Meaning of Numbers: The Number 88
The English phrase "fourscore and eight" (a "score" is twenty so fourscore is equal to eighty), used for the number 88, is recorded 2 times in 2 King James Bible verses. The phrase is found once in both the book of 1Chronicles and Nehemiah.
The possible meaning of the number 88 is derived from both facts about and writings within Scripture.
King Rehoboam, who ruled the Kingdom of Judah from 930 to 913 B.C., had 88 children (28 sons and 60 daughters)! He produced this offspring through 18 wives and 60 concubines (78 females, 2Chronicles 11:21).
The king's 88 children are the largest recorded royal family of any ruler over Israel or Judah. This is in stark contrast to his father Solomon who, although he had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines (1Kings 11:1 - 3), is recorded to have produced only him and some daughters (1Kings 4:11, 15).
There are no chapters that have exactly 88 verses. In fact, only four chapters in the entirety of the King James translation have 80 or more verses. These chapters are Luke 1 (80), 1Chronicles 6 (81), Numbers 7 (89) and Psalm 119 (176).
Appearances of Number Eighty-Eight
The English word "cloud" appears 88 times in 79 King James Old Testament verses. The word is found the most in the book of Numbers (20 times) followed by Exodus (18) and Job (11). God decided to use rainbows in clouds as a symbol of his covenant with Noah and all living things, as well as a "reminder" not to destroy the planet with a flood.
I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you (Noah) and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh (Genesis 9:13 - 15, KJV).
Psalm 88 was written by priests who served during King David's reign (1010 to 970 B.C.). It encourages us to remain faithful and diligent, and to cry out to our heavenly Father all day and night if need be.
O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before You. Let my prayer come before You; bow down Your ear to my cry, for my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near the grave (verses 1 - 3).
The English word "sick" is recorded 88 times in the King James Bible. It is found the most in Matthew (14 times) followed by Mark (13) and Luke (7). The word "bed" is also written in 88 KJV verses. Both of these words occur together in Matthew when Jesus displays his power to heal and asserts his right as God's Son to forgive sins.
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house (Matthew 9:6, KJV).
One of the hallmarks of Jesus' earthly ministry, and one of the primary proofs he was mankind's savior, was that he healed every disease, including those which caused death. Healing the sick and raising the dead were powers that he gave to his apostles (Matthew 10:8, Mark 16:18).
Royal Bloodlines
The Kingdom of Judah, with the exception of Queen Athaliah (841 - 835 B.C.), always had a male descendant of King David sitting on the throne. The Kingdom of Israel, however, which began after the united Israelite kingdom split in 930 B.C., was the exact opposite! Its twenty rulers were from ten distinct bloodlines.
The longest bloodline to rule the Kingdom of Israel (northern ten tribes) began with Jehu and ended with Zechariah. This chain of five rulers lasted for 88 years (841 to 753 B.C.). The second longest chain of sovereigns began with Omri and ended with Joram, four kings who ruled a total of only 44 years (885 to 841 B.C.).
Single Words and Number 88
The phrase hapax legomenon, in Greek, means "thing once said." One interesting way of studying God's word is to look for hapax legomenon or words that are recorded only once in the Bible. There are several of these in the King James translation, one of which, "forgetfulness," is found only in Psalm 88.
Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? (verse 12 of Psalm 88).
Other words found only once in the KJV Old Testament include "reverend" (Psalms 111:9) and "eternity" (Isaiah 57:15). Single word occurrences in the New Testament include "grandmother" (2Timothy 1:5), "itching" (2Timothy 4:3), "wrestle" (Ephesians 6:12), "philosophy" (Colossians 2:8) and "fleshy" (2Corinthians 3:3).
Surprisingly, quite a few hapax legomenon are found in the book of Hebrews authored by the Apostle Paul. Some of these are "sundry" (Hebrews 1:1), "discerner" (4:12), "unskilful" (5:13), "forerunner" (6:20), "unchangeable" (7:24) and "finisher" (12:2).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 88
There are 6 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 88 times.
88 is the product of 2 x 2 x 2 (2 cubed) x 11. Both 2 and 11 are prime numbers.
The Hebrew word sheqel, Strong's #H8255, is written 88 times in 54 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is found the most in the book of Numbers (33 times) followed by the books of Exodus and Leviticus (14 each). The word, translated as "shekel" in the King James, refers to a standard weight used in ancient Israel for currency.
A shekel weighed, using modern weights and measures, 11.4 grams or about .4 ounces.
And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels (sheqel) of silver, current money with the merchant (Genesis 23:16, KJV).
So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight (1Chronicles 21:25, KJV).
In modern astronomy, 88 constellations are recognized in the sky by the International Astronomical Union. The IAU, formed in 1919, is a non-governmental agency that promotes the advancement of astronomy. As of 2023 the IAU had 85 member countries.
Psalm 119, verse 88, asks God to quicken or keep us alive so that we can continue to be obedient to Him.
Give me life according to Your lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of Your mouth.
Only the book of Psalms numbers more than 88 chapters in the KJV translation.