211. This is why the number three in the Word means in the spiritual sense what is complete and perfect, also the whole together; and this being the signification of that number, it is used in the Word whenever any such thing is designated as in the following instances:
That Isaiah went naked and barefoot three years (Isa. 20:3).
That Jehovah called Samuel three times, and Samuel three times ran to Eli, and the third time Eli understood (1 Sam. 3:l-8).
That Jonathan told David to hide himself in the field three days, and Jonathan afterwards shot three arrows on the side of the stone, and thereupon David bowed himself three times before Jonathan ( 1 Sam. 20:5, 12-42).
That Elijah stretched himself upon the widow's son three times (1 Kings 17:21).
That Elijah commanded them to pour water upon the burnt offering three times (1 Kings 18:34).
That Jesus said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened (Matt. 13:33).
That Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him three times (Matt. 26:34).
That three times Jesus said to Peter, Lovest thou Me? (John 21:15-17).
That Jonah was in the whale's belly three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17).
That Jesus said that He would destroy the temple and would rebuild it in three days (John 2:19; Matt. 26:61).
That Jesus prayed in Gethsemane three times (Matt. 26:39-44). That Jesus rose on the third day (Matt. 28:1)
besides many other passages where the number three is mentioned; and it is mentioned where a finished and perfect work is treated of, because this is what that number signifies.