Meaning of Numbers: The Number 124
The possible meaning of the number 124 is derived from the Biblical calendar and from the occurrence of certain Hebrew words.
God commanded ancient Israel to observe what is known as a Sabbatical year (Leviticus 25:1 - 7, 19 - 23). The beginning of this special period was (likely) proclaimed on the Day of Trumpets (Tishri 1) at the start of every seventh year. A Biblical Sabbatical year, the seventh in a series of seven, ran from Tuesday September 8 in 123 A.D. to Monday September 26 in 124 A.D.A Jubilee year is declared after seven sets of seven Sabbatical years (49 years) are completed (Leviticus 25). The year 124 A.D. marked the start of this joyous period when slaves were set free and property returned to their original owners. The Jubilee began on Wednesday October 5 (Day of Atonement) of this year and ran to Monday September 25 in 125 A.D.
Appearances of Number One Hundred Twenty Four
The Hebrew word chemah, Strong's #H2534, is recorded 124 times in 117 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is written the most in the book of Ezekiel (33 times) followed by Jeremiah (17) and then the Psalms (15). The word can reference heat in the sense of rage, anger, wrath or indignation. Its first use revolves around Rebekah's advice to Jacob after he had stolen the birthright blessing from Esau by pretending to be him!
Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran; And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury (chemah) turn away (Genesis 27:43 - 44, KJV).
The Hebrew word peh, Strong's #H6310, is written 124 times in the Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible). The book of Numbers, in this set, contains the most occurrences with 49. The word can refer to the mouth of animals or beasts, or the mouth of a river, or to any opening literally or figuratively. Its first use in the Bible involves God's condemnation of Cain for murdering his brother Abel.
And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth (peh) to receive thy brother's (Abel's) blood from thy hand . . . (Genesis 4:10 - 11, KJV).
The Hebrew word chashab, Strong's #H2803, is written 124 times in 122 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is recorded the most in the Psalms (18) then Exodus (13) then both Isaiah and Jeremiah (12 each).
The word chashab can reference a variety of actions such as thinking, planning, regarding, esteeming, calculating, imagining or counting. Its first use revealed that Abraham's faith in God's ability to bless him and produce countless descendants (when Isaac was not yet born) was considered righteous.
And he (God) brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted (chashab) it to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:5 - 6, KJV).
Number 124 and God's Name
One of the Hebrew names for God, Jehovah (YHVH, Strong's #H3068), is recorded in 124 verses in the book of 2Samuel. The first use of the Tetragrammaton in this book is in regard to David and his men mourning when they were informed King Saul and Jonathan, David's close friend, were killed in battle.
And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord (Jehovah), and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword (2Samuel 1:12, KJV).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 124
The Hebrew word naphal, Strong's Concordance #H5307, is written 124 times in the Major Prophets. The book of Ezekiel records it the most with 54 mentions, followed by Jeremiah (45) and Isaiah (25). The word can mean to fall, to cast down, to fail, to overthrow or to smite. God uses the word in Isaiah to reveal his punishment against the Kingdom of Judah for their rejection of Him and His laws.
For, behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water . . . For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen (naphal): because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of his glory (Isaiah 3:1, 8, KJV).
Construction began on the temple of Olympian Zeus, in ancient Athens, in the 6th century B.C. It was not completed, however, until more than 600 years later! It took Roman Emperor Hadrian's massive building program, started in 124 A.D., to finish the temple. The edifice was formally dedicated by the Emperor in 132 A.D.
The English word "verily" is written 124 times in the King James New Testament. It is recorded the most in the gospel of John (50 times) followed by Matthew (30) then Mark (15). The word is usually translated from the Greek amen (Strong's #G281) but can also be derived from men (#G3303) and others. It is used to underscore the trustworthiness or truthfulness of what is being stated.
The word "verily," out of its 124 New Testament uses, is recorded twice in a single verse in John 1:51, 3:3, 5, 11, 5:19, 24 - 26, 6:32, 47, 53, 8:34, 51, 58, 10:1, 7, 12:24, 13:16, 20 - 21, 38, 14:12, 16:20, 23 and 21:18.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man (John 1:51, KJV).