Meaning of Numbers: The Number 36
The meaning of the number 36 is partly derived from it being 4 (2 x 2) times 9 (3 x 3).
Jotham, one of the better kings of Judah, began to co-rule with his father in 750 B.C. In 740, he began his sole reign over God's people at the age of 36 (2Kings 15:5 - 7, 2Chronicles 27:1).
King Jehoiakim, one of the last three monarchs over the Kingdom of Judah, ruled for eleven years and died at the age of 36 (2Kings 23). Although one of the sons of righteous king Josiah, he became one of the most brutal rulers over Judah. Scripture states he shed innocent blood and, ". . . he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood which the Lord would not pardon" (2Kings 24:4).
The book of Numbers is the sixth largest section of the Bible in terms of chapters. It has 36 chapters, 1,288 verses and 32,902 words (based on the KJV).
The book of 2Chronicles is the ninth largest section of God's word relative to chapters. It has 36 chapters, 822 verses and 26,074 words (KJV).
Appearances of Number Thirty-Six
Ai, the second city west of the Jordan the Israelites attacked under Joshua, was supposed to be an easy victory for God's people (Joshua 7:2 - 3). When, however, a contingent of 3,000 soldiers attacked the city, they were repelled. A group of 36 Israelites lost their life by those defending Ai (verses 4 - 5).
The reason why Israel could not defeat Ai was that God was angry with his people. He commanded them, after the walls of the wealthy city of Jericho miraculously came down, that all the city's silver, gold and other booty were to be dedicated to him (Joshua 6:16 - 19). A man named Achan, however, lusting after some of its treasures, had decided to take and hide some of Jericho's valuables for himself (7:18 - 24).
The Israelites, after discovering Achan's grievous sin, dealt with it by stoning him to death and burning all his possessions, which included the treasures he wrongly took from Jericho (Joshua 7:24 - 26). It was only after his punishment that the people were able to conquer Ai (Joshua 8).
Jerusalem's High Priest
36 B.C. is unique in that the position of Jerusalem's High Priest changed hands a couple of times. Herod the Great, who conquered Jerusalem in 37 B.C., appoints Ananel (Hananeel) as head priest the same year. One year later, in 36, he removes Ananel and replaces him with Aristobulus III, a 17-year-old who was the brother of his wife Mariamne I.
Later in 36, however, Herod has Aristobulus III murdered by having him drowned in a Jericho bathing pool (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 15, Chapter 3, Section 3). He then reappoints Ananel as High Priest, a position he will serve in until 30 B.C.
The High Priest named Joseph (Caiaphas) was instrumental in condemning Jesus to death (Matthew 26) and harassing the apostles (Acts 4:6 - 7). He was appointed to the position by Judea's Roman Prefect in 18 A.D. and served until 36 A.D. It was Caiaphas who unknowingly prophesied Jesus' death when he stated the following.
But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You have no understanding, nor consider that it is better for us that one man die for the people, than that the whole nation should perish." (John 11:49 - 50, HBFV).
Biblical Authors and Number 36
There are twenty-eight (4 x 7) writers of the Old Testament and eight (2 x 2 x 2) authors of the New Testament for 36 total for God's word.
The writers of the Old Testament are Amos, Daniel, David, Esther, Mordecai, Ezekiel, Ezra, Habakkuk, Haggai, Hezekiah, Hosea, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Job, Joel, Jonah, Malachi, Micah, Moses, Nahum, Nehemiah, Obadiah, Ruth, Samuel, Solomon, Zechariah, Zephaniah and the Davidic priests.
It is interesting to note that only two of the above writers, Esther and Ruth, are women.
The writers of the New Testament are Matthew, John, Mark, Luke, Paul, Peter, Jude (half-brother of Jesus) and James (another half-brother of the Lord). Paul wrote the most books of any author with fourteen. This makes 36 total inspired writers.
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 36
36 is the product of 2 x 2 (2 squared) x 3 x 3 (3 squared). Both 2 and 3 are prime numbers.
Interestingly, the number 36 is equal to adding the first eight digits or 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8.
In the Old Testament, the Biblical chapters of Genesis 37, Exodus 16, 21, Leviticus 8, Numbers 10, Judges 1, 1Samuel 2, 2Kings 10, 2Chronicles 29, Ezra 8, Nehemiah 11, Psalm 69, Proverbs 8 and Ezekiel 27 contain 36 verses in the King James Bible.
In the New Testament, the chapters Matthew 14, John 3 and Romans 11 have 36 verses in the KJV.
Verse 36 of Numbers 15 records a person being stoned to death for breaking the Sabbath. Stones were used to cause someone’s death at least eight other times (Leviticus 24, Joshua 7, Judges 9, 1Kings 12 and 21, 2Chronicles 24, Acts 7 and 14).
The Israelites, under Moses, fought and defeated five Midianite kings as well as the false prophet Balaam (Num. 31:1 - 8). Part of the booty they took from their enemy was 72,000 bullocks, of which 36,000 (36 x 1000) went to those in Israel's army who fought Midian (verses 25 - 26, 38, 44).