SS29.这就是为何在圣言中，“三”在灵义上表示完整和完善之物，还表示同步的整体，或全包。由于这就是数字三的含义，所以当圣言想要表达这种含义时，就采用这个数字；如以下经文：
以赛亚露身赤脚行走三年。（以赛亚书20:3）
耶和华三次呼唤撒母耳，撒母耳三次跑到以利那里，第三次以利才明白。（撒母耳记上3:1-8）
大卫告诉约拿单，他要藏在田野三天；约拿单后来向磐石旁边射三箭；大卫在约拿单面前，叩拜三次。（撒母耳记上20:5，12-41）
以利亚三次伏在寡妇的儿子的身上。（列王纪上17:21）
以利亚吩咐他们在燔祭上倒水三次。（列王纪上18:34）
耶稣说，天国好像面酵，有妇人拿来，藏在三斗面里、直等全团都发起来。（马太福音13:33）
耶稣对彼得说，你要三次否认我。（马太福音26:34）
主三次对彼得说，你爱我吗？（约翰福音21:15-17）
约拿在鱼腹中三日三夜。（约拿书1:17）
耶稣说，你们拆毁这殿，我三日内要再建立起来。（约翰福音2:19；马太福音26:61）
耶稣在客西马尼园祷告三次。（马太福音26:39-44）
耶稣第三天复活。（马太福音28:1）
此外，还有许多经文提到了数字“三”；凡提到它的地方，所论述的都是一项已经结束和完整的工作，因为这就是数字“三”的含义。
29. This is why three in the Word spiritually understood means complete, perfect, and all together; and since this is its meaning it is used in the Word whenever anything is so described, as in the following instances:
Isaiah went naked and barefoot for three years (Isaiah 20:3). Jehovah called Samuel three times, Samuel ran to Eli three times, and the third time Eli understood what was happening (1 Samuel 3:1-8). David told Jonathan that he would hide in the field for three days; later Jonathan shot three arrows beside the rock; and after that David bowed down to Jonathan three times (1 Samuel 20:5, 12-41). Elijah stretched himself out on the widow’s son three times (1 Kings 17:21). Elijah ordered people to pour water over a burnt offering three times (1 Kings 18:34). Jesus said that the kingdom of the heavens was like yeast, which a woman took and hid in three measures [of flour] until it was all leavened (Matthew 13:33). Jesus said to Peter that Peter would deny him three times (Matthew 26:34). The Lord said to Peter three times, “Do you love me?” (John 21:15-17). Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17). Jesus said that they would destroy the Temple, and he would build it in three days (Matthew 26:61). Jesus prayed three times in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39-44). Jesus rose on the third day (Matthew 28:1).
There are many other passages where threes are mentioned, and they are mentioned when it is a matter of something finished and completed, because that is what this number means.
29. It is owing to this that the number three in the Word means, in the spiritual sense, something complete and perfect, and everything together. And because this is the symbolic meaning of the number, it is therefore employed in the Word whenever something of that sort is indicated, as in the following instances:
That Isaiah walked naked and barefoot three years (Isaiah 20:3).
That Jehovah called Samuel three times, that Samuel three times ran to Eli, and that Eli understood the third time (1 Samuel 3:1-8).
That David told Jonathan he would hide in the field three days; that Jonathan later shot three arrows to the side of the stone; and that David afterward bowed three times before Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:5, 12-41).
That Elijah stretched himself out on the widow’s son three times (1 Kings 17:21).
That Elijah ordered the people to pour water on the burnt offering three times (1 Kings 18:34).
That Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened (Matthew 13:33).
That Jesus told Peter he would deny Him three times (Matthew 26:34).
That the Lord three times said to Peter, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:15-17).
That Jonah was in the belly of the great fish three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17).
That Jesus said they would destroy the Temple, and in three days He would rebuild it (John 2:19, Matthew 26:61).
That Jesus prayed three times in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39-44).
That Jesus rose on the third day (Matthew 28:1)
And so on in many other places where three is mentioned. And it is mentioned wherever the subject is a finished and perfect work, because that is the symbolic meaning of the number.
29. For this reason by three in the Word, in its spiritual sense, is understood what is complete and perfect, and thus all inclusive; and because this is the signification of that number it is used in the Word when such a meaning is intended, as in the following places:
Isaiah walked naked and barefoot three years. Isaiah 20:3.
Jehovah called Samuel three times, and Samuel ran three times to Eli, and Eli understood the third time. 1 Samuel 3:1-8.
