, the Trinity, Covenants, and Blood

Introduction and Review

This is the fourth part of a series that examines the number three and how it categorizes themes in Scripture. The previous lesson examined how the light of God's truth, the Holy Spirit, and fruit are associated with this number. (Links to all articles in this series are listed at the end of this installment.)

This lesson will explore further spiritual aspects of the number three, the Trinity, and concepts of covenant.

Love is Spiritual

The first three verses of 1 Corinthians 13, known as the "love" chapter of the Bible, offer three examples of spectacular things people can do. But if they do not have love (mentioned three times), they amount to useless and unprofitable things from a spiritual and eternal perspective.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,

1. but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains,

2. but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,

3. but have not love, it profits me nothing.

— I Corinthians 13:1-3

The theme continues with three "loves" defining what it is and is not.

Love never fails. But

whether there are prophecies, they will fail;
whether there are tongues, they will cease;
Whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

— I Corinthians 13:8

The chapter ends with three of the greatest virtues.

And now abide

1. faith,
2. hope,
3. love,

These three, but the greatest of these is love.

— I Corinthians 13:13

In His letter to the Ephesians, Paul reiterates these three attributes of love.

... walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all

1. lowliness and
2. gentleness, with
3. longsuffering, bearing with one another in love

— Ephesians 4:1-2

This chapter summarises the dependability, eternality, and spirituality of love.

Faith is Spiritual

The exact phrase "The just shall live by faith" is mentioned three times in the New Testament. The first mention uses the word 'faith' three times.

1. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

— Romans 1:17

2. ... no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for the just shall live by faith.

— Galatians 3:11

3. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

— Hebrews 10:38

Giles Laurent

Humans Are Spiritual Beings

So God

created man in His own image; in the image of God He
created him; male and female, He
created them.

— Genesis 1:27

The third mention of the word "created" is repeated three times in this one little verse. It was used only twice before this: once in the first verse, noting the heavens and the Earth, and once in verse 21, about living beings that move. The Hebrew word "created" (bara ברא) is used only in the Scriptures to refer to something God does. These three usages show that man is different from all that God made.

And the Lord God

formed man of the dust of the ground, and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and
man became a living being.

— Genesis 2:7

Holy Trinity Mosaic by Imre Zseller

The Trinity

Many debates surround the "doctrine" of the Trinity. Could this be a revelation of that?

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

— Matthew 28:19

Paul's letter to the Corinthians concerning his third visit ends with the following.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
— 2 Corinthians 13:14.

God is three things that pull together three of these studied concepts.

God is light.
— I John 1:5
God is love.
— I John 4:8,16
God is Spirit.
— John 4:24

Quoting Bullinger:

God's attributes are three:

omniscience,
omnipresence,
and omnipotence.

Three times is the blessing given in Numbers 6:23, 24

The LORD bless thee and keep thee (the Father);
The LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee (the Son);
The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace" (the Holy Spirit).

In Genesis 18:2, the same three persons appear to Abraham. Abraham "looked, and, lo, THREE men stood by him." But verse 1 declares that it was "Jehovah appeared unto him." It is remarkable that Abraham addresses them both as one and as three ... Abraham brought "three measures of meal" for his heavenly guest ... in Numbers 15:9, we read, "Then shall he bring with the bullock a meal offering of THREE tenth deals of flour." This was the measure for the whole burnt offering, as well as for great special occasions such as the New Moon and the New Year. It was also the special measure for the cleansing of the leper (Lev 14:10). The poor leper had several gracious blessings beyond others. He alone was favored with the anointing which was given only to the Prophet, Priest, and King! He alone had the priestly consecration. It is sinners who are now singled out from the mass of those who are lost, and dead in trespasses and sins, to be anointed with the Spirit, and made, in Christ, kings, and priests unto God. This word "fullness" is remarkable, occurring only three times, and in connection with the Three Persons of the Trinity:

Ephesians 3:19, "The fullness of God.
Ephesians 4:13, "The fullness of Christ."
Colossians 2:9, "The fullness of the Godhead."

