Meaning of Numbers: The Number 14
A multiple of 7, 14 partakes of its importance and, being double that number, implies a double measure of spiritual perfection. Two with which it is combined (2 x 7) may, however, bring its own significance into its meaning, as it does in Matthew 1, where the genealogy of Jesus Christ is divided up and given in sets of 14 (2 x 7) generations, two being associated with incarnation.
The Gospel of Matthew reveals that there are three sets of 14 generations between (and including) Abraham to Joseph (husband of Mary and Jesus' stepfather).
The first set of 14 generations is Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Perez, Hezron, Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, Salmon, Boaz, Obed, Jesse and David.
The second set of generations is King David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joram, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon and Josiah (captivity).
The third and final set of 14 generations in Jesus' lineage through Joseph is Josiah (captivity), Jeconiah, Shealtiel, Zerubbabel, Abiud, Eliakim, Azor, Zadok, Achim, Eliud, Eleazar, Matthan, Jacob and Joseph.
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations (Matthew 1:1 - 17, NKJV).
Appearances of Number Fourteen
The minor prophets Hosea and Zechariah each have books containing 14 chapters.
The book of 3John has 14 verses.
In the Old Testament, the chapters 1Chronicles 10, 13, 2Chronicles 5, 16, Esther 5, 6, Job 26, Psalm 19, 27, 48, 148, Ecclesiastes 12, Song of Solomon 8, Isaiah 16, 17, 58, Jeremiah 21, Ezekiel 6, 19, Hosea 8, 12, Amos 6, 8, Zechariah 4, 7, 12 and Malachi 1 have 14 verses in the King James Version of God's word.
In the New Testament, the chapters Romans 13, 2Corinthians 13, Hebrews 1, 5, 1Peter 5 and Revelation 5 have 14 verses.
In the Book of Proverbs the expression "the fear of the Lord" occurs 14 times. It is found in Proverbs 1:7, 29, 2:5, 8:13, 9:10, 10:27, 14:26, 27, 15:16, 33, 16:6, 19:23, 22:4 and 23:17.
The number 14 represents deliverance or salvation. It is used twenty-two times in the Bible. The term "14th" is found 24 times in scriptures.
Covenants and the Number 14
The fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover, when God delivered the firstborn of Israel from death. Some 430 years earlier, on the night of day 14 of the first month (Nisan), God made two covenant promises to Abraham.
The first covenant promise in the Bible concerned his physical seed, Isaac, and his descendants. The second promise concerned Jesus Christ, and the sons of God who would come through Him, who would shine like the stars of heaven (Matthew 13:43). On the day portion of Nisan 14 God confirmed the promises with a special covenant sacrifice.
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.' But Abram said, 'Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?' . . .
And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 'This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.' Then He brought him outside and said, 'Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.' And He said to him, 'So shall your descendants be' (Genesis 15:1 - 2, 4 - 5, NKJV).
Tuesday April 4 in 30 A.D., at sunset, began the Hebrew calendar day of Nisan 14. It was just after sunset that Jesus kept his last Passover with his disciples, instituting the Christian Passover ceremonies of footwashing, eating unleavened bread and drinking a small amount of wine. These symbols represent the humble sacrifice of the Lord's body and blood that make the New Covenant possible.
During the day portion of Nisan 14 (Wednesday, April 5) Jesus is condemned by the Romans. He is then tortured through scourging and beating, forced to drag a stake to Golgotha, then crucified from noon to 3 p.m. He is then buried in a tomb just before sunset. His perfect sacrifice, as God manifested in the flesh, makes possible the forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation for all humans.
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 14
The initial inheritance of the tribe of Benjamin in the Promised Land included a large group of 14 cities and village. The cities in this group include Gibeon, Ramah, Mizpah, Gibeah and Jerusalem (Joshua 18:21 - 25).
Abijah, son of King Rehoboam and grandson of Solomon, assumed the throne over Judah in 913 B.C. During his life he married fourteen wives and produced 22 sons and 16 daughters (2Chronicles 13:21). His reign only lasted three years until 910 B.C.
Number fourteen is equal to 2 x 7, both of which are primes.
The patriarch Joseph served Laban 14 years (7 years each) in order to marry his daughters Leah and Rachel (Genesis 31:41).
Seven represents completion. Thus, 7 + 7 = 14 indicates a double completion. The first completion was that Jesus' ministry in the flesh was completed. The second completion was that Jesus' sacrifice ended or fulfilled the need for animal sacrifices.