This calendar year, 2022, contains three 2’s. What is the Biblical significance of the numeral two? What insights from the Hebrew reveal what 2022 has in store?
The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 2
In Hebrew, two is translated as Shtayim שתיים [f.], or shnayim שְׁנַיִם [m.]
It is also related to the Hebrew word shanah שָׁנָה , meaning year; l’shanot לשנות, meaning to change (v.) or shinui שינוי (change n.). We can expect 2022 to be a year of great change.
Two also represents union, as in marriage when “two shall become one flesh.” Thus it may be a time when certain individuals, groups, or elements of society come into unity - whether for good or for evil.
The greatest union of all is the Messiah with the church. God is drawing His people into a closer union with Himself in 2022. The trials we are going through are not meant to separate us from Him, but to draw us ever closer into a more intimate, personal relationship with our Creator through Yeshua Hamashiach (the Messiah).
Ideally, a union of two becoming one will be used for a good, holy, beneficial purpose. For example, there are two great commandments (love God and love your neighbor), two houses of Israel (the sticks of Judah/Yehudah and Ephraim/Joseph which become one in God’s hand), two leavened loaves on Shavuot (the double portion), two cherubim guarding the Ark of the Covenant, two good spies (Joshua and Caleb who came back with a good report of the Land), and two people groups - Jews and Gentiles - who become ‘one new man’ in Messiah Yeshua.
There were two pillars watching over and protecting Israel during their exodus from Egypt: a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
Two can therefore be a source of protection and guidance, as it is written,
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Eccl. 4:9-12)
Two are meant to complement one another - to be a blessing - and not to bring division or conflict. Two opposing forces can create strife and cause terrible destruction, even to future generations.
In a good marriage, however, the man and woman coming together as husband and wife will be a blessing not only to one another but also to their future family.
The Hebrew word for blessing, brachah, ברכה begins with the letter bet ב, which is the 2nd letter of the Hebrew alphabet and corresponds to the number 2. God told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply. With two (2), multiplication is possible.
Whether or not the union to come in 2022 will be a blessing or a curse; multiplication of good or evil, depends on who is coming into greater unity - the global Body of Messiah, or the forces that seek only to steal, kill and destroy.
The letter bet ב also stands for the Hebrew word, ‘boneh’ בנה which means ‘build’;
bayit בַּיִת - house; and binah בִּינָה - understanding. Binah is the 2nd spirit of God.
We need wisdom and understanding to build a house that will withstand the storms of life. “Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;” (Prov. 24:3)
What is going to be built in 2022? Will it be a ‘Tower of Babel’? Or will the Kingdom of God be built and established?
The Hebrew letter bet (2) is also the first letter of the Hebrew word ‘ben’ which means ‘son’ בֵּן. Yeshua, son of God, is the chief cornerstone on which we must build. We, Jews and Gentiles in Messiah, are being fitted together, growing into a holy temple in the Lord… being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:21
Two can represent not only unity but also division. At the beginning of creation, God separated the light from the darkness. When God parted the Red Sea, He divided the waters into two parts so that the Israelites could escape from their enemies.
Division is not always a negative thing - it can be the perfect plan of God; our way of escape. In 2022, although we need to come into unity with like-minded followers of Yeshua; we may also need to divide or separate ourselves from the ungodly to avoid becoming contaminated:
“What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols?...“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17)
Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; come out from it, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD. Isaiah 52:11
Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins or contract any of her plagues. Revelation 18:4
We need to be very careful about deliberate division; that it is leading to greater building and multiplication; and not creating unnecessary isolation and reduction.
Number two is symbolic of purification and division. God is purifying His Bride in 2022 - separating the wheat from the tares, and the sheep from the goats. There are people who will receive new life in Messiah Yeshua 2022; but also those whose evil intentions and wicked agendas will be exposed. Two shows the contrast between opposites.
Two represents the duality of life: light and dark, bitter and sweet, truth and lies, good and evil. The Hebrew word for ‘between’ is bein בֵּין. This year especially, we need real discernment to rightly differentiate between the two.
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isa. 5:20.)
We are being presented with two (2) choices this year - we can choose either death or life, blessing or cursing. Hopefully, our choices in the year (shanah) 2022 (and years to come) will lead to life and blessing (bracha), positive changes (shinuim), and united relationships with like-minded believers.
May we have wisdom and understanding to build our house on the rock; and to separate from all that which would defile us as set apart, holy vessels in service to Adonai.
