Meaning of Numbers: The Number 118
The English phrase "hundred and eighteen," used for the number 118, is recorded 3 times in 3 King James Bible verses.
The possible meaning of the number 118 is derived primarily from the Psalms.
The Bible contains 1,189 chapters. Psalm 118 is in the exact middle of Scripture as 594 chapters are recorded both before and after it. The middle verse of God's word offers plain but profound advice on how a person can live their best life on planet earth.
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man (Psalm 118:8, HBFV).
Appearances of Number One Hundred Eighteen
The Gospel of Mark references Psalm 118 twice (Mark 11:9, 12:10) as does the book of Luke (Luke 13:35, 20:17). Matthew refers to the song thrice (Matthew 21:9, 42, 23:39) while the Gospel of John references Psalm 118 only once (John 12:13).
And those who went before and those who followed behind were crying out, saying, "Hosanna! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord . . ." (Mark 11:9, HBFV).
Have you not read even this scripture: 'The Stone that the builders rejected, this has become the head of the corner . . .' (Mark 12:10, HBFV).
118 has subtle appearances in the King James translation. The first chapters of Joshua, 2Kings, Ecclesiastes, Zephaniah and 2Timothy have 18 verses (118).
Ecclesiastes 1:18 reveals the conclusion King Solomon drew from being uniquely gifted with wisdom.
For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow (Ecclesiastes 1:18, HBFV).
The English word "ear" is written 120 times in 118 King James Bible verses. It is found the most in the Psalms (25 times) followed by Isaiah (15) and then Jeremiah (11). Of the 118 times the word appears it is recorded only 20 times in the New Testament.
If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee (Exodus 15:26, KJV).
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God (Revelation 2:7, KJV).
Number 118 and the Psalms
Verse 22 of Psalm 118 contains a prophecy regarding Jesus' ministry that he himself quoted to a group of self-righteous Jewish religious leaders (Matthew 21:42). He used this verse to illustrate their rejection of him and his ministry.
The Stone which the builders rejected has become the Head Stone of the corner (Psalm 118:22, HBFV).
Hosanna is a word used in adoration or praise as was shouted during Jesus' triumphal approach and entry into Jerusalem less than a week before his death (Matthew 21:9, 15, Mark 11:9 - 10, John 12:13).
The basis for Hosanna is the Hebrew phrase yasha (hosha) na (Strong's #H3467 and #H4994) found only in Psalm 118 (1906 Jewish Encyclopedia).
Save now (yasha na), I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity (Verse 25, KJV).
Psalm 118 is also the only Psalm to mention bees. It is also one of only four Biblical places in the King James translation that mentions this insect, with the others being Deuteronomy 1:44, Judges 14:8 and Isaiah 7:18.
They surround me like bees; they are extinguished like the fire of thorns, for in the name of the Lord I will cut them off (Verse 12).
Psalms 113 to 118, collective known as the Hallel (Praise God) Psalms, were some of the special songs sung during the keeping of God's annual Feast of Tabernacles observance.
Spoiling the Egyptians!
The English word "spoil" is found 118 times in 106 King James verses. It is written the most in Jeremiah (14 times) followed by Isaiah and Ezekiel (12 each) and then 1Samuel and 2Chronicles (11 each).
Spoils (also called booty) are the possessions seized by one group from another, usually after a battle or war.
God allowed the ancient Israelites, as "payment" for their years as slaves, to spoil the Egyptians before they left the country. The Lord was also sometimes given a cut of any spoils as an offering (Numbers 31:25 - 41).
But every woman shall borrow of her neighbor, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians (Exodus 3:22, KJV).
And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods (Numbers 31:9, KJV).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 118
The English phrase "hundred and eighteen," used for the number 118, is found once each in the books of Genesis, Ezra and Nehemiah.
There are 4 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 118 times.
118 is the product of 2 x 59. Both 2 and 59 are prime numbers.
There are 118 known elements on the Periodic Table at the present time. The last element, which is considered synthetic, is called oganesson. It is considered a noble gas.
The prophetic books of Isaiah and Jeremiah contain 118 chapters total in the King James translation. The books of 1John and 2John also have this total number of verses.
The English word "lips" is written 119 times in 118 King James Bible verses. It is found the most in the Proverbs (42 times) followed by the Psalms (26) and then both Isaiah and Job with 10 each. The word "lips" is only recorded 6 times in the New Testament out of its 118 occurrences.
And Moses spake before the Lord, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips? (Exodus 6;12, KJV).
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me (Matthew 15:8, KJV).