Rembrandt depicts the handwriting-on-the-wall scene from the book of Daniel.

Daniel's Hint at the Trinity

Daniel chapter five records the account of the infamous "handwriting on the wall" experience of the Babylonian King Belshazzar, who was having a party using vessels taken from the Israelite Temple during the Israelite captivity approximately seventy years prior. A mysterious hand appears at the gathering and writes a message on the wall that no one can read. The king appeals to the kingdom's wise men and makes a threefold promise, focusing on the third member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.

“Whoever reads this writing and tells me its interpretation shall be

clothed in purple
and with a chain of gold around his neck;
and he shall be the third ruler (one of three) in the kingdom."

— Daniel 5:7

The JPS (Jewish Publication Society) version of the Hebrew Tanakh (Torah, Prophets, and Writings) translates "third ruler" as "one of three."

The promise of three things is noted a total of three times. (Daniel 5:7, 16, and 29)

The word "Spirit," referring to God, appears three times in this chapter. The first occurs when the queen recommends that Daniel interpret the writing.

There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father,

light
and understanding
and wisdom,

... like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers (notice four are mentioned here signiying unstable earthly sources.)

— Daniel 5:11

Her recommendation continues into verse twelve with a couple of sets of threes. The first is qualities

Inasmuch as an

excellent spirit,
knowledge,
understanding,

The second set of three concerns abilities.

in enigmas
interpreting dreams,
solving riddles,

... and explaining was found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.”

— Daniel 5:12

The third time, the king himself addresses Daniel and asks whether this is true.

Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah? I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that

light
, understanding
, and excellent wisdom

are found in you.

— Daniel 5:13-14

This party centered around the worship of other gods. At this juncture, Daniel lets them all know that this "Holy God" they refer to is the "Most High God."

O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor. And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses ... you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven ... and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.
— Daniel 5:18-24

The rainbow is a sign of a Biblical Covenant.

Three Signs of Biblical Covenant

The Bible's central theme revolves around the idea of covenant. A covenant was designed to be the foundation of faith, trust, and the entire principle of relationship. Covenant also has eternal roots. The Old Testament gives us three signs of the covenant between God and His people.

1. The Sabbath:

Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Therefore, the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.
— Exodus 31:14-17

2. The rainbow:

God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”
— Genesis 9:12-17 (rainbow used three times)

3. the circumcision

This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.
— Genesis 17:10-11

In Noah's account, we read that.

I will establish (raise up) My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.
—Genesis 6:18

The Hebrew word translated "establish" is the same word meaning "to arise" or "to raise up." This phrase is used three times in the Noah narrative. The above verse occurs before the flood, and the remaining two occur after the flood.

Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying: “And as for Me, behold, I establish (raise up) My covenant with you and with your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you, of all that go out of the ark, every beast of the earth. Thus, I establish (raise up) My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth
— Genesis 9:9-11

This same pattern of three connected with God's promise through covenant is depicted in Genesis 17 with Abraham. The first one occurs before the circumcision.

I will establish (raise up) My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.
— Genesis 17:7

And the next two occur after.

Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish (raise up) My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant I will establish (raise up) with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.” Then He finished talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.
— Genesis 17:19-21

Baskets of Salt

The Covenant of Salt

The Covenant of Salt is mentioned in three places in Scripture, with the first using "salt" three times.

Every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt;
You shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering.
With all your offerings, you shall offer salt.

— Leviticus 2:13

As Mark Kurlansky noted in his book Salt: A World History, salt's preserving properties may have been a practical reason for this.

"In the early Middle Ages, farmers in northern Europe learned to save their grain harvest from a devastating fungal infection called ergot, poisonous to humans and livestock, by soaking the grain in salt brine."

