Bible Codes

[MarysRoses]

I’m starting a new thread. I was challenged to take on the Adventist interpretations of bible symbols. The links given contained several pages of material and only a few were relevant to the thread.

The bible is very rich in symbolism. Many of the interpretations I would agree with. However, I think it is very important, especially given how Adventists use these symbols, to highlight that often their interpretation is not the ONLY or even the best interpretation of a symbol. Doctrines, such as the Adventist ideas about prophetic interpretation, that are arrived at by interpreting symbolism, are only as credible as the source material used for arriving at those conclusions.

Ok. I see what you are trying to say. But the problem is, the CODE being referred to is not an “Adventist secret” we actually broadcast it to the world. Pastor Doug, and others, refer to this CODE as secret, only because many doctrines cover their real meaning with falsehoods. The “keys” are widely available to anyone who has a Bible; so in that sense, there is no secret. The link you provided actually has a list of Bible verses depicting what the Bible uses various things as symbols for; especially in Bible prophecy. Perhaps you could tell us which one of those texts are wrong? Which example used there needs correcting?

Bible Symbols, and Bible numbers, are commonly used in the Bible as symbols of a truth God wants known, something like a parable is a symbol for truths that Jesus often wanted to communicate. Please examine the “Code” in these two links and tell us which ones are wrong!!

I did not say that Adventists keep their ‘code’ secret, I said they have their own way of looking at the bible through their own system of symbols. A ‘code’. I called it a ‘secret’ becuase it seems only Adventists and their forebears arrive at the same conclusions.

Interestingly, you said there was no code:

The “secret code” is non-existent within Adventism.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=2385942&postcount=65

After having it pointed out that Adventists themselves call their complicated way of interpreting the bible a ‘code’, you now ask me to tell you why I don’t agree with it.

I refused to take up the subject within the other thread, because your links have many pages of material.

Symbolism is of course used in Scripture. I will probably agree with some of these. Some, I don’t think are definitively defined, others I’m likely to disagree with of course. I do think this thread is useful, because it is helpful to understand how Adventists arrive at some of their conclusions, and highlight what I see as a weakness of the approach, in that not every symbol is unambiguous, and many have alternate meanings.

MarysRoses

 

[MarysRoses]

It will be necessary to deal with all the material a few at a time, I’m going to start with numbers.

What I am trying to show, is that there are more than one interpretation for symbols. You asked which were incorrect. I think a better question is whether or not only one interpretation is possible. As Adventist prophecy interpretation rests on very specific interpretations of symbols, it seems to me the fact that there are many valid alternate interpretations of symbols is a great obstacle to accepting their interpretations.

Numbers

From the link you posted Bible numbers,

“1 – represents absolute singleness and unity (Ephesians 4:4–6; John 17:21, 22.) (We presume readers need no more than these two citations, as most of the biblical information regarding unity and singleness is common knowledge.)”

Unity isn’t a bad interpretation… Although, another interpretation for the number 1 which I find very valid is that of beginnings. Genesis 1:1, in the beginning….

2 – represents the truth of God’s Word; for example, the law and prophets (John 1:45), two or three witnesses (2 Corinthians 13:1), and a sword with two edges (Hebrews 4:12). See Mark 6:7 and Revelation 11:3. It is also used 21 times in the books of Daniel and Revelation.

Other valid interpretations of 2.…

Division Two witnesses, the two edged sword which divides…
Union Male and Female become one in Holy Matrimony
Jesus fully divine and fully Human

3 – represents the Godhead / Trinity. The angels cry “Holy” three times to the triune God (Isaiah 6:3). See also Matthew 28:19 and 1 John 5:7, 8.

The Trinity is perfect. 3 is also the number of perfection, 3 sides to a triangle, the strongest structure, etc.

4 – represents universal truth, as in the four directions (north, south, east, west) and the four winds (Matthew 24:31; Revelation 7:1; Revelation 20:8). In acts 10:11, a sheet with four corners symbolizes the gospel going to all the gentiles.

I can see 4 as being universal, the four winds, the four corners. Universal truth seems more of a stretch.

Acts 10:11 I’d like to point out nothing in the verse validates the conclusion that the sheet represents the Gospel. Its not bad symbolism, but its not strictly speaking, biblical.

