The Old Testament does NOT exaggerate its numbers! It is true that some numbers are symbolic, but there is no evidence of exaggeration! None whatsoever. I noticed that the author failed to mention several others on the matter of the ages of the patriarchs, including Josephus, Elder Bruce R. McConkie, and several Protestant scholars.
Douglas EideFebruary 3, 2022
I thought the article was well thought out and reasoned, but has any Apostle ever hinted that the numbers in the Bible were exaggeration for effect?
Erik HansenFebruary 3, 2022
Thanks--Well studied and of course there are all kinds of hidden secrets in the history, culture and language of ancient writings that quick reading never tell. So there are those who try to protect the idea that they get the all meanings immediately and it's all literal, etc. Or the people who really don't read but listen to others and modern cultural interpretations. BUT trying to disprove Old Testament dates, events and characters like this is biased to making it comfortable for everyone... easy to explain to modern people. There is no reason we need to grasp at straws to be apologetic for studying and believing in a kind of world that was much different. We also have to feast on modern man's science and spit out certain theories to make some things work out.
Sandy DildineJanuary 31, 2022
It is possible, even essential that there are real facts in the Old Testament along with the rich symbolism. There has to be a real framework for the symbolism to rest on. The symbolic numbers of multiples of 12 and 40 etc., can be true as well as the prophets of old actually living longer before the flood than after it. Not all numbers are symbolic in the scriptures. Jacob did really have 12 sons; they were named. I have been taught that God was giving the people before the flood time to repent. Also, that the earth was baptized and that would necessitate a full immersion. I don't think it is necessary to have all symbolism or no symbolism.
Jo Ann OkelberryJanuary 31, 2022
This was really interesting and informative. I do like the idea of the Hawaiians buying grain from the Egyptians. I love your humor.
rex infangerJanuary 31, 2022
I am kind of wondering if the earth was baptized at the time of the flood seems like that interpretation would have to be literal. Plus it is hard to get an ark from the new world to the old world if you don't have a literal flood.
Katrina DonaheyJanuary 31, 2022
Thank you so much for this article. I learned a lot and appreciate the insights shared. It was super helpful in expanding my understanding of the importance of contextual, historical, and cultural understanding as we read the Old Testament. Well written, well supported article. THANK YOU!
LexaGraemeJanuary 31, 2022
Thank you for this! It goes along with another article posted on Meridian; the Bible was not written for our day, and we have to understand where the writers were coming from in order to understand it completely. When I teach Isaiah, for example, I will be sharing with them the different styles of poetry used at the time. Explaining numbers and their significance is the same.
craigJanuary 31, 2022
Thank You! More people need to understand scripture better, and that means knowing that the people of A.N.E. didn't see the world as we do. Much of scripture is symbolism or allegory, not the simple recording of facts.
BryanJanuary 31, 2022
Thanks for sharing! I didn't know of that cultural aspect of numerical exaggeration. I'll be interested to find out, when not limited by mortal misunderstanding, what really happened with a lot of the seeming inconsistencies.
I like to point out that the Hebrew "yom" may be interpreted as "day" or "time." Some think that the Creation consisted of 7 24-hour periods. I think that view doesn't take into account that the Creation narrative itself talks about the invention of the 24-hour day, which doesn't happen at the beginning, and that "yom" doesn't have to mean "day."
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Reese JohnsonFebruary 4, 2022
The Old Testament does NOT exaggerate its numbers! It is true that some numbers are symbolic, but there is no evidence of exaggeration! None whatsoever. I noticed that the author failed to mention several others on the matter of the ages of the patriarchs, including Josephus, Elder Bruce R. McConkie, and several Protestant scholars.
Douglas EideFebruary 3, 2022
I thought the article was well thought out and reasoned, but has any Apostle ever hinted that the numbers in the Bible were exaggeration for effect?
Erik HansenFebruary 3, 2022
Thanks--Well studied and of course there are all kinds of hidden secrets in the history, culture and language of ancient writings that quick reading never tell. So there are those who try to protect the idea that they get the all meanings immediately and it's all literal, etc. Or the people who really don't read but listen to others and modern cultural interpretations. BUT trying to disprove Old Testament dates, events and characters like this is biased to making it comfortable for everyone... easy to explain to modern people. There is no reason we need to grasp at straws to be apologetic for studying and believing in a kind of world that was much different. We also have to feast on modern man's science and spit out certain theories to make some things work out.
Sandy DildineJanuary 31, 2022
It is possible, even essential that there are real facts in the Old Testament along with the rich symbolism. There has to be a real framework for the symbolism to rest on. The symbolic numbers of multiples of 12 and 40 etc., can be true as well as the prophets of old actually living longer before the flood than after it. Not all numbers are symbolic in the scriptures. Jacob did really have 12 sons; they were named. I have been taught that God was giving the people before the flood time to repent. Also, that the earth was baptized and that would necessitate a full immersion. I don't think it is necessary to have all symbolism or no symbolism.
Jo Ann OkelberryJanuary 31, 2022
This was really interesting and informative. I do like the idea of the Hawaiians buying grain from the Egyptians. I love your humor.
rex infangerJanuary 31, 2022
I am kind of wondering if the earth was baptized at the time of the flood seems like that interpretation would have to be literal. Plus it is hard to get an ark from the new world to the old world if you don't have a literal flood.
Katrina DonaheyJanuary 31, 2022
Thank you so much for this article. I learned a lot and appreciate the insights shared. It was super helpful in expanding my understanding of the importance of contextual, historical, and cultural understanding as we read the Old Testament. Well written, well supported article. THANK YOU!
LexaGraemeJanuary 31, 2022
Thank you for this! It goes along with another article posted on Meridian; the Bible was not written for our day, and we have to understand where the writers were coming from in order to understand it completely. When I teach Isaiah, for example, I will be sharing with them the different styles of poetry used at the time. Explaining numbers and their significance is the same.
craigJanuary 31, 2022
Thank You! More people need to understand scripture better, and that means knowing that the people of A.N.E. didn't see the world as we do. Much of scripture is symbolism or allegory, not the simple recording of facts.
BryanJanuary 31, 2022
Thanks for sharing! I didn't know of that cultural aspect of numerical exaggeration. I'll be interested to find out, when not limited by mortal misunderstanding, what really happened with a lot of the seeming inconsistencies. I like to point out that the Hebrew "yom" may be interpreted as "day" or "time." Some think that the Creation consisted of 7 24-hour periods. I think that view doesn't take into account that the Creation narrative itself talks about the invention of the 24-hour day, which doesn't happen at the beginning, and that "yom" doesn't have to mean "day."
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