Chapter two of Leviticus concerns the law of the meal or grain offering and includes nine (3x3) mentions of oil that were to accompany it. The offering itself consisted of three things.

flour,
oil,
frankincense

The cakes were mingled with oil, and the wafers were anointed with oil. As discussed earlier and in concert with the theme of number three, oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit.

The next occurrence contains an eternal theme in keeping with things categorized with this number.

“All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer to the Lord, I have given to you and your sons and daughters with you as an ordinance forever; it is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord with you and your descendants with you.”

— Numbers 18:19

Numbers chapter eighteen concerns offerings, specifically the "heave offering," which is noted nine times (3 x 3). In Hebrew, the word translated as "heave" is "terumah," which means "to lift up." It was literally the lifted-up offering. Also notable is that "forever" is mentioned in three verses in this chapter, along with one mention each of "anointing" and "oil."

Both of the above portions of Scripture concerning the Salt Covenant relate to the priesthood. The priesthood was how God, in Spirit, connected with His people. This observance also centered around the people and the priesthood's response and acknowledgment of what God had done in, for, and through them by His Spirit.

Another theme that runs throughout this chapter is the inclusion of the priesthood's descendants, who are a physical illustration of eternal things. "Sons," accompanied by the phrase "with you," is noted six (3 x 2) times.

The "with you" phrase occurs three times in the verse above and is underlined to highlight the central mention of the Lord's presence with them. It also appears three times in one other verse in this chapter.

Also, bring with you your brethren of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may be joined with you and serve you while you and your sons are with you before the tabernacle of witness.
— Numbers 18:2

This discussion concerns the portion of the priesthood's share from the tribal offerings. The Levites wholly depended upon God for their provision, for God was their portion and inheritance. They were given no actual ownership of land. They were to illustrate the anticipation of the heavenly home and heritage.

The third and final occurrence of the salt covenant concerns the Davidic promise of an eternal kingdom established by a "Son." The Davidic Covenant centers around eternal themes.

Should you not know that the Lord God of Israel gave the dominion over Israel to David forever, to him and his sons, by a covenant of salt?
— 2 Chronicles 13:5

Salt is a well-known preservative that prevents decay and is associated with longevity, as American journalist Mark Kurlansky notes in the following quote.

"Salt was to the ancient Hebrews, and still is to modern Jews, the symbol of the eternal nature of God's covenant with Israel ... On Friday nights, Jews dip the Sabbath bread in salt ... keeps the agreement between God and His people ... loyalty and friendship are sealed with salt because its essence does not change. Even if dissolved into a liquid, salt can be evaporated back into square crystals."

Tying all three together shows that both "priest" and "king" are represented here. Both offices foretell the Messiah, who is both Lord and Priest of this heavenly sanctuary and kingdom.

Chris Suitt, from "Torah Class," in his article about the salt covenant, connects the concept of salt to its first mentions, which concern both rebellion and judgment that took place at the Dead Sea or Salt Sea, as the KJV translates it. The rebellious kings went to war first and captured Lot. Then, following it was the cataclysmic fire and brimstone event of Sodom and Gomorrah, which turned the region, along with Lot's wife, into salt. According to the prophet Ezekiel, Chris Suitt also observes that this place will undergo a type of resurrection or restoration and be made fresh again one day.

Then he said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live.
— Ezekiel 3:8-9

He discusses how the sea became salt because of the judgment of sin. The salt was a reminder of what necessitated the sacrificial system. This thought illuminates the meaning of "you are the salt of the earth," especially given its context. Jesus said this immediately after the verse that follows.

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
— Matthew 5:13

This teaching is being issued during the discourse of the Beatitudes. In other words, He is making it clear that to follow Him in rightness and meekness is the salt that will provoke the world to agitation because they are being reminded of the judgment to come. This conviction is also in connection with the Holy Spirit.

