The Number Ten in Scripture

Ten is the number which stands connected with tribulation and testing. Whether the testing is of individuals or of God's people, Israel, wherever the number ten occurs, testing and tribulation are associated with it. Let us notice some notable occurrences of the number ten Ln the Scriptures.

Ten is first noticed in connection with the generations from Adam to Noah (Gen. 5). There were exactly ten generations to Noah, the tenth from Adam, and with the tenth generation testing came upon the entire human family.

The second group of patriarchs is also ten in number (Gen. 10:11"26). The tenth of these patriarchs, Abram, was a man who bore peculiar testing. The tests of his faith are seen in his call out from his country and kindred, his faith for a child of his old age, and the faith displayed at the time of the offering up of his son, Isaac.

Another early occurrence of ten is associated with the life of Jacob. He served in the house of Laban for twenty years, and while he was serving for Rachel his wife, Laban changed his wages ten times (Gen. 31:7). It was a test of Jacob's patience and love, and yet with his wages changed ten times, the seven years that he served for Rachel seemed unto Jacob but a few days.

Next, we discover that Joseph had ten brethren who brought much testing upon him (Gen. 42:3-4). Benjamin, it is evident, had no part in the conspiracy of the brethren against Joseph, for he was only a lad when he went down into Egypt fifteen years after the conspiracy. Joseph's story of testing at the hands of ten false brethren is the marvelous and fascinating story of tribulation turned into triumph.

The Egyptians would not let Israel go; therefore tribulation fell upon the Egyptians in the form of ten plagues, as follows:

1. Water turned to blood (Exod. 7:14)

2. Frogs (8:1-15)

3. Lice (8:16-19)

4. Flies (8:20-32)

5. Murrain (9:1-7)

6. Boils (9:8-12)

7. Hail (9:13-35)

8. Locusts (10:1-20)

9. Darkness (10:21-23)

10. Smiting of the first-born (12:29)

Even all these judgments did not produce willingness on the part of the Egyptians; and when the Israelites passed out of the land of Egypt, the Egyptians pursued them, only to be overtaken in the waters of the Red sea. Some of these judgments find their counterpart in the Great Tribulation.

The ten commandments contained all that was necessary for the testing of the love and obedience of Israel to God.

When the earth was overflowed with the waters of the deluge the occupants of the ark went ten months without sight of land (Gen. 8:5).

In wicked Babylon, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were tested ten days with bread and water (Dan. 1:12, 14, 15, 20). During this test of their faithfulness to God they held true to their God and their convictions, and God honored them for their stand.

Ten nations were to contest the possession of Palestine by Israel. These nations are named in Genesis 15:19-21. Later, they were to test Israel, fighting for every foot of ground in Canaan.

Another test of God's people is that of the tithe. Under this test the willingness of God's people to sacrifice of their means is manifest in the giving of the tithe (Lev. 27:3032).

Israel stood upon the border of the promised land, and it proved a real testing to their faith. The ten spies brought back a report that savored of unbelief. This report Israel accepted. As a result they were thrown back to the wilderness where they were tested forty years.

During the wilderness experience of Israel it is recorded that they murmured and rebelled against God many times. The wilderness brought to them many testings and chastisements. It is stated that under these testings Israel rebelled and tested God ten times (Num. 14:22).

The patriarch Job is always cited as an example of patience. He is spoken of as the most patient man in the Scriptures. This patience, without doubt, was developed because of the many sufferings and trials through which he passed. We are told that Job was reproached ten times (Job 19:3).

God has placed in the form of a parable the message concerning the testing of Israel in the Great Tribulation, in the parable of the ten virgins (Luke 19).

God says that the church at Smyrna shall have tribulation ten days (Rev. 2:10). When we read these chapters and observe the context carefully, it appears that all the seven churches are undergoing testing and tribulation. In connection with the church of Smyrna the synagog of Satan is mentioned (vs. 9). This speaks of a time when Satan will have his religion upon the earth. That time is the Great Tribulation. While the messages to the seven churches may contain some characteristics that are representative of the church during the course of the present age, it seems to us that they will be literal churches existing during the tribulation. This conclusion is based upon the recurrence of the words and phrases, "tribulation," "synagog of Satan," and the "depths of Satan" in the two chapters. The church at Smyrna will experience tribulation for ten days. The principal thing for us to remember concerning this is that the number ten certainly holds the same significance throughout Scripture.

This number particularly appears in connection with the testing of Israel during the Great Tribulation. Antichrist's kingdom during the tribulation is represented by ten horns, or kings (Dan. 7:7, 24), and ten toes (Dan. 2:42-44). This confederacy under the Antichrist will test Israel during the tribulation days. The first beast of Revelation thirteen is described as having ten horns and ten crowns, and by the verses following he is identified as the Antichrist, who will persecute Israel.

It is seen from the various occurrences of the number ten that there is no mistaking its significance, and that the number keeps the same significance throughout Scripture. How marvelous are the numbers which God has placed in His Word! What a marvelous evidence of the inspiration of the Word!

(The next installment will be on the number eleven)