Meaning of Numbers: The Number 311
The possible meaning of the number 311 is derived primarily from church history and the occurrences of certain words both in Hebrew and the English text of the King James translation.
The English word "love" occurs 311 times in the King James Bible. 1John lists the word the most with 33 occurrences followed by the Song of Solomon (26) and the book of Psalms (23). The Apostle Paul concludes his famous "love" chapter of 1Corinthians 13 with the following words.
For now we see through a glass darkly, but then we shall see face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know exactly as I have been known. And now, these three remain: faith, hope and love; but the greatest of these is love (1Corinthians 13:12 - 13, HBFV).
Love is indeed the greatest, as its 311 KJV occurrences are more than the words "hope" (130) and "faith" (247)!
The Hebrew word YHVH, Strong's #H3068, is recorded 311 times in 281 verses in the original language of Leviticus. YHVH, often referenced as the Tetragrammaton, is one of the Bible's many names for God. The King James translation renders the word "LORD" (all capitals). The word first appears in the book's first chapter.
And the LORD (YHVH) called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying . . . (Leviticus 1:1, KJV).
Appearances of Number Three Hundred Eleven
311 A.D. is a monumental year in regard to Christian history. It all began when Diocletian became Roman Emperor in 284 A.D. Two years later he made Maximian Emperor of the western part of the empire while he ruled its eastern provinces. Diocletian, in 303, issued edicts that caused the worst state-sponsored persecution of Christians in the empire's history.
His edicts removed all Christians in his army, prohibited the assembly of Christians and the worship of God, and ordered the destruction of church buildings and Bibles. Those who considered themselves Christians, including church leaders, were arrested, imprisoned, tortured and in many cases killed (Complete Book of When and Where: In the Bible).
The persecutions which began in 303 were continued even after Diocletian abdicated in 305 A.D. and was succeeded by Galerius (305 to 311 A.D.). It was not until 311, the year Galerius died, that he issued the Edict of Serdica which allowed Christians to worship God in the eastern empire.
Entry 311 in the Greek definitions portion of Strong's is the word anabole. It is found only in the book of Acts and means "putting off" or a delay. The word is used by Roman Procurator Festus to describe to King Agrippa and Bernice how he handled Apostle Paul's case up to that point.
Therefore, when they (Paul's accusers) were come hither, without any delay (anabole) on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man (Paul) to be brought forth. Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed . . . (Acts 25:17 - 18, KJV).
Festus then offered to hear Paul's case in Jerusalem. Paul refused this offer but then requested his case, which was his right as a Roman citizen, to be judged by Caesar in Rome. Festus granted Paul his request.
Man's First Sin and Number 311
Genesis 3:11 (311) reveals God's first response to discovering that Adam had disobeyed him and eaten from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
And He (God) said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree which I commanded you that you should not eat?" (Genesis 3:11, HBFV).
The English word "hand" is found 311 times, in 274 verses, in the King James version of the Pentateuch. The books of Genesis and Exodus record it the most at 88 times each. Its first Biblical appearance reveals God's concern over man eating of the tree of life after he sinned and what he employed to protect it.
And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever . . .
So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life (Genesis 3:22, 24, KJV).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 311
311 is the 64th prime number. It comes before the primes 313 and 317 and after primes 293 and 307.
There are no original language words that occur 311 times in Scripture.
311 is unique in that it is equal to the addition of several consecutive prime numbers. It is first equal to the three primes 101, 103 and 107. It is also equal to the sum of the five primes 53, 59, 61, 67 and 71 as well as the seven back-to-back primes of 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53 and 59. 311 can, lastly, be arrived at by adding the eleven primes 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43 and 47!
The third chapter of the Song of Solomon has 11 verses (311) in the King James.