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me
— John 16:7-9

The Book of Acts provides a perfect illustration of Paul standing before Felix because of the agitation caused by Paul's preaching of Christ's truth.

And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now, as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time, I will call for you.”
— Acts 24:24-25

The salt provokes either agitation or gratitude for what Christ has done in taking on our judgment.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
— I Corinthians 1:18

Enoch was translated into heaven. He was noted for walking with God.

First Mention of the Number Three

The first mention of the actual word "three" is in Genesis chapter five, which connects us with the resurrection theme.

Enoch walked with God three hundred years ... And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him (three mentions of God)
— Genesis 5:24
By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him.
— Hebrews 11:5

This foreshadows a later resurrection that occurred after three days

Him (Jesus) God raised up on the third day.
— Acts 10:40

The power of the Holy Spirit did this.

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
— Romans 8:11

https://www.kjvbible.org/firmament.html

Three Heavens

In Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, he writes about three heavens, referring to a vision he had while in prayer.

It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who, fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know, God knows.

— 2 Corinthians 12:1-3

In this passage, Paul speaks of a profoundly spiritual experience. He is not even sure if he was in his body or not. At this time and place, Paul speaks of a thorn in his flesh that keeps him from exalting himself.

Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me
— 2 Corinthians 12:8

He also speaks of a "third heaven," a pattern in Scripture.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
— Genesis 1:1

Some translations, including the King James Version, treat "heavens" in the above verse as singular, but the Hebrew word for heaven (shamayim שמים) is plural in the Old Testament. The plurality of heavens is recorded in the following verses.

Praise Him, you

Heavens of
heavens, and you waters above the
heavens!

— Psalm 148:4

Indeed, heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God.

— Deuteronomy 10:14

... will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You.

— I Kings 8:27

You alone are the Lord;
You have made heaven,
The heaven of heavens.

— Nehemiah 9:6

The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s.

— Psalm 115:16

The heavenly bodies in the creation account are listed as three: the sun, the moon, and the stars.

In an online article titled "The Firmament, Third Heaven, and the Structure of Things Biblical," by Gaines R. Johnson, D.D., D.Th., the author looks back to the ancient view of the heavens. He asserts that the Bible speaks of a firmament separating the waters above and below on the second day of creation. It is thought that the waters below refer to the ocean or seas of the Earth. The above waters are another sea existing above the two atmospheres (heavens) of Earth and space. Earth's third heaven is the abode of God that sits above all of these layers. As quoted in the article

This is the "sea" that John saw in his visions:
"And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, [were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind."
— Rev 4:6

He created a boundary which presently exists between the two lower heavens (which constitute the firmament) and the third heaven (where the throne of God is). That boundary is that "Sea," and again that "sea" is above the two lower heavens of the firmament. It is also likened in places to crystal or smooth glass:

"And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the color of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above."
— Ezekiel 1:22
The reason it appears like a smooth, crystal surface is because it is frozen: "The waters are hid as [with] a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen."
— Job 38:30 "
And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness."
— Exodus 24:10

This three-tiered structure is also illustrated in several other places, beginning with Noah's Ark, which is full of "threes" throughout its structure.

And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks.
— Genesis 6:15-16

Not only does the Ark illustrate the three heavens by its compartments, but it is also resurrected in the waters and placed above the flood of destruction.

The waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it rose high above the earth.
— Genesis 7:17

The concept of three and resurrection will be examined further in the next section.

The second place we see three tiers is in Ezekiel's vision of the future Temple, which is riddled with "threes" in its description, beginning in chapter 40. The first occurrence in this description uses the word 'three' three times.

In the eastern gateway were three gate chambers on one side and three on the other; the three were all the same size ...
— Ezekiel 40:10

The Eastern Gate in the Old Temple structure still exists today. It is known as the "Golden Gate" or the "Gate of Judgment and Mercy." Wikipedia has an interesting spiritual application for this.

