Meaning of Numbers: The Number 46
The English phrase "forty and six," used for the number 46, is recorded 3 times in 3 King James Bible verses. The phrase is found twice in the book of Numbers and once in the gospel of John.
The possible meaning of the number 46 is derived from both facts about Scripture and the history behind some of its events.
Paul, Barnabas and John Mark, in the fall of 46 A.D., complete the apostle's first missionary journey. During their travels they preach on the island of Cyprus and then in the Asia Minor cities of Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. Paul and Barnabas then subsequently preach in Syrian Antioch for almost the next three years.
Three years after 46 A.D., when another missionary journey was being planned, a heated discussion erupted between Paul and Barnabas. It was in regard to whether or not they should take John Mark on the evangelistic trip since he abandoned the pair on their first journey. The contention was so hot that it separated the two evangelists. Paul ended up taking Silas on his second missionary tour while Barnabas had John Mark accompany him to revisit Cyprus (Acts 15:36 - 40).
Appearances of Number Forty-Six
The Hebrew word noach (Strong's #H5146) is recorded 46 times in 39 original language verses of the Old Testament. The word, which means "rest," is recorded the most in the book of Genesis (41 times). Noach is the Hebrew word for Noah, a man whose birth represented the tenth generation of humans on earth.
And he (Noah's father) called his name Noah (noach), saying, "This one shall comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord has cursed." (Genesis 5:29, HBFV).
Paul turned 46 years old in 48 A.D. while he was living in Syrian Antioch. He and Barnabas, after his first missionary journey ended in the fall of 46 A.D., spent almost three years in the city helping the fledgling Antioch church to grow.
Levi's name (Strong's Concordance #H3878) in Gematria (adding the numeric value of each Hebrew letter in his name) is 30 + 6 + 10 or 46. Levi was the third of twelve sons born to the patriarch Jacob (Genesis 34:25). He was the founder of the Levites who would eventually, as a tribe, be dedicated to serving God.
Chapters, Verses and Words
No books in the King James translation have exactly 46 chapters. That said, the books of Genesis, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel (these last three are considered the Major Prophets) have more than forty-six.
In the Old Testament, the Biblical chapters of Genesis 27, Exodus 29, Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 1, 1Kings 2 and 18 and Jeremiah 50 contain 46 verses in the King James Bible.
In the New Testament, the chapters Matthew 21, 22 and 25 have 46 verses in the King James.
The book of Titus, one of the last manuscripts written by the Apostle Paul, is the sixth shortest in the KJV translation in terms of the number of words. It has only three chapters, forty-six verses and 921 words.
Vicious Animals
The Greek word therion, Strong's Concordance #G2342, is found 46 times in 38 Greek New Testament verses. It is found the most in the book of Revelation (38 times) followed by the book of Acts (4). The word, which means "a dangerous animal," refers to creatures that are wild and can be venomous. It is usually translated as "wild beasts" or simply "beast" in the King James.
Therion can also be used to symbolically represent humans, or an entire world system, which possesses great power and acts like a vicious animal.
And he (Jesus) was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts (therion); and the angels ministered unto him (Mark 1:13, KJV).
And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast (therion): and they worshipped the beast (therion), saying, Who is like unto the beast (therion)? who is able to make war with him? (Revelation 13:4, KJV).
Paul's Writings and Number 46
The book of 1Corinthians, written by the Apostle Paul in 56 A.D., is book 46 found in most modern translations.
The forty-sixth book of the originally inspired arrangement of forty-nine Biblical books, organized by the Apostle John, is 2Timothy. Written by Paul in 67 A.D. while a prisoner in Rome awaiting his martyrdom, it is the last book penned by the apostle.
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 46
There are 22 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 46 times.
46 is the product of 2 x 23, both of which are prime numbers.
Psalm 46, written for the sons of Korah, encourages those who believe in God not to fear since He is there to help.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea . . .
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah (verses 1 - 2, 7).
The number 46 has a relationship with one of the Kingdom of Judah's best rulers. Joash became the youngest monarch to rule Judah or Israel when he was crowned, at the age of seven, in 835 B.C. (2Kings 11). He assumed the throne to replace the evil Queen Athaliah (daughter of King Ahab and Jezebel) who had seized power over Judah. Joash ruled until 796 when he died at the young age of forty-six.
Verse 2 of Genesis 46 is one of ten places in the Bible where a name, in this case Jacob, is repeated twice next to each other. Names that are repeated twice are also, in the King James, found in Genesis 22:11, Exodus 3:4, Luke 10:41, Matthew 23:37 and Mark 15:34.
And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I (Genesis 46:2, KJV).
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things . . . (Luke 10:41, KJV).
The Hebrew word chittiy (Strong's #H2850) is written 46 times in 45 original language verses of the Old Testament. It is found the most in Genesis (9 times) followed by 2Samuel (8). The word, which means "descendant of Heth, " is commonly translated as "Hittite."
The Hittites lived in and near the Promised Land long before the time of Moses (Genesis 23:10). They were among several peoples the Israelites had to conquer in order for them to take possession of the land God promised them.
When the Lord your God shall bring you into the land where you go to possess it and has cast out many nations before you - the Hittites (chittiy), and the Girgashites, and the Amorites . . . (Deuteronomy 7:1, HBFV).