The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 46
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 the number forty-six
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.
Chapters in the KJV Scriptures that have exactly forty-six verses include Genesis 27, Exodus 29, Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 1, 1Kings 2 and 18, Jeremiah 50, as well as Matthew 21, 22 and 25.
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. It is also the only book that has exactly forty-six verses.
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.
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
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 KJV, found in Genesis 22:11, Exodus 3:4, Luke 10:41, Matthew 23:37 and Mark 15:34.