Did God Invent Fibonacci Numbers?

Abstract

Leonardo (of Pisa) Fibonacci wrote the initial treatise on the Fibonacci series in 1202. References to the sequence, however, appear as early as 250 BCE in Saskrit Literature. Some historias claim that Fibonacci pairs appear in Indian literature as early as 450 BCE. A didactic review of the design of the Tabernacle (as described in Exodus) and of Solomon's Temple (as described in 1 Kings and Chronicles) illustrates that the dimensions of both edifices as well as the interior furnishings were replete with designs based on the Fibonacci schema and its derivatives, the Golden Ratio (Divine Proportion) and its inverse, indicating Fibonacci pairs made their appearance at least 200 years prior to the earliest historic references in Sanskrit literature. (For those believing the Bible was given at Sinai, Fibonacci numbers makes their appearance about a millenia prior to Sanskrit writings) While Isaac Newton, a great theologian in his own right, extolled the mathemtatical and aesthetic virtues of Solomon's Temple in his "Chronology of Ancient Civilizations," unfortunately, he relies on the description of the Temple as depicted in Ezekiel, ch 40-43. This rendition, and Newton's drawings, as can readily be seen pertains to what is believed to be the Third Temple, and has little relationship to Solomon's Temple.

Keywords: Fibonacci numbers, Fibonacci pairs, Fibonaaci sequence, Golden Ratio, Divine Proportion, Sanskrit, Leonardo of Pisa, Tabernacle, Exodus, Solomon's Temple, Chronicles, 1 Kings, Bible, Ezekiel, Isaac Newton

JEL Classification: B3, B30, B31, )31