Creation - This actually seems more likely to me.
The four elements of creation… Earth, air, fire, water.
The four directions, North South East West
The four seasons, Spring Summer Winter Fall
The four divisions of the day, Morning Midday Evening Night

There is nothing ‘wrong’ with the idea that 4 represents universal truth. I’m pointing out it is not the ONLY interpretation, and possibly not even the best one.

5 – represents teaching. First, there are the five books of Moses. Second, Jesus taught about the five wise virgins and used five barley loaves used to feed the 5,000.

Other ideas —

Grace - There are 3 persons in One God, who Created everything, 4 is the number of creation, Creation fell into sin, requiring a savior, so Creation plus another is Five. The Hebrews left Egypt in ranks of 5. The Annointing Oil in the OT had five parts. I’m not entirely convinced of this, but I do like it.

The bible is full of the symbolic usage of numbers. Again, its not so much a matter of a meaning being ‘wrong’ as it is limiting meanings to arrive at foregone conclusions.

I would be fascinated to see what kinds of meanings for these 5 numbers other posters see and use.

More later … the sheer volume of your links will require many posts.

MarysRoses

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Number in Scripture:Its Supernatural Design and Spiritual Significance by E. W. Bullinger (1837-1913) philologos.org/__eb-nis/

Figures of Speech Used in the Bible by E.W. Bullinger
godstruthfortoday.org/Library/bullinger/FiguresOfSpeech.html

The Types and Symbols of the Bible
by George Kirkpatrick
newfoundationspubl.org/types.htm

A Dictionary of Bible Types (Hardcover)
by Walter L. Wilson (Author)
christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?sku=34187&event=AFF&p=1025508

Hear is the online talmud, try typing in your key word in the search feature to see what comes up,
come-and-hear.com/talmud/

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

The adventist interpretation of the number 6, is clearly to identify the pope with the beast 666 in revelation. So, let’s look at Bullenger’s interpretation for the number six to see what they left out.

ITS SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

SIX

Six is either 4 plus 2, i.e., man’s world (4) with man’s enmity to God (2) brought in: or it is 5 plus 1, the grace of God made of none effect by man’s addition to it, or perversion, or corruption of it: or it is 7 minus 1, i.e., man’s coming short of spiritual perfection. In any case, therefore, it has to do with man; it is the number of imperfection; the human number; the number of MAN as destitute of God, without God, without Christ.

The Hebrew #$#$’ (shaish) is supposed to be derived from the root #$da#$af (shah-dash), but nothing is known about its origin or signification.

At any rate it is certain that man was created on the sixth day, and thus he has the number six impressed upon him. Moreover, six days were appointed to him for his labour; while one day is associated in sovereignty with the Lord God, as His rest.

Six, therefore, is the number of labour also, of man’s labour as apart and distinct from God’s rest. True, it marks the completion of Creation as God’s work, and therefore the number is significant of secular completeness.

The serpent also was created on the sixth day.

The Sixth Commandment relates to the worst sin,—murder.

The sixth clause of the Lord’s prayer treats of sin.

Six is the number stamped on all that is connected with human labour. We see it stamped upon his measures which he uses in his labour, and on the time during which he labours. And we see this from the very beginning.

The number six is stamped upon the measurements of the Great Pyramid, the unit of which was the inch and its sexagesimal multiples. The first multiple is the foot, 12 inches (2x6); and after this the rises are 18 (3x6), 24 (4x6), 30 (5x6), and 36 (6x6 or 62=the yard).*

• On the other hand, the sacred cubit, though not a round number, was a multiple, indeed the square of 5, being 25.3 inches.

Corresponding to these measures we have the first division of the natural time-spaces which measure man’s labour and rest,—the day, consisting of 24 hours (4x6), divided into the day and night of 12 hours. The multiples and subdivisions are also stamped by the number six. The months being 12; while the hours consist of 60 minutes (6x10), and the minutes of 60 seconds (6x10).
The base of the Great Pyramid shows that the unit-inch* was obtained by a division of the original circuit, 36,000 inches or 1,000 yards.

• Differing from the Pyramid inch by only 1 in 40,000.

