Meaning of Numbers: The Number 102
The possible meaning of the number 102 in the Bible is derived primarily from the Psalms.
The year 102 A.D. contains the beginning of a Biblical Sabbatical year which is declared every seven years based on the Hebrew calendar. This Sabbatical period began on Thursday, September 1 (Tishri 1 or the start of the Hebrew civil year) in 102. It ended on Thursday, September 21 in 103.
Scripture's "royal" cubit of measurement is believed to have been 20.4 inches (51.8 centimeters) long. This means that Jerusalem's temple, if this cubit length was used to build it, would have been 102 feet (31.1 meters) long.
Appearances of Number One Hundred Two
The Apostle Paul, in the book of Hebrews, references the Old Testament 102 times.
The Greek word hodos, Strong's #G3598, is recorded 102 times in the New Testament's original language. It is written the most in Matthew (22 times) followed by both Luke and the book of Acts (20 times each). The word refers to a road or other ways of travel. It can also be used figuratively to designate a course of conduct as in Jesus' well-known statement in John 14.
I am the way (hodos), the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6, KJV).
The Hebrew word kaphar (Strong's Concordance #H3722) is recoded 102 times in 94 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is found the most in Leviticus (49 times) followed by Numbers (16) then Exodus (8). The word means to cover (sometimes with pitch), purge, make an atonement, cleanse, reconcile or pardon.
Seven days thou shalt make an atonement (kaphar) for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy (Exodus 29:37, KJV).
The Psalms and Number 102
Psalm 102 reveals God has hands just like humans. It also tells us that the universe is only temporary. When God's plan for mankind is completed in the near future, he will fold up the universe like a garment and then create a new one!
Of old You have laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They shall perish, but You shall endure; yea, all of them shall become old like a garment; like a vesture You shall change them, and they shall be changed . . . (verses 25 - 26, HBFV).
Psalm 102 mentions Zion by name three times (verses 13, 16, 21). It, along with Psalm 48 which also records it thrice (Psalm 48:2, 11 - 12), write about it the most in this musical section of Scripture.
Psalm 102 mentions three animals in only two verses. The first two are the owl and the pelican. The Hebrew word rendered "pelican" in most translations is called a desert owl in the HCSB and NIV Bibles. The third animal is a sparrow.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert. I watch, and am like a sparrow alone upon the housetop (verses 6 - 7, HBFV).
Verse 27 of this Psalm also confirms the never-ending existence of the Godhead.
But You remain the same, and Your years shall have no end (verse 27, HBFV).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 102
The primes 2, 3 and 17 are factors of 102. The number can also be reached by adding the four consecutive primes 19, 23, 29 and 31. It is additionally the first 3-digit numeric divisible by 3, 6, 17, 34 and 51.
Some of the hottest stars in the universe are called Wolf–Rayet stars. They can have a surface temperature ranging from 20,000 to 210,000 Kelvin. As of 2023, the star designated WR 102 is considered the hottest of the bunch, generating a temperature of 210,000 Kelvin (209,726 degrees Celsius or 377,540 degrees Fahrenheit).
Located in the constellation Sagittarius, WR 102 is believed to be close to exploding into a supernova.
The Greek word ophthalmos (Strong's #G3788) is recorded 102 times in the original Greek version of the New Testament. It is found the most in Matthew (26) followed by John (18) then Luke (17). The word can reference a literal eye or metaphorically a person's mind or attitude.
For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes (ophthalmos) they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes (ophthalmos), and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them (Matthew 13:15, KJV).