Is ‘6’ Really Such a Bad Number?
Lately, I’ve been diving into the world of numbers—and the deeper I go, the more I discover just how much significance they carry in God’s design. It turns out, God is very into numbers. Each one seems to carry a unique theme, revealing something about His nature and His ways. It’s like learning a brand-new language, and I know I’ve only just begun to scratch the surface.
Now, before I go further, let me clarify: I’m not talking about numerology. I know some Christians get uneasy when numbers start being associated with deeper meanings, fearing it’s rooted in New Age beliefs. And yes, if you Google the meaning of numbers, you’ll likely find pages of content about “angel numbers”—which is numerology. But here's what I’ve come to believe:
The enemy is always trying to create a counterfeit of what God created first. Numbers aren’t some mystical human invention—they originate with God. He created them, He uses them, and He often speaks through them. The key is approaching numbers with a heart submitted to God’s ways, not distorted versions.
Rethinking the Number 6
As I’ve explored the meanings behind various numbers, I’ve noticed that each number seems to carry both a positive and a negative association. But one number, in particular, had me stumped: the number 6.
Most of us have heard the negative side of this number—it’s associated with man, sin, judgment, and even the infamous “mark of the beast.” But I began to wonder: If every number has both light and shadow, could there be a redemptive meaning to 6 as well?
The answer is a resounding yes.
6: The Number of Man—But More Than That
The number 6 is traditionally seen as the number of man because humanity was created on the sixth day. But before the fall, Adam and Eve—man—were perfect, made in the image of God. That alone speaks volumes.
In Hebrew, numbers are deeply interconnected with letters and symbols. The letter associated with the number 6 is “Vav”. This letter means “hook,” and its pictograph is a tent peg—a small but vital piece used to secure the tabernacle, the place where God’s presence dwelled.
In Exodus 27:9-10, we see “vav” used to describe the silver hooks that held up the curtains of the tabernacle. That’s not just structural—it’s symbolic. Those hooks helped contain the very presence of God.
Think about that: Man (6) is like a hook—created to house the presence of God. In Christ, we become that dwelling place. We are like curtains containing the Holy Spirit. That imagery changed everything for me.
A Broken Vav and a Picture of Jesus
There’s another layer of beauty in Numbers 25:12, where God makes a covenant of peace (shalom) with Phineas. In Hebrew, the letter “vav” appears in the word “shalom,” but with one fascinating detail—it is written broken.
Why? Because Phineas, in his zeal for purity, took action that stopped a plague threatening to destroy Israel. From a messianic perspective, Phineas becomes a symbol of Jesus—a man (6) who stood in the gap to bring peace. The broken vav in “shalom” paints a picture of Christ—a man who was broken to bring us peace.
Isaiah 53:5 affirms this:
“The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him…”
The Lost and Restored Vav
In Genesis 2:4, the Hebrew word “toldot” (generations) is spelled with a vav. But after Adam and Eve sinned, the spelling of “toldot” changes—the vav is missing in every other use of the word, representing that man (vav, 6) was lost.
But in Ruth 4:18, we see something miraculous: the vav is restored in the word “toldot.” Why does this matter? Because this passage refers to the lineage of Perez, whose name means “breakthrough.”
It’s a picture of God breaking through history—through the generations—to restore what was lost. The vav that was missing after the fall reappears in the family line that would eventually bring forth Jesus. The symbolism couldn’t be more powerful: what was broken in Adam is restored in Christ.
God’s Wink in Psalm 66:6
Personally, I’ve had seasons where I kept seeing “666”—a number most of us have been taught to fear. But instead of panic, I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to look at Psalm 66:6:
“He made a highway going right through the Red Sea as the Hebrews passed through on dry ground, exploding with joyous excitement over the miracles of God.” (TPT)
I was in a season where I was believing for breakthrough in the face of impossibility. And here was God, using even “666” to remind me: I make a way where there is no way. Trust Me.
A New Lens
This exploration of the number 6 has opened my eyes to just how rich and redemptive even the most misunderstood symbols can be. Instead of fear or superstition, I now see wonder—how God weaves beauty, prophecy, and the message of Jesus into every corner of creation, even the numbers we’ve overlooked.
There’s so much more to learn, but I hope this has encouraged you to see the number 6—and all numbers—with fresh eyes. God is speaking in more ways than we realize. And yes, even in the number 6, He’s pointing us to His Son.