Meaning of Numbers: The Number 108
The English phrase "hundred and eight," used for the number 108, is not recorded in the King James translation.
The possible meaning of the number 108 is derived primarily from the book of Psalm and Bible history.
The English word "worship" is recorded 108 times in 102 King James verses. It appears the most both in the book of Psalms and Revelation with 15 appearances each. Its first use is linked to Abraham fulfilling God's command to sacrifice his only son Isaac.
And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you (Genesis 22;5, KJV).
And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things (Revelation 22:8, KJV).
Appearances of Number One Hundred Eight
Sheliyshiy, Strong's #H7992, is recorded 108 times in 94 Old Testament Hebrew verses. It is found the most in 1Chronicles (15 times) followed by Ezekiel (11) and Numbers (10). In the King James the word is usually translated as "third," or "third part" as in the first chapter of Genesis.
And the evening and the morning were the third (sheliyshiy) day (Genesis 1:13, KJV).
And I will bring the third (sheliyshiy) part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God (Zechariah 13:9, KJV).
The Greek word parakaleo, Strong's #G3870, is found 108 times in 104 New Testament Greek verses. It is utilized the most in the book of Acts (21 times) followed by 2Corinthians (18) and both the books of Matthew and Mark (9 times each). The word means to call near, invoke, exhort, or even to comfort as found in the beatitudes.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted (parakaleo) (Matthew 5:4, KJV).
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort (parakaleo) you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3, KJV).
A Child of Laughter
The Hebrew yitschaq, Strong's #H3327, is recorded 108 times in 101 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is written 80 times in the book of Genesis followed by Exodus with 9. The word, which means "laughter," is always translated as the name Isaac in the King James.
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac (yitschaq): and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him (Genesis 17:19, KJV).
O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac (yitschaq), and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee (1Chronicles 29:18, KJV).
Sarah, prior to Isaac's birth, was unable to bear children. God's promise to enable Abraham and Sarah to conceive a physical descendent came to pass when he was 99 (Genesis 17:1) and she was 89 or 90.
The Lord had to heal Sarah's womb, and give her body the ability to bear a child after menopause (Genesis 18:11), in order for her to produce Isaac. God also had to give Abraham the desire and stamina for him to procreate in his old age (see Genesis 17:17)!
Number 108 and the Psalms
Psalm 108 mentions two of several musical instruments used anciently to praise God. The first, called a psaltery in the King James, may have had as many as ten strings. The second, translated as "harp," was another string instrument. Although it is sometimes referred to as David's harp, its creator was a man named Jubal (Genesis 4:16 - 21).
Awake, psaltery (nebel, Strong's #H5035) and harp (kinnor, #H3658): I myself will awake early (Verse 2 of Psalm 108, KJV).
A Long Busy Life
The Biblical patriarch Jacob, renamed Israel by God, led a long life of 147 years. Two of the major periods of his life took place when he was between the ages of 97 and 108, and also between 108 to 120 years old.
God commanded Jacob, when he was 97, to finally leave Laban and stop serving him (Genesis 31:3). Jacob obeys and embarks on an eleven year journey that will ultimately bring him to Hebron. During this period he will wrestle with "a man" all night long (Genesis 32:24 - 30) and have a peaceful reunion with his twin Esau (Genesis 33:1 - 16). He then must deal with his only daughter getting raped and the consequences of his sons taking revenge (Genesis 34).
While traveling to Bethlehem Jacob experiences the loss of Rachel his beloved wife. After Rachel dies while giving birth to Benjamin she is buried near the city (Genesis 35:16 - 20). As if all this were not enough, Jacob's oldest son Reuben commits incest with his father's concubine (verse 22).
In 1692 B.C., at the age of 108, Jacob arrives in Hebron where his father Isaac lives. Jacob's creation of a special tunic for Joseph (the "coat of many colors") causes further division in the family that leads to Joseph being sold as a slave (Genesis 37). Jacob and his family will spend the next twelve years in Hebron until Isaac dies at 180 (Genesis 35:28 - 29).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 108
There are 7 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 108 times.
The New Testament book of James, produced between 40 and 41 A.D., is the second earliest Biblical writing. It contains 5 chapters and 108 verses total.
108 is equal to 2 x 2 (2 squared) x 3 x 3 x 3 (3 cubed). This number also represents 9 dozen.
The Greek hora, Strong's #G5610, occurs 108 times in 100 Greek New Testament verses. It is recorded the most in the gospel of John (26 times) followed by Matthew (23) and then Luke (16). The word is usually translated as "time" or "hour" in the King James as in Jesus' healing of a centurion's servant.
And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour (hora) (Matthew 8:13, KJV).
And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour (hora) is she made desolate (Revelation 18:19, KJV).
According to Foxe's Book of Martyrs (chapter 2), the Roman Empire's third state sponsored persecution of Christians began in 108 A.D. It was undertaken when Emperor Trajan (98 to 117 A.D.) ruled the empire. The 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia has the following to say regarding Trajan's dislike of Christians.
"While it is therefore probable that the formula: "Let there be no Christians" (Christiani non sint) dates from the second half of the first century, yet the earliest clear enactment on the subject of Christianity is that of Trajan (98 - 117) in his famous letter to the younger Pliny, his legate in Bithynia." (1913 Encyclopedia article on Martyrs).