What do those numbers in battle mean?

[Dr. Casey]

Eight years after first playing FF3, I still have no idea what's the deal with the alternating 1-2-3-4 above the enemy's head.

[robfinalfantasy]

I think they are the index numbers of the characters targeting them.

[darksword12]

Yeah, 1 means the top character's attacking it, 2 means second from the top, 3 means third from the top, and 4 means last.

I thought it was a glitch at first. :-)