Meaning of Numbers in the Bible
The Number 22

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Biblical Meaning of Numbers
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Meaning of Numbers: The Number 22

The English phrases "twenty and two" and "two and twenty" used for 22 are recorded 25 times in 25 King James Bible verses. These phrases are found the most in 1Chronicles (4 times) followed by Numbers, 1Kings, 2Chronicles and Nehemiah (3 each).

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.).

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 22 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.

Appearances of Number Twenty-Two

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 22nd 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.

Jair, one of the Judges of Israel, served for 22 years from 1079 to 1057 B.C.

Jesus, as recorded in the Bible, quoted from twenty-two Old Testament books.

The Hebrew word iyzebel, Strong's Concordance #H348, occurs 22 times in 19 Hebrew Old Testament verses. The word is recorded 15 times in 1Kings and 7 times in 2Kings. The King James translates it as "Jezebel," the evil wife of Israel's evil King Ahab.

And the dogs shall eat Jezebel (iyzebel) in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. And he opened the door, and fled (2Kings 9:10, KJV).

Kings of Israel and Judah

Abijah, son of King Rehoboam and grandson of Solomon, assumed the throne over Judah in 913 B.C. During his life he married 14 wives and produced 22 sons and 16 daughters. His reign only lasted three years until 910 B.C.

But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters (2Chronicles 13:21, KJV).

King Ahaziah of the Kingdom of Judah began his reign in 841 B.C. at the age of 22. He rules for only a few months, however, when his reign is cut short by the hands of Jehu (2Kings 9:27). Before his untimely demise he gives birth to Joash who will eventually sit on his throne.

Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel (2Kings 8:26, KJV).

Joash, who assumed the throne over the Kingdom of Judah at the tender age of 7 in 835 B.C. (see 2Kings 11), gave birth to Amaziah when he was 22 years old. Amaziah, when Joash finally dies in 796, assumes the throne.

King Ahab, consider the worst rulers over the Kingdom of Israel, also reigned for the same length of time (22 official but 21 actual years, 874 to 853 B.C.) as Jeroboam (the first king of the nation).

Amon, who ruled for only two years (642 to 640 B.C.) and is consider one of the worst kings over the Kingdom of Judah, began his rule at the age of twenty-two.

Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem (2Chronicles 33:21, KJV).

Manasseh, son of King Hezekiah, became co-ruler with his father over the Kingdom of Judah in 696 B.C. Ten years later, at the age of 22, he becomes the sole sovereign over Judah. Manasseh, however, unlike his righteous father, was an evil monarch. During his reign of wickedness he built pagan altars, including some within Jerusalem's temple, offered his son as a burnt sacrifice to a pagan deity and even worked with demonic spirits (2Kings 21)!

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).

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

There are 68 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 22 times.

22 is equal to 2 x 11, both of which are prime numbers.

There are 22 bones in the human skull.

The Greek word Makedonia, Strong's #G3109, is recorded 22 times in 20 Greek New Testament verses. It is used the most in the book of Acts (8 times) followed by 2Corinthians (6) then 1Thessalonians (3). Translated in the King James as "Macedonia," it is the name of a first century Roman province located in the northern part of Greece.

Macedonia is one of the four major areas the Apostle Paul focused his evangelistic efforts. It is also one of his most fruitful areas, as his efforts started churches in the Macedonian cities of Philippi (Acts 16:12), Thessalonica (Acts 17:1) and Berea (Acts 27:10). He also wrote the books 2Corinthians, 1Timothy and Titus from this province.

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia (Makedonia), and help us (Acts 16:9, KJV).

The latest start, throughout history, of Pentecost occurring is at sunset on June 22. This late observance of the third of God's annual Holy (Feast) periods took place only in 3677 and 3430 B.C.!

Matthew 22 references six different Old Testament passages. The chapter refers to, in order, Deuteronomy 25:5, Exodus 3:6, Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18, Exodus 20:12 - 16 and Psalm 110:1.

In the Old Testament, the Biblical chapters of Genesis 6, 8, 28, 48, Exodus 1, 3, 13, Numbers 19, Deuteronomy 10, 16, 18, 24, Ruth 1, 4, 1Samuel 4, 8, 24, 2Samuel 21, 2Chronicles 4, 7, 13, Ezra 6, Esther 1, Job 1, 8, 10, 14, 16, 32, Psalm 25, 33, 34, 38, 103, Proverbs 2, Ecclesiastes 2, Isaiah 2, 8, 13, 36, 38, 48, 60, Jeremiah 8, 14, 27, 34, 42, Lamentations 1, 2, 4, 5 and Ezekiel 10 contain 22 verses in the King James translation.

In the New Testament, the chapters Ephesians 2, 2Timothy 4, 1Peter 3, 2Peter 2 and Revelation 3 have 22 verses in the KJV.

The books of 1Kings and Revelation contain 22 chapters in the KJV.

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 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

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When Did Paul Write His Books?
How Old Is the Earth?
Why Is Abel Not in Jesus’ Lineage?
Meaning of Eli Eli Llama Sabachthani
Old Testament Quotes in the Gospels
Who Divided Scripture into Chapters?
Why Did Noah Curse Canaan?

Biblical Meaning of Numbers
Introduction   -   Book of Numbers
Forgiveness Numbers  -  Abraham's Numbers
Mysterious Numbers of the Jubilee Year!
Sevens and the Worship of God
Numbers of Israel's Kings   -   Lucky 13!
Infinity   -   Zero
One Tenth   -   One Third   -   One Half
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160   -   166   -   168   -   170   -   175   -   180
187   -   200   -   202   -   203   -   210   -   211
212   -   215   -   216   -   220   -   221   -   222
223    -    225    -    227    -    232
234   -   244   -   250   -   260   -   300   -   303
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1112   -   1122   -   1144   -   1212   -   1222
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3000   -   4000   -   5000   -   10000
144000   -  500000   -  The Largest!
Prophecy Numbers   -   Numerology
Creation's Numerics   -   Further Study

Series References
Number in Scripture: Its Supernatural
Design and Spiritual Significance

Some information on the
meaning of the number 22 derived from
Holy Bible Faithful Version (HBFV)