Meaning of Numbers: The Number 24
The English phrases "twenty and four," "four and twenty" or "twenty and fourth" used for the number 24 appear eleven times in eleven verses. The book of Revelation has by far the most occurrences with seven. The phrase "four and twentieth" to designate 24 also occurs seven times in seven King James verses. Four of these are recorded in the writings of the minor prophet Haggai.
The number 24 is associated with the priesthood. Since it is composed of a multiple of 12, it takes on some of 12's meaning which is God's power and authority, as well as symbolizing a perfect foundation, except in a higher form. 24 is also connected with the worship of God especially at Jerusalem's temple.
King David divided those responsible for temple music, as well as those who served as priests and the Levites who aided them, into 24 courses (1Chronicles 23 - 24). When a course of priests was serving, they usually divided their work amongst themselves by lot.
The order which the twenty-four courses of priests served in the temple are: 1) Jehoiarib; 2) Jedaiah; 3) Harim; 4) Seorim; 5) Malchijah; 6) Mijamin; 7) Hakkoz; 8) Abijah; 9) Jeshua; 10) Shecaniah; 11) Eliashib; 12) Jakim; 13) Huppah; 14) Jeshebeab; 15) Bilgah; 16) Immer; 17) Hezir; 18) Happizzez; 19) Pethahiah; 20) Jehezkel; 21) Jachin; 22) Gamul; 23) Delaiah; 24) Maaziah (1Chronicles 24).
The New Testament refers to one of the priestly courses when it states that the father of John the Baptist was a priest who served in Abia's (Abijah's) course (Luke 1:5). Abijah's course was the eighth one that rotated responsibilities with other priests.
Appearances of Number Twenty-Four
Psalm 24, written by David, is a song extolling the Lord's creation of the earth. It also rejoices that He is the King of glory.
The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness of it, the world, and those who dwell in it, for He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters . . . Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah. (Psalm 24:1 - 2, 10, HBFV).
Baasha, the third king over the Kingdom of Israel, reigned for twenty-four official years (23 actual years). At the time of his rule the nation's capital was at Tirzah (1Kings 15:33) but would sometime later move to Samaria. He was considered a bad ruler over God's people (as all were who ruled over the northern ten tribes).
In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, twenty and four years. (1Kings 15:33, KJV).
King Amon, the son of evil King Manasseh, began his rule over the Kingdom of Judah at the young age of twenty-two. He lasted only two years, however, until his death at the age of 24 in 640 B.C. His reign was cut short when his own servants murdered him (2Kings 21:19 - 23)! He was replaced by righteous King Josiah, the last of Judah's good kings until the nation was conquered and taken captive in 586.
Parables and Twenty-four
Chronologically, the 24th parable Jesus gave during his ministry is the parable of the householder. He gave it between October 28 A.D. and early 29 A.D. This parable is only recorded in the gospel of Matthew.
"Therefore, every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a householder, who brings forth out of his treasure things new and old." (Matthew 13:52).
Matthew 24, 25 and Mark 13 are dedicated entirely to Jesus' warnings and teachings concerning the prophetic end time.
Bible by the Numbers
The book of Luke is the largest in the King James Bible New Testament in terms of verses. It has 24 chapters and 1,151 verses. Although Matthew has 28 chapters, it only has 1,071 verses. Acts also has 28 chapters but only has 1,007 verses.
The Gospel of Mark references 24 Old Testament books, the fourth most of any New Testament writing. The Gospel of Luke refers to the most books with 31, followed by the book of John (26) and Acts (25).
The Old Testament chapters Genesis 3, 7, 14, 22, Leviticus 9, 21, Joshua 2, 4, 12, Judges 4, 1Samuel 19, 1Kings 17, 1Chronicles 3, Ezra 4, Job 37, 40, Psalm 31, 71, 139, Proverbs 18, Isaiah 29, 33, 66, Jeremiah 26, 30, Ezekiel 17 and 46 contain 24 verses in the King James Translation.
The New Testament chapters 1Corinthians 16, 2Corinthians 1, 8, Galatians 1, Ephesians 6, 1John 3 and Revelation 18 have 24 verses in the King James.
The books of Joshua, 2Samuel and the gospel of Luke all contain 24 chapters.
