Numbers, combinations

Numbers may be combined for making a comparison. When they are combined in such a pattern as “two or three” the emphasis usually falls on the second figure.

Two and three

Two or three witnesses

Deuteronomy 19:15 See also Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:6; Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28

A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Two or three as a small approximate number

Matthew 18:20 See also 2 Kings 9:32; Isaiah 17:6; Hosea 6:2; 1 Corinthians 14:27, 1 Corinthians 14:29

For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”

Two and three in a climactic pattern

Ecclesiastes 4:12 See also Proverbs 30:15

And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Three and four

Three or four as a small approximate number

Jeremiah 36:23

Three and four in a climactic pattern

Proverbs 30:18–19 See also Proverbs 30:15–16, Proverbs 30:21–23, Proverbs 30:29–31; Amos 1:3, Amos 1:6, Amos 1:9, Amos 1:11, Amos 1:13, Amos 2:1, Amos 2:4, Amos 2:6

There are three things too wonderful for me, four that I cannot understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship at sea, and the way of a man with a maiden.

Other examples of the climactic pattern

Job 5:19; Proverbs 6:16–19; Genesis 4:24; Ecclesiastes 11:2; Micah 5:5

Comparative use of multiples of ten

Amos 5:3 See also Leviticus 26:8; Deuteronomy 33:17; Judges 20:10; Micah 6:7; Luke 16:7

This is what the Lord GOD says: “The city that marches out a thousand strong will have but a hundred left, and the one that marches out a hundred strong will have but ten left in the house of Israel.”

Numerical contrast between Saul and David

1 Samuel 18:7–8 See also 1 Samuel 21:11, 1 Samuel 29:5

And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?”