Meaning of Numbers: The Number 58
The English phrase "fifty and eight" used for the number 58 is not recorded in the King James Bible translation.
The possible Scriptural meaning of the number 58 is derived from both the text and the historical record.
The Apostle Paul arrives in Jerusalem in 58 A.D. shortly before the Feast of Pentecost. He is soon arrested, however, when Jews at Jerusalem's temple claim he has defiled the sanctuary. His arrest by the Romans will set off a chain of events that will ultimately lead to his case heard in Rome by the Emperor!
Paul turns 58 years old in 60 A.D. After languishing in a Caesarea prison for two years his case is revisited by Judea's Roman Governor Festus (Acts 25). The apostle ultimately requests, based on his rights as a Roman citizen, to have his case heard by the Emperor. The governor insures that in the fall of the year He is placed on a boat, escorted by a Centurion, bound for Rome.
Appearances of Number Fifty-Eight
In the Old Testament, the Biblical chapter of 1Samuel 17 contains 58 verses in the King James Bible.
In the New Testament, the chapters Matthew 13 and 1Corinthians 15 have 58 verses in the KJV.
Book number fifty-eight, in most modern translations, is Hebrews. Although debate continues regarding who was the book's author, evidence highly suggests it was the Apostle Paul. The book itself was written early in 61 A.D. when the apostle was in Rome awaiting his trial before the Roman Emperor.
Verse 58 of John 8 records Jesus' words that reveal, to the Jews, he was the God of the Old Testament.
Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM."
Noah's name (Strong's #H5146) in Gematria (adding the numeric value of each Hebrew letter in his name) is 50 + 8 or 58. Noah's name, in Hebrew, means "rest." He represents the tenth generation of humans on planet earth.
God would, many years after Noah's death, reveal that he considered him one of the three most righteous people to ever have lived (Ezekeil 14:14, 20). The New Testament held him up as a sterling example of faith and someone who was a "preacher of righteousness" (Hebrews 11:7, 2Peter 2:5).
Set Apart for Holy Use
The English word "sanctified" is recorded 62 times in 58 verses in the King James Bible. It is found the most in the book of 2Chronicles (13 times) then the book of Ezekiel (7). The word means to set something or someone apart for a sacred or holy use. The first time "sanctified" is used in Scripture takes place when God sets apart the seventh day of the week (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) by resting on it for an example for humans to follow.
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made (Genesis 2:3, KJV).
Fifteen out of the 58 verses where "sanctified" is used are found in the New Testament. The word is often utilized to describe true Christians who, through their calling and the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit made possible by Christ, are set apart from the world to be holy.
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours (1Corinthians 1:2, KJV).
Perverted Justice and Number 58
King David is the author of Psalm 58. In this song, he denounces the unrighteous judges in the land and the wickedness with which they pervert justice. He also makes the rather startling request for God to break the teeth of these judges to stop them from uttering more pronouncements that are sinful!
Do you indeed speak righteousness, O mighty lords? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men? Yea! In your heart you work wickedness; you weigh out the violence from your hands in the earth.
The wicked are estranged from the womb; they who speak lies go astray from birth. Their venom is like the venom of a serpent; he stops his ear like the deaf adder . . .
O God, break their teeth in their mouth; shatter the fangs of the young lions, O Lord (verses 1 - 4, 6 of Psalm 58).
Ananias, son of Nedebeus, was appointed High Priest by Herod of Chalcis in 46 A.D. In 58 A.D., he was the priest before whom the Apostle Paul was brought after his presence started a Temple riot (Acts 23, 24:1). Shortly after this meeting, in the same year, Ananias was replaced by a man named Jonathan. He, however, would not last long as Jonathan would also be replaced before the end of the year!
Righteous People
The Hebrew word iyob, Strong's Concordance #H347, is recorded 58 times in 52 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is found the most in the book of Job (56) followed by Ezekiel (2). The word, which means "persecuted," "hated," or "the cry of woe," is translated as the name "Job" in the King James.
The book of Job, written around the 1660's B.C. is the oldest book in Scripture. It is roughly 215 years earlier than the five books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), called the Pentateuch, written by Moses!
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job (iyob); and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil (Job 1:1, KJV).
Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job (iyob), were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord God (Ezekiel 14:14, KJV).
The Hebrew word eliysha, Strong's Concordance #H477, is found 58 times in 52 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is found the most in 2Kings (55 times) followed by 1Kings (3). The word, which means "God is salvation," is translated as the name "Elisha" in the King James.
Elisha was Elijah's prophetic successor. Before Elijah was whisked away for his own safety, Elisha asked and received a double portion of the same righteous spirit that was in him! This double portion was manifested by the fact that while only eight miracles are attributed to Elijah ministry, Scripture records sixteen through Elisha.
And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha (eliysha) from Gilgal (2Kings 2:1, KJV).
And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha (eliysha), Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha (eliysha) said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me (2Kings 2:9, KJV).
The Hebrew word asa, Strong's #H609, is recorded 58 times in 52 Hebrew Old Testament verses. It is found the most in the book of 2Chronicles (29) followed by 1Kings (26). The word, which means "healer," "physician," or "cure," is untranslated as the name "Asa" in the King James.
Asa was the third king over the Kingdom of Judah after the unified nation of Israel split in 930 B.C. His rule of 41 years, which began in 910 B.C., was one of the longest of any ruler over Israel or Judah. He was one of the good kings of Judah.
And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father (1Kings 15:11, KJV).
But the high places (hills where pagan worship was carried out) were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the Lord all his days (1Kings 15:14, KJV).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 58
There are 17 words and phrases in the Bible's original languages that are recorded exactly 58 times.
58 is the product of 2 x 29. Both 2 and 29 are prime numbers.
58 can also be arrived at by adding the first seven consecutive primes or 2 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 11 + 13 + 17.
We have Luke, the author of the book of Acts, to thank for directly referencing two close relatives of Paul. They were the apostle's sister and her son (Acts 23:16). Paul's young nephew played an important part in stopping a death threat against his uncle in 58 A.D. (Acts 23:12 - 22)!
The Apostle Paul's first three missionary journeys, which took place before he was arrested in Jerusalem and sent to Rome, occurred from 44 to 58 A.D.
The only writings that contain more than fifty-eight chapters are the Psalms and the book of Isaiah.