The word ubiquitous suggests that something is common, widespread, and constantly encountered in daily life. For example, cell phones, air, and the internet are all ubiquitous in today’s world.

Abraham ibn Ezra, a famous medieval Jewish scholar and philosopher, had a unique take on the number three. He was one of the most distinguished Jewish biblical commentators and philosophers of the Middle Ages. He was born c. 1089 in Tudela, Spain, and died c.1167 at age 78 in Calahorra, Spain.

While many cultures see three as a lucky or perfect number, Ibn Ezra taught that three is half of seven. In his biblical commentaries, he viewed seven as the ultimate symbol of completeness and perfection. Because three is approximately half of seven, he argued that it represents a turning point or a stepping stone toward ultimate completion, rather than being complete in itself.

Humans are naturally drawn to the number three. It is the smallest number of points needed to form a flat geometric shape (a triangle), creating an instant sense of balance. Because of this, it appears everywhere.  

Three appears in the Bible. Jewish tradition is built on three founding fathers: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Christianity is centered on God existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. According to Christian tradition, Jesus preached for three years and rose from the dead on the third day. The Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh, is divided into three parts: the Torah (Law), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).

The number three is found frequently in ancient cultures. Ancient Egyptians often grouped their gods into teams of three, such as Osiris, Isis, and Horus. The universe was divided among three brother gods in Greek mythology: Zeus rules the sky, Poseidon rules the sea, and Hades rules the underworld. Also,........

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