Meaning of Numbers: The Number 3000
The possible meaning of the number 3000 is derived from several momentous events found in the Bible.
The day of Pentecost in 30 A.D. is rightfully referred to as the birthday of the New Testament church. 120 of the Lord's disciples receive, on this unique day, a miraculous outpouring of God's Holy Spirit (Acts 2). Peter's stirring message, following this event, causes another 3000 people to be baptized and become Christians.
Then Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized each one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you yourselves shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit . . ."
Then those who joyfully received his message were baptized; and about three thousand souls (3000) were added that day. (Acts 2:38, 41, HBFV).
Appearances of Number Three Thousand
Aaron, while Moses is on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, is pressured by the Israelites to make them idols to worship. Bowing to the pressure, he has a molten calf made from various pieces of jewelry.
Moses, when he finally comes off of Sinai, sees the gross sins being committed by the people and becomes angry. He has the tribe of Levi, who remained loyal to God, go throughout the Israelite camp and kill what will end up being 3000 people who committed idolatry with the calf.
And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And there fell of the people that day about three thousand (3000) men (Exodus 32:28, HBFV).
Samson and the Number 3000
The number 3000 has a rather interesting link to Samson, a man who is arguably the strongest individual to have ever lived. The Philistines, tired of Samson harassing them, set up camp in Judah for the express purpose of capturing their enemy. 3000 men of Judah, however, fearful of the military presence in their land, chastise Samson's behavior and seek to turn him over to the Philistines.
Then three thousand (3000) men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, "Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What have you done to us?" (Judges 15:11, HBFV).
Samson, sensing another harassment opportunity, allows the Jews to turn him over the Philistines. He then uses the jawbone of an ass to kill one thousand men (Judges 15:14 - 15)!
Samson is eventually betrayed by Delilah. She cuts his hair which leads to his strength leaving him. The Philistines arrest him, gouge out his eyes, and force him into manual labor (Judges 16:21). They then make Samson the focus of their celebration honoring their pagan god and victory over Israel. The festivities end when the 3000 Philistines in attendance receive the ultimate punishment from God!
Now the house was full of men and women. And all the lords of the Philistines were there. And upon the roof were about three thousand (3000) men and women who watched while Samson made sport . . .
And Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines." And he pushed mightily with all his strength (on two of the house's main pillars), and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those he killed in his life. (Judges 16:27, 30, HBFV).
Job's Blessing
The patriarch Job was quite rich before he was hit with manifold trials and troubles caused by Satan the devil. At a time when animals were wealth, he possessed 7000 sheep, 3000 camels and 500 oxen.
And his possessions also were seven thousand sheep and three thousand camels (3000), and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred female donkeys, and a very great household, so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. (Job 1:3, HBFV).
God would ultimately bless Job with double the wealth he previously had after he caused him to repent (Job 42:12).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 3000
3000 is equal to 2 x 2 x 2 (2 cubed) x 3 x 5 x 5 x 5 (5 cubed). 2, 3 and 5 are all prime numbers.
Joshua initially sent three thousand soldiers to take the city of Ai after the Israelites' resounding victory over Jericho (Joshua 7:3 - 4).
The Bible states that King Solomon, during his reign, spoke 3000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs (1Kings 4:32)!