Meaning of Numbers: The Number 117
The English phrase "hundred and seventeen," used for the number 117, is not recorded in the King James translation.
The possible meaning of the number 117 is derived from its prophetic link to Jesus and the layout of Scripture.
The first three books of God's word, Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus, have 117 total chapters. The four gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), along with the book of Acts, also contain the same number of chapters.
The Song of Solomon was, of course, penned by King Solomon (Song of Solomon 1:1, 5, 3:7, 9, 11, 8:11 - 12) during his reign from 970 to 930 B.C. It contains 8 chapters and 117 verses.
The first chapters of Leviticus, 2Chronicles, Song of Solomon, Jonah and Habakkuk have exactly 17 verses (117).
Appearances of Number One Hundred Seventeen
The Hebrew word bekor, Strong's #H1060, is recorded 117 times in the Old Testament's original language. It is found the most in both the books of Numbers and 1Chronicles (25 times each) followed by the book of Exodus (20).
Bekor means chief, eldest or firstborn of either man or beast. One of its most profound uses takes place when Moses warns Pharaoh that the tenth and worst plague to befall Egypt is about to occur.
And all the firstborn (bekor) in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn (bekor) of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn (bekor) of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn (bekor) of beasts (Exodus 11:5, KJV).
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn (bekor) (Zechariah 12:10, KJV).
Jonah 1:17 (117) is uniquely prophetic, as the time of the prophet's punishment in the belly of a whale was used by Jesus to reveal how long he would be unconscious in the grave.
And the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17).
A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. For just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, in like manner the Son of man shall be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights (Matthew 12:39 - 40, HBFV).
The English word "bless" is recorded 127 times in 117 King James Bible verses. It is written the most in the Psalms (44 times) followed by Genesis (22) and then Deuteronomy (21). The word, rather surprisingly, is used only 10 times in the KJV New Testament.
And I (God) will bless them that bless thee (Abraham), and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12:3, KJV).
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matthew 5:44, KJV).
Earthly Kingdoms
Emperor Trajan ruled the Roman Empire from 98 to 117 A.D. During his reign he fought the Second Roman-Dacian War for control of the Kingdom of Dacia. His victory, over land that resides mostly in modern day Romania, enabled the empire to expand yet again.
The Roman Empire reached its zenith in territorial control, in Trajan's last year, by governing roughly 2.2 million square miles (5.697 million square kilometers) of land.
Rome's famous fire, according to Roman historian Tacitus (56 to 117 A.D.), which Emperor Nero blamed on Christians, was believed to have started near the Circus Maximus in July of 64 A.D.
The Jews in Egypt instigate a final rebellion against the Roman Empire from 115 to 117 A.D. during the rule of Emperor Trajan. The uprising took place not only in Egypt but also on the island of Cyprus and in Cyrene (modern day Libya).
The Hebrew word mamlakah, Strong's Concordance #H4467, is recorded 117 times in 113 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is found the most in 2Chronicles (19 times) followed by Jeremiah (17) and then Isaiah (14). The word usually refers to earthly kingdoms headed by kings or queens. It can, however, reference kingdoms ruled by God (Isaiah 9:7).
And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord . . .
And the beginning of his kingdom (mamlakah) was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar (Genesis 10:8 - 10, KJV).
Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms (mamlakah), to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy (Zephaniah 3:8, KJV).
Number 117 and the Psalms
Psalm 117 is the smallest chapter in the Bible with only 2 verses and 30 words in the HBFV translation or 2 verses and 33 words in the King James.
O praise the Lord, all you nations; praise Him, all people, for His merciful kindness is great toward us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! (verses 1 - 2, HBFV).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 117
There are 4 words in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 117 times.
117 is equal to the product of 3 x 3 (3 squared) x 13. Both 3 and 13 are prime numbers.
The English name "Hezekiah" appears 128 times in 117 King James Bible verses. It is written the most in 2Kings (44 times) then 2Chronicles (40) and Isaiah (33). Hezekiah, who assumed the throne at age 25, was the second from last righteous ruler to reign over the Kingdom of Judah. His reign ran from 715 to 686 B.C.
Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them (2Kings 18:13, KJV).
And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God (2Chronicles 31:20, KJV).
God commanded ancient Israel to keep a Sabbatical year, also known as the year of release (Deuteronomy 31:10). This year was the seventh in every seven-year cycle. Seven cycles of these sets of seven years (49 years total) were needed before the Jubilee year (50th year) could be celebrated.
September 25 in 116 A.D. (Tishri 1 on the Hebrew calendar) began a Sabbatical year. This special year ended on September 14 in 117 A.D.