Meaning of Numbers: The Number 220
The English phrase "two hundred and twenty," used for the number 220, is recorded 2 times in 2 King James Bible verses.
The possible meaning of the number 220 is derived from the occurrence of certain words and Biblical history.
Many people and groups, throughout the years, have taken up the responsibility to preserve the original text of the Old Testament. One such group, called the Beit She'Arim Academy, was led by Rabbi Simeon Judah Ha-Nasi. They helped preserve the text from 170 to 220 A.D.
Continuing the preservation of the Old Testament from 220 A.D. is a group known as the Sepphoris Academy headed up by Rabbi Hanina b. Hama. Their efforts lasted thirty years until 250 A.D.
Appearances of Number Two Hundred Twenty
The Hebrew word em, Strong's #H517, is recorded 220 times in the Hebrew Old Testament. It occurs the most in Genesis (26) followed by 2Kings (22). It is utilized to refer to a mother either literally or figuratively. The word is first used to state that a man should leave his parents so that he can form an even more intimate bound with his wife.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother (em), and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh (Genesis 2:24, KJV).
And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother (em) of all living (Genesis 3:20, KJV).
The Greek word soi, Strong's #G4671, is recorded 220 times in 203 Greek New Testament verses. It is found the most in the book of Matthew (49 times) followed by Luke (46) and both the books of Mark and John (26 times each). The word is commonly translated as "thee" in the King James.
And saith unto him (Jesus), All these things will I (Satan the devil) give thee (soi), if thou wilt fall down and worship me (Matthew 4:9, KJV).
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee (soi) the bride, the Lamb's wife (Revelation 21:9, KJV).
Entry 220 in the Hebrew definition portion of Strong's Concordance is the word averah. This word is found only once in the Old Testament. It is used to denote the stalls King Hezekiah had to build, as well as various storage areas, to house the tremendous wealth he was blessed with during his reign.
And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honor: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones . . . Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes (averah) for flocks (2Chronicles 32:27 - 28, KJV).
The patriarch Jacob, after serving his uncle Laban for twenty years, leaves Haran to travel back to the land of Canaan. His great fear at coming home, at the age of about 97, was having to deal with his brother Esau who vowed to kill him for taking his birthright blessing.
Jacob, after sending messengers to Esau to seek his favor, humbly prays to God and asks that he deliver him from the hand of his brother (Genesis 32:1 - 12). He then sends a gift to his brother of 220 she-goats and he-goats, as well as 200 ewes and 20 rams (verse 14). The two men ultimately meet peaceably and through God's mercy are reconciled to each other (Genesis 33).
Number 220 and the Ark
David, after being made king over a united Israel, greatly desired to bring the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. His first attempt to transport the Ark from its location in Kirjath-jearim failed miserably (2Samuel 6). His failure was due to not moving it based on the proscribed method in the Bible (Numbers 4:1 - 15). His error cost the life of Uzzah who was killed by God for touching the holy relic as it was being moved.
David's second attempt to move the Ark of the Covenant was finally successful. This time, He employed several Levitical families for the move. The sons of Merari who aided the move numbered 220 men.
And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the Lord unto his place, which he had prepared for it. And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites . . .
Of the sons of Merari; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty (1Chronicles 15:3 - 4, 6, KJV).
A Sabbatical and Jubilee
God commanded ancient Israel to keep a Sabbatical year, also known as the land sabbath (Leviticus 25:2 - 6) or year of release (Deuteronomy 31:10). This year was the seventh in every seven-year cycle. It began (likely) on Tishri 1 on the Hebrew calendar (Feast of Trumpets aka Rosh Hashanah).
A Sabbatical year began on September 20 in 221 B.C. This special year ended on September 10 in 220 B.C.
God additionally commanded ancient Israel to keep a Jubilee year (Leviticus 25:8 - 40). When seven cycles of seven years completed (49 years total) the next, or 50th year, was declared to be a Jubilee. These years always began on the Day of Atonement (aka Yom Kippur).
On September 19 in 220 B.C. a Jubilee year began. It lasted until October 7 of 219 B.C.
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 220
The English phrase "two hundred and twenty," used for the number 220, is found in the book of 1Chronicles and Ezra (one each).
The prophet Ezra led a group of Jewish captives living in Babylon back to Judah to repopulate it with Israelites. One of his many tasks was to find capable Levites that could serve in Jerusalem's temple. To accomplish this task He sent representatives to a man named Iddo to procure the men needed. The leaders returned with 220 men who could be used as temple servants as well as thirty-eight Levites (Ezra 8:1 - 20).
In 220 A.D. ancient Carthage held its first church council which was composed of seventy African and Numidean bishops. By 248 the church at Carthage was the largest in Africa. Church councils continued to be held in Carthage as late as 646 A.D. (Complete Book of When and Where: In the Bible).
220 is the product of 2 x 2 (or 2 squared) x 5 x 11. 2, 5 and 11 are all prime numbers.
220 is also the sum of four consecutive primes (47 + 53 + 59 + 61).
Jesus' name, in the King James Bible, is mentioned 220 times in 235 verses of the Apostle Paul's fourteen New Testament writings. Paul references Jesus by name the most in the book of Romans (38 times) followed by 1Corinthians (27) then Philippians (22) and Ephesians (21). In 2Corinthians he refers to the Lord 20 times, then 17 times each for Galatians and 1Thessalonians. The book with the least mentions is Titus with only 4.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God . . . (Romans 1:1, KJV).
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever (Hebrews 13:8, KJV).