One represents unity –
The Hebrew language is not like English. It does not have separate numerals. There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet and each corresponds with a number. In English, that would be like A being a one and B being a two. Each number has a prophetic picture, a prophetic meaning and a sound.
One is also the first Hebrew letter Aleph. Aleph has the prophetic picture of an ox and means strength, ox, chief, prince, leader, and first. Aleph also marks the singular future tense “I will.”
The numeric value of one represents Oneness, Unity, Priority, Primacy, First, and Beginning. Let’s look at a few 1:1 scriptures that drive this point home:
Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Did you catch that? Scientists tell us the universe is made of three things – time, space and matter. Genesis 1:1, which illustrates primacy, priority, beginnings and firsts, says God created all three at the same time. In the beginning – time – God created the heavens – space – and the earth – matter. BOOM!
Now, Achat, or one, is also singular – not plural. It means “not subject to multiplicity or division: 1×1=1 and 1 divided by 1=1.” One remains one, it does not change just as God is One. How do we know God is one? He tells us in Malachi 3:6 “ For I am the Lord, I change not.”
Now, let’s see how the number one in scripture perfectly illustrates the oneness and unity of God Almighty.
John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Before coming to earth as a six pound Jewish baby, Jesus’ name in heaven was “the Word,” as in “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” In the beginning – Genesis 1:1 – was the Word, Jesus, and He was not only God Himself, He was WITH God. In other words, He wasn’t alone. He was one, but more than one. Now that’s unity!
Ephesians 4:4-6 spells out this unity and primacy in more detail:
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. – Ephesians 4:4-6
This will really blow your mind. On day 1 of creation, light is separated from darkness. While we may think this means division – remember, one divided by one is still one – it actually demonstrates being set-apart or God and His Light being set apart, or made Holy, from darkness.
In the Hebrew language, the first day of creation is called “One Day” rather than the “first day.” This speaks of the wholeness and perfection of the number one.
One Day is a return to the beginning, a return to Eden. (Isaiah 46:10, Revelation 21: 6; 22:13) One Day, there will be a restoration of all things. (Acts 3:21) One Day, God will be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:28) One Day, every tear will be wiped away. (Revelation 7:17) One Day, YHWH will dwell permanently among men. (Revelation 21:3) One Day there will be no more death, no more sorrow, no more pain. (Revelation 21:4) The book of Zecharaian says sums up the significance of One Day like this:
It shall be one day which is known to the LORD, neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen that it will be light. And in that day, it shall be—that living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and half of them toward the western sea; In both summer and winter it shall occur. And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be “The LORD is one,” And His name one.– Zechariah 14:7-9 (NKJV)
The importance of the number one is also seen in what the Jews call “The Shema” which we New Testament believers know as Deuteronomy 6:4.
“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one (achat)!
These words are the first declaration taught to Jewish children and the last words of the dying. To the Jews, praying the Shema affirms God’s authority over all – that He is the Eternal One and the Source of all creation. It is the supreme declaration that His people believe and receive His lofty position over mankind.
The first month on the Hebrew calendar is Nissan. On our western Gregorian calendar, this corresponds with spring – late March and early April.
Through careful investigation of the scriptures, it is widely thought by Messianic Jewish scholars that Jesus was born on Nissan 1 – which symbolizes new beginnings.
Now, here’s the mic drop: They have also deducted from scripture that His death on the cross was also on Nissan 1, 33 years later. When the veil was torn in the temple, that was truly a New Beginning for all mankind, not just the Jews, as the throne room became accessible to all – even Gentiles like you and me.
One is also a symbol of Priority. Ultimately, God is always first. That’s why the very first Scripture in the Bible, Genesis 1:1 says: “In the beginning God…” He is the first and the only one who really matters. That means He is the first in priority, first in authority, and first in absolute preeminence. All order and unity starts with God being first. There can be no other basis where that order is established.
Revelation 22:13 says it all: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”
An awesome study is to compare the first and the last of all Biblical things. When you compare the first and last verses of Genesis, creation starts off with God and His marvelous majesty. Then, something goes so terribly wrong and we end up at a funeral service.
The first four words of Genesis are, “In the beginning God…”
The last four words of Genesis are, “…a coffin in Egypt.”
What an incredible contrast! Talk about things going downhill! Who could have entered into that picture and messed things up to such a degree? Mankind. You and I did.
Now, when you compare the last words of the Old Testament to the last words of the New Testament, you see the exact opposite of the same extreme. The last verse of the Old Testament says:
Malachi 4:6 – And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
The last verse of the New Testament says:
Revelation 22:21 – The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Now, things have gone uphill in an awesome way. We’ve moved from the threat of a curse to the promise of a blessing. Now, who could have entered into that picture to heal things to such a degree? Jesus did!
He walks onto the pages of the Bible in the very next book after Malachi. That’s what always happens when Jesus shows up. He changes a curse into a blessing! How, become of His Oneness – He literally is unity, oneness, priority, firsts and beginnings – even at the end of His awesome book.
For more on the number one, check out my awesome book “Numbers that Preach” or get my crazy cool e-course and workbook for further study. For more resources, click on the resource link at the top of the page or go to TroyBrewer.tv
