The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 103
The possible meaning of the number 103 is derived from the Psalms and the occurrence of certain words in Scripture's original languages.
The year 103 A.D. contains a part of a Biblical Sabbatical year that is declared every seven years. This Sabbatical period began on Thursday, September 1 in 102 A.D. (Tishri 1 on the Hebrew Calendar). It ended on Thursday, September 21 in 103.
In 103 B.C. Alexander Jannaeus, one of the sons of former High Priest and Ethnarch over Judea John Hyrcanus I, became King of Judea.
Appearances of Number One Hundred Three
The Hebrew bamah, Strong's #H116, is found 103 times in the Hebrew Old Testament. It is written the most in 2Kings (27 times) followed by 2Chronicles (17). The word refers to something that is elevated or high such as a battlefield, ridge or mountain. In the King James, it is frequently translated as "high places" which many times were elevations of land used either to worship the true God or false deities.
And I (God) will destroy your (Israel's) high places (bamah), and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you (Leviticus 26:30, KJV).
Anna, a prophetess, was of the Israelite tribe of Asher. Scripture states she had lived 7 years with her husband then spent the next 84 years as a widow serving at Jerusalem's temple (Luke 2:36 - 37). If she married at age 12, the earliest a woman could wed at the time, she was at least 103 years old when she was allowed to witness baby Jesus being presented before God (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary).
The Psalms and Number 103
Psalm 103 affirms both the eternal mercy and love of God and the shortness of man's life on earth.
He (God) remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes, for the wind passes over it, and it is gone; and its place shall know it no more.
But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear Him . . . (verses 14 - 17 of Psalm 103, HBFV).
The phrase "Bless the Lord, O my soul" is only found in the King James Bible translation of Psalm 103 and 104.
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits . . . Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul (Psalm 103:1 - 2, 22, KJV).
Psalm 103 also contains the incredibly comforting passage affirming the Lord's mercy and willingness to forget all our sins.
He (God) does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:10 - 12, NLT).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 103
The Greek exousia, Strong's #G1849, is recorded 103 times in the Greek New Testament. It is found the most in Revelation (21 times) then the book of Luke (16). The word means influence, authority, power or the ability to freely act as one chooses. Jesus used this word to reveal he freely chose to die for humans and retained the right to reclaim his life.
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power (exousia) to lay it down, and I have power (exousia) to take it again . . . (John 10:17 - 18, KJV).
Number 103 is the 27th prime in a sequence that begins 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 and so on.