The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 22
The number 22, which is double eleven (which symbolizes disorder and chaos), can mean a concentration of disorganization. Jeroboam I, the very first king of Israel after the kingdom split in two in 930 B.C., reigned for 22 official years (21 actual years from 930 to 909 B.C.).
King Ahab, consider the worst Israelite king, also reigned for the same length of time (22 official but 21 actual years, 874 to 853 B.C.) as Jeroboam. King Amon, who ruled for only two years and is consider one of the worst kings over Judah, began his rule at the age of twenty-two.
The Hebrew alphabet is made up of 22 letters, which are used to compose the Word of God. The word of God is called a lamp (Psalms 119:105), thus it is the light by which we are to live.
The word light is found 264 times in the Bible. When 264 is divided by 12 (divine authority) we have twenty-two, which represents light.
God created twenty-two things in the six days of creation. There are twenty-two books in the Aaronic (Levitical) Old Testament, which is the light of God for Israel. There are twenty-two generations from Adam to Jacob.
The priestly tribe of Levi, when Moses raised up the tabernacle of God, totaled 22,000 (22 x 1,000) males who were one month old or older (Num. 3:39).
Light is used twenty-two times in the Gospel of John. The twenty-second time John uses the word, he quotes Jesus: "I have come as a light into the world . . ." (John 12:46). Christians are to walk in the light of Christ (John 3:21), and be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14 - 15).
Book 22 written and included in the New Testament, in chronological order, is the book of 3John. John wrote this book to his friend and fellow elder Gaius.
Appearances of the number twenty-two
Jair, one of the Judges of Israel, served for 22 years. Jesus is recorded to have quoted from twenty-two Old Testament books.
Jesus is recorded to have quoted from twenty-two Old Testament books.
Number 22 and Jesus' death
Around 3pm on Passover, just before dying for the sins of all mankind, Christ quoted from the first verse of Psalm 22 written by King David. The part of the Psalm he quoted, using likely a mix of the Hebrew and Syriac languages, was "Eloi, Eloi, (or Eli, Eli as found in Matthew 27:46) lama sabachthani?" (Mark 15:34).
Those near the cross who heard Jesus cry out mistakenly thought he was asking Elijah for help (verses 35 - 36). The first two verses of Psalm 22 are the following.
My God, my God, why have You forsaken me, and why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not answer; and in the night season, and am not silent (verses 1 - 2 of Psalm 22, HBFV).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 22
Although most modern translations list 39 books for the Old Testament, the number of originally inspired books finalized by Ezra the prophet and the Great Assembly is twenty-two. This number of canonized books or manuscripts corresponds to the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.