The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 48
The meaning of the number 48 is linked to several facts both in and related to the Bible.
The tribe of Levi, because they were dedicated to serving God, did not receive an inheritance of farmable land in Canaan (Numbers 18:20, Deuteronomy 18:1 - 2). The Eternal, using the tithes and offerings Israelites gave, was to be their primary means of support. They did receive, however, 48 cities in which they could live, six of which were to be designated as cities of refuge (Numbers 35:7, Joshua 20, 21:41).
In 48 A.D., both the Apostle Paul and Barnabas reside in the city of Syrian Antioch. They began their stay in the city in 46 A.D. after completing Paul's first missionary journey. Unfortunately, Paul's first tour will be the only one they will carry out together. The pair separate over the issue of John Mark before the second missionary journey starts in late autumn of 49 A.D. Paul takes Silas on his second evangelistic trip while Barnabas takes John Mark on a preaching tour back through the island of Cyprus.
The Apostle Paul was roughly 48 years old when he met Timothy in the city of Lystra during his second missionary journey. Timothy, a young man of 33 in early 50 A.D., would ultimately become Paul's closest and most trusted friend!
Appearances of the number forty-eight
The word "milk," in the King James Bible, is used 48 total times.
Ezra mentions Jerusalem a total of 48 times in the KJV version of his Biblical book.
Additional info on Biblical Meaning of 48
Only the Biblical books of Genesis, Psalms, Isaiah and Ezekiel have 48 or more chapters.
Genesis 48 is the pivotal Biblical chapter that records Jacob, near death, blessing Joseph's two sons Manasseh and Ephraim. It is through these two sons that God would fulfill a giant part of his promise to Abraham that his descendants, who would number like grains of sand on a beach, would ultimately bless all the nations on earth (Genesis 22:17 - 18)!