The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 91
The meaning of this number is influenced by Psalm 91.
The book of Psalms, in the Old Testament's original manuscripts, is divided into five sections. Psalm 91 is the second song of the fourth section that numbers 27 chapters (90 to 106). This section discusses themes related to Israel's regathering after its ruin and the millennial reign of Christ on earth.
Psalm 91 was written by priests from 1010 to 970 B.C. who served under King David. It was meant to offer encouraging and comforting words to those who trust in God and his protection.
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in Whom I will trust." Surely He will deliver you from the fowler’s trap and from the destroying pestilence.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night . . . a thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand; it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes you shall behold and see the recompense of the wicked (verses 2 - 3, 5, 7 of Psalm 91).
Appearances of number ninty-one
The number 91 is linked to God's promise to Abraham that, although he and his wife Sarah were quite old, they would produce a child!
Abraham was 99 (Genesis 17:1) when God promised him his wife Sarah, at the age of 90 (verse 17), would become pregnant with his child. This revelation seemed so incredible that Abraham laughed! Sarah, a short time later, also laughed at the prospect of getting pregnant long past menopause (18:11 - 15). As God foretold, however, Sarah did give birth at the ripe age of 91. She would go on to live to be 127 (Genesis 23).
Number ninety-one and temptation
Jesus, at the start of his ministry, fasted for 40 days during which he was tempted to sin by the devil. His last recorded temptation, according to Luke, was amazingly subtle. Satan, after transporting Christ to the top of Jerusalem's temple, challenged him by stating, "If You are the Son of God, cast Yourself down from here; For it is written . . ." (Luke 4:9, HBFV). The devil then perfectly quotes two verses of Psalm 91!
He shall give His angels charge concerning You to keep You; And in their hands they shall bear You up, lest You strike Your foot against a stone (Luke 4:10 - 11).
Why was this, according to Jesus, tempting God (Luke 4:12)? It was because the devil, who knew the truth, wanted him to misapply Scripture to justify testing (tempting) God! The promise of verses 11 to 12 of Psalm 91 is meant to apply to accidents that could cause harm. Accidents, by their very nature, are unintentional and unplanned events that occur due to our fallibility, time and chance, the behavior of others and so on.
The devil knew, however, that intentionally placing ourselves in danger with the express purpose of testing God's love was a sin! Satan hoped the Lord, in his physically weakened state, would buy into his deception. Jesus, thankfully, resisted such temptation!
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 91
The Biblical patriarch Jacob (later Israel), between the ages of 84 and 91, fathered eleven of his twelve sons and one daughter (Genesis 29:32 - 30:25)! The children, in birth order, are Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Dinah and Joseph.
The number 91 is 7 x 13. Seven symbolizes perfection or completeness, while thirteen generally represents lawlessness and rebellion against God.
The 1535 Coverdale Bible is sometimes referred to as the "bugs" translation because it has a printing error in Psalm 91. Verse 5 of the Psalm erroneously stated (in the spelling of the time), "Thou shalt not need to be afrayd for eny BUGGES . . ." The King James translation of the same verse is, "Thou shalt not be afraid for the TERROR by night."