The 24th largest King James Bible book, in terms of chapters, is the book of Judges. It contains 21 chapters and 618 verses. Interestingly, Judges is also the 24th largest book in terms of verses!
Number 24 and Christ's Rule
Psalm 72 lists 24 things that Jesus Christ, as High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, will do when He sits upon His throne and rules as King and Priest during the Millennium. They are the following.
1) He will righteously judge the people.
2) He will judge, with justice, the poor and needy.
3) Peace will be brought by the mountains.
4) Small hills shall also experience peace.
5) He shall judge the poor.
6) He shall save the children of the needy.
7) Those who oppress will be crushed.
8) He shall rule like rain upon grass.
9) He shall rule like the water that showers the globe.
10) He will cause the righteous to flourish.
11) He will bring the righteous an abundance of peace.
12) He shall rule from sea to sea.
13) He shall rule from the river unto the ends of the earth.
14) When he hears the needy cry out, he will deliver him.
15) The poor and those who have no help will also be delivered.
16) Those who are needy and weak will receive compassion.
17) The lives of those in need will be saved.
18) The needy who are oppressed and experience violence will be redeemed.
19) The blood of those in need will be precious in His sight.
20) He will cause an abundance of grain on the earth.
21) He will bring an abundance of fruit.
22) He will make those of the city flourish like grass.
23) He will make His name to be continued.
24) He will bless all men.
Tabernacle in the Wilderness
The tabernacle in the wilderness, made to God's specifications, was anointed by Moses on Nisan 1 in Hebrew civil year 2317 (Saturday, March 18 in 1444 B.C.). A twelve-day dedication ceremony, shortly after the anointing, was held where a different prince from one of Israel's tribes would offer gifts to the tabernacle (Numbers 7:11 - 83). One of the many gifts each prince gave was two oxen (bulls), for 24 total, to be used for peace offerings.
And all the animals for the sacrifice of the peace offerings were twenty-four (24) bulls, And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them;
That the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who were the princes of the tribes, and were over them that were numbered, offered . . .
And all the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace offerings were twenty and four bullocks, the rams sixty, the he goats sixty, the lambs of the first year sixty. This was the dedication of the altar, after that it was anointed. (Numbers 7:1 - 2, 88, KJV).
Peace offerings were given to symbolize complete peace with God.
Prophecy and Twenty-Four
The number 24 is referenced, in the prophetic book of Revelation, seven times in six King James Bible verses. Each reference is related to spiritual elders sitting around God's throne in heaven. The job of these crown-wearing elders is possibly to assist God in governing the universe.
And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. (Revelation 4:4, KJV).
In five out of the remaining six Revelation verses the elders are mentioned in they are shown falling on their knees or faces to worship God.
The four and twenty (24) elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne . . . (Revelation 4:10, KJV).
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. (Revelation 5:8, KJV).
And the four and twenty (24) elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. (Revelation 19:4, KJV, see also 5:14 and 11:16).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 24
The tenth generation of humans, starting with Adam, is represented in the Bible by Noah. The twentieth generation is Abraham. This means generation 24 of humans on the earth is represented by Abraham's great great-grandson named Perez.
24 is equal to 2 x 2 x 2 (2 cubed) x 3. Both 2 and 3 are primes. It is also equal to 4! (4 factorial) or 1 x 2 x 3 x 4.
The average numbers of hours in an earth day are 24.
The earliest start ever for the Feast of Trumpets, the fourth of God's annual Feast days, was at sunset on August 24. The feast began this early only in the years 1348, 1405, 1481, 1500 and 1576 A.D.
The classical Greek alphabet, from the fourth century B.C. forward, is composed of 24 letters including consonants and vowels (The Universal History of Numbers).
Goliath was not the only giant among the Philistines who fought against Israel. Scripture records at least four other men of unusual stature and strength who opposed God's people at the time of David. One of these huge men had a genetic defect that gave him 6 fingers on each hand and 6 toes on each foot for 24 total!
And there was yet again a battle in Gath. And there was a man of stature who had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each foot, twenty-four (24) in number. And he also was born to the giant. And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimeah, the brother of David, killed him (2Samuel 21:20 - 21, see also 1Chronicles 20:6).