According to Jewish tradition, the Shekhinah (שכינה) (Divine Presence) used to appear through the eastern Gate, and will appear again when the Anointed One (Messiah) comes (Ezekiel 44:1–3).

The "Golden Gate" links with the "Beautiful Gate." And in Acts, chapter three, which we shall see, contains the language of a sort of resurrection.

Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth (3 x 3) hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And, fixing his eyes on him, Peter said to John, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—

walking,
leaping, and
praising God.

— Acts 3: 1-8

The text continues with the resurrection theme and mentions three covenant patriarchs, which will be expounded upon later in the Old Testament section.

Now, as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of

1. Abraham,
2. Isaac, and
3. Jacob,

the God of our fathers glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

— Acts 3:11-16

Acts chapter three ends with this statement concerning the resurrection.

God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.
— Acts 3:26

Back to Ezekiel's Temple. The northern gate follows the same pattern, with three gate chambers on each side. Today, this gate is known as the Damascus Gate and consists of three entrances. The center entrance is the largest, with two smaller ones on each side. It is thought that it may have been this gate that the Messiah carried His cross through on his way outside of the city. It is the largest and busiest of all the gates. Three gates are also mentioned in the Temple vestibule.

... the width of the gateway was three cubits on this side and three cubits on that side.
— Ezekiel 40:48

Now for the three tiers, which concerned the chambers of the walls that surrounded the entire structure.

The side chambers were in three stories, one above the other, thirty chambers in each story ... and opposite the pavement of the outer court, was gallery against gallery in three stories ... For they were in three stories.
— Ezekiel 41:6, 42:3,6

Three stories are mentioned three times in this account.

Let us also note that the Temple structure, in all its forms, included three main areas: an outer court, a Holy place, and the Holy of Holies, thereby expressing its spiritual, heavenly, and divine purpose.

Three That Bear Witness

The following is still in process and furthers the look at the three witnesses of heaven and Earth, which is, therefore, incomplete. You may skip it until completion.

This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven:

the Father,
the Word, and
the Holy Spirit;

and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth:

the Spirit,
the water, and
the blood;

and these three agree as one.

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

— I John 5:6-13

The first mention of blood occurs in Genesis chapter four in connection with Cain killing his brother Abel.

And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's bloods crieth unto me from the ground.
— Genesis 4:10

Blood is plural in Hebrew, so I added the "s." The plural "bloods" takes us to one of the other three times, alluding to blood's cry for vengeance.

I will avenge the "bloods" of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu
— Hosea 1:4

Hebrews chapters eleven and twelve give us the application in threefold form.

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it, he, being dead, still speaks
—Hebrews 11:4

Did you catch that? "through it"... through what? Through Abel's faith in the sacrifice, God required a covering for his sin.

And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering.
— Genesis 4

Unlike Cain's.

Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
— Genesis 4

There was no blood in Cain's offering, and he didn't even bother to bring what was first.

Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us

lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us
Run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,

who for the joy that was set before Him

endured the cross,
despising the shame, and has
sat down at the right hand of the throne of God...

...you have come to Mount Zion and to

the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to
an innumerable company of angels, to
the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven,

to

God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant,
and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel

— Hebrews 12:1-3, 22-24

Hebrews 11:4 says that though Abel is dead, God's testimony through that sacrifice for sin still speaks. It is eternal.

The violence of men continues until the time of Noah, when there is a judgment of water. We can assume the Spirit of God in this.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
— Genesis 1:2

The next place we see blood and water is with Moses when rivers of water turn to blood. This is the third sign that God sent him.

... thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.
— Exodus 4:9

The next event involving water and blood occurs when Moses confronts Pharaoh and challenges him to release God's people.

... smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.
— Exodus 7:17

Another Old Testament image concerning water and blood is found in the leprosy laws and in the process of being cleansed from them. Leprosy in Scripture is a picture of sin. Through a prescribed ceremony, a person could be declared clean from it. This ceremony resembles the scapegoat sacrifice on the Day of Atonement. There are three mentions of blood and water together in this chapter—the first having to do with persons.

