Topical Encyclopedia
The number eighty-five appears in the Bible in various contexts, often associated with age, genealogy, and specific events. It is a number that, while not as symbolically significant as others like seven or forty, still holds importance in the biblical narrative.
Occurrences in Scripture:1.
Caleb's Age: One of the most notable mentions of the number eighty-five is in relation to Caleb, the son of Jephunneh. Caleb is a prominent figure in the Old Testament, known for his faithfulness and courage. In the Book of Joshua, Caleb declares his age as eighty-five when he requests the hill country of Hebron as his inheritance. Despite his age, Caleb asserts his strength and readiness for battle, demonstrating his unwavering faith in God's promises. The passage reads: "Now behold, the LORD has kept me alive, just as He promised, these forty-five years since the LORD spoke this word to Moses, while Israel wandered in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old" (
Joshua 14:10).
2.
Genealogical Reference: The number eighty-five also appears in genealogical contexts, often indicating the age of individuals at significant points in their lives. While specific references to the age of eighty-five are not as frequent as other ages, it is part of the broader biblical pattern of recording ages to highlight the longevity and life experiences of key figures.
Symbolic and Theological Implications:·
Longevity and Faithfulness: The mention of eighty-five in the context of Caleb's life underscores themes of longevity and faithfulness. Caleb's life serves as a testament to the rewards of steadfast faith and obedience to God. His strength at eighty-five is a reminder of God's sustaining power and the fulfillment of His promises to those who remain faithful.
·
Inheritance and Promise: Caleb's request for Hebron at the age of eighty-five is significant in the narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan. It highlights the importance of inheritance and the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs. Caleb's claim to Hebron is not just a personal victory but a realization of the divine promise given to Abraham and his descendants.
Cultural and Historical Context:In the ancient Near Eastern context, age was often associated with wisdom, experience, and authority. The recording of specific ages in the Bible serves to emphasize the significance of the individuals and events described. The age of eighty-five, as seen in Caleb's account, reflects a period of life where one's accumulated wisdom and experience are brought to bear on fulfilling God's purposes.
Conclusion:While the number eighty-five may not carry the same symbolic weight as other numbers in the Bible, its occurrences, particularly in the life of Caleb, provide valuable insights into themes of faith, perseverance, and the fulfillment of God's promises. Through Caleb's example, believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, trusting in God's provision and timing, regardless of age or circumstance.
Strong's Hebrew
8084. shemonim -- an eighty... 2), 186,400* (1), 188* (1), 280,000* (2), 284* (1), 288* (1), 8,580* (1), 80 (2),
80,000* (3), 87,000* (1), eightieth (1), eighty (11),
eighty-
five (2), eighty
...Library
QuestionEighty-Five the Effects of Sin
... QuestionEighty-Five THE EFFECTS OF SIN. THE EFFECTS OF SIN We must now consider
the effects of sin. We must consider the corruption...
Wesley Describes Himself atEighty-Five
... Money for the Poor; Visits the House of Lords; His Reasons for his Long Life; "How
is the Tide Turned;" Last Entries Wesley Describes Himself atEighty-five....
How Moody Treated the Committees.
... Fourscore and Five. When we went to London there was an old womaneighty-five years
old, who came to the meetings and said she wanted a hand in that work....
American Board of Foreign Missions.
... The number of the missions in 1841 was twenty-six; stations,eighty-five; and ordained
missionaries, one hundred and thirty-six, ten of whom were physicians....
American Baptist Board of Foreign Missions.
... five missionaries and assistant missionaries, one native assistant, two churches
of twenty-five members, and two schools containingeighty-five scholars....
Episcopal Missions.
... This Society now has under its charge one hundred and forty-five domestic, and twelve
foreign stations, employingeighty-five domestic and eleven foreign...
Nature and Grace
... Article Four Whether Original Sin is in All Men Equally. QuestionEighty-Five THE
EFFECTS OF SIN. Article One Whether Sin Diminishes Natural Good....
Happy Children and Prosperous Days
... Babylas, at Antioch, at the same time with David's Philip and Andrew, by Bishop
Eustathius, who, after the death of Porphyry, and aftereighty-five years of...
Book 5 Footnotes
... It was full two days' journey on foot from Jerusalem, 1 Samuel 21:5. The number
of priests here slain in Josephus is three hundred andeighty-five, and but...
The Cost of a Lie
... On that day he killedeighty-five men who wore the priestly robes. But Abiathar,
one of the sons of Ahimelech, escaped and fled to David....
Thesaurus
Eighty-five (4 Occurrences)Eighty-
five. Eighty-eight,
Eighty-
five. Eighty-four . Multi-Version
Concordance
Eighty-
five (4 Occurrences). Joshua
...Eighty (36 Occurrences)
... Now, behold, I ameighty-five years old, today. (WEB BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV).
Judges 3:30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel....
Doeg (6 Occurrences)
... flocks (1 Samuel 21:7). At the command of Saul he slew the high priest Ahimelech
(qv) at Nob, together with all the priests to the number ofeighty-five persons...
Assyrians (15 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:35 It happened that night, that the angel of Yahweh went out, and struck
one hundredeighty-five thousand in the camp of the Assyrians....
Assyrian (18 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:35 It happened that night, that the angel of Yahweh went out, and struck
one hundredeighty-five thousand in the camp of the Assyrians....
Wore (19 Occurrences)
... 18 The king said to Doeg, "Turn and attack the priests!" Doeg the Edomite turned,
and he attacked the priests, and he killed on that dayeighty-five people who...
Forty-five (15 Occurrences)
... while Israel walked in the wilderness. Now, behold, I ameighty-five years
old, today. (WEB BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV). 1 Kings 7:3 It...
Edomite (11 Occurrences)
... 18 The king said to Doeg, "Turn and attack the priests!" Doeg the Edomite turned,
and he attacked the priests, and he killed on that dayeighty-five people who...
Eighty-four (2 Occurrences)
Eighty-four.Eighty-five, Eighty-four. Eighty-seven . Multi-Version Concordance...
(WEB BBE DBY RSV).Eighty-five, Eighty-four. Eighty-seven . Reference Bible
E'domite (7 Occurrences)
... 18 The king said to Doeg, "Turn and attack the priests!" Doeg the Edomite turned,
and he attacked the priests, and he killed on that dayeighty-five people who...
Resources
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