Meaning of Numbers
in the Bible

The number twenty-four, being a multiple of twelve, expresses in a higher form the same significance as 22 does of 11. It is the number associated with the heavenly government and worship, of which the earthly form in Israel was only a copy.

We are told that both Moses and David ordered all things connected with the Tabernacle and Temple worship by direct revelation from God, and as a copy of things in the heavens:

"Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the vestibule, its houses, its treasuries, its upper chambers, its inner chambers, and the place of the mercy seat; and the plans for all that he had by the Spirit, of the courts of the house of the Lord, of all the chambers all around, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries for the dedicated things;" (1Chronicles 28:11-12)

"For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, 'See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.' " (Hebrews 5:3-5, NKJV throughout)

And the sevenfold phrase (in Exodus 40) "as the LORD commanded Moses" witnesses to the Divine ordering of all. It was so with the twenty-four courses of priests in the earthly Temple; these were formed on the "pattern of things in the heavens."

Those who regard them as representing the redeemed in the Bible have done so on the supposed authority of Revelation 5:9; but they have been misled by some scribe who, in copying Revelation 5:9, altered certain words either to make the passage conform to Revelation 1:5, 6 (which is somewhat similar), or to support this very view. Thus it has been handed down that these twenty-four elders were redeemed, and are therefore glorified human beings.

But it is now known that the ancient and true reading was very different. That reading is given in the Revised Version thus:

"And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for Thou wast slain and dist purchase unto God men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation, and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests: and they reign upon the earth."

Thus the ancient and true reading takes away all ground for making these elders redeemed men, and leaves them the angelic leaders of the heavenly worship.

Additional commentary on the Biblical Meaning of 24 *

The number 24 is associated with the priesthood. There were 24 courses of priests and singers at the temple.

Around God’s heavenly throne are 24 elders, each wearing crowns and sitting on thrones, who apparently assist God in the governing of the universe:

"After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, 'Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.' Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.

"And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads." (Revelation 4:1-4)

Psalm 72 lists 24 things that Jesus Christ — as High Priest after the order of Melchizedek — will do when He sits upon His throne and rules as King and Priest during the Millennium.