Topical Encyclopedia
The term "fourscore" is an archaic English word meaning eighty. It is derived from the Old English term "feowertig," which means four times twenty. In the context of the Bible, "fourscore" is used to denote the number eighty and appears in various passages to describe age, quantities, or periods of time.
Biblical Usage1.
Age and Lifespan: The term "fourscore" is often used in the Bible to describe the age of individuals, particularly in the context of human lifespan. In
Psalm 90:10 , Moses reflects on the brevity of human life, stating, "The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away." Here, "fourscore" is used to indicate the upper limit of a typical human lifespan, emphasizing the transitory nature of life.
2.
Military and Census: In the context of military and census records, "fourscore" is used to count people or soldiers. For example, in
2 Samuel 19:32 , Barzillai the Gileadite is described as "a very old man, eighty years of age," who had provided for King David during his stay in Mahanaim. This passage highlights the respect and honor given to those of advanced age, as well as the role of elders in supporting leadership.
3.
Historical Events: The term is also used in historical narratives to describe periods or events. In
1 Samuel 27:7 , it is recorded, "The time that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a year and four months." While not directly using "fourscore," this passage reflects the biblical style of counting time in terms of scores and other units.
Symbolic SignificanceIn biblical numerology, the number eighty, or "fourscore," can symbolize strength, maturity, and the fulfillment of a life cycle. It is often associated with the culmination of a period of testing or trial, as seen in the life of Moses, who lived to be 120 years old, or three times forty, a number often associated with periods of trial and testing in the Bible.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn ancient Near Eastern cultures, reaching the age of eighty was considered a significant milestone, often associated with wisdom and experience. The use of "fourscore" in the Bible reflects this cultural understanding, highlighting the respect accorded to elders and the value placed on longevity and life experience.
ConclusionThe term "fourscore" serves as a reminder of the biblical perspective on the brevity and preciousness of life. It underscores the importance of living a life of faith and purpose, recognizing that our days are numbered and that true wisdom comes from understanding our place in God's eternal plan.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Four times twenty; eighty.
2. (n.) The product of four times twenty; eighty units or objects.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FOURSCOREfor'-skor.
SeeFOUR;NUMBER.
Greek
3589. ogdoekonta -- eighty...fourscore. From ogdoos; ten times eight --
fourscore. see GREEK ogdoos. (ogdoekonta) --
2 Occurrences. 3588, 3589. ogdoekonta. 3590 . Strong's Numbers.
Strong's Hebrew
8084. shemonim -- an eighty... eightieth,
fourscore. Or shmowniym {shem-o-neem'}; mult. From shmoneh; eighty, also
eightieth -- eighty(-ieth),
fourscore. see HEBREW shmoneh. 8083, 8084.
...Library
There are Threescore Queens andFourscore Concubines, and virgins...
... CHAPTER VI. 7. There are threescore queens andfourscore concubines, and
virgins without number. The Bridegroom declares that there...
On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xii. 56, 58, "Ye Know How to...
... Let us suppose that we have known the number of his years from his birth; for instance
(that we may wish him well) he has to livefourscore years, he is to...
Divers Matters.
... The Jerusalem Talmudists write thus: "Fourscore pair of brethren, priests, married
fourscore pair of sisters, priestesses, in Gophna, in one night." You will...
One Day when He had Gone Forth Because all the Monks had Assembled...
... For it is written, "The days of our life in them are threescore years and ten, but
if they are in strength,fourscore years, and what is more than these is...
The Same when at Rome, Being Led by Others into the Amphitheatre...
... was a building of an elliptic figure, five hundred and sixty-four feet in length,
and four hundred and sixty-seven in breadth, founded onfourscore arches, and...
How Nebuzaradan Set Gedaliah Over the Jews that were Left in Judea...
... But the next dayfourscore men came out of the country with presents to Gedaliah,
none of them knowing what had befallen him; when Ishmael saw them, he invited...
Psalm XC.
... spent in thought like a spider." [4249] "The days of our age are threescore years
and ten; and though men be so strong that they come tofourscore years, yet...
The Exile Continued.
... ancestral hatred, desires no better work, and Doeg crowns his baseness by
slaying"with the help of his herdsmen, no doubt""on that dayfourscore and five...
Seventh Letter
... LETTERS SEVENTH LETTER. At the age of nearlyfourscore exhorts his correspondent,
who is sixty-four, to live and die with God and promises and asks for prayer....
Concerning Widows.
... of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser, which departed not from the temple, but continued
in supplications and prayers night and day, who wasfourscore years old...
Thesaurus
Fourscore (33 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
FOURSCORE. for'-skor. See FOUR; NUMBER.
Multi-Version Concordance
Fourscore (33 Occurrences).
...Hewers (13 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 5:15 And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and
fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains; (KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV)....
Threescore (87 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 5:15 And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens,
andfourscore thousand hewers in the mountains; (KJV JPS ASV)....
Rehobo'am (42 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 12:21 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, be assembled all the house
of Judah, and the tribe of Benjamin, a hundred andfourscore thousand chosen...
Valiant (66 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 7:5 And their brethren among all the families of Issachar were valiant
men of might, reckoned in all by their genealogiesfourscore and seven...
Valour (66 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 7:5 And their brethren among all the families of Issachar, mighty men
of valor, reckoned in all by genealogy, werefourscore and seven thousand....
Zebadi'ah (9 Occurrences)
... Deal courageously, and the LORD be with the good.' (See RSV). Ezra 8:8 And of the
sons of Shephatiah, Zebadiah the son of Michael; and with himfourscore males....
Neto'phah (2 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:22 The men of Netophah, fifty and six. (See RSV). Nehemiah 7:26 The men of
Beth-lehem and Netophah, a hundredfourscore and eight. (See RSV)....
Undisturbed (12 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Judges 3:30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel.
And the land had restfourscore years. (See NAS). Judges...
Owest (4 Occurrences)
... thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take
thy bill, and writefourscore. (KJV ASV WBS). Philemon...
Resources
Fourscore: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
