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Bible Dictionaries
Four
Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types
or This number denotes GOD's government of men and affairs upon the earth. Israel was to encamp in the form of a square. The tabernacle rested in the center with three tribes on each of the four sides. This indicated GOD's governing power and care over the nation of Israel. In the Scripture, the eternal city, the everlasting abode of the saints, is a city four-square because there GOD alone is the Lord, and there is no other ruler. (See Revelation 21:16).
1 Kings 18:33 (c) This number of barrels probably was intended to remind Israel that GOD was sovereign Lord, and able to reveal His power in sending down the fire. (See under "TWELVE").
Proverbs 30:15 (c) These four things represent GOD's sovereignty in earthly affairs and their inability to satisfy the heart.
Proverbs 30:18 (c) These four things represent GOD's sovereignty in controlling actions.
Proverbs 30:21 (c) These four things represent GOD's sovereignty in His permissive will.
Proverbs 30:24 (c) These four things represent GOD's sovereignty in leadership.
Proverbs 30:29 (c) These four things represent GOD's sovereignty in power, and also these are four aspects of CHRIST's superiority.
Jeremiah 15:3 (c) By this we may understand that GOD intended to reveal His eternal power as sovereign Lord in punishing His enemies. (See Ezekiel 14:21).
Ezekiel 1:5 (b) These creatures represent four aspects of CHRIST JESUS as the Lion, the Ox, the Man and the Eagle. In all four of these aspects CHRIST JESUS is supreme Lord.
As the lion, the Lord JESUS is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He rules over all other powers and enemies. He is the Supreme Commander, the Chief, the Almighty One. He is unconquerable and unavoidable. Matthew describes CHRIST in this aspect.
As the ox, CHRIST is the servant of GOD, and the servant of men. GOD calls Him his servant. This is illustrated in the story of the washing of the feet in joh13. JESUS said, "I am among you as one that serveth." The ox exists only to serve men. Mark describes CHRIST in this aspect.
As the man, the Lord JESUS is a lover, a friend, a companion, an associate, and a leader. He was made man so that we could have fellowship with Him, and He could mingle with men in all their human experiences. Luke describes CHRIST in this aspect.
As the eagle, the Lord JESUS is GOD Himself. He is Deity, eternal, all-powerful, and rising above all obstructions, hindrances, storms, in complete control of every force. His deity is fully described in the Gospel of John. These four aspects of the Saviour are revealed again in Ezekiel 10:14; Revelation 4:6.
Ezekiel 37:9 (c) This is emblematic of GOD's power to give life even in hopeless cases. In this particular case it reveals the power of the Holy Spirit to bring Israel back into true fellowship with GOD, giving them the gift of eternal life when they accept JESUS CHRIST, and trust Him as their Messiah and their Saviour.
Daniel 3:25 (c) The number here represents GOD's power to overrule the king, and to quench the violence of fire, and to deliver His own children.
Daniel 7:2 (c) By this we understand that GOD had power to raise up kingdoms, and to destroy kings as He wills. (See Daniel 7:3). All the kingdoms were destroyed by GOD's Word. They were enemies of Israel, and of the GOD of Israel. (See Daniel 7:17).
Daniel 8:8 (c) The great horn was Alexander the Great. The four horns were his four generals who took over the kingdom when he died. GOD overthrew all of these, but saved Israel, His people, from destruction. (See Daniel 8:22, Daniel 11:4).
Amos 1:3 (c) In each of the eight times (two times four), that this expression occurs in chapters 1,2, GOD is showing His supreme power to punish every enemy, including these who are named in each instance. Notice that Judah and Israel are included in the list, for they had rebelled against GOD and were following the ways of the heathen around them.
Zechariah 1:18 (c) The number in this case reveals that GOD had supreme power to send other nations to punish His own people.
Zechariah 1:20 (c) By this we learn that GOD had the power to mend and build up that which He Himself had destroyed. The four-fold destruction in Zechariah 1:18 was to be repaired by the four carpenters in Zechariah 1:20.
Zechariah 6:1 (b) The number in this case represents GOD's supreme power to punish Israel in four different ways, as described or illustrated by the four horses. (See under "HORSES").
Matthew 24:31 (c) The number in this case reveals that GOD is the Lord and Master of every part of the world. (See also Mark 13:27).
John 11:17 (c) Here we see GOD's power over death, the greatest enemy of all. The Jews thought that after four days the spirit of the dead person left, never to return. They thought that this spirit hovered around the person for three days before leaving permanently on the fourth day.
John 19:23 (c) The garment torn into four pieces is just a figure of their utter disregard for His claim to Lordship in their lives.
Revelation 7:1 (c) By this is revealed the power of GOD over angels, and over the earth.
Revelation 9:13 (c) In this way we understand GOD's power over all forms of religion.
Revelation 21:16 (c) As in the old days Israel camped four-square to reveal GOD's authority and power over them, so in the new world the city four-square reveals to us that GOD the Lord will have absolute control and authority in this new life.
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Watson, Walter. Entry for 'Four'. Wilson's Dictoinary of Bible Types. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/wdt/f/four.html. 1957.
