Meaning of Numbers in the Bible
The Number 91

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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 Ninety-One

How old was Sarah when she gave birth to Isaac? When God made a covenant with Abraham he also promised that he would have a son through Sarah (Genesis 17:16). The patriarch, who was 99 years old at the time (verse 1), could hardly believe what he heard.

And Abraham fell upon his face and laughed, and said in his heart, "Shall a child be born to him that is a hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear?" (Genesis 17:17).

Was Abraham stating that Sarah would be 90 when she conceived a few month later, making her 91 when she gave birth, or that she would give birth at 90? Several Biblical commentaries state that Sarah would be 90 when Isaac was born.

The English word "bear" in Genesis 17:17 comes from yalad (Strong's #H3205) which is generally used to refer to the time when a person is born. That said, it should be noted that the 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia supports the belief that Sarah was 90 when she conceived and therefore would be 91 when Isaac came into the world.

"Incredulous on account of Sarah's age (she was ninety), Abraham burst into laughter, wherefor the son was to be called "Isaac" . . . " (1906 Jewish Encyclopedia on Sarah).

Number 91 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

91 is the product of 7 x 13. Both 7 and 13 are prime numbers. Seven symbolizes perfection or completeness, while thirteen generally represents lawlessness and rebellion against God.

The squaring of the first six positive digits, added together, gives us 91. It is equal to (1 x 1) + (2 x 2) + (3 x 3) + (4 x 4) + (5 x 5) + (6 x 6) or 1 + 4 + 9 + 16 + 25 + 36.

Interestingly, the number 91 is equal to adding the first thirteen digits or 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10 + 11 + 12 + 13.

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 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."

There are no Bible chapters that contain 91 verses in the King James. The only book to have 91 or more chapters is the Psalms.

The Hebrew word kerub (Strong's Concordance #H3742) is recorded 91 times in the original language of the Old Testament. It is found the most in Ezekiel (31 times) followed by 1Kings (20) and Exodus (17). The word is used to refer to a class of angelic beings known as Cherubs (Cherubims).

And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims (kerub, 1Kings 8:6, KJV).

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The Most Encouraging Bible Verses!
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Biblical Meaning of Numbers
Introduction   -   Book of Numbers
Forgiveness Numbers  -  Abraham's Numbers
Apostle Paul's Seven Churches
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Prophecy Numbers   -   Numerology
Creation's Numerics   -   Further Study

Series References
Number in Scripture: Its Supernatural
Design and Spiritual Significance

Quotes related to the
meaning of the number 91 taken from
Holy Bible Faithful Version (HBFV)