Meaning of Numbers: The Number 67
The English phrase "threescore and seven," used for the number 67, is recorded 3 times in 3 King James Bible verses.
The possible meaning of the number 67 is derived from both the Scriptural text and the historical record.
The Apostle Paul conducts his final and fifth missionary journey between 63 to 67 A.D. (Acts 28, Titus 1, 3, Romans 15). His journey begins in Rome after the Roman Empire acquits him of the charges against him and he is freed. He then sails to Crete (Titus 1:5) and travels to Nicopolis (Titus 1:5, 3:12) where he will write the books of 1Timothy and Titus.
In 67 A.D., while in prison, Paul writes his final and fourteenth book called 2Timothy. It is a heartfelt letter to his best friend and fellow evangelist Timothy. It offered both encouragement and a warning that his martyrdom was fast approaching.
But as for you, be vigilant in all things, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist; fully carry out your ministry. For I (Paul) am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight; I have finished the course; I have kept the faith (2Timothy 4:5 - 7).
67 A.D. will prove to be the last full year of Paul's life. Nero, who had recently begun the first state sponsored persecution of Christians, shows no mercy to Paul the Roman citizen. He condemns him to death by beheading in 68 A.D. just before he himself commits suicide on June 9.
Appearances of Number Sixty-Seven
During the time of Ezra the prophet, many of those in Babylonian captivity were allowed to move back into the Promised Land. After they settled in the land, the people donate 67 priestly garments for the use of the priests (Nehemiah 7:72).
The Apostle Peter, whose martyrdom was hinted at by Jesus (John 21:18 - 19, 2Peter 1:14), is believed to have been killed in 67 or 68 A.D. Although it is commonly believed he was likely killed in Rome, several Biblical commentaries question that assumption.
The twelve Minor Prophets (Amos, Habakkuk, Haggai, Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Malachi, Micah, Nahum, Obadiah, Zechariah, and Zephaniah) have a total number of 67 chapters.
Two of Jesus' half-brothers (Matthew 13:55 - 56) eventually became leaders of the early New Testament church. His half-brother Jude, referred to as Judas, writes the book named after him between 66 and 67 A.D. James, the other close relative, oversees the famous Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15) and also writes a book named after him.
The Greek word grammateus, Strong's Concordance #G1122, is found 67 times in 67 Greek New Testament verses. It is found the most in the gospel of Matthew (24 times) followed by Mark (22) and then Luke (15). The word, which means "a writer," is translated as "scribe" or its plural in the King James.
New Testament scribes were men trained to write. At first they were merely transcribers of God's law and readers in synagogues. Over time, however, they became interpreters of God's law and took on the responsibility to teach it. They, along with the Pharisees, not only opposed Jesus and his teachings, they zealously sought to have him killed.
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes (grammateus) and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:20, KJV).
And the chief priests and scribes (grammateus) sought how they might kill him (Jesus); for they feared the people (Luke 22:2, KJV).
Number 67 and God's Truth
Psalm 67, credited to King David, is a song praising God that expresses his desire that the whole world come to understand the salvation the Eternal offers to all humans.
May God be gracious to us, and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us. Selah. So that Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations . . . Let the people praise You, O God; let all the people praise You (verses 1 - 2, 5).
Jesus' teaching that, "unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you do not have life in yourselves" (John 6:53) causes the vast majority who followed him to reject him and his teachings (verse 66).
After this massive rejection, he turns to his remaining disciples and asks, in verse 67 of John 6, "Are you also desiring to go away?" Peter, the impulsive and hyperactive apostle, immediately confirms they are staying with the Lord since he is the promised Messiah (verses 68 - 69).
A Royal Title
The Hebrew word abiymelek, Strong's Concordance #H40, is recorded 67 times in 62 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is written the most in the book of Judges (40 times) followed by Genesis (24). The word, which means "Melek is father" or "my father is king," is translated as "Abimelech" in the King James.
The most common use of Abimelech was as the royal title given to Philistine rulers. The king of Gerar, one of the Philistines cities, was called Abimelech in his interactions with the patriarchs Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 20 - 21, 26). Abimelech was also a personal name of one of Gideon's sons (Judges 9) and the son of a priest named Abiathar (1Chronicles 18:16).
And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech (abiymelek) king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah (Genesis 20:2, KJV).
And Abimelech (abiymelek) the son of Jerubbaal (another name for Gideon) went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father . . . (Judges 9:1, KJV).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 67
The English phrase "threescore and seven," used for the number 67, is found three times in the book of Nehemiah.
There are 10 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 67 times.
67 is the 19th prime number. Primes that come before it include 53, 59 and 61, and those immediately after it are 71, 73 and 79.
The English word "sign" is recorded 76 times in 67 King James Bible verses. It is found the most in Matthew (11) then both Isaiah and Ezekiel (9 each). In the Old Testament it is usually derived from the Hebrew oth (Strong's Concordance #H226) which means a signal, distinguishing mark, beacon, miraculous sign, omen or warning.
In the New Testament the word "sign" is usually is translated from semeion (Strong's #G4592) which describes a sign, mark or token.
Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign (oth) between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you (Exodus 31:13, KJV).
And I saw another sign (semeion) in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God (Revelation 15:1, KJV).
The Apostle John notices that a heresy is cropping up among certain New Testament churches that deny Jesus' humanity, He therefore writes, between 64 and 67 A.D., the epistles of 1, 2 and 3John to combat these heretical teachings.
In the Old Testament, the Biblical chapter of Genesis 24 contains 67 verses in the King James Bible. There are no New Testament chapters that contains this number of verses.
There are no Biblical books that have exactly 67 chapters in the KJV.