Meaning of Numbers: The Number 57
The possible meaning of the number 57 is derived from both facts about and writings within Scripture.
King Amaziah of Judah was 57 years old when he placed his son Azariah (Uzziah) as co-ruler of the kingdom. Amaziah lived another eleven years until, at the age of 68, he died and left his son sole monarch over God's people. At his death, he became the oldest ruler who would ever govern over the Kingdom of Judah.
The Apostle Paul, while he was a Roman prisoner in Caesarea (Acts 24), turned 57 years old in 59 A.D. He remained in custody until the autumn of 60 A.D. when, at his request, he was sent to Rome to have his case heard by Emperor Nero.
Book 57 of the King James Translation is Philemon. It was written by the Apostle Paul from 61 to 63 A.D. while he was a prisoner in Rome. He penned this letter to his friend during his most productive period when he authored a total number of five "prison" books (Hebrews, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon).
Appearances of Number Fifty-Seven
In the Old Testament, the Biblical chapters of Genesis 41, Leviticus 14 and Judges 9 contain 57 verses in the King James translation.
In the New Testament, the only chapter to contain 57 verses is John 11.
The only Biblical books with more than fifty-seven chapters are the Psalms and Isaiah. The word "seventy" appears in 57 verses in the King James Old Testament.
Interesting Irony
The word "Almighty" is recorded 57 times in 57 verses in the King James Bible. It appears the most in the book of Job (31 times) then distantly by the book of Revelation (8). It is always used to refer to God. Jesus used the word to reference himself in Revelation and God revealed himself as the Almighty to Abraham.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8, KJV).
And when Abram (Abraham) was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect (Genesis 17:1, KJV).
The word "Almighty" is written in 57 Scriptural verses but so is the word "devil!" Surprisingly, this English word is only used in the New Testament. It is found the most in the gospel of Luke (13 times total) followed by Matthew (12 times). Jesus used the word to reference God's chief adversary and his unique relationship with Jewish religious leaders.
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it (John 8:44, KJV).
Paul and the Number 57
One of the most eventful years in the Apostle Paul's long ministry was 57 A.D. It was in this year, during his third missionary journey, that he was chased out of Ephesus. A local pagan silversmith caused him to leave then he stirred up a riot against him (Acts 19)!
Paul, leaving Ephesus in the summer of 57, travels to Macedonia and ends up in Philippi. While staying in the city he writes the book of 2Corinthians and then decides to make a short trip to Corinth. While wintering in the city he writes the book of Romans.
What is fascinating about Romans is that Paul wrote it before he had a chance to visit the city (Romans 1:10)! He would eventually visit the capital of the empire in the spring of 61 A.D.
Sosipater was a Jewish Christian who sent greetings to believers through the book of Romans. Evidence suggests he may have been one of Apostle Paul's distant relatives living in Corinth when the book was written.
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 57
57 is the product of 3 x 19, both of which are prime numbers.
The Garden of Gethsemane is the place where Jesus took his disciples after they ate his last Passover (Matthew 26:36, Mark 14:32). It was in the garden where Jesus prayed concerning his sacrifice and where he was arrested. The area of the garden is flat and measures less than 57 square yards (47 1/2 square meters).
The English word "eternity," which appears only once in the King James Bible translation, is found in the fifteenth verse of Isaiah 57.
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones (verse 15).
Other words that are also recorded only once in God's word include Reverend (Psalms 111:9), Forgetfulness (Psalm 88:12) and Lukewarm (Revelation 3:16).