What does the number 8 denote in Scripture?
In Scripture, the number 8 denotes new beginnings. It stands alongside 7, which is God's number of completeness, so 8 speaks of a fresh start or new beginning. Noah's Ark carried eight people, depicting new beginnings. John's Gospel contains eight signs, with the eighth pointing to Israel's future.
Les teaches that the number 8 in Scripture always denotes new beginnings. He contrasts it with 7, which is God's number of completeness, so 8 then speaks of new beginnings. As an illustration, he points to Noah's Ark: how many people were on the Ark? Eight, and that depicted new beginnings. He also explains that there are 8 signs in the Gospel of John: 7 before His crucifixion to complete what He was trying to get across to the nation, and then the 8th one signifies that which is still in Israel's future. He brings in the marriage at Cana in John chapter 2 as the first sign, where Jesus changed the water into wine. He notes that wine in Scripture speaks of joy, joyfulness, and that at the wedding feast the situation was no wine.