Numbers in Exegesis of Maximus the Confessor and in the Preceding Tradition: Symbols or Not?

Abstract From Philo of Alexandria to Maximus the Confessor, Biblical numerical passages were interpreted using the same hermeneutical instruments as those used for literal, i.e. non-numeric subjects. Modern scholars usually employ the terms ‘number symbolism’ and ‘arithmetical symbolism’ to designate the variety of relevant cases. However, the implicit use of the term symbol in explanations of numbers in Biblical passages is very rare, and it becomes even less frequent as Alexandrian exegesis developed over time. As Philo gravitated toward the Pythagorean understanding of numbers, which had a rather strong mythological layer, Clement and Origen expressed a more abstract and formal view. The writings of Maximus the Confessor contain almost no exegetical passages in which numbers are explicitly referred to as symbols, except for two very specific cases. The background of dogmatic controversy of Maximus’ age led him to adopt an Aristotelian standpoint when defining the notions of number and quantity. Such understanding renders numbers incompatible with the basic properties of symbols and the symbolic mode of Biblical exegesis. As a result, the very term ‘number symbolism’ appears to be inapplicable to St Maximus’ exegetical approach.