The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 20
Waiting and Trusting
Twenty (20), can mean a lengthy waiting period requiring both endurance and patience. Jacob was required to wait for 20 years until he received both his wives and broke free of his father-in-law’s control. He worked 14 years for his daughters, Rachel and Leah, and 6 years for the flocks.
Rebecca waited twenty (20) long years of barrenness before conceiving and giving birth to twins: Jacob and Esau. Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebecca and age 60 when the twins were born.
In 2022, we are going to be required to wait upon the Lord with great patience for His perfect timing; and not run ahead or lag behind.
“Wait upon the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord! “ (Psalm 27:14)
The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 22
Unrighteous Leadership
The number 22 can mean ungodliness, wickedness and corruption in national leadership. King Jeroboam I, the very first king of Israel after the united kingdom split in two in 930 B.C., reigned over the Northern Kingdom for 22 official years. Jeroboam was responsible for tearing the 10 northern tribes of Israel away from the southern tribes of Judah, led by Rehoboam, son of Solomon.
Jeroboam not only led Israel’s ten tribes in their rebellion against the rightful lineage of David; he also built false altars for making sacrifices outside of Jerusalem; and set up golden calves at Bethel and Dan, established cultic sites. Jeroboam led the northern tribes into great sin and apostasy. In fact, it was because of the sins of Jeroboam that God said he would disown Israel at that time.
“And He will give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who sinned and who made Israel sin.” (1 Kings 14:16)
All subsequent kings who were not faithful followers of YHVH were said to have done “evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin by which he had made Israel sin.” (1 Kings 15:34, 16:19, 16:26)
King Ahab, who was considered the worst Israelite king of all, also reigned for the same length of time as Jeroboam - 22 years.
King Amon, considered one of the worst kings over Judah, ruled for two years but began his rule at the age of twenty-two (22).
Today we also have national leaders who are not following the Lord or walking in righteousness. They are leading their people astray and causing them to sin against God.
Light overcomes the darkness
The Hebrew alphabet is made up of 22 letters. These twenty-two (22) letters are the building blocks used to compose the Word of God. God’s word is called a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. that guides us in walking the narrow path that leads to life.
Although there is much deception and rebellion against God in 2022; there also exists a light that shines in the darkness. That true light is the Word of God. Yeshua is the ‘living Word’ that became flesh and dwelt among us. He is the Light of the World. The only way to get through 2022 safely will be to stay in the Word of God and stick close to Yeshua.
The word light is found 264 times in Scripture. When 264 is divided by 12 (twelve tribes of Israel) we have twenty-two (22). Israel is called to be a ‘Light to the nations’; and one day she will fulfill her destiny.
Light is used twenty-two (22) times in the Gospel of John. The 22nd time John uses the word, he quotes Yeshua as declaring, "I have come as a light into the world . . ." (John 12:46).
The number 22, therefore represents the conflict in 2022 between light and darkness; between righteous, godly leadership and the tyranny of wicked authorities. When Moses raised up the tabernacle of God there were exactly 22,000 Levites consecrated to serve.
Yeshua is the ultimate example of righteous leadership. On Passover, he washed his disciples' feet, giving us the example of a ruler who seeks not to be served, but to serve. Just before he gave up his very life on the cross for the sins of all mankind, he quoted from Psalm 22: “ Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani?” (My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?) (Mark 15:34)
If we look at the darkness all around us in 2022, we may be tempted to lose heart; but if we instead fix our eyes on Yeshua, who sacrificed himself to give us eternal life; then we can walk in love, joy and peace.
"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!" (Psalm 27:13-14)
We do not need to be discouraged at the chaotic state of affairs in 2022; because with God, there is always reason to hope:
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” (Psalm 43:5)
We can be shining lights in the midst of a dark and perverse generation, encouraging the downcast, the downhearted and those in turmoil to put their hope in God and trust in Him, for His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. Amen v’Amen. May you have a blessed 2022!
I thought this was fascinating! I am a bit late since it is 2023 now, but the points about waiting really spoke to me as I turn 40 in a few days. The Hebrew language is so rich. To know it and have God breathe His understanding unto us is a beautiful thing. You have such a rich depth of knowledge Hannah. Like a jewel that only those with discerning eyes can see, it sparkles and shines. Don't feel bad about that because fallen man needs 'eye salve' to see the value and beauty of even our Creator, Yeshua. Thank you. Please keep sharing!