Meaning of Numbers: The Number 42
The English phrases "forty and two" and "two and forty," used for the number 42 are recorded 14 times in 14 King James Bible verses. The Old Testament writings that use these phrases the most are the book of Nehemiah (4 times) followed by Ezra (3) and 2Kings (2). The only New Testament book to use the phrases is Revelation (2).
In Scripture, part of the meaning of the number 42 is derived from its direct connection to the coming Antichrist. His evil efforts will last forty-two months in the end time, and thus it is firmly associated with him.
Then the angel gave me a measuring rod like a staff, saying, "Arise and measure the temple of God, and the altar . . . and they shall trample upon the holy city for forty-two (42) months" (Revelation 11:1 - 2)
Revelation 13 states that the end time Beast power will be so powerful that no one will be able to make war with him. He will speak boastful things and receive authority to do almost anything he wants for 42 months (Revelation 13:4 - 5). 42 is made up of six and seven, showing a link between mankind and God's spirit and a link between the Antichrist and Jesus Christ.
Appearances of Number Forty-Two
The phrase "little children" appears forty-two times in the Old Testament.
The main body of John's gospel was penned in 42 A.D. This same year the gospel of Mark was also recorded. Both of these writings are tied for the third earliest New Testament book written. Matthew's gospel is the earliest, written in 35, while the book of James was recorded between 40 and 41.
The tribe of Levi was given a total number of 48 cities as part of their inheritance in the land of milk and honey. Six of these cities were to be designated as special "cities of refuge" (Num. 6 - 7) leaving 42 other cities.
King Ahaziah of Judah began his reign when he was 42 years old but was only on the throne one year (2Chronicles 22:2).
When we substitute a number for a letter in Nimrod's name, we find forty-two playing a role. Nimrod's name equates to 294, which is 42 x 7. Forty-two is often found as a factor in anti-Christian names.
Most of the original 12 apostles leave Jerusalem in 42 A.D. in order to fulfill Jesus' command to preach the gospel to the world (Matthew 10:5 - 23, 28:18 - 20, Holy Bible Faithful Version, 2nd ed., Chronology V).
David Versus Ishbosheth
The tribe of Judah, after King Saul died, made David their sovereign. The other remaining 11 tribes, however, were hesitant to acknowledge him as their sole ruler.
Taking advantage of this power vacuum, Saul's military commander Abner immediately begins a campaign to convince these tribes to name Ishbosheth, one of Saul's sons, as king.
A civil war ensues between King David's men and those under Abner (2Samuel 3). After more than five years of on and off fighting, the 11 tribes agree to accept Ishbosheth as their king (2Samuel 2:10). He ascends to the throne over most of Israel at the age of forty.
Two years later, at the age of 42 in 1003 B.C., Ishbosheth is murdered in his sleep by two of Saul's military captains (2Samuel 4:1 - 7). After his death Israel's 11 tribes agree to anoint David their king as well. David will rule over a united Israel for 33 years (2Samuel 5:1 - 5).
Elisha and the Number 42
A group of young men (roughly 30 - 40 in age) began to make fun of the prophet Elisha after his friend and mention Elijah was taken away from him in a fiery chariot. They shouted, "Get out of here, you bald guy!" to Elisha as he passed them by.
According to the Bible, Elisha did not waste any time letting the young men know that what they were doing was unacceptable to God. He turned, stared at them and cursed them in God's name. After verbally correcting the men two large female bears came out of the woods and tore to pieces 42 of them (2Kings 2:24)!
Related to King David
The Hebrew word yishay, Strong's Concordance #H3448, is recorded 42 times in 39 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is found the most in the books of 1Samuel (26 times) followed by 1Chronicles (5). The word, which means "I possess" or "extant" is translated in the King James as the name "Jesse."
Jesse, the son of Obed, was also the grandson of Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 4:17 - 22). His youngest son was King David.
And Naomi took the child (Ruth's baby), and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it . . . There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse (yishay), the father of David (Ruth 4:16 - 17, KJV).
And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse (yishay) the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
The Hebrew word kinnor, Strong's #H3658, is recorded 42 times in 41 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is written the most in the book of Psalms (14 times) followed by 1Chronicles (8) then Isaiah (5). The word, which is derived from an unused root meaning "to twang" is translated as "harp" in the King James.
The kinnor is the first musical instrument mentioned in Scripture (Genesis 4:16 - 21). It was a stringed instrument small enough to be played while walking (1Samuel 10:5). David played the kinnor and, in fact, was so good at it that he could chase away demons with it (1Samuel 16:23)! The kinnor is sometimes referred to as David's harp.
And David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps (kinnor), and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals (2Samuel 6:5, KJV).
The Hebrew word nathan, Strong's #H5416, appears 42 times in 39 Hebrew Old Testament verses. The word shows up the most in both 2Samuel and 1Kings (13 times each) followed by 1Chronicles (10). The word, which means "giver" or "given," is untranslated in the King James.
Nathan was the name of a prophet that served during the time of King David. Nathan was also the name of one of David's sons through Bathsheba (2Samuel 5:14). It is through this Nathan that Jesus' lineage from David to his mother Mary is traced (Luke 3:31).
And it came to pass, when the king (David) sat in his house, and the Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies; That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains (2Samuel 7:2, KJV).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 42
There are 39 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 42 times.
42 is the product of 2 x 3 x 7, all of which are prime numbers.
The book of Job contains 42 chapters in the KJV. It is the sixth largest book in Scripture in terms of chapter count.
In the Old Testament, the Biblical chapters of Numbers 32, 1Samuel 20 and 2Chronicles 6 contain 42 verses in the King James translation.
In the New Testament, the chapters Matthew 10, Luke 10, John 10, 19 and Acts 5 have 42 verses in the KJV.
In the genealogical table of Jesus Christ's physical lineage in the book of Matthew, the Greek word gennao is recorded forty-two times. Its correct translation is the word "begat" since the lineage is through males who "beget" a son.
Christians in Syrian Antioch, in the spring of 42 A.D., are informed by the prophet Agabus that a famine will occur that will last a grueling three years. It will take place during the reign of Emperor Claudius. The believers respond by planting food and collecting needed relief for Christians in Jerusalem.
Now in those days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch; And one from among them, named Agabus, stood up and signified by the Spirit that there would be a great famine throughout the whole world, which also came to pass under Claudius Caesar.
And each of the disciples, everyone according as he had prospered, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea (Acts 11:27 - 29, HBFV).
The children of Israel had 42 wanderings in the desert until they finally were given rest (Num. 33:1 - 50).