Meaning of Numbers: The Number 37
The English phrases "thirty and seven" and "seven and thirty," used for the number 37, are recorded 8 times in 8 King James Bible verses.
The possible meaning of the number 37 is derived from both facts within and history behind the Bible.
Sarah, the only woman in Scripture where her age at death is recorded, lived 37 years after she gave birth to Isaac. She died at the ripe old age of 127 (Genesis 17:17, 23:1).
The Apostle Peter's ministry, which began in 30 A.D., lasted until his martyrdom either in 67 to 68 A.D. His ministry of 37 to 38 years is only slightly longer than the number of years the Apostle Paul served God (35).
Appearances of Number Thirty-Seven
In the Old Testament, the Biblical chapters of Exodus 26, Leviticus 19, Deuteronomy 2, 2Samuel 15, 2Kings 9, 18, 19, 23, 2Chronicles 20, Job 34, Jeremiah 2 and Daniel 4 contain 37 verses in the King James translation.
In the New Testament, the chapters Mark 7, 13, Luke 17 and Acts 4 have 37 verses in the King James Bible.
Book 37 of most modern translations is the writing of the Minor Prophet Haggai.
Jehoram was the fifth monarch over the Kingdom of Judah. At the age of 32 in 853 B.C., he began to co-rule the kingdom with his father Jehoshaphat. When his dad died in 848 Jehoram, who was now 37 years old, began his sole rule over Judah (1Kings 22:50). His reign lasted only until 841 B.C. when he died at the young age of 44.
Number 37 and King David
King David attracted many fierce fighters during his lifetime. The greatest of these, a special set of 37 elite warriors, were known as his "mighty men" (1Chronicles 11:11). They were heroic commandos who had distinguished themselves on the battlefield (1Chronicles 11, 2Samuel 23).
Within David's group of 37 elite fighters were three subgroups. The first was composed of three men, Jashobeam, Eleazar, and Shammah, who were the best of the best. They were known as "the three mighties" (1Chronicles 11:12, KJV)!
A second subgroup of David's warriors was composed of two men who were valiant in battle but not quite as noteworthy as the three mighties (2Samuel 23:18 - 23). The third subgroup numbered thirty-two individuals known for their war skills.
One of the interesting facts about David's 37 mighty men is that they were not all Israelites. Uriah, whose beautiful wife Bathsheba would lead to his death when David wanted her (2Samuel 11 - 12), was a Hittite (2Samuel 23:39, 1Chronicles 11:41). Another warrior named Zelek was an Ammonite (2Samuel 23:37, 1Chronicles 11:39) and a third, Ithmah, was a Moabite (1Chronicles 11:46).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 37
The Old Testament writings that use "thirty and seven" and "seven and thirty" for 37 are the books of Exodus (2 times) followed by Genesis, 2Samuel, 1Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah and Numbers all with one occurrence.
There are 34 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 37 times.
The number 37 is the 12th positive prime. The primes that immediately proceed it are 17, 19, 23, 29 and 31, and those that could after it are 41, 43, 47, 53 and so on.
The Hebrew word kokab, Strong's Concordance #H3556, is recorded 37 times in 37 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is found the most in the books of Genesis and Job (5 times each) followed by the Psalms (4). The word is usually used to refer to a star but also can be used to symbolize important individuals like princes, righteous angels or even God!
And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars (kokab) also (Genesis 1:16, KJV).
I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star (kokab) out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel . . . (Numbers 24:17, KJV).
Where wast thou (Job) when I laid the foundations of the earth? . . . When the morning stars (kokab, symbolizing angels) sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:4, 7, KJV).
The thirty-seventh Psalm, written by King David, encourages those who believe in God to trust he will judge evildoers and give us all that we need.
Do not fret yourself because of evildoers, and do not be envious against the workers of iniquity, for they shall soon be cut down like the grass; and wither as the green herb . . . Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart (verses 1 - 2, 4).
The name "Gideon" is recorded in 37 verses in the King James. God used Gideon to free his people from being dominated by the Midianites (Judges 6). Gideon's famous 300-man army attacks and routes the Midianites and their allies while they are still in their camp (Judges 7). He ultimately serves as a Judge of Israel for forty years (1145 to 1105 B.C.).
Genesis 37 mentions the famous "coat of many colors" the patriarch Jacob gave to Joseph, his second youngest son. The favoritism showed to Joseph, who was 17 at the time, was not lost on his 10 older brothers.
Soon after he received the coat his brothers sold him into slavery for twenty pieces of silver. Joseph, by God's grace, would ultimately become powerful in Egypt and save his entire family from starvation.
And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan . . . Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors (Genesis 37:1, 3, KJV).
The Hebrew word osher, Strong's Concordance #H6239, is recorded 37 times in 36 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is found the most in the book of Proverbs (9 times) followed by 2Chronicles and Ecclesiastes (6 times each). The word refers to riches and wealth.
He that trusteth in his riches (osher) shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch (Proverbs 11:28, KJV).
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches (osher), and loving favour rather than silver and gold (Proverbs 22:1, KJV).
The Hebrew word achazyah, Strong's #H274, is recorded 37 times in 30 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is found the most in 2Kings (20 times) followed by 2Chronicles (13). The word, which means "Jah has seized" or "Jehovah holds" is translated as the name "Ahaziah" in the King James.
The Bible records two men named Ahaziah. The first, the son of King Ahab, ruled over the Kingdom of Israel from 853 to 852 B.C. The second, son of King Jehoram, ruled over the Kingdom of Judah in 841.
It was in 37 A.D. that the Apostle Peter preached the gospel in Lydda and Joppa (Acts 9:32 - 41). During his evangelism, he healed a man named Aeneas who had been bedridden for eight years. He also raised Dorcas from the dead in his only recorded performance of such a unique miracle!
The year 37 A.D. was also unique in relation to the Hebrew (sacred) calendar. It was one of the rare years when the beginning of the Biblical civil year on the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) occurred in late August. The majority of the time the start of the civil year takes place in early September.