On account of the curse (Gen 3), the number six tells not only of labour, but of “labour and sorrow,” and it specially marks all that is “under the sun,” all that is “not of God.” The true “sabbath-keeping,” now, is in reserve; for there is no rest apart from “peace with God”; the rest which God gives and which we find (Matt 11:28).
But now to turn to the Scripture examples and illustrations, we note first that

philologos.org/__eb-nis/six.htm

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

six contuned,

CAIN’S DESCENDANTS
are given only as far as the sixth generation.

IMPERFECTION
When twelve (the number of governmental perfection) is divided, it indicates imperfection in rule and administration. Solomon’s throne had six steps (1 Kings 10:19), and his kingdom was soon divided. The 12 loaves of the Shew Bread were divided into two sixes (Lev 24:6), and the Twelve Tribes were divided tribes.

Abraham’s six intercessions for Sodom (Gen 18) marked man’s imperfection in prayer, which falls short of that of the Divine Intercessor.

THE BURNT OFFERING IN GENESIS 22
is mentioned six times (vv 2,3,6,7,8,13) because the seventh was that of the Divine Substitute which God Himself would provide (v 8).

“THE MAN OF THE EARTH.”
In Psalms 9 and 10, through which there is a running alphabetical acrostic, uniting the two Psalms, six letters of the alphabet are wanting (m to c). It is the Scripture which describes “the Man of the Earth” (Psa 10:18), the coming Anti-Christ, and the Apostasy which marks his presence, called the “times of trouble” (Psa 9:9, 10:1).

SIX EARTHQUAKES
are mentioned:—Exodus 19:18; 1 Kings 19:11; Amos 1:1 (Zech 14:5); Matt 27:54, 28:2; Acts 16:26.

THE SIX YEARS OF ATHALIAH’S REIGN
were six years of usurpation of the throne of David (2 Kings 11; 2 Chron 23). Athaliah slew all the seed-royal, as she thought; but God in His providence over-ruled events so that one son, Joash, was “rescued from among the king’s sons that were slain.” He was hid in the house of God during the six years with Jehosheba, who was shut up with him, her affections being centred upon him, while Jehoiada her husband was occupied for the king, going about and securing loyal adherents by his simple repetition of Jehovah’s promise, “Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David” (2 Chron 23:3). This promise was the support of the hearts of the faithful during those six years of usurpation, until the seventh year came, and Joash was manifested upon his throne and all his enemies destroyed. Which things are a type of the King’s son, even Jesus, who was rescued, by resurrection, from among the dead, and is now hid in the house of God on high. While He is seated and expecting, (Heb 10:12,13), all who are “in Christ” are hid with Him (Col 3:3); and while, in this aspect, their hearts (like Jehosheba’s) are occupied with the person of the King, their activities (like Jehoiada’s) are going out for Him, witnessing and testifying to the blessed truth that the King is coming again and will surely reign, and the seventh year of blessing will come at last. Until that moment arrives, the promise of Jehovah will be their support, that the Seed of the woman shall in due time crush the serpent’s head (Gen 3:15).

SIX TIMES JESUS CHARGED WITH HAVING A DEVIL
Mark 3:22, and Matthew 12:24, “He hath Beelzebub.”
John 7:20, “Thou hast a devil.”
John 8:48, “Say we not well that…Thou hast a devil?”
John 8:52, “Now we know that Thou hast a devil.”
John 10:20, “He hath a devil, and is mad.”
Luke 11:15, “He casteth out devils by Beelzebub.”
This is most significant. Man’s enmity to the Person of the Lord Jesus is thus branded with man’s number. It will repay careful study to note the chronological order of these occasions and speakers. The very order and structure is important.

A. 1. Beelzebub, and casting out devils.

B. 2. A simple charge, “Thou hast,”
C. 3. Introduced by “Say we not well,” [in John 8]

C. 4. Introduced by “Now we know.” [in John 8]

B. 5. A simple charge, “He hath.”
A. 6. Beelzebub, and casting out devils.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

six contuned,

THE SIX-FOLD OPPOSITION TO THE WORK OF GOD

on the part of man is seen in the opposition to Nehemiah. It forms a lesson for all time, being enacted every day where any, like Nehemiah, begin a work for God.

