Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Numnidicus Of Carthage a Christian martyr of the early Church, flourished at the African city after which he is surnamed near the middle of the 3d century. For his exemplary conduct in the persecution bishop Cyprian made him a presbyter. It is related of Numidicus that, after having inspired many with courage to suffer martyrdom, … Continue reading “Numnidicus Of Carthage”

Numismatics (From the Greek nomisma, “legal currency”) Numismatics is the science of coins and of medals. Every coin or medal being a product of the cultural, economic, and political conditions under which it originated, this science is divided according to the various civilized communities of mankind. It is not only a distinct science but also, … Continue reading “Numismatics”

Numinous A word coined from the Latin “numen” by Rudolf Otto to signify the absolutely unique state of mind of the genuinely religious person who feels or is aware of something mysterious, terrible, awe-inspiring, holy and sacred. This feeling or awareness is a mysterium tremendum, beyond reason, beyond the good or the beautiful. This numinous … Continue reading “Numinous”

Numerale the same book as the Compotus, or CALENDAR SEE CALENDAR (q.v.). See Walcott, Sacred Archaeology, p. 400. Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Numenius (), son of Antiochus, was sent by Jonathan on an embassy to Rome (1Ma 12:16) and Sparta (12:17) to renew the friendly connections between these nations and the Jews, B.C. cir. 144. It appears that he had not returned from his mission at the death of Jonathan (14:22, 23). He was again despatched to … Continue reading “Numenius”

Numbers, Use of, in the Church No attentive reader of the Old Testament can fail to notice that a certain sacredness seems to attach to particular numbers, for example, seven, forty, twelve, etc. It is not merely the frequent recurrence of these numbers, but their ritual or ceremonial use which is so significant. Take, for … Continue reading “Numbers, Use of, in the Church”

NUMBERS, THE BOOK OF So called because the first three chapters contain the numbering of the Hebrews and Levites, which was performed separately, after the erection and consecration of he tabernacle. The rest of the book contains an account of the breaking up of the Israelites from Sinai, and their subsequent wanderings in the desert, … Continue reading “Numbers, The Book of”

Numbers, Sacred In a mystical sense, one is Unity; two, represents Unity repeated; three, the Creator, Trinity; four, the world, and by the Second Adam, paradise; five, the synagogue; six, perfection and creation, the hour when Jesus was crucified; seven, rest, as in the Sabbath, love- grace, pardon, composed of three and four; eight, beatitude … Continue reading “Numbers, Sacred”

numbers, mystical The Fathers of the Church have regarded numbers in Scripture as full of mystical meaning. Three, four, and their compounds, as well as seven, eight, and forty have a special spiritual signification. Three refers to God. He is past, present, and future. He is thrice holy; three times His name is pronounced in … Continue reading “numbers, mystical”

Numbers, Book Of the fourth book of Moses, so called in the Septuagint (), in the Vulgate (Numeri), and modern versions, from the double enumeration of the Israelites in ch. i-iv and in ch. 26. In the Hebrew it is called Be- midbar’, , i.e. n the deserst, this word occurring in the first verse; … Continue reading “Numbers, Book of”