Meaning of Numbers: The Number 1000
The meaning of the number 1000, like other numerals in this series, can vary based on its usage in Scripture.
Samson, one of Israel's judges and the first person that Scripture states was under a Nazarite vow from birth, was charged by God to free the Israelites from the brutal Philistines. One of the ways he did this was to use his miraculous strength and stamina, plus the jawbone of an ass, to kill 1000 men in the Philistine army.
And he (Samson) found a new jawbone of a donkey, and put forth his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it. And Samson said, "With the jawbone of a donkey, heaps upon heaps, with the jawbone of a donkey I have killed a thousand (1000) men" (Judges 15:15 - 16, HBFV throughout).
Prophecy and Number One Thousand
One principle of prophecy in the Bible is that a prophetic day can equal one, or 1000, years in human history. This link is revealed to us directly by God in the prophecy he gave to Ezekiel. The prophet was to convey, in a most unusual way, the length of Israel and Judah's punishment for their many sins.
Also lie on your left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel on it; according to the number of days that you shall lie on it, you shall bear their iniquity.
For I have laid on you the YEARS of their iniquity, according to the number of the DAYS, three hundred and ninety days . . . And when you have fulfilled them, lie again on your right side, and you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days; A DAY FOR A YEAR . . . (Ezekiel 4:4 - 6).
Moses, in the only Psalm directly credited to him, links one day from God's perspective with 1000 years on earth.
For a thousand years in Your sight are as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night (Psalm 90:4).
The Apostle Peter, in his second epistle, confirms the link between a prophetic day and 1000 years.
Now, beloved, do not let this one fact be hidden from you: that with the Lord, one day is as a thousand years . . . (2Peter 3:8).
What Was Happening in 1000 B.C.?
What was happening in ancient Israel in 1000 B.C.? A little background is first needed to answer this question. David is anointed king of the tribe of Judah in 1010 B.C. His rival for rulership over all of Israel is Ishbosheth, one of King Saul's sons. From 1010 to 1003 a civil war rages between the forces supporting David (led by Joab) and those supporting Ishbosheth (led by Abner, 2Samuel 3). Ishbosheth only rules all the tribes of Israel, minus Judah, for two years.
In 1003 B.C. King Ishbosheth is murdered. The same year the remaining 11 tribes not ruled by David agree to make him their king (2Samuel 5:1 - 5). In 1000 David is in the third calendar year of his reign over all Israel. During his enter span of rule from 1010 to 970 B.C. he writes Psalms 1 to 71, 107 to 119 and 135 to 150. His priests during this period write Psalms 73 to 88 and 90 to 106. The remaining Psalms are penned at a later date.
Satan, Salvation and Number 1000
One thousand plays a critical role in God's plan, especially concerning his (and our) adversary the devil. Before Christ establishes the Kingdom of God on the earth, at his Second Coming, he will first have Satan restrained in a spiritual prison. The duration of his imprisonment will be 1000 years.
Then I saw an angel descending from heaven, having the key of the abyss, and a great chain in his hand. And he took hold of the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
Then he cast him into the abyss, and locked him up, and sealed the abyss over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer until the thousand years were fulfilled . . . (Revelation 20:1 - 3).
Jesus, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, will then rule the earth from Jerusalem for 1000 years (Revelation 19:16, 20:4, 6). His period of rule is commonly referred to as the Millennium or his millennial reign. The second resurrection of the dead will occur after this period of his rule.
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 1000
1000 is the product of 2 x 2 x 2 (2 cubed) x 5 x 5 x 5 (5 cubed). Both 2 and 5 are prime numbers.
No original language words of the Bible exist (Hebrew or Greek) that occur 1000 times.
Moses, in one of his final messages to the children of Israel, asks God to bless the people and make the nation 1000 times bigger than they were (Deuteronomy 1:11)! He also reminded the people that God's blessings and mercy are guaranteed, to a thousand generations, toward those who love and obey him (7:9). This wonderful promise is partly repeated in Psalm 105:8.
God promises, to those who do His will, that they will be divinely protected. One person will be able to chase away one thousand while countless others who attack will fall and cause them no harm (Joshua 23:10, Psalm 91:7).
Abimelech, based on a lie both Sarah and Abraham told (Genesis 20:1 - 5), thought Sarah was Abraham's sister and therefore took her for himself. After God informed him in a dream regarding the truth of their relationship, he summoned Abraham. After chastising him for lying he gave him cattle, servants and 1000 pieces of silver (verses 14 - 16).