There was—

Grief, 2:10.
Laughter, 2:19.
Wrath, indignation, and mocking, 4:1-4.
Fighting and open opposition, 4:7,8.
Conference, 6:1,2.—“Come and let us meet together.” “Let us take counsel together” (v 7). This attempt was to “weaken them from the work” (v 9). But Nehemiah refused to parley with the enemies, or meet them in conference.
False friends, 6:10-14.—Here was the greatest danger of all. Satan, “as an angel of light,” seeking to mar, and hinder, and stop the work.
The careful study of these six steps in man’s opposition to the work of God will yield great spiritual profit, and arm us against the wiles of the Devil.

WORDS
Now let us pass to the number, as it concerns words, and first note that there are

SIX WORDS USED FOR MAN
in the Bible. Four in the Old Testament, and two in the New.

1. Md) (ad-dahm). Man as a human being (Lat. homo), having regard to his being created, and to his earthly origin. This is the word used of Messiah as the “Son of Man.” See a few examples:—

Gen 1:26, “Let us make man.”
Gen 2:7, “God formed man of the dust of the ground.”
Gen 3:24, “So He drove out the man.”
Isa 2:11, “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled.”
Isa 2:17, “The loftiness of man shall be bowed down.”
Isa 2:9, “The mean man boweth down.”
Isa 2:9, “The great man [Ish, see next word] humbleth himself.”
Isa 5:15, “The mean man shall be brought down.”
Isa 5:15, “The mighty man [Ish] shall be humbled.”
2 Sam 7:19, “Is this the manner of man, O LORD God?”
Psa 8:4, “What is man [Enosh, see the third word] that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him?”
2. #y) (Ish). Man, as strong and vigorous of mind and body. Man with some degree of pre-eminence of strength and endowment.

Zech 6:12, “Behold the man whose name is the Branch.”
Psa 22:6, “I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men [Adam, see No. 1], and despised of the people.”
Psa 25:12, “What man is he that feareth the LORD?”
Psa 39:11, “When Thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity: surely every man is vanity.”
Psa 90 Title, “The man of God.”
3. #wn) (Enosh). Weak man, as mortal and subject to suffering and death; the heir of corruption.

Psa 8:4, “What is man that Thou art mindful of him? or the son of man” [Adam, see No. 1].
Psa 73:5, “They are not in trouble as other men.”
Psa 103:15, “As for man, his days are as grass.”
4. rbg (Gehver), a strong man, a man of might and valour. Man as distinct from God (Job 22:2), and from a woman or wife (Prov 6:34).

Zech 13:7, “Awake, O sword, against…the man that is My fellow, saith the LORD of Hosts.”
Exo 10:11, “Go now, ye that are men.”
Exo 12:37, “Six hundred thousand on foot that were men.”
Psa 52:7, “Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength.”
Jer 17:5, “Cursed be the man that trusteth in man” [Adam, see No. 1].
Jer 17:7, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD.”
Then in the New Testament we have the two words:

1. anqrwpoV, which answers to Adam (No. 1), and

1. anhr, which answers to Ish (No. 2).

It is worthy of note that these four Hebrew words are each used of the Messiah, and that the Holy Spirit has revealed a blessing for each in and through the man Christ Jesus.

Md) (Adam), Psa 32:2, “Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity.”
#y) (Ish), Psa 1:1, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
#wn) (Enosh), Job 5:17, “Happy* is the man whom God correcteth, therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.”

• The same word as in the other passages, viz., r#) (Ashrai), blessed. Lit. Oh, the blessednesses of.

rbg (Gehver), Psa 94:12, “Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of Thy law.”