This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought unto the priest:
And the priest shall go forth out of the camp; and the priest shall look, and, behold, if the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper;
Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water (living water):
As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water (living water):
And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field.

The final was about homes.

And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water (living water), and sprinkle the house seven times:
And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water (living water), and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet:
But he shall let go the living bird out of the city into the open fields, and make an atonement for the house: and it shall be clean.
This is the law for all manner of plague of leprosy, and scall,
And for the leprosy of a garment, and of a house,
And for a rising, and for a scab, and for a bright spot:
To teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean: this is the law of leprosy.
— Leviticus 14

Isaiah attaches the concepts of blood and water to substantiate cleansing.

When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the "bloods" of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.
— Isaiah 4:4

Water can symbolize the Spirit and eternal life. The New Testament expresses this living water in several places.

The first is at Jacob's well, where Jesus and a Samaritan woman who had five husbands and was living with one who wasn't her husband are having a conversation about worship. Here, Jesus identifies Himself as the Messiah and speaks of this living water.

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?”
Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.
— John 4

The next occasion of living water is John chapter seven, which tells us that this living water concerns the Holy Spirit. Once again, the truth is substantiated.

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Many of the people, therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
— John 7

John's account of Christ's crucifixion involves the combination of blood and water.

... one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
— John 19:34

A water molecule consists of three atoms: two hydrogens and one oxygen.

We have seen many three-in-one concepts in these examples, making this an excellent place to note that the first three Gospels, consisting of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, are known as the synoptic Gospels. Synoptic means "to see together." They are comprised of three testimonies recorded to give us a three-layered, solid focus on the Lord and the person of Salvation.

A Red Heifer

The Red Heifer and the Waters of Purification

The theme of blood, water, cleansing, and three continues in Numbers chapter 19. Instructions for purification included the sacrifice of a red heifer. This specific type of bovine was killed outside the camp, unlike the other sacrifices slaughtered at the door.

... and Eleazar the priest shall take some of its

blood with his finger, and sprinkle some of its
blood seven times directly in front of the tabernacle of meeting. Then the heifer shall be burned in his sight: its hide, its flesh, its
blood, and its offal shall be burned.

And the priest shall take

cedar wood
and hyssop
and scarlet,

and cast them into the midst of the fire, burning the heifer.

Then the priest shall

1. wash his clothes, he shall bathe in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp; the priest shall be unclean until evening. And the one who burns it shall

2. wash his clothes in water, bathe in water, and shall be unclean until evening. Then a man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and store them outside the camp in a clean place; and they shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for the water of separation; it is for purifying from sin. And the one who gathers the ashes of the heifer shall

3. wash his clothes, and be unclean until evening. It shall be a statute forever to the children of Israel and to the stranger who dwells among them.

‘He who touches the dead body of anyone shall be unclean seven days. He shall purify himself with the water on the third day and on the seventh day; then he will be clean. But if he does not purify himself on the third day and on the seventh day, he will not be clean.

— Numbers 19:4-12

The relationship between three and seven will be addressed in an upcoming article.

‘This is the law when a man dies in a tent: All who come into the tent and all who are in the tent shall be unclean seven days; and every open vessel, which has no cover fastened on it, is unclean. Whoever in the open field touches one who is slain by a sword or who has died, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.

‘And for an unclean person, they shall take some of the ashes of the heifer burnt for purification from sin, and living water shall be put on them in a vessel. A clean person shall take hyssop and dip it in the water, sprinkle it on the tent, on all the vessels, on the persons who were there, or on the one who touched a bone, the slain, the dead, or a grave. The clean person shall sprinkle the unclean on the third day and on the seventh day; and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, wash his clothes, and bathe in water; and at evening he shall be clean.

