The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 54
The possible meaning of the number 54 is derived from both facts about and writings within Scripture.
In 54 A.D., Paul leaves the Phrygia region of Asia Minor and travels to the Roman province of Asia and its prosperous capital Ephesus (Acts 19). While residing in the city he not only raises up the first Christian church located within it but also stays almost three full years to aid the growth of the new Christians.
Apostle Paul turned 54 years old in 56 A.D. He writes the book of 1Corinthians from Ephesus while staying in the city as part of his third missionary journey. Paul will ultimately reside in Ephesus for almost three years, staying in the city until a riot of pagans against the gospel forces him to travel to Macedonia.
Appearances of the number fifty-four
Amaziah, Judah's king who ruled for less than a year, and Hezekiah, a righteous ruler over Judah, were both 54 years old when they died.
Judah's righteous king Jehoshaphat was fifty-four years old when he placed his son Jehoram as co-ruler of the kingdom. Jehoshaphat lived only a few more years until he died at the age of 59, leaving his son Jehoram as sole ruler.
The death of Roman Emperor Claudius in 54 A.D. opened the door for his adopted son Nero, at the age of 16, to take the reins of the empire. Considered tyrannical, self-absorbed and corrupt concerning morals, he would wreak havoc on the early Christian church.
Nero became the first of ten emperors to use the power of the state to persecute believers. It was under his rule that both the apostles Paul and Peter were martyred.
Betrayal and the number 54
Psalm 54 was written before David assumed the throne over God's people. After the future king saved the city of Keilah from Philistine harassment, he and his men fled to the wilderness of Ziph to escape King Saul's wrath (1Samuel 23:1 - 14).
The Ziphites, who lived in the wilderness named after them, discovered David's stronghold in the wilderness and betrayed him to Saul. David penned this song pleading for help after this betrayal.
Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your might. Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth, for strangers have risen up against me, and violent men seek after my soul; they have not set God before them. Selah (verses 1 - 3 of Psalm 54).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 54
The Gematria of the word Dan, an Israelite tribal name that means "a judge," is 54. This tribe is unique as it is the only one not mentioned in Revelation 7.
Five Biblical chapters (Num. 1, 31, 1Chronicles 1, Luke 11 and John 4) contain exactly fifty-four verses.
The number seven is reference 54 times in the book of Revelation.
Book number 54, in most modern Bible translations, is 1Timothy. It has six chapters and 113 verses total. Written by Paul in 63 A.D., along with the book of Titus, it represents one of the final writings of the apostle before he pens his last in 67.