THE SERPENT HAS SIX NAMES
The Talmud calls attention to this fact, and gives the following:—

#xn (nachash), a shining one (Gen 3:1; Job 26:13. See also No. 6 below).
bw#k( (ak-shoov), from #k(, “to bend back,” “lie in wait.” Translated adder, Psa 140:3.
h(p) (ephah), any poisonous serpent. Translated adder; also viper (Job 20:16; Isa 30:6, 59:5).
yn(pc (tsiph-ohnee), a small hissing serpent (Isa 11:8, 59:5; Prov 23:32), from (pc, to hiss. Translated viper.
Nynt (Tanneen), a great serpent, or dragon (from the root “to stretch out” or “extend”), on account of its length (Exo 7:9,10,12).
Pr# (Saraph), from root “to burn”; a venomous, deadly serpent, from the heat and inflammation caused by its bite. Translated serpents, Num 21:8; Isa 14:29, 30:6.

philologos.org/__eb-nis/six.htm

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

six contuned,

THE LION HAS SIX NAMES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
and all are found in the Book of Job (Job 4:10,11 and 28:8).

yr) (Aree), the roaring lion (Gen 49:9; Num 23:24, 24:9, etc.).
lx# (Shachal), the fierce lion, with special reference to his voice (Job 4:10, 10:16, 28:8; Psa 91:13; Hosea 13:7).
rypk (K’pheer), the young lion—not a whelp as in Eze 19:2—(Judg 14:5; Job 4:10, 38:39; Psa 17:12, 34:10).
#yl (Lah-yish), the old lion—not from age, but brave and strong—(Job 4:11; Prov 30:30; Isa 30:6).
)ybl (Lahvee), the old lioness (from root to roar) (Gen 49:9; Num 23:24; Deut 33:20, etc.).
Cx# (Shachatz), the lion’s whelps (Job 28:8, 41:34; translated “of pride”).

SOME WORDS THAT OCCUR SIX TIMES
Nwdb) (avad-dohn), destruction.
+wm (moht), bar, staff, or yoke.
Mtkm (mich-tahm), Michtam (Psa 16, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60). This word is connected with death, and at the same time with resurrection also (3x2). It is from Mtk, to cut in, engrave (LXX, sthlografia, a sculptured writing; sthlh was the word for grave-stone). Hence “Michtam,” like our “Resurgam,” indicates that these six Psalms, though connected with death, point to the hope of resurrection. This is notably true of Psalm 16, and may be traced in the others also.
aiscunh (aischunee), shame.
allattw (allatto), to change.
asebeia (asebeia), ungodliness.
atimazw (atimazo), entreat shamefully.
bdelugma (bdelugma), abomination. Three in Gospels: Matt 24:15; Mark 13:14; Luke 16:15. Three in Revelation: Rev 17:4, 5, 21:27.
For the combinations of 6, 66, and 666, see further under the number Six hundred and sixty six.

ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS ILLUSTRATIONS
Six times our Lord was asked for a sign:—

The Pharisees, Matt 12:38; Mark 8:11.
The Sadducees, Matt 16:1.
The Disciples, Matt 24:3; Mark 13:4.
The people, Luke 11:16.
The Jews, John 2:18.
The people, John 6:30.
Six persons bore testimony to the Saviour’s innocency:—

Pilate, Luke 23:14.
Herod, Luke 23:15.
Judas, Matt 27:3.
Pilate’s wife, Matt 27:19.
The dying thief, Luke 23:41.
The centurion, Luke 23:47.

philologos.org/__eb-nis/six.htm

My point is one, need only demonstrate that the number six can have other symbolic meanings, and show that one of them is possible in their proof text to refute their absoute claim that six means…

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

12 – represents the church and God’s authority. Jesus had 12 disciples, and there were 12 tribes of Israel. In Revelation 12:1, the 24 elders and 144,000 are multiples of 12. The New Jerusalem city has12 foundations, 12 gates 12 thousand furlongs, a tree with 12 kinds of fruit 12 times a year eaten by 12 times 12,000 or the 144,000. (See Revelation 21.)

prophecycode.com/numbers.asp

Why not use their interpretation of the number 12 aganist them?

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

these are their symbols that are most likely fudged, I highlighted the part that tips you off about them.

Note: Jerusalem and Isreal are often referred to as a harlot,

Isaiah 1:21
See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her— but now murderers!

In fact, this is driven home in Hosea,

Hosea 1:2-3 (King James Version)

2The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.

3So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.

