Meaning of Numbers: The Number 139
The possible meaning of the number 139 is primarily derived from the occurrence of certain words in the original Biblical manuscripts.
The Hebrew word mishkan, Strong's #H4908, is recorded 139 times in 129 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is found the most in the book of Exodus (158 times), followed by Numbers (42) then the book of Psalms (11). It means a place where someone resides or dwells. In the King James it is commonly translated as "tabernacle," the place God's presence resided before Jerusalem's temple was built.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying . . . And let them (the Israelites in the wilderness) make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle (mishkan), and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it (Exodus 25:1, 8 - 9, KJV).
The Hebrew yamiyn, Strong's #H3225, occurs 139 times in 133 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is recorded the most in the Psalms (42 times) followed Isaiah (9). The word is used to refer to a person's (or God's) right hand (usually symbolizing power or authority) or the location it represents. It can also be used in reference to other body parts located on the right side.
I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand (yamiyn), I shall not be moved (Psalm 16:8, KJV).
According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness (Psalm 48:10, KJV).
Number One Hundred Thirty Nine Appearances
Many of the families who had lived in Judea, taken out of the land by Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar Babylon around 586 B.C., were allowed to return to their homeland under Nehemiah and Ezra. Six divisions or sets of gatekeepers, numbering 139 men whose families had worked at Jerusalem's temple, were among those freed from captivity.
And these are the children of the province who went up out of the captivity . . . And these came again to Jerusalem and Judah, each one to his city . . .
The children of the gatekeepers: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all a hundred and thirty-nine (139, Ezra 2:1, 42, HBFV).
Entry number 139 in Strong's definitions of Biblical Greek words is hairesis. The word is found only nine times in the New Testament. Although it is used to refer to a group with common religious beliefs (e.g. the sect of the Pharisees), the King James Bible also utilizes it to denote beliefs that are contrary to Biblical teachings.
For there must be also heresies (hairesis) among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you (1Corinthians 11:19, KJV).
The Psalms and Number 139
The writer of Psalm 139 acknowledges God's ability to know every person's heart and all the details of their life. He both praises the Lord for giving him life and requests he be led in the ways of righteous for all eternity.
O Lord, You have searched me and have known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thoughts afar off. You measure my going about and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways . . .
For You have possessed my reins; You have knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am awesomely and wonderfully made . . .
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts, and see if any wicked way is in me; and lead me in the way everlasting (verses 1 - 3, 13 - 14, 23 - 24 of Psalm 139, HBFV).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 139
139 is the 34th prime. The prime numbers that come immediately before it are 127, 131 and 137, and those immediately after it are 149, 151 and 157.
139 is equal to the addition of the five consecutive primes 19 + 23 + 29 + 31 + 37.
The Roman Republic, in 139 B.C., officially recognized the Hasmonean ruling dynasty over Judea.
The English word "living" appears 147 times in 139 King James Bible verses. It is written the most in Ezekiel (22 times) followed by Genesis (16) then the Psalms (11).
And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good (Genesis 1:21, KJV).
Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings (Ezekiel 1:5 - 6, KJV).