‘But the man who is unclean and does not purify himself, that person shall be cut off from among the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the Lord. The

Water of separation has not been sprinkled on him; he is unclean. It shall be a perpetual statute for them. He who sprinkles the
water of separation shall wash his clothes; and he who touches the
Water of separation shall be unclean until evening.

Whatever the unclean person touches shall be unclean; and the person who touches it shall be unclean until evening.’”

— Leviticus14-22

Blood is mentioned three times in this account, as well as the phrases "third day" and "bathe in water." The three mentions each indicate that these are spiritual transactions.

I can't help but think of the event between the first and third days, which involved a separation of the waters and is mentioned three times in this portion of the Bible.

"Living Water," noted three times in the above chapter, often translated as "running water," is symbolic of the Holy Spirit and is mentioned three times in the New Testament. (John 4:10,11)

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing
— John 7:37-39

Ewe Triplets
Triple Word Repetitions

In Semitic cultures, it is considered permanent when something is done or said three times. The Old Testament contains four instances of words repeated three times. The first refers to God Himself.

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
The whole earth is full of His glory!”

— Isaiah 6:3

Notably, verses one and two of Isaiah chapter six contain eternal themes, eternal beings, and the concept of lifting up and filling, all related to the number three. There are also three mentions of the number two regarding the heavenly beings' wings.

In the year of King Uzziah's death, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim (heavenly beings) stood above Him, each having six (3 x 2) wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
— Isaiah 6:1-2

This verse is also quoted in chapter four of Revelation, which describes heavenly beings and three descriptions of the Lord God, the Almighty.

And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within, and day and night, they do not cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty,

who was
And who is
And who is to come.

— Revelation 4:8

The chapter begins with a door standing open in heaven.

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven ...
— Revelation 4:1

The chapter continues with spiritual themes of heaven and eternity.

Immediately, I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne ... And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

The living heavenly beings give three things to Him who sits on the throne.

And when the living creatures give

glory
and honor
and thanks

to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever ...

— Revelation 4:2, 5, 9-10

Eternal themes are also noted in the above verses.

The chapter ends with three things that God is worthy of.

Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive

glory
and honor
and power,

for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”

— Revelation 4:11

The second set of thrice-repeated words occurs when God confronts His people about reassuring themselves that they could spare the coming judgment by merely saying, "The temple of the Lord," without changing their ways.

“Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Do not trust in these lying words, saying, ‘The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are these.’
— Jeremiah 7:4

If they listen to God's warning and amend their ways, God promises His people an eternal dwelling place.

For if you truly make your ways and your deeds good, if you truly do justice between a man and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the sojourner, the orphan, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor walk after other gods to your own evil demise, then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever.
— Jeremiah 7:5-7

The third verse, which repeats three words, is also from the book of Jeremiah and warns of what God was about to do to Coniah, the King of Judah, in judgment for his failure to change his evil ways.

O earth, earth, earth, Hear the word of the Lord!
— Jeremiah 22:29

The fourth set of three words is in Ezekiel, once again pronouncing judgment against the wicked prince of Israel.

Overthrown, overthrown,
I will make it overthrown! It shall be no longer,
Until He comes whose right it is,
And I will give it to Him.

— Ezekiel 21:27

If these four are read together, they have a prophetic message.

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
The whole earth is full of His glory!

“Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Do not trust in these lying words, saying, ‘The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are these

O earth, earth, earth,
Hear the word of the Lord!

Overthrown, overthrown,
I will make it overthrown!
It shall be no longer,
Until He comes whose right it is,
And I will give it to Him.

The final phrase refers to Jesus the Messiah, whose right it is. All prior kings and leaders blew it at the end. But the eternal King will rule in righteousness. Paul summarizes this in his first letter to Timothy.

I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal might! Amen.
— I Timothy 6:13-16

Sources used for all parts of this series can be found in Part 20, the final installment.