Does the number 3 represent the Trinity?

The Bible does not tie the Trinity to the number 3, but it reveals one God in three persons — Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). That is why many Christians think of the Trinity when 3 appears.

Why did Jesus rise on the third day?

Because it had been announced: Jesus himself compared his three days in the grave to Jonah's three days in the fish (Matthew 12:40), and Paul says he rose the third day “according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4).

Hebrew word · Strong H7969

What does the number 3 mean in the Bible?

In the Bible, 3 is linked to confirmation and to God's decisive moments. The greatest of them is the resurrection: Jesus “rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4). In the Bible, something said or done three times is something settled.

The number 3 in Hebrew

שָׁלוֹשׁ

shâlôwsh · transliteration · shaw-loshe' · pronunciation

In Strong’s lexicon: three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
In the King James: three341
thirteen12
thirteenth11
third9
Appears in: 381 verses

See the full H7969 entry →Also in the lexicon: G5140 τρεῖς

What 3 stands for

Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish (Jonah 1:17), and Jesus used that sign to announce the three days he would spend in the grave (Matthew 12:40). In Gethsemane he prayed three times, and Peter denied him three times before being restored, after the resurrection, with three questions (John 21:15-17).

3 also speaks of something that does not break: “a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). And the law asked for two or three witnesses to establish a matter (Deuteronomy 19:15). Many Christians see in 3 a reflection of the Trinity — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — although the Bible does not make that link with the number itself.

Where the number 3 appears

Jonah 1:17

Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

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Matthew 12:40

For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

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1 Corinthians 13:13

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

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Frequently asked questions

Does the number 3 represent the Trinity?: The Bible does not tie the Trinity to the number 3, but it reveals one God in three persons — Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). That is why many Christians think of the Trinity when 3 appears.
Why did Jesus rise on the third day?: Because it had been announced: Jesus himself compared his three days in the grave to Jonah's three days in the fish (Matthew 12:40), and Paul says he rose the third day “according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4).

What 3 stands for

Where the number 3 appears

Jonah 1:17

Matthew 12:40

1 Corinthians 13:13

Frequently asked questions

More Bible words