Meaning of Numbers
in the Bible

The Biblical Meaning of the Number 200

Twenty is the number of expectancy as we have seen. Here we have it tenfold (20x10).

The significance of this number is suggested in the 6th chapter of John, where we read:

"Philip answered Him (Jesus), 'Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.'" (John 6:7, NKJV)

How does the number 200 symbolize INSUFFICIENCY?

And so we find this number stamping various things with insufficiency:

• Achan's 200 shekels were "not sufficient" to save him from the consequences of his sin (Joshua 7:21). This shows us the insufficiency of money (Psalm 49:7-9).

• Absalom's 200 shekels weight of hair were "not sufficient" to save him, but rather caused his destruction (2Samuel 14:26, 18:9). This shows us the insufficiency of beauty.

• Micah's graven image was purchased for 200 shekels (Judges 17:4 and 18), and led to the introduction of idolatry into Israel and the (possible) blotting out of the Tribe of Dan from the blessing of Revelation 7, showing us the insufficiency of mere religion.

• Ezra's 200 "singing men and women" (Ezra 2:65), were "not sufficient" to produce peace with God, true spiritual worship, or joy in the Lord. Only God's word rightly ministered can lead to this (Nehemiah 8:5-9). This shows the insufficiency of external things in the worship of God, and the impossibility of worshipping God with the senses. True worship, which alone God will accept, "MUST" (John 4:24) be spiritual.

The Biblical meaning of the Number 390

The number three hundred ninety is the number of Israel (Ezekiel 4:5), being 13 x 30; as 65 (5x13) is the number of Ephraim (Isaiah 7:8); as 40 (5x8) is the number of Judah (Ezekiel 4:6); and 70 (7x10) is the number of Jerusalem.

As a matter of chronology it was 390 years from the division of the Tribes to the Captivity, and thus the duration of the separate kingdom of Israel was 390 years, as referred to in Ezekiel 4.