Meaning of Numbers: The Number 146
The possible meaning of the number 146 is derived from the occurrence of certain Hebrew and Greek words in Scripture.
The Hebrew shachath, Strong's #H7843, is recorded 146 times in the Old Testament. It is written the most in the book of Jeremiah (21 times), followed by Genesis (17 times) and then the books of Deuteronomy, Isaiah and Ezekiel (11 times each). The word itself means to decay, to cast off, to destroy, to corrupt or otherwise bring something to ruin. It is frequently translated as "corrupt" or "destroy" in the King James Bible.
The earth (at the time of Noah) also was corrupt (shachath) before God, and the earth was filled with violence (Genesis 6:11, KJV).
And, behold, I (God), even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy (shachath) all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven . . . (Genesis 6:17, KJV).
Appearances of Number One Hundred Forty Six
The Hebrew sane, Strong's #H8130, is used 146 times in the Old Testament's original Hebrew. It is found the most in the book of Psalms (41 times) followed by Proverbs (26). The word means to hate, to be hateful or to be hated.
And they (her family) blessed Rebekah, and said to her, "Our sister, be the mother of thousands of millions, and let your seed possess the gate of those who hate (sane) them." (Genesis 24:60, HBFV).
The Greek soma, Strong's #G4983, is found 146 times in the original manuscripts of the New Testament. Its most frequent use is in the book of 1Corinthians (47 times) followed by the gospel of Matthew (16) then the books of Luke and Romans (13 each). Soma, translated as "body" in the King James and other translations, can refer to the physical bodies (either living or dead) of humans or animals.
So then, if your right eye shall cause you to offend, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is better for you that one of your members should perish than that your whole body (soma) be cast into Gehenna (Matthew 5:29).
For as the body (soma) without the spirit is dead, in the same way also, faith without works is dead (James 2:26).
The Hebrew word nasa, Strong's #H5265, is found 146 times in 140 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It occurs the most in the book of Numbers (89 times) followed by both Genesis and Exodus with 12 times each. The word means to pull up, to journey, to move or depart, or to cause to be removed.
And it came to pass, as they journeyed (nasa) from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there (Genesis 11:2, KJV).
God's Name and Number 146
The Greek eimi, Strong's #G1510, is written 146 times in the Greek New Testament. Found 54 times in the gospel of John, the word means to be, to exist or to be present. It is commonly translated as "I am" or simply "am" in most King James verses. God revealed to Moses one of his names before the patriarch left to free the Israelites in Egypt.
And God said to Moses, "I AM THAT I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:14, HBFV).
Two of eimi's 146 occurrences were used by Jesus to reveal, during two distinct confrontations, that he was the same "I AM" who spoke to Moses!
Jesus said to them (Jews accusing him of being demon possessed), "Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM (ego eimi)" (John 8:58, HBFV).
Jesus . . . went forward and said to them (those seeking his arrest at Gethsemane), "Who are you seeking?" They answered Him, "Jesus the Nazarean." Jesus said to them, "I AM (ego eimi)" (John 18:4 - 5, HBFV).
Jesus' astonishing declaration in John 8 caused the Jews to immediately gather stones to kill him for what they felt was blasphemy. When the Lord revealed he was the "I Am" in John 18, all those who came to arrest him fell backwards onto the ground (John 18:6)!
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 146
146 is the product of 2 x 73. Both 2 and 73 are prime numbers.
The prophetic book of the minor prophet Amos has 9 chapters and 146 verses total in the King James Bible.
The Hebrew word menashsheh, Strong's Concordance #H4519, is recorded 146 times in 133 Hebrew Old Testament verses. The word is utilized the most in Joshua (43 times) followed by the book of Numbers (21). The word, which means "causing to forget," is translated as the name Manasseh. The most well known Manasseh in Scripture is Joseph's eldest son he produced while living in Egypt.
And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh (menashsheh): For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house (Genesis 41:51, KJV).
And he (Jacob) blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh (menashsheh): and he set Ephraim before Manasseh (menashsheh, Genesis 48:20, KJV).