Jonathan told David to hide himself in the field three days. Jonathan then shot three arrows at the side of the stone, and finally David bowed himself three times before Jonathan. 1 Samuel 20:5, 12-41.
Elijah stretched himself three times on the widow's son. 1 Kings 17:21.
Elijah commanded them to pour water on the burnt offering three times. 1 Kings 18:34.
Jesus said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. Matthew 13:33.
Jesus said to Peter that he would deny Him thrice. Matthew 26:34.
Jesus said three times to Peter, Lovest thou me? John 21:15-17.
Jonah was in the whale's belly three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17.
Jesus said that they should destroy the temple, and that He Himself would build it in three days. Matthew 26:61.
Jesus prayed three times in Gethsemane. Matthew 26:39-44.
Jesus rose again on the third day. Matthew 28:1.
There are many other passages where the number three is mentioned; and it is used where a work finished and perfect is treated of because this is the meaning of that number.
29. It is from this that by "three" in the Word in the spiritual sense is meant what is complete and perfect; and also the whole simultaneously. And as this is the signification of the number three, it is employed in the Word whenever any such thing is marked out for notice. As in the following passages:
Isaiah went naked and barefoot three years (Isaiah 20:3).
Jehovah called Samuel three times, and Samuel ran three times to Eli, and Eli understood him the third time (1 Samuel 3:1-8).
David said to Jonathan that he would hide himself in the field three days; and Jonathan afterwards shot three arrows at the side of the stone; and after that David bowed himself down three times before Jonathan (1 Samuel 20: 5, 12-41).
Elijah stretched himself three times over the widow's son (1 Kings 17:21).
Elijah commanded that they should pour water on the burnt-offering three times (1 Kings 18:34).
Jesus said, The kingdom of the heavens is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened (Matthew 13:33).
Jesus said unto Peter that he should deny Him thrice (Matthew 26:34).
The Lord said three times unto Peter, Lovest thou Me? (John 21:15-17).
Jonah was in the whale's belly three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17).
Jesus said, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up (John 2:19; Matthew 26:61).
Jesus prayed three times in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39-44).
Jesus rose again on the third day (Matthew 28:1).
Besides many other passages where the number "three" is mentioned; and it is mentioned wherever a finished and perfect work is treated of, because this is signified by that number.
29. Ex eo est, quod per "tria" in Verbo in sensu spirituali intelligatur completum et perfectum, tum omne simul: et quia haec per illum numerum significantur, ideo toties in Verbo adhibetur, quoties tale designatur. Ut in his:-
Quod Esaias iret nudus et discalceatus tres annos (Esaias 20:3).
Quod Jehovah ter vocaverit Samuelem, et Samuel ter cucurrerit ad Eli, et quod Eli tertia vice intellexerit (1 Samuelis 3:1-8).
Quod Jonathan diceret ad Davidem, quod occultaret se in agro tribus diebus: quod Jonathan postea ad latus lapidis jacularetur tres sagittas: et quod post illud David se incurvaret tribus vicibus coram Jonathane (1 Samuelis 20:5, 12-41).
Quod Elias se mensus sit super filium viduae tribus vicibus (1 Regnum 17:21).
Quod Elias jusserit, ut funderent aquam super holocaustum tribus vicibus (1 Regnum 18:34);
Quod Jesus dixerit, quod regnum caelorum sit simile fermento, quod accipiens mulier abscondidit in tribus satis, donec fermentaretur totum (Matthaeus 13:33);
Quod Jesus dixerit ad Petrum, quod ter abnegaturus sit Ipsum (Matthaeus 26:34);
Quod Dominus ter dixerit Petro, "Amasne Me?" (Johannes 21:15-17).
Quod Jonas fuerit in ventre ceti tribus diebus et tribus noctibus (Jonas 2:1). 1
Quod Jesus dixerit, quod templum dissolverent, et Ipse illud per tres dies aedificaret ((Johannes 2:19; vide etiam) Matthaeus 26:61). 2
Quod Jesus in Gethsemane tribus vicibus oraverit (Matthaeus 26:39-44).
Quod Jesus tertio die resurrexit (Matthaeus 28:1).
Praeter multis aliis in locis, ubi "tria" nominantur; et nominantur ubi agitur de opere finito et perfecto, quia hoc per illum numerum significatur.
Footnotes:
1. B. A. habet Jonas 1:17 pro "Jon. 2:1"
2. 61 pro "31"