• Beast = Kingdom/government/political power Daniel 7:17, 23

• Lion = Jesus/Powerful King i.e. Babylon Rev. 5:4-9, Jer. 50:43-44, Dan. 7:4,17,23

• Bear = Destructive Power / Medo Persia Proverbs 28:15, 2 Kings 2:23-24, **Daniel 7:5 **

• Leopard = Greece **Daniel 7:6 **

• Ram = Medo Persia **Daniel 8:20 **

• Goat = Greece **Daniel 8:21 **

• Horn = King or kingdom Daniel 7:24; 8:5, 21, 22; Zechariah 1:18, 19; Revelation 17:12

• Angel = Messenger Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26; Hebrews 1:14

• Babylon = apostasy/confusion/rebellion Gen. 10:8-10; 11:6-9; Rev. 18:2, 3; 17:1-5

• Mark = Sign or seal of approval or disapproval Ezekiel 9:4; Romans 4:11; Revelation 13:17; 14:9-11; 7:2, 3

• Seal = Sign or mark of approval or disapproval Romans 4:11; Revelation 7:2, 3

• Time = 360 Day Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32; 7:25; Daniel 11:13 margin

• Times = 720 Days Daniel 7:25, Revelation 12:6,14, 13:5

• Day = Literal year Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34

• Woman, Pure = True Church Jeremiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-27

• Woman, Corrupt = Apostate church Ezk. 16:15-58; 23:2-21; Hos. 2:5; 3:1; Rev. 14:4

• Forehead = Mind Deuteronomy 6:6-8, Romans 7:25; Ezekiel 3:8, 9

• Harlot = Apostate church/religion Isaiah 1:21-27; Jeremiah 3:1-3; 6-9

• Heads = Major powers/rulers/governments Revelation 17:3, 9, 10

prophecycode.com/symbols.asp

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Forehead meaning mind does not sound right at all.

biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=Forehead&version1=9&searchtype=all&limit=none&wholewordsonly=no

Here is the texts they have in mind for some of those symbols – forehead, mark, seal, heads

Revelation 7:3
Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have **sealed **the servants of our God in their foreheads.

Revelation 9:4
And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

Revelation 13:16
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a **mark **in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Revelation 14:1
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.

Revelation 14:9
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

Revelation 17:5
And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, **BABYLON **THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Revelation 20:4
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Revelation 22:4
And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

What adventists don’t know is that in Jesus’ day, runaway slaves were branded on the forehead. Military soilders would recieve a brand, mark, stigmata on their hand as a sign of royality to their commander.

google.com/search?hl=en&q=stigmata+mark+soldiers+slaves+romans+branding

Stigma: Tattooing and Branding in Graeco-Roman Antiquity
C. P. Jones
The Journal of Roman Studies, Vol. 77, 1987 (1987), pp. 139-155
doi:10.2307/300578
This article consists of 17 page(s).
links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0075-4358%281987%2977%3C139%3ASTABIG%3E2.0.CO%3B2-8&size=LARGE&origin=JSTOR-enlargePage

St. Paul in the years after Jesus’ death (first century A.D.) wrote in Galatians 6:17: " … I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." In the original Greek, ‘marks’ was written “stigmata.” (stig-MAH-tah) Paul’s statement is generally interpreted as referring to the sufferings that branded him Jesus’ soldier and slave and perhaps highlighting actual marks on his body as evidence of what he endured.

Sometime in the early 300’s A.D. a few Europeans reported wounds that mysteriously began to appear on their bodies. The word “stigmata” was used to describe those situations. Taken from the Greek, it means “sign” or “mark.” Both Greeks and Romans used the word to involve a brand: sometimes on slaves, sometimes on soldiers, and very widely on cattle to identify their owners.

workersforjesus.com/stigmata.htm

See, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament By Gerhard Friedrich Page 659
books.google.com/books?id=CGyOpNrzHj0C&pg=PA659&lpg=PA659&dq=stigmata+mark+soldiers+slaves+romans+branding&source=web&ots=n0LSv1uJwH&sig=b82BGuy9hHAGPCFVcCGkUnih00k

google.com/search?hl=en&q=stigmata+mark+soldiers+slaves+romans+branding

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Exodus 28

36 "Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal:HOLY TO THE LORD. 37 Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. 38 It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron’s forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD.

One could read forehead to mean mind here, but that is a strech.