Meaning of Numbers
in the Bible

Biblical Meaning of Numbers

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8  -  9  -  10  -  11  -  12  -  13  -  14
15  -  16  -  17  -  19  -  30  -  40  -  666

The Number 22

The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 22

The number twenty-two, being the double of eleven, has the significance of that number in an intensified form, — disorganization and disintegration, especially in connection with the Word of God.

The number twenty two is associated with the worst of Israel's kings: Jeroboam (1Kings 14:20), and Ahab (1Kings 16:29), each reigning 22 years.

Eleven, we have seen, derives its importance by being an addition to Divine order (10), and a subtraction from Divine rule (12). These are two of the three ways in which the written Word of God can be corrupted — the third being alteration. "The words of the LORD are pure words" — words pertaining to this world and therefore requiring to be purified (see number 7). But these words have been altered, taken from, and added to by man. Is there anything in this which connects it with the fact that the letters of the alphabet (Hebrew) are twenty-two in number? Does it point to the fact that the revelation of God in being committed to human language and to man's keeping would thereby be subject to disintegration and corruption?

The number twenty-two and the death of Jesus

Jesus quoted from Psalm 22, written by King David, when he cried from the cross:

"Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?' that is, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' " (Matthew 27:45-46)

Those near the cross who heard Jesus cry out mistakenly thought he was asking Elijah for help (Matthew 27:47-49, Mark 15:35-36). The verses Jesus was quoting came from the first few verses of Psalm 22:

"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?  Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning?  O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear;  And in the night season, and am not silent." (Psalm 22:1-2)

Additional commentary on the Biblical Meaning of 22 *

In regard to the number 22, the Hebrew alphabet is made up of 22 letters — which are used to compose the Word of God.

The Bible is called a lamp (Psalms 119:105; Proverbs 6:22), thus it is the light by which we are to live. The word light is found 264 times in the Bible; when divided by 12 (divine authority) we have 22, the number of light.

How many things did God make during six days of creation?

God created 22 things in the six days of creation.

There are 22 books in the Aaronic / Levitical Old Testament — the light of God for Israel. From Adam to Jacob are 22 generations. When Moses raised up the tabernacle of God, the number of Levites consecrated to serve was exactly 22,000. Light is used 22 times in the Gospel of John. The 22nd time John uses the word, he quotes Jesus: "I have come as a light into the world so that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness" (John 12:46). Christians are to walk in the light of Christ (John 3:21), and be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-15).

The apostle Paul’s epistle to the Hebrews, written to Greek-speaking Jews and Gentiles, is the 22nd book of the New Testament.

Additional Study Materials
from BibleStudy.org
Timeline of the
Old Testament
 
Timeline of the
New Testament
 
 
 

Biblical Meaning of Numbers

Introduction
1  -  2  -  3  -  4  -  5  -  6  -  6 and 7  -  7  -  8  -  8 and 7
8 and 13  -  9  -  10  -  11  -  12  -  13  -  14  -  15  -  16  -  17
18  -  19  -  20  -  21  -  22  -  24  -  25  -  27  -  28  -  29  -  30
31  -  33  -  34  -  40  -  42  -  50  -  51  -  65  -  70  -  120
153  -  200  -  390  -  400  -  430  -  490  -  666
 
Source Text
Number in Scripture:
Its Supernatural Design and Spiritual Significance
by E. W. Bullinger
(edited by BibleStudy.org)
 
 
* Additional information on the meaning of the number 22 taken from
The Holy Bible in Its Original Order, Second Edition, Chapter 2.
 
   
 
 
 
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