Meaning of Numbers: The Number 69
The English phrase "threescore and nine" (a "score" is twenty so threescore is equal to sixty) used for the number 69 is not found in the King James Bible.
The meaning of number 69 is derived from its references to Jesus Christ. Psalm 69, one of the many Old Testament sections that are referenced in the New Testament, foretold of his zealous defense of holy worship.
For the zeal of Your house has eaten Me up, and the reproaches of those who reproached You have fallen upon Me (verse 9 of Psalm 69).
The above verse was remembered by Jesus' disciples, in John 2:17, when they witnessed him cleansing the temple and throwing out the moneychangers for the first time. Immediately following this, the Lord gave a prophecy that after he was killed by the religious leaders he would be resurrected from the dead (verse 19).
Appearances of Number Sixty-Nine
The Hebrew word ed, Strong's Concordance #H5707, is recorded 69 times in 59 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is used the most in the book of Deuteronomy (14 times) followed by Proverbs (11) and Isaiah (8). It is a word that refers to someone who gives evidence or testimony (either true of false) or to something that offers evidence something occurred. The word is usually translated as "witness" in the King James.
And Laban said (to Jacob), This heap is a witness (ed) between me and thee this day (Genesis 31:48, KJV).
A false witness (ed) shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish (Proverbs 19:9, KJV).
The Hebrew word gibah, Strong's Concordance #H1389, is recorded 69 times in 69 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is used the most in the book of Isaiah (13 times) followed by Jeremiah (9) and then Ezekiel (8). The word refers to a hill that sometimes can be rather little.
Hills have been used for a variety of purposes in Scripture. When Israel entered the Promised Land, a hill was used to perform circumcisions on a massive scale! Hills were also used as burial locations (Joshua 24:33) as well as places to worship pagan (false) gods.
And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill (gibah) of the foreskins (Joshua 5:3, KJV).
For they (the Kingdom of Judah) also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill (gibah), and under every green tree (1Kings 14:32, KJV).
Prophecy and Number 69
Psalm 69, written by King David, prophesizes fascinating information concerning the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.
You have known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonor; my enemies are all before You. Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness; and I looked for sympathy, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none (verses 19 - 20, fulfilled in Matthew 26:55, 66).
They also gave Me gall for My food; and in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink (verse 21 fulfilled in John 19:29 - 30).
The unmerited hatred the Lord endured during his ministry was foretold in verse 4 of Psalm 69.
Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; those who would cut me off are mighty being wrongfully my enemies (verse 4 of Psalm 69).
Verse 4 of the Psalm was fulfilled in John 15:25.
Verse 25 of Psalm 69 is used by the Apostle Peter to Biblically justify replacing Judas Iscariot, who committed suicide, with another disciple (Acts 1:20). The Old Testament verse states, "Let their encampment be desolate; let none dwell in their tents."
Number Sixty-Nine and Chaos
The Roman Empire, after Nero became the first emperor to commit suicide on June 9 in 68 A.D., is thrown into civil war. His death ushers in a period of chaos and confusion known as the year of the four emperors.
In January 69 Galba, who had ruled for only a few months, is murdered by the Praetorian Guard. Emperors Otho and Vitellius also quickly come and go. Vespasian is finally declared emperor by the senate in December.
Vespasian's son, General Titus, is left to deal with the Jewish rebellion in Judea by himself when his father becomes emperor in late 69. It will be Titus who, in 70 A.D., burns and levels both Jerusalem and its temple in fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy (Luke 19:41, 43 - 44, 21:5 - 6, see also Matthew 24:1 - 2 and Mark 13:1 - 2).
A Bloody Purge
Gideon, who would ultimately become a man of great faith (Hebrews 11:32), was inspired by God to save the Israelites from domination by the Midianites (Judges 6). He miraculously led a tiny army of only 300 men, 450 times smaller than the Midianite forces (Judges 8:10), to victory. After his battles he has many wives and a concubine who give him 71 sons.
Sometime after Gideon's death his son from his concubine, named Abimelech, thought he deserved to rule over the people. Using money he conned out of the people of Shechem, he had 69 of his brothers murdered in cold blood! Only the youngest of Gideon's sons, a man named Jotham, survived his bloody purge!
And he (Abimelech) went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal (another name for Gideon), being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself (Judges 9:5, KJV).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 69
There are 13 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 69 times.
69 is the product of 3 x 23, both of which are prime numbers.
No Bible chapters number 69 verses. Each of the four gospels has at least one chapter with more than sixty-nine verses. Eleven chapters in God's word contain more than 69 verses.
The English word "ship" appears 71 times, in 69 verses, in the King James Bible. It is recorded the most in the book of Acts (22 times) followed by Mark (18) and then Matthew (13). The first New Testament use of the word is when Jesus, shortly before giving the Sermon on the Mount, calls James and John to be his disciples.
And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him (Matthew 4:21 - 22, KJV).
The Greek apolus, Strong's #G630, is written 69 times in 63 Greek New Testament verses. It is recorded the most in Matthew (20 times) followed by Luke (16) then the book of Acts (15). The word means to release someone, set someone at liberty, dismiss them or otherwise separate from them. It was many times used as a reference to divorce.
It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away (apolus) his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement (Matthew 5:31, KJV).
And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty (apolus); with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you (Hebrews 13:23, KJV).
Out of Scripture's 66 books, found in most modern translations, only the book of Psalms houses more than 69 chapters.