Why does the number six refer to man in the bible?

Answer 1

The number "seven" is used in The Bible many times, contextually, in conjunction with "completeness."
For instance, the "seven" days that God re-made a destroyed earth in Genesis 1, "completed the physical creation" of man; along with the physical refurbishing of the earth to sustain man.

Elisha told Naaman to wash himself "seven times" in the Jordan River to be "completely healed" of his leprosy: "...Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of leprosy." (II Kings 5:9 NLT New Living Translation)

In this biblical context, then, it may be seen that while man's "physical creation" was "completed" in Genesis 1 in the first "seven-day week"... with the Sabbath Day completing the week --
"...'the Sabbath was made FOR MAN, and not man for the Sabbath..." (Mark 2:27) --
...it's also evident from the Scriptures that God allotted mankind a 7000 year week composed of "seven" one-thousand year DAYS [see II Peter 3:8] for the "completion of mankind's PHYSICAL CREATION, or FUTURE REBIRTH.

This leaves us to believe that man "isn't quite complete, yet." Therefore, man falls just short of "seven" or "complete"... just as "six" is just short of "seven."

The number "three" [for PERFECTION] is also sometimes used in conjunction with "seven" to denote "perfect completeness" or "complete perfection." The THREE SETS of SEVENS in the book of Revelation are an example of this: the set of SEVEN SEALS, the set of SEVEN TRUMPETS, and the final set of SEVEN VIAL PLAGUES of God's wrath poured out on the earth. These indicate the PERFECT COMPLETION OF GOD'S PLAN on earth culminating with Christ's return and the final remake of the earth along with the perfect restoration of the universe.

There are many more examples throughout the Scriptures, but only one more needs to be cited here regarding the number "six":

"Here is Wisdom... for IT IS THE NUMBER OF A MAN; and his number is SIX HUNDRED THREESCORE and SIX. [666]" (Rev.13:19)

Mankind's "spiritual creation" is not "complete," yet. So, collectively, mankind's number "falls short of seven" -- perfection -- and is therefore "six."

And the "wicked man" whom prophecy says will be revealed at the final attempt of Satan-guided mankind, at the end of God's plan, to set up "one-world government" on the earth -- that man's number shall be 666... THREE SIXES... he will be PERFECTLY EVIL!

As Satan told Jesus, regarding the establishment of man's governments on the earth: "...'I will give you the glory of these kingdoms [of men] and authority over them - BECAUSE THEY ARE MINE to GIVE TO ANYONE I PLEASE." (Luke 4:6 NLT)

And Satan will give the seat and authority of the soon-coming "one-world-government" that the nations of this world are trying to establish, to this PERFECTLY WICKED man.

"...and the Dragon [Satan - see Rev.12:9] gave him his own power and throne and great authority... They WORSHIPED the Dragon for GIVING THE BEAST [the man] SUCH POWER, and they WORSHIPED THE BEAST..." (Rev.13:2-4 NLT)

So, for the time being, man only rates a "six" and falls "just short of Perfection." God is still working on that:

"Finally, brothers, farewell. AIM AT PERFECTION, take courage, be of one mind, live in peace; so shall the God of Love and Peace be with you." (II Cor.13:11 MNT Montgomery New Testament)
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in Righteousness: that THE MAN OF GOD may be [or BECOME] PERFECT, thoroughly furnished unto all Good Works." (II Tim.3:16-17)

Answer 2

Genesis 1:27,31 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day."

Man was created on the 6th day, and therefore has the number six impressed upon him. archive.org/details/numberinscriptur0000bull/page/150