Meaning of Numbers: The Number 89
The possible meaning of the number 89 is derived from its use in the Psalms and in God's creation.
Only two original language words appear 89 times in the Bible. The first, shamem (Strong's #H8074), is recorded the most in Ezekiel (24 times) followed by Jeremiah (11) and Isaiah (10). It is a word that refers to making something desolate, appalling, horrific, or astonishing. It is used in Isaiah 52's famous prophecy describing the brutal torture Jesus received before his crucifixion and death.
Many were astonished (shamem) at Him - for His body was so disfigured - even His form beyond that of the sons of men (Isaiah 52:14, HBFV, which foretold of Matthew 27:26, 28 - 31).
The second word that appears 89 times is the Greek kathemai (Strong's #G2521) found in the original language of the New Testament. It is recorded the most in Revelation (32 times) followed by Matthew (18) and then Luke (12). It is a word that refers to the act of sitting down or residing in a particular place. Its last few uses in the New Testament are in Revelation where the Apostle John sees, in vision, God sitting on his throne.
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them (Revelation 20:11, KJV).
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful (Revelation 21:5, KJV).
Appearances of Number Eighty-Nine
Out of 150 Psalms only two, 89 and 132, list King David's name four times. In Psalm 89 his name is recorded in verses 3, 20, 35 and 49 of the King James Bible. Psalms 18, 122 and 144 list his name twice.
Fibonacci numbers are named after Italian mathematician Leonardo of Pisa (later known as Fibonacci). His sequence was introduced to Western Europe in 1202 A.D.
A Fibonacci sequence is a set where each of them is the sum of the previous two in the list. The sequence begins with 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, and so on. This sequence appears in God's creation. It has been observed that the arrangement of leaves on certain stems, as well as the distribution of fruit sprouts on a pineapple, follows a Fibonacci pattern.
Verse 89 of Numbers 7 records one of the most spectacular and rare events in Scripture. It highlights God graciously, from his presence on the mercy seat that rested on the Ark of the Covenant, allowing Moses to speak with him directly
And when Moses had gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with Him (God), then he heard the voice of One speaking to him from the mercy-seat on the ark of testimony from between the two cherubim. And He spoke to him (Numbers 7:89, HBFV).
Number 89 and the Psalms
The Psalms were originally divided into five sections. This Psalm is the last of the third section. The first section runs from Psalm 1 to 41, the second from 42 to 72, the third from 73 to 89, the fourth from 90 to 106, and the final division goes from 107 to 150.
Psalm 89 is unique in that it reveals several of God's names in just three verses! It also reveals a somewhat unique and little known title for our Creator a few verses later.
For who in the heavens can be compared with the Lord (Jehovah)? Who among the sons of the mighty is like the Lord (Jehovah)?
God (El) is greatly to be feared in the congregation of the saints . . . O Lord God (Jehovah Elohim) of hosts, who is mighty like you O Lord (Jah)? . . .
For the Lord is our shield; yea, our King is the Holy One of Israel (Qedosh Yisrael, verses 6 - 8 and 18 in Psalm 89, HBFV).
Selah is a word that means "pause" or the suspension of music that is played (Strong's #H5542). It is recorded four times in the KJV version of Psalm 89 (verses 4, 37, 45 and 48).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 89
89 is the 24th prime. The prime numbers that come immediately before it include 73, 79 and 83, while those after it include 97, 101 and 103.
Numbers 7 is the only Biblical chapter that has exactly 89 verses. It is the second largest chapter, in terms of verses, in the Bible. Only Psalm 119, with 176, has more verses in a single chapter.
89 has subtle appearances in the King James translation. The 8th chapter of the Psalms has 9 verses.
The book of 1Thessalonians has five chapters and eighty-nine total verses. The four gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), containing 3,779 total verses in the King James, have 89 chapters total.