Topical Encyclopedia
The number thirteen appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, often carrying symbolic significance. While not as frequently mentioned as other numbers like seven or twelve, thirteen can be associated with themes of rebellion, judgment, and transition.
Symbolism and MeaningIn biblical numerology, the number thirteen is sometimes linked to rebellion and lawlessness. This association is derived from
Genesis 14:4, where it is recorded that "for twelve years they had been subject to Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled." This passage highlights the thirteenth year as a time of uprising against established authority.
Occurrences in Scripture1.
Genesis 14:4 · The rebellion against Kedorlaomer in the thirteenth year is a notable instance where the number is directly mentioned. This event marks a significant turning point in the narrative, leading to the involvement of Abram (later Abraham) in the rescue of Lot.
2.
Genesis 17:25 · Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, was circumcised at the age of thirteen. "And his son Ishmael was thirteen years old when the flesh of his foreskin was circumcised." This act of circumcision at thirteen signifies Ishmael's inclusion in the covenant, yet it also foreshadows the future division between his descendants and those of Isaac.
3.
Jeremiah 1:2 · The prophet Jeremiah began receiving the word of the Lord in the thirteenth year of King Josiah's reign. "The word of the LORD came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah." This marks the beginning of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry, a time of calling the people of Judah to repentance and warning of impending judgment.
Theological ImplicationsThe number thirteen, while not as prominent as other biblical numbers, often appears in contexts that involve a shift or change, whether it be rebellion, covenantal inclusion, or the commencement of a prophetic mission. It serves as a reminder of the human tendency towards rebellion against divine authority and the need for repentance and alignment with God's will.
Historical and Cultural ContextIn Jewish tradition, the age of thirteen holds significance as the age of Bar Mitzvah, when a boy becomes accountable for his actions and is considered capable of fulfilling religious commandments. This cultural practice underscores the transition from childhood to adulthood, a theme that resonates with the biblical occurrences of the number thirteen.
ConclusionWhile the number thirteen is not as extensively explored in Scripture as other numbers, its appearances are noteworthy for their association with pivotal moments of change and challenge. Whether through acts of rebellion, covenantal rites, or the initiation of prophetic ministry, the thirteenth year or instance often marks a significant transition in the biblical narrative.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Next in order after the twelfth; the third after the tenth; -- the ordinal of thirteen; as, the thirteenth day of the month.
2. (a.) Constituting or being one of thirteen equal parts into which anything is divided.
3. (n.) The quotient of a unit divided by thirteen; one of thirteen equal parts into which anything is divided.
4. (n.) The next in order after the twelfth.
5. (n.) The interval comprising an octave and a sixth.
Strong's Hebrew
7969. shalosh -- a three, triad... 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), thirty (2
...6240. asar -- ten
... fourteenth* (23), nineteen* (3), nineteenth* (4), seventeen* (5), seventeenth*
(6), sixteen* (18), sixteenth* (3), thirteen* (12),thirteenth* (11), twelfth...
Library
From theThirteenth Chapter.
... from thethirteenth chapter. 1. "And I saw a beast rising up from the
sea, like unto a leopard."] This signifies the kingdom of...
Thirteenth Letter
... LETTERSTHIRTEENTH LETTER. To the same he exhorts for fuller and entire
confidence in God, for body and soul. I AM in pain to see...
Thirteenth Proposition of Arminius
...THIRTEENTH PROPOSITION OF ARMINIUS.... My reasons for answering it negatively,
are these: " ANSWER OF JUNIUS TO THETHIRTEENTH PROPOSITION....
February theThirteenth Grudges
... FEBRUARY TheThirteenth GRUDGES. "Thou shalt not bear any grudge." "Leviticus
19:11-18. How searching is that demand upon the soul!...
October theThirteenth the Royal Air
... OCTOBER TheThirteenth THE ROYAL AIR. GALATIANS iii.6-14. Emerson says somewhere
that he has noticed that men whose duties are performed...
December theThirteenth the Holy and the Profane
... DECEMBER TheThirteenth THE HOLY AND THE PROFANE. "Put difference between
the holy and the unholy." "Leviticus 10:1-10. The peril...
September theThirteenth the Clean Heart
... SEPTEMBER TheThirteenth THE CLEAN HEART. PSALM li. What will the Lord do
with my sin, if in true humility I come into His Presence?...
May theThirteenth Commonplace Fidelities
... MAY TheThirteenth COMMONPLACE FIDELITIES. EXODUS ii.11-25. God prepares
us for the greater crusades by more commonplace fidelities....
April theThirteenth Pure Gold
... APRIL TheThirteenth PURE GOLD. "Thou shalt overlay it with pure gold....
And there I will meet with thee." "Exodus 25:10-22. I...
November theThirteenth a Transformed Fisherman
... NOVEMBER TheThirteenth A TRANSFORMED FISHERMAN. "Simon Peter saith unto
them, I go a fishing." "John 21:1-14. Simon Peter had...
Thesaurus
Thirteenth (12 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Next in order after the twelfth; the third after
the tenth; -- the ordinal of thirteen; as, the
thirteenth day of the month.
...Fourteenth (25 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Next in order after thethirteenth; as, the
fourteenth day of the month. 2. (a.) Making or constituting...
Adar (10 Occurrences)
... provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and
old, little children and women, in one day, even on thethirteenth day of the...
Twelfth (20 Occurrences)
... provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and
old, little children and women, in one day, even on thethirteenth day of the...
Provinces (40 Occurrences)
... Esther 3:12 Then were the king's scribes called in the first month, on thethirteenth
day thereof, and there was written, according to all that Haman commanded...
Feasting (39 Occurrences)
... Esther 9:17 This was done on thethirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the
fourteenth day of that month they rested and made it a day of feasting and...
Edict (22 Occurrences)
... Esther 3:12 Then the king's scribes were called in on the first month, on the
thirteenth day of the month; and all that Haman commanded was written to the...
Xerxes (24 Occurrences)
... Esther 3:12 Then the king's scribes were called in on the first month, on the
thirteenth day of the month; and all that Haman commanded was written to the...
Ahasu-e'rus (30 Occurrences)
... Esther 3:12 Then were the king's scribes called in the first month, on thethirteenth
day thereof, and there was written, according to all that Haman commanded...
Gladness (83 Occurrences)
... Esther 9:17 This was done on thethirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the
fourteenth day of that month they rested and made it a day of feasting and...
Resources
What did Jesus mean when He said, “Peace, be still”? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Codex Gigas? | GotQuestions.orgWhat influence did Julius Caesar have on biblical history? | GotQuestions.orgThirteenth: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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