Topical Encyclopedia
Biblical Significance:The number thirteen appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, often associated with themes of rebellion, judgment, and transition. While not as frequently mentioned as other numbers, its occurrences carry significant theological implications.
Occurrences in Scripture:1.
Genesis 14:4 · "For twelve years they had been subject to Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled." This passage marks the first mention of the number thirteen in the Bible. The rebellion of the kings against Chedorlaomer in the thirteenth year signifies a break from subjugation and the onset of conflict, highlighting the number's association with rebellion and upheaval.
2.
Genesis 17:25 · "And his son Ishmael was thirteen years old when he was circumcised." Ishmael's circumcision at thirteen years old is significant in the context of the Abrahamic covenant. It marks a transition in Ishmael's life and signifies his inclusion in the covenant community, albeit later superseded by Isaac as the child of promise.
3.
1 Kings 7:1 · "Solomon, however, took thirteen years to complete the construction of his entire palace." The construction of Solomon's palace taking thirteen years contrasts with the seven years it took to build the temple (
1 Kings 6:38). This disparity may reflect the human tendency to prioritize personal endeavors over divine ones, a subtle reminder of the need for balance in devotion and duty.
Symbolic Interpretations:In biblical numerology, thirteen is often seen as a number of rebellion and lawlessness. This interpretation is derived from its association with events that disrupt order or signify a departure from divine instruction. The rebellion of the kings in
Genesis 14 and the transition in Ishmael's life both underscore this theme.
Theological Reflections:The number thirteen serves as a reminder of the human propensity to rebel against divine authority. It calls believers to reflect on their own lives, examining areas where they may be resisting God's will. Additionally, the number's presence in the context of covenant and construction invites contemplation on the priorities and commitments of one's spiritual journey.
Conclusion:While the number thirteen is not as prominent as other biblical numbers, its occurrences are rich with meaning. It challenges believers to consider the implications of rebellion and the importance of aligning personal ambitions with divine purposes.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) One more than twelve; ten and three; as, thirteen ounces or pounds.
2. (n.) The number greater by one than twelve; the sum of ten and three; thirteen units or objects.
3. (n.) A symbol representing thirteen units, as 13 or xiii.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
THIRTEEN; THIRTYthur'-ten, thur-ten', thur'-ti.
SeeNUMBER.
Strong's Hebrew
7969. shalosh -- a three, triad... 3), 59,300* (2), 603,550* (2), 623* (1), 64,300* (1), 7,337* (2), 743* (2), 973*
(2), forks* (1), oftentimes* (1), third (11),
thirteen* (12), thirteenth* (11
...2608. Chananyah -- "Yah has been gracious," the name of a number...
... Hananiah Or Chananyahuw {khan-an-yaw'-hoo}; from chanan and Yahh; Jah has favored;
Chananjah, the name ofthirteen Israelites -- Hananiah. see HEBREW chanan....
6240. asar -- ten
... fourteen* (17), fourteenth* (23), nineteen* (3), nineteenth* (4), seventeen* (5),
seventeenth* (6), sixteen* (18), sixteenth* (3),thirteen* (12), thirteenth...
5662. Obadyah -- "servant of Yah," the name of a number of Isr.
... Obadiah. Or mobadyahuw {o-bad-yaw'-hoo}; active participle of abad and Yahh; serving
Jah; Obadjah, the name ofthirteen Israelites -- Obadiah. see HEBREW abad....
Library
Chapterthirteen
... ChapterThirteen. When the bell rang for tea she went down and her grandmother
did not appear. She sent a servant to her room who...
Of the Aureoles (Thirteen Articles)
... OF THE AUREOLES (THIRTEEN ARTICLES). In the next place we must consider the aureoles.
Under this head there arethirteen points of inquiry:...
Of the Intellectual Powers (Thirteen Articles)
... OF THE INTELLECTUAL POWERS (THIRTEEN ARTICLES). The next question concerns the
intellectual powers, under which head there arethirteen points of inquiry:...
Of the Order of Charity (Thirteen Articles)
... OF THE ORDER OF CHARITY (THIRTEEN ARTICLES). We must now consider the order of
charity, under which head there arethirteen points of inquiry:...
How God is Known by us (Thirteen Articles)
... HOW GOD IS KNOWN BY US (THIRTEEN ARTICLES). As hitherto we have considered
God as He is in Himself, we now go on to consider in what...
This Treatise ContainsThirteen Chapters. The Following is a Brief
... THE DIVINE NAMES This Treatise containsthirteen chapters. The following is
a brief. summary of their contents. Chapter I. Introductory....
Question one Hundred andThirteen the Effects of Grace
... Question One Hundred andThirteen THE EFFECTS OF GRACE. THE EFFECTS OF GRACE
We must now inquire into the effects of grace. We shall...
The Living Word
... Nicolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig the Singer of Pentecost ChapterThirteen
The Living Word. Grundtvig began his ministry in the...
Verbal Inspiration
... ChapterThirteen Verbal Inspiration. Not only does the Bible claim to be
a Divine revelation but it also asserts that its original...
Pilgrims of the Victorious Life
... CHAPTERTHIRTEEN PILGRIMS OF THE VICTORIOUS LIFE. PILGRIMS OF THE VICTORIOUS
LIFE Please tell me, will you, if a really victorious...
Thesaurus
Thirteen (16 Occurrences)... 1. (a.) One more than twelve; ten and three; as,
thirteen ounces or pounds.
... 3.
(n.) A symbol representing
thirteen units, as 13 or xiii. Int.
...Thirteenth (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Next in order after the twelfth; the third after
the tenth; -- the ordinal ofthirteen; as, the thirteenth day of the month....
Fringes (4 Occurrences)
... Thus in the tsitsith a long cord is wrapped around seven shorter cords first seven
times, then eight, then eleven, and finallythirteen, each series being...
Pasturelands (42 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Joshua 21:19 All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests,
werethirteen cities with their suburbs. (See NIV)....
Gershon (23 Occurrences)
... The Gershonites were given two wagons with four oxen-half as many as the Merarites,
according to their service (Numbers 7:7).Thirteen cities were assigned to...
Allotted (54 Occurrences)
... The children of Aaron the priest, who were of the Levites, hadthirteen cities by
lot out of the tribe of Judah, out of the tribe of the Simeonites, and out of...
Suburbs (75 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Joshua 21:19 All the cities of the children of Aaron,
the priests, werethirteen cities with their suburbs. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)...
Temple (614 Occurrences)
... nations. These two courts were separated by a low wall, as Josephus states,
some 4 1/2 feet high, withthirteen openings. Along...
Kohathite (18 Occurrences)
... The children of Aaron the priest, who were of the Levites, hadthirteen cities by
lot out of the tribe of Judah, out of the tribe of the Simeonites, and out of...
Grass-lands (42 Occurrences)
... four towns. (BBE). Joshua 21:19Thirteen towns with their grass-lands were
given to the children of Aaron, the priests. (BBE). Joshua...
Resources
What is the birth order of Jacob's thirteen children? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of Friday the 13th? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Paul in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgThirteen: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
