Meaning of Numbers: The Number 168
The possible meaning of the number 168 is derived from the occurrence of certain Hebrew and Greek words.
The Greek word doxa, Strong's #G1391, occurs 168 times in the original Greek of the New Testament. It is recorded the most in the gospel of John and the book of 2Corinthians (19 times each) followed by Revelation (17). The word, in the King James Bible, is frequently translated "glory," or "glorious." God inspired doxa to be used to reveal he will reward those who love him with glory!
For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory (doxa) that shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18, HBFV).
And when the Chief Shepherd is manifested, you shall receive an unfading, eternal crown of glory (doxa, 1Peter 5:4, see also 1Corinthians 15:42 - 43 and Hebrews 2:10).
Appearances of Number One Hundred Sixty Eight
The city of Thessalonica was an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Macedon until 168 B.C. when it became part of the Roman Republic. Years later, between late Autumn 49 and late Summer 50 A.D., the Apostle Paul evangelizes the city during his second missionary journey. He returns to Thessalonica in the winter of 57 A.D. to check on the church during his third missionary journey.
The Romans, around 168 B.C., defeat the king of Illyria and take control of his land. It takes until 33 B.C., however, for them to subjugate the people. The area they rule eventually becomes the Roman provinces of Pannonia and Illyricum (Dalmatia). The Apostle Paul, years later, will visit and evangelize Illyricum with the gospel (Romans 15:18 - 19).
The English word "cry" is recorded 181 times in 168 King James Bible verses. It is found the most in Jeremiah (31 times) followed by the Psalms (30) then Isaiah (29). Only 9 of the 168 verses that contain "cry" reside in the New Testament.
And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know (Genesis 18:20 - 21, KJV).
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? (Luke 18:7, KJV).
Isaac, Jacob and the Number 168
In 1703 B.C., at the age of 97, Jacob fulfills twenty years of service to Laban. Blessed to have become a wealthy man, God reveals to him it is time to travel back to Canaan and be with his aging father Isaac (Genesis 31:3, 13, 18). Jacob, however, will end up taking another 11 years before finally reaching his father living in Mamre (Hebron).
Jacob and his family of twelve sons and one daughter, in 1692 B.C., finally arrive in Hebron. His father Isaac, when they meet, is 168 years old. Jacob's mother Rebekah, who arranged for him to flee to Laban when Esau sought his life (Genesis 27:41 - 28:5), likely died sometime before his arrival.
Shortly after Jacob settles in Hebron, when Isaac is still 168 years old, he makes what the King James calls a coat of many colors (Genesis 37:3). This Biblically famous clothing is created for his son Joseph when he is seventeen years old (verse 2). Joseph's brothers, who view the coat as a sign of their father's favoritism, begin to despise him. Their jealousy leads them to sell Joseph into slavery for twenty pieces of silver.
Isaac, Abraham and Sarah's "son of laughter," dies twelve years later in 1680 B.C. (168 x 10) at the age of 180 (Genesis 35:28 - 29).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 168
168 is the product of 2 x 2 x 2 (or 2 cubed) x 3 x 7. 2, 3 and 7 are all prime numbers.
The English word "reign" appears 168 times in the King James translation. The word "save" is written this number of times in the KJV Old Testament while "Jews" is found in 168 New Testament verses.
There are exactly 168 primes less than 1,000.
168 is the sum of the consecutive primes 37, 41, 43 and 47.
The number of hours in a seven-day week is 7 x 24 or 168.
The English word "commandments" is penned 171 times in 168 King James verses. It is utilized the most in Deuteronomy (43 times) followed by the Psalms (28) and then both Leviticus and 1Kings (10 times each). 30 out of the 168 verses where the word "commandments" is located are found in the New Testament.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them (Exodus 24:12, KJV).
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:19, KJV).