Today, we are going to take a deep dive on the number 5.
When I read the Bible, I like to read whole books in one sitting. For me, I notice patterns better if I consume a large chunk of text at one time.
I was reading Genesis the other day and noticed the number 5 came up several times in the Joseph narrative. Here are a few examples.
When Joseph comes before Pharaoh to tell him about the seven years of plenty and seven years of famine to come, Joseph suggests reserving one-fifth of the grain from the years of plenty. (The math doesn’t math on this. You’d think they’d reserve half - Genesis 41:34.)
When Joseph is eating with his brothers, before he has revealed himself to them, he sends portions from his table to each of them, but sends portions five times larger to Benjamin (Genesis 43:34).
When Joseph’s family comes down to Egypt, there are still five years of famine remaining (Genesis 45:6).
After Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, he gives them each a set of clothes, but he gives Benjamin five sets of clothes (and 300 shekels - Genesis 45:22).
When presenting his family to Pharaoh, Joseph does not take them all, but chooses five of his brothers to bring forward (Genesis 47:2).
And when everyone in Egypt has spent all their money on food, they end up entering into a deal with Pharaoh where they will owe him one-fifth of all they produce in perpetuity. Pharaoh shall have the fifth (Genesis 47:24-26).
It’s not entirely clear to me if this is meaningful. Egyptian numerology is complicated and undoubtedly shifted through the centuries. A quick search shows the number five being connected with the stars and the afterlife, particularly for Pharaoh.
Perhaps there is something to that. Perhaps it is coincidence. Perhaps five was just Joseph’s favorite number, or Pharaoh’s. Perhaps it is coincidence that took on a life of its own.
Taylor Swift fans have noticed that track 5 on each of her albums is particularly poignant and heartbreaking. Taylor Swift’s commentary on this phenomenon leads me to believe that it was not intentional at first, but once people pointed it out, she kept the game going. Now, she intentionally places an honest, emotional, heartbreaking song as track 5.
I wonder if that’s what happened with Joseph and the number 5. He simply suggested one-fifth of the grain be reserved. That worked. So, he began to work the number 5 into other plans.
In the end, who knows? But it seems to me the number 5 does not take on similar prominence in the rest of the Scriptures. One-fifth extra is added to certain offerings and sacrifices. Jesus feeds 5000 with five loaves and two fish. But the number five is often incidental throughout much of the Scriptures (as far as I can tell).
What’s your favorite number? (or Taylor Swift track 5?)
Happy July 5.
Stay Curious. Ask Questions.
Andy