Meaning of Numbers: The Number 135
The English phrase "hundred and thirty and five," used for the number 135, is not recorded in the King James Bible.
The possible meaning of the number 135 is derived primary from history related to ancient Israel.
The Greek word blepo (Strong's #G991) is penned 135 times in 119 Greek New Testament verses. It is recorded the most in the gospel of Matthew (20 times) followed by John (17) and then both the books of Luke and Revelation (16). Blepo is a verb that means to look at, behold, perceive, see or discern.
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh (blepo) on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart (Matthew 5:28, KJV).
I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest (blepo), write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea (Revelation 1:11, KJV).
Appearances of Number One Hundred Thirty-Five
The Hebrew word kisseh (Strong's Concordance #H3678) is written 135 times in 124 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is utilized the most in 1Kings (34 times) followed by the Psalms (18) and Jeremiah (17). The word refers to a seat of honor or a throne.
And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne (kisseh), even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts (Exodus 11:5, KJV).
And I will overthrow the throne (kisseh) of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother (Haggai 2:22, KJV).
Definition 135 in the Hebrew section of Strong's Concordance is the name addan. The name, which appears only once in Scripture, is listed as one of the cities where Babylonian captivities lived and were allowed to return to Israel. The problem, at the time of Ezra, was that some from Addan and other cities could not prove they were Israelites.
And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel (Ezra 2:59, KJV).
Rebellion and Number One Hundred Thirty Five
The Bar Kokhba revolt began in Judea in 132 A.D. as an uprising against the Roman Empire. The revolt was named after Simon ben Koseba, also known as Bar Kokhba, a Jewish military leader who led the rebellion. Spurring the uprising was Rabbi Akiba, who declared Kokhba the fulfillment of the messianic prophecy in Numbers 24:17 - 18.
Simon won several early victories that made Judea independent from Rome for three years. This independence, however, was destined to collapse under the military superiority of the Romans. Although Emperor Hadrian's forces, in 135 A.D., retook Judea, the loss of life was huge. The estimated causalities of the war vary from 500,000 to 985,000 (Holman Bible Handbook).
Hadrian, after his victory, instituted several policies. Jewish captives were sold into slavery and sent to various parts of the empire. All racial Jews were forbidden to enter Jerusalem. The practice of anything that resembled the Jewish religion (e.g. keeping Passover or Saturday Sabbath) was also forbidden in Judea. The reading of the Scriptures was also outlawed.
The war of 132 to 135 A.D. marks the second time Jerusalem was attacked and conquered after the death and resurrection of Jesus in 30 A.D.
Number 135 and David's Tomb
John Hyrcanus I, in 135 B.C., becomes High Priest and Ethnarch over Judea after the assassination of his father Simon Thassi (Maccabee). Seleucid King Antiochus VII (Sidetes), seeking to reclaim lost territory, attacks Jerusalem the following year in 134.
Hyrcanus eventually negotiates a truce with Antiochus. He agrees to immediately pay 3,000 talents of silver, valued today at $68.9 million dollars (assuming $21 per troy ounce), which he is able to pay by raiding King David's tomb!
"And now Antiochus was so angry at what he had suffered from Simon, that he made an expedition into Judea . . . but Hyrcanus opened the sepulcher of David . . . and took thence about three thousand talents in money, and induced Antiochus . . . to raise the siege" (Wars of the Jews, Book 1, Chapter 2, Section 5).
"He (Hyrcanus) is said to have taken this sum from the treasure in David's sepulcher" (1906 Jewish Encyclopedia).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 135
The Greek word duo, Strong's #G1417, is found 135 times in 124 Greek New Testament verses. It is found the most in the gospel of Matthew (41 times) followed by the book of Luke (27) and then Mark (18).
Although duo can refer to the number two, it can be translated "twain" or "both" in the King James.
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two (duo) brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matthew 4:18 - 19, KJV).
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain (duo) (Matthew 5:41, KJV).
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both (duo) were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone (Revelation 19:20, KJV).
There are 3 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 135 times.
135 is equal to (1 + 3 + 5) x (1 x 3 x 5). It is also equal to 1 + (3 x 3) + (5 x 5 x 5) or 1 + 9 + 125.
The numbers 3, 5, 9, 15, 27 and 45 are factors of 135. There are also 135 prime numbers between 1,000 and 2,000.
From 115 to 135 A.D. a man named Simeon b. Gamaliel II helped preserve the Old Testament text.
The first chapters of the general epistles (James, Peter, John and Jude) total 135 verses.