Meaning of Numbers: The Number 45
The possible meaning of the number 45 is derived from both events in Scripture and the historical record of when they took place.
The book of Romans, the sixth book written by the Apostle Paul, was penned in the winter of 57 A.D. In most modern translations it is book number 45 out of sixty-six total. Surprisingly, Paul wrote it even though he had not yet visited the city (Romans 1:10). It would take a few more years, until the spring of 61, before he would see the Roman Christians face-to-face.
Book 45 of the originally inspired arrangement of forty-nine Biblical books, organized by the Apostle John, is 1Timothy. It was written by the Apostle Paul in 63 A.D. after he was released from his first imprisonment in Rome.
Appearances of Number Forty-Five
In 45 A.D. Paul, Barnabas and John Mark were in their second year of Paul's first missionary journey. This evangelistic campaign ended in 46 A.D. with Paul and Barnabas residing in Syrian Antioch for the next few years. Paul, who was born around 2 A.D., turned 45 years old while in Antioch preaching the gospel.
Caleb, along with Joshua, were the only two individuals God allowed to enter the Promised Land. He requested his inheritance from Joshua at the time the land of Canaan was being divided among the children of Israel. He was 85 years old at the time and stated God had mercifully kept him alive for 45 years so that his promise to him could be fulfilled. He also declared that he felt as strong at 85 as he did when he was 40!
And now, behold, the Lord has kept me (Caleb) alive these forty-five years as He said, even since the Lord spoke this word to Moses, while Israel wandered in the wilderness. And now, lo, I am eighty-five years old today.
As yet I am as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me (Joshua 14:10 - 11).
Names in Scripture
The name "Simeon" is recorded in 45 verses in the King James Bible. At least four men are called this name in Scripture.
Simeon is the name of Jacob's second son who, along with his eleven other brothers, were the founders of the twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 29:33). A man named Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph, at Jerusalem's temple, when they brought baby Jesus to present him to God (Luke 2:25 - 35). Another Simeon, called Niger, was one of several prophets and teachers in the early church (Acts 13:1).
The name "Azariah" is recorded in 45 verses in the King James Bible. Several men are named Azariah in Scripture. Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were the original names of Daniel's three friends who went into captivity with him (Daniel 1:6 - 11).
Azariah (also called Uzziah in the King James) was also the name of the tenth ruler over the Kingdom of Judah. He was somewhat of a good ruler who got himself in trouble when he tried to usurp priestly authority by offering incense at Jerusalem's temple. God struck him with leprosy for his foolishness, a condition that lasted until his death (2Chronicles 26:16 - 20).
Number 45 and Sodom
Abraham was willing to barter with Jesus Christ, who had taken the form of a man, in order to save Sodom and Gomorrah from a fiery destruction. Abraham's second proposal to the Lord asked the city to be saved if only 45 righteous people were found within its doors.
Perhaps there are fifty righteous within the city. Will You also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous who are in it? . . . And the Lord said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes."
And Abraham answered and said, "Behold now, I have taken upon myself to speak to the Lord - I who am but dust and ashes. Perhaps there will be five lacking from the fifty righteous. Will You destroy all the city for lack of five?" And He said, "If I find there forty-five (45), I will not destroy it" (Genesis 18:24, 26 - 28).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 45
45 is the product of 3 x 3 (3 squared) x 5. Both 3 and 5 are prime numbers.
Interestingly, the number 45 is equal to adding the first nine digits or 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9.
In the Old Testament, the Biblical chapters of Numbers 14, Joshua 21, Psalm 105 and Daniel 11 contain 45 verses in the King James translation.
In the New Testament only Mark 1 has 45 verses in the KJV.
The Bible books that have 45 or more chapters in them are Genesis, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The last three books constitute what is called the Major Prophets.
No New Testament books contain 45 or more chapters. The largest books, Matthew and Romans, contain only 28 chapters.
God tested Abraham, in 1845 B.C., by commanding he sacrifice his only son Isaac (Genesis 22). Forty-five years later, in 1800, his grandson Jacob is born.