Meaning of Numbers: The Number 148
The English phrase "hundred and forty and eight," used for the number 148, is not recorded in the King James Bible.
The possible meaning of the number 148 is partly derived from the use of God's name in the Bible and the frequency of certain words.
The English word "desolate" is written 148 times in 132 King James verses. It appears the most in Ezekiel (44 times) followed by Jeremiah (31) then Isaiah (18). The word references something that is wasted, ruin or despoiled, either literally or figuratively.
Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate (Genesis 47:19, KJV).
And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate (Revelation 18:19, KJV).
Appearances of Number One Hundred Forty Eight
Nehemiah 7:44 reveals there were 148 sons of Asaph, who were singers, who returned to Judah and Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity. Asaph is noteworthy for being appointed by King David to oversee the song services at God's tabernacle. Solomon, when he became king, appointed him to be one of the few men to oversee songs at Jerusalem's temple. Asaph is additionally credited with writing at least twelve of the Psalms.
These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city . . .
The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred forty and eight (Nehemiah 7:6, 44, KJV).
Nahor, the grandfather of Abraham, lived to the ripe old age of 148 (Genesis 11:25).
Number 148 and the Hidden Rivers
The English word "river" is found in 148 KJV verses. It is written the most in the book of Exodus (24 times) followed by Joshua, Ezra and Ezekiel with 18 occurrences each.
Surprisingly, three of Scripture's most referenced and well-known rivers are mostly hidden within its text! The Nile River, though not mentioned by name, is generically called "the river" in several places (Genesis 41:1, Exodus 1:22, 4:9, 7:17, 8:3, 17:5) and the "river of Egypt" in Genesis 15:18.
And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river (Genesis 41:1, KJV).
The Tigris River is referenced by its Hebrew name Hiddekel in Genesis 2:14. Daniel's use of the phrase "the great river" also refers to the mighty waters of the Tigris (Daniel 10:4).
And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates (Genesis 2:14, KJV).
And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel (Daniel 10:4, KJV).
The Euphrates River is designated by its name 21 times in Scripture. It is, however, also called "the river" (Numbers 22:5, Deuteronomy 11:24), "the great river" (Genesis 15:18, Deuteronomy 1:7, Revelation 9:14, 16:12) and the "waters of the river" (Isaiah 8:7).
Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks (Isaiah 8:7, KJV).
The Psalms and 148
Psalm 148 is one of only a few Psalms to have the word "Hallelujah" hidden in its text.
The first part of Hallelujah, Halal (Strong's #H1984), means "to shine or praise." The "jah" or second part of the word is derived from Jah (Strong's #H3050), a shorten version of one of God's names.
The Hebrew words that comprise Hallelujah are usually translated, in the King James, as "Praise ye the Lord" or simply "Praise the Lord."
Praise ye the Lord (halal Jah). Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights . . .
He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord (halal Jah) (Psalm 148 verses 1, 14, KJV).
Two Hebrew names used to reference God are found in Psalm 148.
Praise ye the Lord (Jah). Praise ye the Lord (Jehovah) from the heavens: praise him in the heights (Psalm 148:1, KJV).
Psalm 148, in the King James, also asks a mythical beast to praise the greatness of God!
Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps (Psalm 148:7, KJV).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 148
It is roughly 148 miles (238 kilometers) from Cyprus' farthest eastern to western point. Anciently, it came under the control of the Roman Empire in 58 B.C.
There are 2 words in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 148 times.
148 is equal to 2 x 2 (2 squared) x 37. Both 2 and 37 are prime numbers.
From 214 to 148 B.C. the Roman Republic fought four wars with Macedonia.
The English word "east" is found in 148 King James Bible verses. It is written the most in the book of Ezekiel (50 verses) followed by Genesis and Joshua (13 verses each). One of its first appearances is linked to Adam and Eve being forced to leave the Garden the Eden due to their sin.
Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life (Genesis 3:23 - 24, KJV).
And he brought me into the inner court of the Lord's house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east (Ezekiel 8:16, KJV).