The Meaning of Numbers 10-19

Thirteen
Biblical meaning: rebellion, depravity
Hebrew words: yod-gimel (hand, pride)
Significance: rebelling against God
Examples:
1. Gen. 14:4 – the first occurrence of the number 13 in the Bible is about rebellion
2. Mark 7:21,22 – Jesus lists 13 sins
3. dragon – appears 13 times in Revelation

Gematria – Gematria is a system of assigning numbers to words, phrases, or names, commonly with Hebrew and Greek. When this is applied to names in the Bible, it turns out that names of God’s people are in multiples of 8, while names of those who rebelled against God are in multiples of 13. The sum of Seth to Japheth gives 3,168 which is 396 x 8. The sum of Cain to Tubal Cain is 2,223, which is 171 x 13. The sum of Judah’s kings from Rehoboam to Zedekiah is 4,400, which is 550 x 8. The sum of the Israelite kings from Jeroboam I to Hoshea is 3,900, which is 300 x 13. Remember that Judah led to the genealogy of Jesus Christ, while Israel always rebelled against Jerusalem. This is described in great detail in Number in Scripture, written by E.W. Bullinger.

Fourteen
Biblical meaning: deliverance, release
Hebrew words: yod-daleth (hand, door)
Significance: God delivering His people from problems
Examples:
1. Gen. 12:10 – the 14th time Abram’s name is mentioned, Abram went to Egypt to deliver himself from the famine in Canaan

2. Gen. 18:14 – the 14th time Abraham’s name is mentioned, God tells Abraham that Sarah will bear a son

3. Gen. 45:28 – the 14th time Israel’s name is mentioned, Israel finds out that is son Joseph is alive

4. Ex. 12:6 – the first Passover celebrated Israel being delivered from Egypt, this was on the 14th of the first month (Nissan)

5. Num. 27:22 – the 14th time Joshua’s name is mentioned, Joshua becomes Moses’ replacement, thus releasing Moses from his duties

6. Luke 4:35 – the 14th time Jesus’ name is mentioned in Luke, Jesus delivers a man who was demon-possessed

7. Acts 27:33 – Paul was delivered from a storm after 14 days

Other:
- the fear of the Lord – appears 14 times in the book of Proverbs: 1:7, 1:29, 2:5, 8:13, 9:10, 10:27, 14:26, 14:27, 15:16, 15:33, 16:6, 19:23, 22:4, 23:17

Fifteen
Biblical meaning: new direction
Hebrew words: yod-hey (hand, inspiration, grace)
Significance: the Holy Spirit giving people new direction in life
Examples:
1. Gen. 7:7 – the 15th time Noah’s name is mentioned, Noah enters the ark, which signifies a new direction for earth

2. Gen. 18:16 – the 15th time Abraham’s name is mentioned, Abraham approaches Sodom and Gomorrah

3. Gen. 37:28 – the 15th time Joseph’s name is mentioned, Joseph is sold by his brothers to the Ishmaelites, which bring him to Egypt

4. Gen. 46:1 – the 15th time Israel’s name is mentioned, Israel heads towards Beersheba, a new direction

5. Lev. 23:34 – the 15th day of the seven month (Tishri) is the feast of Tabernacles

6. Esther 9:18 – the Jews are saved from death on the 15th day of the month by Esther

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