Meaning of Numbers: The Number 108
The possible meaning of the number 108 is derived primarily from the book of Psalm and Bible history.
The patriarch Jacob, in 1692 B.C., is 108 years old. He and his family of twelve sons finally reach Hebron (Mamre) in order to be with Isaac who is 168 (Genesis 35). Jacob will live near his father for the next twelve years until his dad's death at 180. Isaac will end up living longer than either his father Abraham or his son Jacob.
The English word "worship" is recorded 108 times in the King James Bible. 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).
Appearances of Number One Hundred Eight
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 the Exodus with 9. The word 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: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him (Genesis 17:19, 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)!
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).
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).
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).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 108
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).
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).