Meaning of Numbers: The Number 47
The English phrase "forty and seven" used for the number 47 is recorded 3 times in 3 King James Bible verses.
The possible meaning of the number 47 is derived from both facts about and writings within Scripture.
The venerable King James translation (KJV), commissioned by King James I of England, was published in 1611 A.D. This English version of Scripture was created to correct perceived problems with previous translations. Although a total number of 54 scholars were initially approved to work on the project, only 47 of them actually took part in the work. The KJV, even in the 21st century, remains one of the most popular versions of God's word!
The Apostle Paul completed his first missionary journey, undertaken with fellow apostle and evangelist Barnabas, in the fall of 46 A.D. They then both reside in Syrian Antioch, serving the church, until the end of the year. They also stay in the city through 47 and 48, finally leaving it in the late summer of 49 A.D.
Appearances of Number Forty-Seven
Genesis 47 records the pivotal moment when Egypt's Pharaoh allowed Jacob (Israel) and his entire family to dwell in the land of Goshen. The family, at the behest of Joseph who was the second most powerful person in Egypt, left Canaan due to a severe drought. The Israelites will end up living in the country for the next 200+ years until they are freed to return to their ancestral home.
Genesis 47 also records Joseph introducing his father Jacob to Pharaoh. At the time of the historic meeting Jacob was 130 years old, an age that was fascinating to the Egyptians possibly due to their shorter lifespans (verses 8 to 9).
The book of 2Thessalonians, written by the Apostle Paul in 51 A.D., has 47 verses and 1,042 words. It is the seventh shortest book, based on word count, in the King James translation. The smallest is 3John that contains only fourteen verses and 299 words.
The book of Nahum, written by the minor prophet in 711 B.C., numbers only 3 chapters, 47 verses and 1,285 words. It is the ninth shortest book, based on word count, in the KJV translation.
Number 47 and Translations
The book of 2Corinthians, written by the Apostle Paul in 57 A.D., is the forty-seventh book found in most modern translations. This chronological fourth book of Paul's was penned in Ephesus during his third missionary journey.
The forty-seventh book, however, of the originally inspired arrangement of Bible books is Titus. Written in 63 A.D., this next to last work by Paul was written to Titus on Crete in order to guide his oversight of the island's church.
Holy Day Variations
The Julian / Gregorian dates on which God's annual Feast (Holy) days can occur vary from year to year. This variation is due to two factors. The first is the possible delay of declaring Tishri 1, the first day of the Hebrew (Biblical) calendar, by up to two days due to calendar postponement rules. The second is the insertion of a thirty day leap month during years 3, 6, 8, 11, 14, 17 and 19 of the Hebrew calendar's 19-year time cycle.
A study of all Feast Day dates since 3761 B.C. (the first year of the Biblical calendar) shows a remarkable pattern regarding the range these holy convocations can occur. The feasts of Passover, Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles can all begin within a range of 47 days!
Passover, for example, has occurred as early as March 13 and as late as April 28. This represents a time span of 47 days. The Feast of Trumpets, which also marks the first day of the Hebrew civil year, has occurred as early as August 24 and as late as October 9 (another 47 day range).
All in the Family
The name "Israel," which God gave to the patriarch Jacob, appears in 47 Biblical books or 71.2% of all books in Scripture.
The Hebrew word rachel, Strong's Concordance #H7354, is found 47 times in 44 Hebrew Old Testament verses. The word is found in the book of Genesis (44 times) followed by Ruth, 1Samuel and Matthew (one each). The word, which means "ewe," is untranslated as the name Rachel in the King James.
Rachel was the youngest daughter of Laban and Jacob's favorite wife. Jacob agreed to work seven years for Laban in order to marry her but was deceived into first marrying Rachel's older sister Leah instead. It was through Rachel that Jacob produced his last two sons named Joseph and Benjamin. Rachel would end up becoming the second most mentioned woman in God's word.
And Jacob loved Rachel; and said (to Laban), I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter (Genesis 29:18, KJV).
The English name "Laban" is recorded 55 times in 47 KJV verses. It is recorded only in the books of Genesis (54 times) and Deuteronomy (once). Laban was related to Abraham through Abraham's brother Nahor (Genesis 12, 20).
Laban played a major role in the lives of Abraham's descendants. His sister Rebekah married Isaac and his daughters Rachel and Leah married Jacob. Laban treated Jacob rather poorly and took advantage of him whenever he could.
And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother (Genesis 28:5, KJV).
The English word "Naphtali" is written 50 times in 47 King James Bible verses. It is found the most in the book of Numbers (11 times) followed by 1Chronicles (7) and the books of Joshua and Judges (6 each). Naphtali was the sixth of Jacob's twelve sons.
Naphtali's inheritance in the Promised Land ran from the northernmost Israelite territory on the western side of the Jordan River all the way down to the Sea of Galilee. Naphtali played a critical role in Deborah and Barak's successful attempt to free northern Israel from the domination of Jabin.
And she (Deborah) sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? (Judges 4:6, KJV).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 47
The Biblical writings that use "forty and seven" for 47 are the books of Genesis, Ezra and Nehemiah (one each).
There are 19 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 47 times.
47 is the 15th prime number. Those that immediately proceed it are 31, 37, 41 and 43, and those that come after it are 53, 59, 61, 67 and so on.
Jesse, the name of King David's father, is recorded in 44 verses for 47 mentions total in the King James Translation. In the New Testament, he is recorded in Matthew 1:5 - 6, Luke 3:32, Acts 13:22 and Romans 15:12.
Matthew writes that on 23 occasions Jesus blessed 47 people. Some of those he blessed include a leper (Matthew 8:2), a non-Israelite woman and her daughter (15:22), Mary Magdalene (27:56) and Joseph of Arimathea (27:57).
The name "Sodom" is recorded in 47 verses in the King James Bible. Nine of these verses are found in the New Testament. Sodom was located on a fertile plain south of the Dead Sea.
Sodom, along with its sister city Gomorrah, as well as the cities of the plain such as Admah and Zeboim, suffered direct punishment from God for indulging in a whole host of vile sins. The New Testament uses the punishment of these cities as an example of the eternal destruction that awaits all those who refuse to obey God.
And the angels who did not keep their own original domain, but deserted their habitation, He is holding in eternal bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
Just as Sodom and Gomorrah - and the cities surrounding them, in the same manner as them - having given themselves over to sexual debaucheries, and having gone after different flesh, are themselves exhibited as a perpetual example of undergoing the punishment of eternal fire (Jude 1:6 - 7, HBFV).
The books of 1 and 2Kings combined, which records the history of Israel's kings, have 47 total chapters.
In the Old Testament, the Biblical chapters of Leviticus 11, 1Chronicles 11, Nehemiah 12 and Jeremiah 48 contain 47 verses in the King James translation.
In the New Testament, the chapters Mark 15, Luke 20, John 5 and Acts 2 have 47 verses in the KJV.